The air is hot and humid on this day in Cartagena, Colombia. A man arrives at a bus stop where rubbish is piled up in and next to the bins.
Suddenly he notices something strange on one of the piles of rubbish. He steps closer and takes a closer look.
What he sees compels him to act immediately. There is not much time left. Without wasting a second, he calls for help.
Time is of the essence
The rescuers from the animal welfare organisation Isla Animal find two puppies barely four weeks old on the rubbish heap.
The two puppies appear to be sleeping, but Lina Patino, founder of Isla Animal, and her colleague Jennifer Ponsford know better.
If the puppies are to survive, the women have to hurry. Only at the rescue centre can the dogs finally be provided with water, food and medication.
A thorough examination reveals a heavy tick infestation. The bloated bellies also indicate parasites in the intestines.
Can they be rescued?
The animal rescuers doubt whether the two small puppies can survive at all.
„In the first 24 hours, they were so exhausted and lethargic that I thought they wouldn’t make it. I thought they were going to die“,
reports Lina Patino, deeply moved.
It was only on the third day that the animal welfare workers‘ efforts seemed to pay off. The dogs become livelier and show more energy.
And then things start to improve, slowly and in small steps. They are now almost two months old and, thanks to their rescuers, they are doing better than ever before.
The dogs are given the names Beto and Enrique, and when they are not sleeping snuggled up together, they play happily with each other.
Happy at last
Although they still have some growing up to do before they can be placed in good hands, the dog siblings are enjoying their new life.
The animal welfare workers are happy for the two puppies and give them all the love they need to develop well.
Beto and Enrique had been thrown away like rubbish to die.
„They trusted in their luck and met angels“
lina Patino is certain.
Source: The Dodo
