I found Negrito on December 23, 2025, just two days before Christmas
Gracie and I were out for our morning walk when I spotted an emaciated black dog stumbling toward us. His eyes were crusted almost shut, thick discharge dripped from his nose, he looked exhausted but his tail still wagging. My heart sank. The first thing that came to mind was distemper.
Distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that affects a dog’s respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. It can cause symptoms ranging from severe eye and nasal discharge to seizures and paralysis, and for many street dogs, it’s a death sentence.
I knew I needed to act quickly. I rushed Gracie home and contacted a veterinarian who specializes in helping street dogs. When I returned to find him, he was curled up in a ball in the pouring rain. He could barely stand and refused to eat.
The next challenge was figuring out how to coordinate veterinary care for a dog with no home address.
Although he was incredibly weak, he still wandered in search of scraps and garbage to survive. Lucky for him there was a taco stand at the end of the street. Every day became a mission to find him somewhere in the neighbourhood so we could continue his treatment.
For a month, our vet visits took place on the side of the road.
Thankfully, testing revealed that Negrito did not have distemper. Instead, he was battling multiple viral infections affecting his eyes, ears, and overall health. He underwent bloodwork, received medications, and required treatment twice a day for weeks.
Those weeks were anything but easy.
I spent hours every day driving around looking for him, bringing food, administering medications, and recruiting help from local children who often knew where he had wandered off to. They were also so eager to help and more times than not, they helped leash him so we could safely give him the treatment he needed.
Saving Negrito truly took a village.
Because he was initially considered extremely contagious, finding a foster home was impossible. Most people in the area already had dogs of their own and couldn’t risk exposing them. We continued his treatment on the streets until he was finally cleared as non-contagious and once he was healthy enough, we found a foster home.
Then another.
Then another.
Today, Negrito is living with me while we continue searching for the forever family he deserves.
The scared, sick dog I met in the rain is almost unrecognizable now. He has gained weight, learned what it means to be loved, and discovered the joy of toys, soft beds, walks, and endless belly rubs.
His journey isn’t over yet.
Negrito is still waiting for his happy ending, but thanks to the kindness of so many people, he now has the chance to find one.
And that’s exactly why Animals Without Borders exists.
To give dogs like Negrito a second chance when they have nowhere else to turn. ❤️