It was a truly saddening sight to witness as a thin and weak dog reached the point of complete exhaustion. The poor creature desperately tried to rest on a pile of old rags, but was hindered by a tight chain that was cruelly wound around her neck, causing her head to hang limply.
Cala, a pooch who had been subjected to abuse, was appointed by a mechanic in San Jose, Costa Rica as a guard dog. Regrettably, her supposed caretaker failed to give her the necessary sustenance and did not take her to see a veterinarian when she became sick. As a result, Cala’s condition deteriorated gradually, and even holding her head up became a struggle for her with each breath. With time rapidly running out, worried neighbors intervened by notifying local authorities and reaching out to the compassionate team at Territorio de Zaguates, a prominent local shelter committed to the well-being of countless dogs.
Lya Battle, the founder of Territorio de Zaguates, was filled with sadness and anger when she first saw the condition of Cala. In an interview with The Dodo, she described the initial image of Cala as a pitiful creature that had lost all dignity and was close to giving up. The dog’s spirit had been broken, and she seemed to be living in a never-ending nightmare. Fortunately, Cala was rescued by the police and staff from a sanctuary who responded to her distress call. She was taken to a veterinarian who treated her severe malnourishment and wounds caused by the tight chain around her neck. With care and attention, Cala eventually found refuge at Territorio de Zaguates, where she began the journey of physical and mental healing.
Cala underwent painful treatments to heal her injuries, particularly the deep wound caused by enduring years of being chained with a merciless metal collar around her neck. Despite the excruciating pain, Cala learned that the agony was worth it because love and rewards followed after every stage of her recovery. At first, Cala was hesitant of other dogs in the facility, which led Battle to assume that she had never been around them or was taught to see them as enemies. However, as time passed, Cala slowly built trust with the other canines and the compassionate individuals who surrounded her.
According to Battle, Cala had a remarkable transformation from a weak and hopeless creature to a stronger one who learned to assert herself. Her playful and silly side also became more apparent as time went on. Initially, she was afraid of humans, but eventually learned to trust them and even sought their attention. Unfortunately, Cala faced another challenge when the sanctuary was infiltrated by cruel individuals who left poisoned sausages that killed 16 dogs. Cala was one of the dogs that accidentally consumed the poison, but miraculously survived.
According to Battle, Cala was discovered alive despite all the suffering she had endured. Battle believes that her resilience may have been due to her size or the fact that she only ate a small amount of food. Cala had neurological problems for a while, but eventually bounced back. Battle is convinced that there are no coincidences in life and Cala’s survival proves that she has an unbreakable spirit. Even after enduring years of neglect, abuse, starvation, and disease, Cala refused to give up. The humans who rescued her were also amazed by her toughness and strength. While others at the sanctuary did not make it, Cala’s survival is a testament to her fortitude.
Cala is currently living with a foster family who shower her with love and care, and she couldn’t be happier. Despite experiencing years of abuse, torment, and confinement, Cala is slowly but surely leaving her past behind and embracing her playful personality. Her foster mother is more than happy to support this newfound side of Cala. “After all the years of neglect and cruelty, it’s wonderful to see Cala going through a playful phase like most puppies do. We fully embrace this change in her demeanor,” Battle shared. “She’s thriving, empowered, headstrong, a bit stubborn, and her foster family spoils her rotten.”
Having dedicated her life to rescuing dogs, Battle is moved by Cala’s story of overcoming evil with love. The tale serves as a reminder that perseverance and compassion can triumph over any obstacle. Battle finds the rescue to be an inspiration and it reinforces her commitment to continue fighting for these animals in need. She believes that every small victory is a step towards a greater cause and is motivated to keep up the good fight.