Greta's Street Dogs

Greta has found her way to make a difference in our community in Santiago.  There are estimated to be more than two million dogs living in the streets in Chile.  Her little heart was so sad when we arrived and saw the sheer numbers of dogs walking around without someone to love them.  Since then - now almost a year ago - Greta has formulated a passion for these pups, and she helps them every chance she gets.  

From the puppies we found in a Pisco winery up north in the Elqui Valley while on vacation. . . . 

. . . .to these little siblings we hosted for a weekend from the Adopta Perro shelter.  

We found this guy at Nido and discovered that he had already been found by some teachers and was being protected in Nido's dog kennel until he could be adopted. 

One weekend we were at a school fair, and Greta and her buddy found this little pup wandering around there.  They dubbed her "Sweetie" and wanted to find her a home themselves.  When they came up short that day, they asked that the shelter be called so that "Sweetie" could find a home.  Within 24 hours this girl was adopted. 

 

This weekend, Greta is hosting these two shelter pups who were dumped in a sealed box at only one week of age.  Someone found them and called a shelter volunteer who nursed them for the next two months.  They are now ready for adoption.  Hopefully this weekend, we'll have someone come by to take one home.   Their four other siblings have been adopted already.

Putting in our Fall garden with Silver and Brooklyn helping to dig the holes.

And who could forget our very first street dog, Julio Coolio?!  

We allow Greta to take ownership of these dogs much less frequently than she asks for them.  She has stepped up to really take control of the dogs that we host and the ones that she finds on the streets.  Greta feeds them, bathes them, plays with them, endures little razor sharp teeth marks from them, and she cries every single time we give them back.  Greta is teaching her brother what this kind of dedication is all about, and he is following her lead.  What's more, she has a true volunteer's heart:  when I asked her a moment ago to come and listen to my words about her love for these dogs, Greta said no.  That she didn't need to hear about herself.  I am so proud of my girl.  Beyond measure.