Chia's Story

This is Chia's story, as written by Audrey, the woman who found Chia in Cuba, and ultimately the one responsible for saving her from certain death.  Audrey was a tourist in Cuba when she found Chia, and through research, found the wonderful organization APAC - Varadero Canadian Branch, an organization that educates and runs spay/neuter clinics in Cuba.  They work in collaboration with Dr. Slavik and Ingrid, who spent months nursing Chia back to health before she could be adopted.

Chia - a beautiful dog available for adoption  Adopted!

by APAC-Varadero Canadian Branch on Sunday, April 1, 2012 at 11:04pm ·

“Chia is a very unique doggy both inside and out, I've never met another one like her. Her sweet eyes are so human you almost have to look at them twice. If you look very closely you will see that one of her brown eyes actually has a tiny chunk of blue in it, so pretty!

When I first saw her in Playa Giron she was pretty hard to miss, the fur around her head and feet was stained red with blood from open wounds. She was very hungry for both food and love but most people at the hotel and restaurant just kicked at her, no one wanted her around because she was so sick with mange. Later in a day, I approached her with a heaping plate of chicken from the restaurant as an "apology" from my species for being so mean and thoughtless. When she realized that I wasn't a "kicker" her little tail wagged so fast, I'm not sure what she was happier with- the food or the fact that someone had actually acknowledged her existence with kindness.

So of course I became "her person" and we hung out all week, she slept outside my room on an old bath mat I happened to bring. A lot of people were not happy that I was inviting this "dirty stray dog" around the restaurants and pool areas. But we just ignored them and kept each other company and shared chicken takeout and enjoyed the sun.

It was always on my mind that I would have to leave at the end of the week. She was so skinny and lethargic and sore  - I didn't know how she would make it on her own. On the last day of our vacation we went to the lobby for checkout. Of course Chia followed along wagging her tail. When I turned around after returning my key, Chia was nowhere to be seen... It was very odd because she knew it was her breakfast time. With a few eggs in hand I looked everywhere for her. She was eventually found...        curled up in the middle of our luggage pile sleeping peacefully. She had foregone breakfast to make sure we wouldn't leave without her. OH MY GOD! I could feel my heart crack in two!!!

So I got the idea to pay a lady we had just met five minutes earlier to care for her until I could come back to Giron a month later. I gave her some money up front to cover the cost of food and told her in my terrible Spanish that she would get more when I came back if the dog was happy and well fed. There was no real plan beyond that until I got back to Canada and found APAC on the web. Five days later Dr. Slavik and friends set off on an emergency mission to Giron to treat Chia and over 100 other animals that were in dire need of medical care. 

Unfortunately the lady I trusted Chia with would not surrender her to Ingrid so the poor girl had to wait a month for me to return and taxi her to Varadero. When I saw Chia again, I noticed that she had gained some weight, but only in ONE spot- her belly. On top of all of her other worries, Chia was pregnant. 

Sadly, she was too ill to carry her pups to term, they had to be aborted. She had many ticks removed from her ears and received further treatment for mange and anemia. With just three months of Ingrid and Slavik's love, Chia is now a playful bundle of enthusiasm, her mange is gone and she is spayed, healthy and ready for a permanent place to call her own. I hope someone can find it in their heart to give her a loving home. She is such a funny love sponge, so forgiving and gentle and those human eyes are so expressive. I hope her dream for a permanent home comes true soon, she has definitely earned it!!”

 

 Chia with Lulu. Lulu, a tiny girl, was adopted. 

This was her condition in Cuba, deep wounds from dog fights, mangy, 

full of ticks, pregnant, starving. People would kick and yell at her to go away

 because they thought she was contagious. She was just wounded and

 sick and lonely, poor girl.

Another day at the office for Dr. Slavik. Like this dog, 

Chia was given a flank spay.

Drying off after her first bath in Giron, it took a whole 500ml bottle of 

shampoo to get her semi-clean. For street dog who had never been

 bathed before she was  vey accepting of what we were doing to her!

Isabel, Chia's foster mom in Playa Giron who took her in for a month

 and kept her safe while Audrey made arrangements to return.

Three days after Audrey emailed Ingrid with Chia's story-APAC made a 

special trip 

(a 3.5 hour drive both ways= no small feat in Cuba)

 to Giron 

to treat her mange. 

While they were there they treated 

101 other pets too!

At Dr. Slavik's house- groggy after her abortion and spay

 (she wasn't healthy enough to have the babies)

Dr. Slavik and Ingrid

took care of Chia and brought her

back to good health before she came

to Canada

At Varadero airport with Chia's escort to Toronto. (thank you Melodie!)

 Unable to find her a home in Cuba, APAC took care of all of the necessary

 paperwork and veterinary certification needed for Chia to exit Cuba

 and enter Canada.

Chia

Ready for her 'close-up' 

in Canada

Chia's reunion with Audrey in Canada

Comments Welcome!

Caleb and Chia at Camp Stockdale 2012

On our way...

Caleb loves car rides!

He likes to try and ride 'shotgun' ...

BUT no can do Mr. Caleb!

Mr. Caleb is always excited about going

'somewhere'    lol

Of course, we couldn't go anywhere without 

first stopping in at Tim Horton's for some

Timbits!!   Chia and Caleb's FIRST 

Timbits EVER!...since arriving in Canada!  

 I guess this means they are 

'officially' Canadian now!  LOL  

Chia loves to watch out the car window 

when driving

  

Well on our way now...getting close

We're here!

Chia and Caleb didn't know what to 

make of those BIG dogs!?  Especially 

when they moved or made noises   

1. 

Chia may be the 'apple' of her foster daddy's eye

but she sure is a 

 girl after her foster mama's heart with that 

fancy pink pedi-mani    ; )

Very pretty in pink Chia! 

Comments Welcome!

Caleb and Chia June 2012 Video - I'll be Loving You Always

Comments Welcome!

Father's Day with Nana and Papa

www.loyalrescue.com

Caleb and Chia at Woofstock 2012 Toronto, Ontario

Caleb and Chia did really well for their first ever Woofstock, which was held in Toronto June 9-10 in the St. Lawrence Market area.  I couldn't be more proud of both of them!  You would never know they were here for just a few short weeks, as they really enjoyed taking in all the sights, saying hi to everyone and meeting new doggie friends.  

Man, was it ever a hot one though!  

Thank DOG for all those watering stations, fountains and 'misting' spots to cool them, and us off!  

Caleb enjoying a dip in the fountain

Taking a break at an outdoor Cafe

There was also an agility course that was put on by PRO Plan

Caleb is Mr. Confidence and didn't hesitate to give it a try

He'Art of Rescue, A Fundraiser for a great cause!

We had the privilege of attending a very important fundraising event this past weekend to help save many puppies in urgent need in Turkey.  To say were were honoured to be in the company of so many amazing rescue volunteers is an understatement!

He'Art of Rescue in Istanbul has been trying to raise much needed funds to rescue 9 puppies (out of 25) that were saved from deplorable conditions in a shelter there.  This fundraiser was for 7 pups remaining that could be helped right away.  These puppies are very sick and undergoing very extensive and expensive veterinary care.  The pups were then brought to a clinic to be treated for various diseases.  When they are well enough, they will then be placed up for adoption.  The hope is to eventually bring them to Canada, and into loving homes, where they will have a chance.  So far, only one pup named 'Sydney' was healthy enough to come to Canada and was in attendance at the fundraiser.  


It was very heart-warming to see so many in attendance and who also donated their time and services for these beautiful puppies, and Thank You to Ola, the hostess with the most-est and countless volunteers for organizing this momentous event and for all you do to help all animals. In spite of a bit of rain, it was a HUGE success!  Without you, this would not have been possible and the remaining pups will now have a fighting chance.  


Gotcha Photo Studios donated their time and took pictures of all the dogs to help raise funds for these special pups.  Please visit Gotcha Photo Studios Facebook Page and 'Like' them; They do SO much to help promote/raise awareness for rescued animals, wherever the need.  Their work is second to none, so check them out! 


Mighty Mutts Dog Training and Ola, Dog Trainer extra-ordinaire did a fantastic job with the agility course and helping us with our 'foster dogs'  issues...ie. Chia and Caleb's incessant, excitable barking at all the other dogs and insisting to say 'hello' to every single one of them!  LOL  Not to mention Chia's constant whining because she felt that every 'new' dog friend MUST say hello to her and like her.  LOL  Check out Mighty Mutts Dog Training on their Facebook Page and 'Like' them.  I promise you won't be disappointed!  

 Sydney Today

Thank you to so many who cared

Hike first

Our foster babies, Chia and Caleb enjoying the grass

Thank YOU Gotcha Photo Studios 

for taking such AMAZING shots

of my foster babies Chia and Caleb

What's Chia been up to? Well let me tell you...

Well it's been two weeks since Chia arrived and she has already found her place here, not only in our  home and family, but our hearts as well.  During this time Chia has experienced many new things as a new Canadian citizen.  Since arriving Chia has discovered that she LOVES sleeping with us in our bed with the 'pack', and although she is still very good about going in her own crate when we go out, she definitely won't be sleeping in her crate at bedtime any more.  Chia LOVES walks!  LOVES people~! and LOVES to play, as awkward as that is for her right now.  Chia is learning to 'fetch' and LOVES to chase Polly, our Border Terrier all around the yard (Polly LOVES to be chased!) and will encourage and entice her to and Chia doesn't mind that one bit.  Chia is brilliant in so many ways and wants to please.  She's very smart and will sit nicely and wait her turn patiently for her dinner and/or treats.  Chia knows sit!!!  What a good girl she is.  Chia has already exceeded all of our expectations, so we anticipate it won't be long now before her perfect new home comes along.  

 Oh, ohhh.... someone's sleeping in MY bed!

 Smarty Pants!

Ch..Ch...Ch...Chia!

Our newest foster girl 'Chia' arrived from Cuba on May 10th, 2012 along with her very cute Cuban counter-part and buddy, Caleb, who is also being fostered by a LOYAL Rescue Inc. foster volunteer.  Welcome to Canada...our newest little Canadians!!

Here is Chia with a little play buddy in Cuba
 after Dr. Slavik and Ingrid nursed her back to health

Chia's story is very sad, and unfortunately, a very familiar one for many dogs in Cuba.  You see, Chia was found as a stray on a resort in Cuba, starving and dangerously thin.   As bad as that sounds, that was not the worst of Chia's problems.  Chia had horrific injuries to her body and was found to be pregnant too.  She was most likely attacked, either by humans and/or other dogs and still has the battle scars to show for it.  Chia was too sick to carry her puppies to full term, so they did not survive.  : (     
In spite of all that, Chia remains the most loving, affectionate, friendly and trusting dog.   I don't know how she's been able to overcome what she's been through so quickly and embrace a future now filled with hope, but it is definitely a testament to her inner strength and will to survive. 

The really good news for Chia is that a kind hearted tourist on the resort named Audrey cared enough about Chia to not turn a blind eye to Chia's desperation.  What Audrey did next is beyond amazing; not only did Audrey find someone to take care of Chia in Cuba until she could return, but during this time, had  researched and found an organization called APAC, a spay/neuter organization, as well as a dedicated vet named Dr. Slavik Zenkov and his wife Ingrid, who opened their hearts and home to Chia and nursed her back to health over the next 5 months.  


During this time, Audrey also found out about an organization called APAC,  a spay/neuter organization that  helps Cuban families by spaying and neutering their pets, as well as strays in small towns and resorts around Varadero.  They educate the citizens on proper animal care and health needs.  Any adoptions that are done are for tourists who travel to Cuba who find strays that they would like to adopt, or on occasion in situations like Chia's,  they are flown to rescue organizations in Canada, such as LOYAL Rescue Inc., where they are then fostered until they find their new homes.  It's a collaborative effort on the part of various animal welfare organizations, as well as many individuals who work together to help bring them to Canada.   

  Please check out APAC's Facebook Page for more details on many dogs in Cuba that need your help.  
These dogs do not need your sympathy or pity, they need your donations and / a forever home.
  Please donate what you can so that APAC can continue to save lives.
Every bit  helps and it is greatly appreciated!

People have often asked me, 'why rescue from other countries when we have many dogs here that need rescuing?'  My answer is simple:  we do not discriminate because of where a dog lives; a dog in need, regardless of where that dog lives, is no less needing of our help.  If anything, dogs in Cuba and other places need us more then ever!  Canada and the U.S. have many rescuers that work to save animals, but in places like Cuba, the need is not only an enormous one, but rescue for Cuban dogs are slim to none.  Their lives', literally, depend on us.  Without us, there is little to NO hope of survival for the majority of dogs there;  it's even worse if they are strays on the streets.  

The really GREAT news for Chia is that due to the collaborative efforts of many individuals and APAC,  Chia will now know what it's like to have a family to call her very own, probably for the first time in her young life and she will now know and experience love. 

All because of the one person who set the wheels in motion...Audrey, who was a voice for Chia when it mattered most.  

I wish there more Audrey's in the world.  The world would be a better place if there were.  

It's truly heart-warming what can be achieved when many different organizations and people come together with a common goal.

It takes a Village, or in this case, a 'Rescue Village' to save these special dogs.  Please join our Rescue Village in helping to save many more.
Thank You

This is Chia when Audrey first found her in Cuba

Chia now...

Here is Chia and Caleb on their way to the airport in Cuba; headed for Canada!!  

Thank YOU  APAC for making 

all of this possible

Chia and Caleb with their escort Melodie at the airport
 awaiting their flight to Canada!
Thank YOU Melodie !

Chia and Caleb with Ingrid and their escort, Melodie at the airport
waiting to come to Canada.

Chia was recently re-united with Audrey in Canada.  Audrey is ultimately the one responsible for saving her life!   If Audrey didn't care enough and step up to help Chia, it is almost certain that Chia would not have survived. 

Chia also got to finally meet another wonderful rescuer named Lynn, who was responsible for working with APAC to bring her to Canada.  

Chia remembers!!

A very emotional reunion

for Audrey and Chia!

They never forget those who

showed them love and compassion

Audrey giving Chia a treat

Chia with Lynn, Audrey and Me

www.loyalrescue.com