Saving Gustavo

On a recent trip to Colombia, we were walking on the beach when we stumbled upon the most heartbreaking dog you could imagine seeing.  At the time, I wasn't sure how I could save this dog.  I gave him water and tried to find him some food.  We couldn't take him with us on a bus back to town.  But I couldn't forget the image of him and his sweet eyes.  I knew I could at least reach out to anyone locally who could help.  I had to try.

I searched the internet for any kind of rescue org that could help and as luck would have it, there was a rescue in Cartagena (quite uncommon in Colombia).  I contacted Maureen from Cartagena Paws to tell her about this sweet, sad, dying dog and ask if she could help.  She was on her way to fly back to the US, but said she would see if she could help find him.  Over a week later, she messaged me that someone had seen him on the beach.  She jumped in a taxi and scoured the area for hours until she found him.  He was in dire condition, skin and bones, days away from death.  She brought him to the vet so he could begin to heal and to recover.   We named him Gus and his journey to a happy life can finally begin.

I promised to cover the vet expenses.  It will not be quick or easy or cheap.  But he deserves a chance to enjoy life.  The estimate for three months at the vet to recover and treat his heartworm is about $1000.  He may need up to six months in care and it's about $300-400 per month, so we are hoping to raise at least $2000 to cover his recovery and any other medical issues that may arise for him.  Any amount over the cost of his vet bills will go toward the fundraising efforts for the education-based Rescue Center so that more dogs like Gus can be saved. 
 
More information about Cartagena Paws Inc: Cartagena Paws is a volunteer based 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to the rescue of injured, abused and abandoned street animals of Cartagena. We provide these abused animals with food, shelter, and medical treatment. Our ultimate goal is to find each and every one of them a loving and permanent home. Our mission is to change the lives of animals in Cartagena by changing the culture of animal abuse and neglect present in and around the city.