The dog abandoned in the dump was emaciated and slept in the rain at night, with a chain tightly wrapped around his neck, rendering him unable to move freely.

On the cold morning of January 15, 2023, a distressing call came into our animal rescue center. A concerned lady had spotted a dog in a rubbish dump in Curaçao, emaciated and sleeping in the rain at night. What was even more heartbreaking was that the dog had a chain tightly wrapped around his neck, rendering him unable to move freely. But that wasn’t all – when our team arrived on the scene, they discovered another dog nearby. The lady who had called us informed us that she had seen the second dog bringing food to the first, suggesting that they were both abandoned together, and that she had been trying to save her friend.

On closer inspection, it was obvious that the chained dog had an open wound, probably due to being restrained for too long. It was a stark reminder of the cruelty and neglect some animals face. Our team wasted no time in carefully unlocking the chain and providing medical care to the injured dog. We named him Maui and he was immediately transported to our shelter for further care.

Maui’s journey to recovery was not easy, but he showed remarkable resilience. He received round-the-clock care, including proper feeding, medical treatment and lots of love and attention from our dedicated staff and volunteers. It was heartwarming to see Maui gradually gain strength and improve in our shelter. Despite the trauma he had endured, he remained gentle and affectionate, demonstrating a deep capacity for forgiveness and trust.

Just ten days after being rescued, Maui’s luck changed when he was adopted by a loving family who welcomed him into their home with open arms. It was a bittersweet moment as we bid farewell to Maui, knowing he was embarking on a new chapter in his life filled with love and care.

Meanwhile, the other dog who was found on the dump, whom we named Nyka, also received extensive medical care and attention at our center. She had been suffering from neglect and malnutrition, but with proper care she began to show signs of improvement. Nyka’s resilience and determination to overcome her challenges was truly inspiring, and she quickly became a favorite among our staff and volunteers.

Over time, Nyka’s health improved dramatically. She gained weight, her open wounds healed and her spirit was restored. Nyka’s transformation is a testament to the power of compassion and proper care to bring animals back to health.

As the days passed, Nyka’s personality blossomed and she became a playful, loving companion. She was ready for a forever home, and it didn’t take her long to find one. A caring family welcomed Nyka into their home, giving her the love and care she deserved.

Maui and Nyka’s journey is a story of resilience, compassion and healing. It’s a testament to the importance of animal rescue efforts and the impact of providing proper care and love to animals in need. Despite the challenges they faced, Maui and Nyka showed us the incredible ability of animals to forgive, heal and thrive with the right care and support. Their stories are a reminder of the importance of advocating for animal welfare and being a voice for those who can’t speak for themselves. As an animal rescue organization, we are grateful to have been part of Maui and Nyka’s journey and will continue our efforts to help more animals in need.