When I was staying in Alligator Pond, there was a mother dog with eight puppies who someone had just let off by the coast to fend for herself. Where I was, no one was feeding them or giving them water throughout the hot days. The mother was literally a walking skeleton. I have never seen a dog alive that was so emaciated. Being the animal lover that I am (to a point of obsession), I went down to town each day and got scraps of food from vendors and small local restaurants and took them back. The pups and mom ate like they had never seen food before. There was no container to put water in so I got a few large water bottles and cut them down as drinking dishes. The pups were so cute, the mom, although wary of people, would come running when she saw me especially if I had something that looked like food in my hands. One little puppy had an infection on it's neck. All I could do was put some antibiotic ointment on it. Sadly, after four days, I had to leave. I bought some dog food and asked the caretaker where I was to help feed them but I knew as soon as the food was gone, their fate was questionable.

For the next week, I could not sleep thinking about these sweet animals starving or thirsting literally to death. As soon as I got home, I found two animal organizations on the internet and made a plea for them to go get the puppies. One was in Ochie and too far to come. The other in Kingston, has been in contact and arranged for the puppies and mama dog to be picked up this Friday and taken to Kingston. Last night, I found out that several people I talked to about the puppies while I was in Alligator Pond came and took three of the puppies. One was a preacher who took the puppy with the infection on its neck. So, now the rest will be picked up by a student who travels to St. Eliz for school and returns to Kingston on weekends. I am so thrilled that there may be hope for all of them.

I want to point out the incredible work this organization does across the world. Their website is www.animal-kind.org
I offered to pay the expenses to get the pups to Kingston and plan to make a monthly donation for several months. After all, they have to care for the animals until they are homed.

I can't say enough for Deborah in Kingston, Karen who made the email connection with me, Oreen at Sea Riv and all those whose hearts answered to the call of compassion. I did not take photos since I felt it might be disturbing, however, Deborah is going to photograph them after they are back to health.

For those whose hearts break every time you see a starving animal in Jamaica, please consider making a donation, no matter how small to Animal Kind. I have a contact name (she works at the bank) to send these to. Just email me at sisirie@io.com

Blessed be all things great and small