Tania Cappuletti who is the co-founder of Charlie’s Angels Animal Rescue is one of those people who believe every animal deserves a loving home. Her organization “offers temporary care and residence for abandoned dogs in extreme physical condition or who are victims of abuse.”
It was a hot Sunday in Costa Rica when she embarked on an adventure of finding a cute grey stray pup whom she had seen wandering the streets before.
Sadly, she didn’t manage to spot the animal she was looking for, but her search wasn’t in vain as she spotted another dog in need of help.
The dog was emaciated and was sitting all alone by the side of a dusty road away from the town. Speaking of what she felt like when she stumbled upon the sad dog, Tania said:
“[It was] the same thought I always have when I see a stray: Oh [no,] poor baby. She must be so thirsty!’ I stopped without hesitating. We were on a rescue mission anyway, I had foam mattresses in the back of my truck, water and dog food with us – she was really lucky.”
The moment the dog saw Tania’s car approaching, she knew she would be saved and it looked like she was crying tears of joy.
“When she saw our car stopping and me and Blendan getting out — she started to walk towards us [and] was actually crawling — and when she was in front of us she collapsed and cried and cried and cried [with] joy, pain, thirst and hunger.”
After she was brought to the vet’s, it was determined the dog was severely dehydrated and had fleas. But that didn’t stop her from expressing her gratitude the best way she knew.
“She was so sweet and gentle, we all fell in love with her right away!”
The sweet animal was named Gaia, and her rescue was the first step towards her new life.
Tania and the two volunteers who were with her gave Gaia some food and water.
“We carried her out of the sun into the little shade there was on the side of the road and gave her water. She drank and drank and drank, but she didn’t stand up – she was too weak,” Tania told BarkPost.
Gaia was soon placed with a foster family who have previously agreed to take the grey Labrador Tania was initially looking for. When they saw her bringing another dog, a black one, they were a bit confused.
“They were a bit surprised because they expected us to show up with the cream colored Labrador. We checked with them beforehand if they would foster the Lab. When we showed up with Gaia, they were like, ‘What? We thought it was a cream-colored dog?’ I said, ‘Yeah but now we found her instead.’ They said no problem, we [will] take her as well.”
Luckily, Gaia was mainly healthy, except for her flees and ticks that the vets took care of.
“…[W]e gave her flea drops and took all the ticks out of her. When she got to the vet she just needed de–worming and vaccines. She is a super healthy young girl!”
It was five weeks after she was rescued and in her foster home, when Gaia was adopted by a woman named Johanne Froment.
She had seen Gaia’s photos on the Facebook page of Osa Peninsula Rescue and Adoption that offers adoption services.
This dog’s life changed completely. She gets to spend her days around her two cat siblings and her loving mom.
Above, you can see her giving Johanne a high-five. Aren’t they the cutest together?
“Gaia[‘s] favorite activity is to [go] for a walk to the beach. [J]ust seeing the leash she start[s] jumping and mak[ing] funny noise[s]….[S]he really like[s] being hug[ged] in [the] water [so] she can stay there for a long time.”
Speaking to BarkPost, Johanne said Gaia is thriving.
“Gaia [has] a very nice personality! [S]he is very social and always want[s] to play!…She like[s] to be pet a lot. I think she is very happy with us now.”
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