I recently learned to never turn your back because the feat in front of you seems impossible...

I don't know how many of you remember that while I was in Alligator Pond, there was a starving mother dog (literally) and eight puppies. I had never seen an animal still alive as thin and wasted as the mom. The puppies were just about old enough to wean and they had drained her of nutrition as well. While we were there, we found food and water and helped them get a leg up on life. The mama and I became friends and she seemed to think there was some hope... but then we left. Although we left a few bags of dog food behind, it was a constant worry about what would happen after about a week. Death, disease, neglect, starvation seemed inevitable.

To make a long story short, as soon as I got back to the US, (which was almost two weeks later) I began googling animal organizations in Jamaica. There really aren't any working full force except for the Animal House in Ocho Rios and a woman in Kingston who is associated with a national org called Animal-kind. This woman (Deborah) found someone to go to Alligator Pond and pick up the mama and the remaining two puppies. (I am not certain what happened to all the others altho I was told that various people saw them along the beach and picked them up- a Preacher and fisherman). When Deborah's friend came to get the dogs, another adult who matched the mama and seemed to know the mama (they think an older previous puppy) were retrieved and taken to Kingston. I have no idea where the second adult dog came from. She was never seen the whole time I was there. However, Deborah says it is obvious she knew the mama and looked just like her but much older than the other puppies.

The mama was very very frail by then, the puppies full of parasites, etc. Deborah washed, fed and took them all to the vet. Had both older dogs spayed and is still getting the two puppies well enough to adopt and be spayed. Both adult dogs have been placed in a home. I heard that Deborah who works for a bank in Kingston, cares for many street dogs in the city there. I sent her a check for $100 American to cover these dogs (not sure it even covered everything) and I plan to continue to send money off and on as I can. She is so devoted to helping orphaned animals who are in a bad way.

Here is a photo of mama dog after she had been given a few weeks of nourishment, love and good care. She looks a million times better. Big up to Deborah and anyone else who helps take care of animals who are often forgotten or disrespected.