A weekend at the beach, a staycation, a trip to an exotic country. These are indeed exciting ways to spend one’s five-day vacation.
Many rested and recharged in beach resorts, got pampered in luxury hotels, or enjoyed an adventure in an Asian country.
Some opted to stay at home where they slept away their stress of many months, meditated to gain back their calm and balance, and reflected to reassess where they are at this time of their lives.
But eight men and women chose to spend one day of their vacation in the most unusual way: they went to the Dogs Mountain Sanctuary in Besang, Naguillan, La Union to be with more than 150 rescued dogs and seven (7) rescued cats.
Last Holy Friday (March 30), the members of Cordillera Animal Protection Advocates or CAPA went down from Baguio City to bring food donations for the dogs rescued from dog meat trade, the streets and pounds, and to help feed these loving souls.
Aside from feeding the 150 dogs, they also bathe 50 dogs, got wood for cooking from the mountain at the back of the sanctuary, and prepared vegetables for the dogs’ next meal.
They interacted with the dogs who always love being touched and being talked to.
CAPA officers and members Cherrybeth Batuna, Cielo Sison, Arthur Licayo Jr., Gian Maranan, Mike Maniacop, Kyle Maranan, and ErickJohn Ortega, and volunteer Leah Acompandao spent one whole day with the dogs and said they felt it was one of the most fulfilling and fun days of their lives.
Their efforts were rewarded with smiles that warm the heart, wagging tails, licks and hugs from the grateful dogs.
CAPA is a non-government organization registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It was formed Feb. 6, 2017 to push for ways to protect animals, promote compassion for animals and responsible pet ownership, and help animals in need, among others.
Sanctuary owner Shirly “Yuri” Sebusa-Hughes and sister Ashley are very grateful for the donations of dog food from CAPA and from Jefford Gumayod and Davelyn Mangoyob who sent their love gifts through their friends. Each day, the dogs in the sanctuary need 50 kilos of dry dog food for one feeding alone.
To help Dogs Mountain, please visit their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/dogsmountainsanctuary/
and message them, or contact Yuri Hughes, also in Facebook. They need dog food, rice, medicine, and cleaning materials, among others.
Have a great Sunday, everyone!
Namaste!
