Lua came to us in 2021 in a very poor state, along with two other dogs who were fortunate enough to be adopted.
All three had been kept in a confined space on a banana plantation. One of the plantation workers saw the conditions they were living in and simply couldn’t live with what he was witnessing. He contacted Mark, and together they persuaded the owner to relinquish the dogs so that they could come to live with PAWS.
Needless to say, all three were filaria positive. They had never been vaccinated, had no microchips, and their ears were terribly fly-bitten, sore, infected and oozing.
Lua found life in the kennels particularly difficult. She had experienced very little human contact and was extremely nervous and frightened. The staff had to show tremendous patience and kindness before she would allow them to approach her and treat her.
Slowly, over time, Lua became more friendly and sociable, but she remained a very anxious girl, especially when faced with the noise and activity of a refuge.
Eventually, the decision was made to place Lua into foster care, where she could enjoy the peace and security she desperately needed.
Then, in 2025, came another devastating setback. Lua was diagnosed with mammary cancer, which had already spread to her back. Her age was against her undergoing surgery, and even leaving the finca for veterinary appointments was an ordeal for her. With no guarantee that an operation would be successful, the decision was made to allow Lua to live out her life peacefully, surrounded by the people and environment where she feels safe.
Lua’s foster finca is in the north of the island, making regular journeys to our usual vets impossible for her. So Live PAWS has arranged for a vet in the north to visit Lua regularly, ensuring that she remains comfortable, pain free and coping as well as possible with life.
After everything Lua has endured, she deserves nothing less than peace, kindness and love.
She may have had a heartbreaking beginning, but today she has a safe home, a wonderful foster carer and people who will continue to care for her for as long as she needs them.
We have few photos of Lua but you can see from the way she was when she was first admitted, kennel life was not for her.
PAWSistant