A Happy Ending – Cinthia’s ‘Tale’

SAGA receives calls daily about animals that need their help. Whenever a member of staff picks up the phone, they can only hope and pray for a happy ending because calls to SAGA so often have such a tragic beginning. Such was the case when someone called to report that a small dog had been left tied to an abandoned shack in San Mateo without food, water or shelter.
No matter how long a person has worked for SAGA, they never get used to the horrific sights that sometimes greet them when they rescue a dog or cat that has been the victim of cruelty, abuse or neglect. Cinthia’s condition was terrible and her pitiful state just made her rescuers want to weep. She was starving, had a terrible case of Demodex – a non contagious skin disease – so was nearly bald, was dehydrated and suffering from the deadly disease, Tick Fever.

Very little is known about Cinthia’s history before coming into the loving care of SAGA Humane Society. So her tale starts with them. Sometimes it can be difficult to decide whether or not a dog will survive after being subjected to such incredible suffering and it is often entirely up to the dog whether or not they will fight for their lives. After a grueling two months of intensive care and treatment with SAGA, Cinthia proved that she was going to fight and not give up.
As she recovered and gained her strength, along came a couple, Matt & Katina Ewing. It was love at first sight despite the challenge facing them because they just couldn’t afford to fly Cinthia to the USA at the time. Inspired by Cinthia’s fight for life, they didn’t give up and neither did SAGA. After some fundraising, Cinthia headed off to her new home and her new life.
Normally, our tale would end here – but it doesn’t.
Two weeks ago Katia Marin and Heidi Sowards, SAGA volunteers, were attending a conference in Puerto Rico. Who should they bump into but Katina and Cinthia. It was a joyous reunion and many tears were shed, not because of Cinthia’s sad tale, but because of her amazing happy ending.
Doesn’t every dog and cat that SAGA rescues deserve a happy ending? If you want to give a dog or cat a new life, please contact SAGA on 226-3266.