Lina

LINA

It was a hot day in mid June of this year when Janice and Joe of “Animals In Distress” received a desperate call for help. Twenty miles away in Fuengirola, Malaga, Charlene, an animal volunteer, had been walking her own dogs near one of the many golf courses when she came across a heartbreaking sight. There half laid in a ditch of water was Lina, as she was to be called.

A middle aged girl with a badly sun scorched, dirty, white coat, starving and dehydrated. She was too exhausted to run any more and looked at Charlene with eyes that broke your heart.  Lina was desperately thin, her ribs and spine protruding badly but she was also heavily pregnant. Charlene stayed with her talking gently to her and comforting her assuring her that help was on its way.

When Janice and Joe arrived they were appalled at what they saw and knew that time was running out for Lina. She was gently lifted into their vehicle and taken straight to their Vet who carried out an ultrasound and various other tests. She was too weak to give birth on her own and so an emergency caesarean operation was carried out including being spayed so that she wouldn’t have to endure another major operation at a later date.

It was hoped that Lina would have enough strength to carry her through this ordeal and not give up on life completely. She had so many people praying for her.  To have come this far she didn’t deserve to bow out of life now.  It was of no surprise due to the size of Lina that there were 16 puppies but sadly all of them died within a few hours. If Lina couldn’t find food and water for herself then how could she possibly provide for those little ones that she was carrying?

Lina was also causing great concern as she was very poorly and had to stay in “hospital” for several days undergoing more tests as there were further complications for her. Had it all just  been too much for her?

Day by day Lina started to regain her strength. She trusted those around her because she knew they were there to help and not to abuse. A foster home was already lined up for her and three weeks after her ordeal she was well enough to be taken to a Dog Parlour. Her coat was in a terrible, neglected state through months of being homeless.

These pictures were taken a week after Lina's ordeal

At first she was unsure of her status at her foster home.  She wasn’t used to being allowed inside and thought her place was outside only. She didn’t want to presume anything. I can relate to this because this is exactly how Lady reacted when I first found her and brought her home. I don’t think she’d ever seen inside a house!

Lina’s trust in humans has grown and grown which is amazing really when it is apparent that she has known little, if any, love.  Every time a visitor arrives her head and tail lifts up ready to give them a warm welcome. She loves interacting with other dogs and cats that share the same foster home.

Slowly Lina’s character is developing much to everybody’s delight, even if it is a little cheeky at times! She loves to eat her food in her own box where she feels secure although she shows no protectiveness towards it. Every day, as her confidence grows, another sweet side of her comes out.

Because Lina is only in a foster home she has appeared on A.I.D. web site hoping for someone to come forward to adopt her and give her a permanent home. A supporter of A.I.D. in the UK has always been involved in helping animals and her heart went out to Lina when she saw that she needed a permanent home. So much so, she has decided to adopt Lina in order to give her the quality of life she deserves for her last remaining years.

Lina will be embarking on her long journey to the UK in December, to start her new life, by private transport from door to door. I’m sure there will be many tears shed when this day arrives, more out of happiness than sadness, because Lina has touched so many hearts and truly deserves to be kept warm, safe and secure with as much love as she can take for the rest of her days.

Had Charlene not found her in the first place; had Janice and Joe not responded to her call for help then I would not be having this opportunity to write about Lina. Too many dogs are abandoned and left to face the cruel elements and survive on their own.  Their chance of survival is so small. Lina is one of many, many dogs that Janice and Joe have helped over the years.  You can read more about them in the Category “Animal Organisations” under A.I.D. along with the link to their web site. Maybe you too could step forward to adopt one of their dogs?  Or maybe you could see your way to a donation?  Every dog that is rescued incurs a Vets fee, either for blood tests, for sterilisation, or because it has been injured. Lina’s Vet bill was €500 which was kept low out of the kindness of the Vet’s heart.

Once Lina has had time to settle in her new home in the UK I hope to be able to write an updated article about her, bless her. I personally can’t wait to do this! And I wish Lina all the happiness in the world in her pending new life.

What a difference a few months of love and care can make!

UPDATE!!!!

Earlier this month, December ’09, Lina set off on her long, road  journey from the south of Spain to the UK.  She has now settled in nicely with her new owner and other rescue dogs for company.  Lina now lives in a remote area away from traffic and noise which suits her nervous disposition but is regularly walked to the shops in the village where she has become a local celebrity and has won the hearts of everybody.

From the day she was found lying in a ditch so many people have helped this wonderful girl to get her mentally and physically back to some normality before she could be re-homed.  Lina has touched many hearts in Spain and I am sure she will be missed by all those involved but now they can smile with maybe a tear in their eye, as indeed I have, in the knowledge that Lina, now called Nina, is “home”

Nina sleeping at her new home in the UK

Nina enjoying her new life in the UK with her two friends rescued from Greece