It Takes a(n Island) Village

Sweet Delfin

Yesterday, on my way back up the hill from the afternoon trip home to feed and play with Cwim, I saw a dog sitting in the middle of the road. We have some lazy, relaxed satos around here who will often stay in the middle of the road until the last minute as a vehicle approaches, but this one was waiting a bit too long. As I slowed down, he started dragging himself out of the way. He had obviously been hit by a car, his back legs useless.

I pulled over and helped him out of the street, but truthfully, I was scared to lift him up, afraid I'd do more harm than good. So I did what most people on Culebra do in such a situation, racing back home to call one of our go-to animal people. On the way, I saw some friends and asked them to be sure he was off the road...which, I found out later, they did.

When I got back to the spot I'd left him, he was gone! I looked up and down the street, peered through the fence to see if he'd somehow managed to get through a small hole into the mangroves, but nothing. Maybe he'd been picked up? I didn't know. This morning, I got an email. Here is the rest of the story, as sent in a report to Terrie and Lori of Animal Welfare of Culebra, the organization that does so much for our strays.

History:  MJ called with report of dog trying to drag himself across the street.  She assisted him in to cross the street so as not to get hit by a car again.  Steve of Steve and Zuleyma, and Annabelle and Nestor also saw him, but the dog disappeared before anyone could try to catch him to help.  I went with a crate to get him and he had hidden in mangroves, so Ernesto and another gentleman opened the gate of the house adjacent to the mangroves so that I could go inside withthe car and crate.      

 The dog allowed me to dig underneath him to place a sheet underneath to drag him out.  He yelped a bit as I was putting him into the crate.  He seems to have broken bones in his hindquarters.  He urinated a bit as he was being placed into the crate.  He is obviously in pain, but was enthusiastic about eating.

He ate canned food at 5:45 PM and is resting overnight inside the crate inside my car.  His name, as reported by Ernesto, is "Delfín" and he hangs out at the airport/happy landing bakery.

I'll take him to the ferry dock at 6:00 and assist in getting him 
onto the boat.  I'll call Al (the very helpful taxi driver in Fajardo who kindly works with AWC on the big island side) as the boat is leaving the dock. 

I had a different post planned for this morning, but when I got the rest of the story, which doesn't include the involvement of quite a few guys at the panaderia  helping out with information (even if some of it was confused), I thought, this is a part of Culebra that I needed to get out there. Not just as a feel good story, but to let people who love Culebra know about some of the every day events that happen here. The reality is, AWC doesn't just exist in the thin air of caring people. The taxi, the vet, the operations, the flights to adoptive homes, sometimes the food if long term care is needed - all of this costs money as well as time. No one who works with these animals on the AWC side takes a dime; all donations go to the animals. We have some awesome donors, but more is always needed and welcome. So if you have the ability, please go to the website linked above and help out if you can. Delfin and his friends thank you.

Have a stray aware Saturday! Do something supportive.

Update from the vet - The vet in Fajardo just called to let us know that unfortunately, Delfin suffered paralysis from the accident and will be euthanized. Sadly, he probably knew the most love and caring after someone hit him with his/her car and then abandoned him in the street. A very sweet dog, with a sad ending to his story. Thanks to all who worked and cared.