After a risky journey, a migrant and his dog say goodbye at the US border

CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico, September 12 (Reuters) – Venezuelan migrant Brayan Pinto, 18, and his fluffy little white dog, Brandi, traveled through several countries and dangerous tropical jungle to reach the US-Mexico border.

On Monday, the two companions had to say goodbye.

“She’s been with me for two years,” Pinto said, hugging the fluffy pink-collared animal – a mix of Pekingese and Toy Poodle – in full view of El Paso, Texas.

Brandi had been a gift from her mother before her death to become her emotional support pet, and the little dog had crossed many boundaries with her.

“Now that we’ve reached the United States, they’re telling me I have to leave her because she can’t get to the other side,” he said.

Before marching alone to the US border, Pinto recalled their long journey together, including nine days through the notoriously dangerous Darien Gap between Panama and Colombia.

“Leaving her is like leaving a family member,” Pinto said.

Then he sadly hugged Brandi to a photojournalist who had agreed to take care of her in Mexico, and buried his face in her curly fur for a final farewell.

Reporting by Jose Luis Gonzalez, editing by Daina Beth Solomon and Rosalba O’Brien

Our standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.