On a sweltering, humid day in Cartagena, Colombia, a local man was walking past a bus station when something unusual caught his eye. Atop a heap of garbage, nestled among scraps of paper and discarded plastic, were two tiny puppies lying still on the trash pile.
They looked as though they were sleeping, but something about the scene didn’t sit right. Concerned, the passerby took a closer look — and realized these puppies were in serious trouble. No mother, no littermates. Just two fragile lives discarded like trash.
Without hesitation, he called Isla Animal, a trusted local rescue.
Lina Patino, Isla Animal’s founder, rushed to the scene with fellow rescuer Jennifer Ponsford. Fighting the oppressive heat, they carefully scooped up the month-old pups and rushed them back to Isla Animal’s sanctuary.
“They were literally thrown away next to the bus terminal,” Patino told The Dodo. “They were destined to die…”
The situation was grim. The puppies, later named Enrique and Beto, were malnourished, covered in ticks, and their swollen bellies hinted at a severe parasite load. They were barely moving, their bodies limp and spirits fading.
“The first 24 hours were terrifying,” Patino said. “They were so lethargic and down that I thought they wouldn’t make it.”
But despite the odds, the rescuers didn’t give up. The team quickly gave them food, clean water, tick repellent, and antiparasitic medication. Slowly — miraculously — the puppies began to respond.
“By the third day, they were full of energy,” Patino said. “We gave them medicated baths for their skin, and now they’re thriving.”
Enrique and Beto are now around 2 months old, and the transformation is nothing short of remarkable. With their parasites gone and bellies full of nutritious food, the once-forgotten pups are finally learning how to be playful, happy puppies.
Most days, they can be found snuggled up in a nap or wrestling in joyful play. While they’re not quite ready for adoption yet, they’re getting closer by the day — and their rescuers are hopeful that forever homes are just around the corner.
Next on the list? Vaccinations — and a lifetime of love.
“They were lucky,” Patino said. “They met angels.”
Want to help?
You can support Isla Animal’s rescue work by donating via PayPal or shopping their merchandise on their website. To inquire about adopting Enrique and Beto, reach out to Isla Animal on Instagram.
Follow Jennifer Ponsford’s ongoing rescue work in Cartagena on Instagram to see more stories of survival, hope, and love.
