A heart-wrenching scene unfolded when a severely emaciated dog collapsed and couldn’t go on. Its frantic attempt to find solace on a heap of rags was thwarted by a small chain tightly wound around its neck, leaving its head hanging without direction.
Cala, the abused canine, had been hired as a guard dog by a mechanic in San José, Costa Rica. Unfortunately, its purported caretaker failed to provide proper nutrition and didn’t seek veterinary care when it became ill.
Cala’s health deteriorated gradually, and holding its head up became a battle for each breath. With time running out, concerned neighbors intervened, informed local authorities, and reached out to the compassionate staff at Territorio de Zaguates, a well-known local sanctuary dedicated to the welfare of thousands of dogs.
Lya Battle, the creator of Territorio de Zaguates, felt deep sorrow and anger at the sight of Cala’s dire situation. “The first picture I saw of her was of a wretched creature stripped of her dignity and ready to give up: a dog whose spirit had been broken and just waiting for the end to come as she lived a nightmare without an end,” Battle told The New York Times. Elders.
Cala was swiftly taken from her tormentor’s property by the police and the sanctuary staff who responded to her distress call. She was taken to a veterinarian who treated her severe emaciation and the wounds caused by the constriction of the chain. Subsequently, Cala found refuge at Territorio de Zaguates, where she embarked on a path to physical and mental recovery.
Cala had to endure tough procedures to mend her injuries, especially the damage inflicted by years of being hung by the cruel metal chain around her neck. Despite the agony, Cala realized that love and rewards awaited after the distress and persevered through each stage of her rehabilitation.
Cala’s initial caution around her fellow canine companions led Battle to believe that she had never encountered other dogs or had been raised to see them as rivals. However, her trust grew over time through interactions with other dogs and the affectionate people surrounding her.
