On a scorching, humid day in Cartagena, Colombia, a resident passing by a bus station noticed something unusual atop a pile of trash.
As he went near the overflowing dumpster for a better look, his heart sank when he saw two tiny puppies lying in the discarded trash, struggling to find comfort among the garbage.
The puppies, only about a month old, were alone—there was no sign of their mother or any other siblings nearby. Although they appeared to be resting, the observer could tell they urgently needed medical care. Without hesitation, he contacted a trusted rescue group, Isla Animal.
A Quick Response to Save Two Lives
Lina Patino, founder of Isla Animal, and her rescue partner, Jennifer Ponsford, rushed to the scene, determined to save the abandoned puppies. Battling the oppressive heat, they swiftly gathered the fragile puppies and headed to Isla Animal’s refuge center.
“They were thrown away in a garbage can next to the bus terminal,” Patino recalled. “They were destined to die…”
The condition of the puppies was dire. They were covered in ticks, and their bloated bellies indicated a parasitic infection. Despite their poor health, Patino and Ponsford refused to give up on the siblings.
“They were malnourished… we gave them food, water, antiparasitic medication, and applied tick repellent,” Patino shared. “For the first 24 hours, they were so depressed and lethargic, I thought they wouldn’t make it… that they would die.”
The Resilient Puppies Start to Recover
Although Patino and Ponsford feared the worst, they were soon relieved to see the puppies, named Enrique and Beto, begin to show signs of life. After just three days, their energy skyrocketed.
“By the third day, they had more energy than ever before,” Patino said. “We gave them medicated baths for their skin conditions, and they’ve been doing great ever since.”
Now almost two months old, Beto and Enrique are thriving, thanks to the love and care they received from their rescuers. With ticks and parasites gone, the puppies are finally getting the nourishment they need to grow stronger.
When they’re not napping together, the two can be found joyfully playing. Though still growing, the siblings are relishing their new lives.
Looking Toward a Bright Future
Beto and Enrique are eagerly awaiting their first round of puppy vaccines and can’t wait to find their forever families. For now, they are soaking up all the love their rescuers have to offer. And Patino and Ponsford are overjoyed to see them so healthy.
“They counted on luck and met angels,” Patino said.