Mi Casa es Su Casa
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Mi Casa es Su Casa
A local family’s heartwarming tale of Coffee, Colombia, and Tejo
Tejo walking with friends on a farm (finca) in La Cascada, Tolima, Colombia.
By Shane Gilreath
Tejo walking down the famous “Umbrella Street”in Guatape.
For many, spring is a time that signals rebirth, but as the clock ticked toward this season of renewal, one Scott County family’s impromptu plans were lovingly, but inconveniently derailed. That ordeal quickly became a story of fascination for many, who painstakingly followed social media for daily updates, in a story that demonstrates love, kindness, and compassion. The McNamara family’s plan seemed simple at first: the addition of a four-legged family member, but when the Oneida-based family, owners of the popular coffee chain, Gather Coffee, boarded their flight to Colombia in hopes of scouting local coffee farms in the mountains of South America, they could never have imagined the trip would spiral into an international ordeal that ultimately involved members of Congress, customs agents, the CDC, mountains of paperwork, and one beloved canine from La Cascada, Colombia. As many across Scott County were glued to social media for updates, the McNamaras were busy trying to bring that dog home to Tennessee.
“This has been, 100% – the hardest thing I have done (and, it doesn’t need to be that way TBH),“ Scott McNamara posted on April 6th, speaking of the many hoops his family had to overcome, and for those tracking the story, it was easy to believe.
When the McNamaras rented a cabin in the mountains of Colombia, ina region famed for its favorable geographical and climatic conditions and a commitment to producing high-quality Arabica coffee, unbeknownst to them, they were in for an adventure. When Scott posted to social media, saying a dog – who the family named Tejo, after the Colombian sport – had adopted the family, his friends and family were instantly taken by the canine fairy tale. Tejo’s story would ultimately become one that mimicked the American dream and a diligent pursuit of freedom.
Tejo overlooking the streets of Guatape.
“I know dogs are special, I have had many,” Scott said. “But Tejo – this pup is certainly special.”
Perhaps more than the family realized, Tejo had chosen his forever family, showing up a the family’s cabin in La Cascada, and try though they did, he wouldn’t leave. When they tried to leave the town, Tejo followed them – for nearly two and a half miles. While Tejo had owners, his life had been tough, neighbors told the McNamaras, with the dog experiencing abusive beatings, being kicked and having water thrown at him. So the McNamara’s did what anyone would do – they put him in their car, saw a vet, got him groomed, and took him along as the family moved around the city of Ibagué, thinking they’d place the dog in a shelter. And, as these things go, the entire family fell in love, Scott McNamara told SCN, and a decision was made that Tejo – the dog from the mountains of Colombia – should become an American citizen in the mountains of Tennessee.
The story, though, didn’t get easier. Tejo was required to undergo tests for US entry, including a Titre test to assess his level of immunity to three known diseases: parvo-virus, canine distemper, and hepatitis. The tests were expedited to the United States for rabies tests, as well, to make sure vaccinations had worked. This process is noted to be one of wait – potentially 3-4 weeks. At this juncture, Scott McNamara said goodbye to his family, who came back to Oneida. Scott, though, stayed in Colombia with Tejo at his side.
“Such a weird feeling to be here in Colombia without my tribe,” Scott told his social media following. “It’s such a special place for us. Going to
Scott and Kristin McNamara with Tejo in Guatape, Colombia.
make this week alone count – hopefully getting to take Tejo home and also make some progress on some work projects.”
Eventually, that wish came true –or so they thought –when Scott and Tejo flew to Miami International in Florida, where they were ultimately denied entry into the United States by the CDC. As a result, Scott and Tejo had to fly back to Colombia to make preparations for a second attempt at making Tejo an American dog. With a sense of urgency and time ticking on the clock, McNamara began contacting Senator Marsha Blackburn and Congressman John Rose for assistance. Both, according to Scott, were helpful.
“I’m proud we were able to help expedite the arrival of Tejo, the newest member of the McNamara family. I look forward to meeting the pup and I admire the McNamaras for working so hard to bring him home,” Rose told SCN. “When our team can make the lives of Tennesseans better, we have done our job.”
The senator’s office told SCN that Blackburn also was proud to have assisted Tejo and his family. “Our team is committed to serving the people of Tennessee,” they said, “and working diligently to help with any challenges they may face.”
On their second attempt to enter the country through an international port, McNamara and Tejo tried their luck in the nation’s capital – from Bogota to Washington, DC. But, as luck would have it, as they were leaving Colombia, their plane was changed and the airline no longer allowed dogs on the flight. The hold was not pressurized. In a surprise turn of compassion, Avianca Airline granted Tejo the status of a service dog, an
The family in front of the cathedral in Jardin, Antioquia Colombia.
exception that allowed Scott and Tejo fly together in the cabin.
“The entire ticket crew was crying,” Scott said.
And there it was, just as the nation’s capital was bidding adieu to its famous cherry blossoms, it welcomed a new American citizen – Tejo, a rescue dog from the mountains of Colombia. After an ordeal lasting seven weeks and $7,000 in expenses, Tejo finally made his way home to Tennessee.
