Guard dogs are a familiar sight around the globe—often intimidating, with an air of toughness meant to deter intruders. They’re supposed to be fearsome. That’s the job.
But when people passed by Cala, a dog chained outside a car repair shop in San José, Costa Rica, they didn’t feel fear. Instead, their hearts ached.
Cala’s job was to “protect” the property, but her life was anything but protected. Her owner barely fed her, never sought medical help when she fell ill, and left her chained in a way that was both cruel and torturous. The chain was so short and tight, Cala couldn’t even lay her head down to rest. Over time, it began cutting into her skin, leaving raw, painful wounds. She was so malnourished and frail that she couldn’t even stand anymore—she just sat in a discarded tire, too weak to do anything else.
Each day, Cala fought to keep her head upright, struggling to breathe, struggling to live. Her condition was deteriorating fast, and without help, she wouldn’t make it.
Thankfully, someone nearby noticed Cala’s suffering and refused to look away. A concerned neighbor contacted the authorities, who then reached out to the local animal rescue group, Territorio de Zaguates. What they found left them speechless.
Lya Battle, the founder of the rescue, recalled the moment she saw Cala’s first photo. “I was overwhelmed with sadness and anger. She looked completely defeated—like her soul had given up long ago. It was the kind of image that haunts you,” she told The Dodo.
With the help of the police, Cala was finally rescued. She was rushed to a veterinarian, where the medical team treated her deep wounds and began her long road to recovery. From there, she moved into the care of Territorio de Zaguates, a haven for hundreds of rescued dogs, where she could begin to heal not just physically, but emotionally too.
Cala’s recovery wasn’t quick. The physical pain was intense, but perhaps even more daunting was the trauma she carried. She was anxious, untrusting, and aggressive toward other dogs—leading the shelter volunteers to wonder if she had ever known what it was like to be around her own kind. Some feared she had even been trained to attack.
At first, her interactions were tense, and the team hesitated to let her socialize. But slowly, something shifted. Day by day, Cala began opening up. The walls she had built to protect herself started to crumble. Her personality began to shine through—curious, playful, even affectionate.
“She started asking for cuddles and became a bit of a diva,” Battle said, laughing. “It was amazing to witness.”
But Cala’s fight wasn’t over.
In a heartbreaking incident, intruders broke into the shelter one night and poisoned food meant for the dogs. Sixteen dogs died. Cala, tragically, ate some of the tainted meat. Yet somehow—miraculously—she survived, though she suffered neurological issues in the aftermath. Once again, her resilience saw her through. Once again, she healed.
Cala’s story is a powerful reminder of how strong a living being can be when given even a sliver of hope. She endured neglect, hunger, abuse, and near-death more than once. But she never stopped fighting.
Today, Cala no longer guards a lifeless car yard. Instead, she’s found warmth, safety, and love in the arms of a foster family who showers her with affection—everything she never had in her early years.
Her journey from broken to blooming has touched countless hearts. She may have started as a guard dog, but now, she’s the one reminding us what love and second chances can do.