NATCHEZ — Between siestas in the sun, this visiting Mexican pup has only one Christmas wish, and it has nothing to do with tacos.

Paco Bell — yes, Paco — wants to go home for Christmas.

And a couple of Natchez residents want to make his wish come true.

The 10-year-old Chihuahua came to Natchez Regional Medical Center approximately two weeks with his ailing owner.

The owner and the dog were apparently homeless and had been walking the streets after leaving a temporary housing arrangement in Woodville.

The man fell ill and was admitted to the hospital for several days.

Hospital rules meant Paco had no place to go.

A former NRMC employee and friend of several hospital employees, Margaret Stutzman, came to the rescue, picking up Paco and taking him to a local veterinarian’s office where he was boarded for a week.

Then, NRMC Women’s Center manager and nurse Lyn Latimer picked up the dog, paid for his shots and grooming, and took him to her house.

In the meantime, the dog’s owner was released from the hospital. NRMC Pink Ladies purchased a bus ticket for the man, providing him transportation to his relative’s house in Pennsylvania.

“He called me two days after he got back and let me know he was there,” Latimer said. “I told him, ‘We will get (Paco) there.’ Now I’m trying to get some animal lovers to help me.”

Airfare for the dog is likely to cost $250, Latimer estimated. Someone has volunteered to purchase a traveling crate for Paco. And Latimer needs to pay the animal’s medical bills of approximately $100.

Paco Bell has found temporary shelter in Latimer’s sunroom where he spent the first few days on the couch under a warm blanket. He’s livened up a bit now, she said, and blends right in with her six other rescue dogs.

“When he first got there, he was missing his owner,” Latimer said. “He’s very friendly. He does have that Chihuahua shake and a real deep voice when he barks. And he wants to eat a lot.”

The dog’s owner has been very appreciative of all the help from his new Natchez friends, Latimer said. But one final favor remains.

“We are trying to get (Paco) back home for Christmas,” she said.

Anyone who wants to donate to Paco’s travel can contact Latimer at the hospital at 601-443-2295.

Any money above what is needed to fund Paco’s expenses will be donated to the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society.