Written by Kristin Kniehl
February 2022 was a challenging month, but with the help of NicaLove donors, partners, and supporters, these three babies bounced back.
Lucky in Love
This little man wasn’t born to be a dancer, but with medical and nutritional treatment to correct the deformation of his ankles, Lucky has managed to dance his way into his foster mom’s heart: he’s found his forever home.
NicaLove met three-month-old Lucky on February 5th, 2022 when he was brought into the mobile clinic in California, Nicaragua for veterinary attention and neuter surgery. His two brothers were beautiful and substantially larger than him, but this little guy needed urgent attention in order to survive. The family truly loved Lucky and they were doing their absolute best to provide him with care, but without a local veterinarian and a lack of transportation, Lucky’s needs were beyond what this family had access to. With their permission, NicaLove took Lucky into their hands.
Lucky’s ankle deformity was likely caused by Carpal Flexural Deformity. This condition is brought on by severe malnutrition. A lack of proper food in combination with parasites causing anemia made this baby’s ankles unfit for the ballroom. Thanks to Lucky’s sponsor we were able to provide him with healing foods, and vitamins and medicines for anemia, parasites and infections. After a month of this care, where there were once itchy, fungal infected patches, Lucky’s silky gray coat has regrown. He has a proper chubby belly, he’s been vaccinated and neutered, and the best part of all is that Lucky’s ankles have self-corrected.
This lucky dude has now settled in with his forever family. He is happy and playful, and of course gorgeous. Whenever his mom hears a soft pitter-patter across the floor, she knows Lucky is trying out his new sturdy ankles as he practices his dance of a lifetime.
Itty Bitty Jack
When you’re itty-bitty NicaLove will fatten you up, just like our girl Jacky. Rescued February 17th, 2022, this teeny tiny baby was discovered during a wellness census in the community of San Bartolo, Nicaragua. When the owner didn’t arrive at the mobile vet, NicaLove brought the veterinarian to Jacky’s family’s home. She was likely two months old at the time, and she was so sick, so anemic, so full of parasites that her hair was falling out and she could hardly stand unsupported. She needed help, and fast.
It was evident that Jacky would die if we didn’t take her into our care. Luckily the family agreed. Jacky is currently with our welfare partner Fundacion ADAN, on the road to recovery. She is decompressing, being sheltered with love, and enjoying a soft, warm place to sleep.
Itty Bitty Jacky now has a sponsor and is receiving everything she needs to recover. She has gained substantial weight and energy – this pup is fighting for her life.
One look in those eyes and you can tell she’s meant for greatness. NicaLove won’t stop until this itty-bitty baby is transformed into a cosmic queen!
Charlito’s Way
The streets are cruel, and no one knows this better than Charlito. This beautiful boy is likely six months old, only 1.9 kilograms when rescued. He was found wandering the community of San Cayetano, Nicaragua on February 16th, 2022. His neglect manifested as emaciation, patchy fur, and covered in hundreds of fleas and ticks. Charlito was so sick.
Charlito’s story, like so many others, is about survival. After countless experiences of neglect, with no one taking the time to stop and notice that he needed help, this dude never gave up on life. He has transformed into a trusting, loving creature, a little shadow to the humans that love him. Don’t let those knobby little legs fool you; this boy’s a fighter.
With love and attention, Charlito’s suffering has finally come to an end. After two and a half weeks with NicaLove founder Julie Burke, where he received a heavy dose of snuggling to heal his soul, Charlito is now relaxing with our animal welfare partner, Fundacion ADAN, awaiting for a healthy check at the vet. He will be retested for parasites and diseases, neutered and then made available for adoption. He likely needs another month to heal.
Like a wise old man, Charlito lifts us up by setting an example. What constitutes an unyielding passion for love and life? That’s Charlito’s way.
A new month and a renewed hope. Imagine if these babies hadn’t made it – what a cruel world that would be. Their spirits brighten the lives of everyone they meet. Only $40 provides them with their immediate care, a transformation from near-death to a life full of joy. Lucky, Jacky, and Charlito aren’t giving up on life.
They’re just getting started.