A few months ago, while fishing with friends on a quiet lake in Ecuador, Arteman Córdova thought it would be an ordinary day on the water. He had no idea that before the afternoon was over, his life — and another’s — would change forever.
From across the lake, Córdova suddenly heard a faint whimpering sound coming from the distant shore. Before he could make sense of it, there was a splash — and then he saw a small, dark figure paddling through the water, heading straight for his boat.
At first, he could hardly believe his eyes.
“It was a little puppy,” Córdova told The Dodo. “We were anchored, so we couldn’t move the boat closer. I was in awe that she jumped into the water and swam all the way to us without even knowing me.”
When the exhausted pup finally reached the boat, Córdova gently scooped her out of the water. She was shivering, skinny, and clearly starving.
It seemed she’d been abandoned nearby and had bravely taken her only chance at survival — swimming toward a stranger.
Córdova shared his lunch with her right there on the boat and gave her a name that matched her strength: Medusa.
But it wasn’t just a rescue — it was the start of something beautiful.
“In my mind, while she was swimming toward me, I already knew I was going to adopt her,” Córdova said.
And he did.
Two months later, Medusa has settled happily into her new home and family. Her days are now filled with warmth, food, and love — a far cry from the lonely shore she left behind.
“She’s adapted very well,” Córdova said. “We all love her very much.”
That day on the lake, a hungry little puppy found hope — and a fisherman found an unexpected best friend.
“[Finding her] was something amazing,” Córdova said. “I feel happy with Medusa.”
