It was late in the afternoon when my phone buzzed with a message from a woman named Denys. She had seen a dog lying in the dirt, barely moving. “He’s hurt,” she wrote, “and I don’t know what to do.” Denys works seven days a week and couldn’t get there until the clinic was already closed. But her words came with urgency, and I could hear the worry in her message.
When we arrived, the dog was in heartbreaking condition. His ribs showed through his fur, his breathing was shallow, and flies gathered around the wounds on his legs. Denys stood nearby, ready to help. We carefully lifted him into the car and drove straight to Clinica La Esperanza, where the team jumped into action the moment we arrived.
As he received fluids and pain relief, I sent Denys an update. Later that evening, she replied with a message I’ll never forget:
“I never knew I could do something. Now that I do, I always will.”
Those words stuck with me. It’s not that people don’t care. It’s that many simply don’t know what to do. Once they learn, their compassion has a place to go.
At Compassion Without Borders, we rescue dogs and cats, we sterilize them to prevent unwanted litters, and we run TNR (trap, neuter, release) programs to reduce suffering before it starts. But we can’t do it alone. Real change happens when the community joins in.
If you see an animal in distress, call Compassion Without Borders at (638) 114-8973 or message me directly. If you’re unsure whether a dog needs help, take a picture and send it to us. We’ll guide you.
You can also make small, lifesaving gestures. Keep a bottle of water and a small container in your car to help a thirsty dog. Carry a little bag of food; OXXO sells small bags of kibble and even hot dogs for less than a dollar.
We don’t all have to do everything, but we can all do something. Together, we can make Puerto Peñasco a place where no animal is forgotten, and where compassion leads the way.
Photo Caption: Mattias is now available for adoption and in wonderful health.
