On a sweltering day in Cartagena, Colombia, a passerby walking near a busy bus station spotted something unusual atop a mountain of trash. As he got closer, he realized with a sinking heart that two tiny puppies were lying helplessly on top of the garbage heap.
The puppies, barely a month old, were completely alone — no mother or siblings in sight. At first, they seemed to be sleeping, but it was clear to the concerned stranger that they were in desperate need of help. Without hesitation, he contacted Isla Animal, a trusted local dog rescue.
Lina Patino, Isla Animal’s founder, rushed to the scene alongside her rescue partner, Jennifer Ponsford. In the blazing heat, they quickly gathered the fragile puppies and sped them to safety at Isla Animal’s refuge center.
“They were dumped in a trash can next to the bus terminal,” Patino told The Dodo. “They were meant to die there …”
The puppies, later named Enrique and Beto, were in critical condition. Their tiny bodies were covered in ticks, and their distended bellies pointed to a heavy parasite infestation. But Patino and Ponsford were determined not to let these babies become another tragic story.
“They were extremely malnourished,” Patino said. “We gave them food, water, anti-parasitic treatment, and tick repellent immediately.”
The first 24 hours were terrifying. The puppies were so weak and depressed that Patino feared they might not survive.
“I truly thought they wouldn’t make it,” she said.
But Enrique and Beto proved to be stronger than anyone imagined. By the third day, their spirits began to lift, and their little bodies showed signs of healing.
“We gave them medicated baths to treat their skin, and they’ve been thriving ever since,” Patino said.
Now almost 2 months old, Enrique and Beto are worlds away from the fragile pups found on the trash heap. They’ve been steadily gaining strength and enjoying all the love and care showered on them by their rescuers.
When they're not snuggled together for naps, the puppies spend their days happily playing — embracing the puppyhood they nearly lost.
Soon, Enrique and Beto will receive their first round of vaccines, bringing them one step closer to finding forever homes. Until then, they’re soaking up every ounce of love and attention — a far cry from the cruel fate they narrowly escaped.
“They got lucky and met angels,” Patino said, smiling.
To help stray animals like Enrique and Beto receive the care they deserve, you can donate via PayPal or purchase Isla Animal merchandise through their website.
If you’re interested in adopting Enrique or Beto, reach out to Isla Animal on Instagram.
And to follow Jennifer Ponsford’s ongoing rescue efforts in Cartagena, you can find her on Instagram as well.
