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That day, when he received a message and shocking video of an animal trapped in the city’s sewers, he never imagined how the story would end..
She immediately went to the scene and had two friends help her with the rescue while walking quickly. The three women were able to locate the sewer shown in the video without much difficulty. But nothing could be heard or seen inside her.
Breathing heavily, Mariela Aguirre knew she had to listen to her instincts and continue the search. That is why he contacted the Goya Defense Project Organization (PRO.DE.GO.) in Corrientes and remained firmly in place until workers were present and began lifting the sewer cover.

“We spent an hour and a half searching, then quieted down and started searching again. I thought we had lost track of him, died or moved to another area.. Until one of the boys he was helping heard his cries. At that very moment, I saw him passing by from another sewer. It was a dog, running across the asphalt from one side to the other.. We are in despair,” Aguirre elaborates.
One of the boys stuck in another sewer finally manages to grab him and pull him out. Everyone was relieved and shouted with joy. The animal was “an old man in a deplorable condition, covered in ticks of all sizes. He was deaf and almost blind.”.
No one knew how he got there or how long he had been there. “The miracle was that someone heard his voice and was able to rescue him. If that hadn’t happened, Grandpa probably would have died alone, abandoned, and sad.” They called him Lazarus. And they promised to change his life.
“We saw that he was full of fleas, ticks and all kinds of bugs, so we wrapped him in a sheet and took him to a friendly beauty salon, where he was bathed and disinfected. Then we went to the vet, where we examined him and took blood for laboratory tests,” says Mariela Aguirre.
The results confirmed what everyone had suspected. Lazarus suffered from anemiaI needed good nutrition, vitamins, and lots of love to move forward. Additionally, it was discovered that the dog’s eyesight was severely impaired and he had almost no hearing. The vet gave him eye drops and vitamins for anemia.
According to the MSD Veterinary Manual, anemia occurs when the number of red blood cells in the blood decreases. Signs of anemia in animals vary depending on the severity of the disease, duration (short-term or long-term), and underlying cause.
“Anemia in adult animals can be caused by chronic kidney disease, chronic enteropathy, tumor diseases, hypothyroidism, ehrlichiosis (a tick-borne disease), dirofilariasis transmitted by mosquitoes, or simply infections transmitted by intestinal parasitic diseases,” explains veterinarian Patricia Paredes of the Natural Life Team (MP 7387).
Animals with long-term anemia take longer to adapt and show signs of low energy, weakness, and decreased appetite. “During the clinical examination, the veterinarian carefully examines the condition and color of the animal’s mucous membranes, conjunctiva, and skin. When anemic, they appear pale pink. These signs warn that something is going on,” Paredes added.

Exhausted from the stress of the rescue, it was time to settle into the transit home. There, rescuers learned that Lazarus had a family. “We believe that Dogs 14 or 15 years old And since he has a habit of staying at home, we think he had a family. ”
Lazarus stayed in the transit house for 10 days. There he relaxed in a specially prepared comfortable bed, ate, rested, slept and received all the love that he lacked while fighting for his life.
Until one afternoon, Mariela receives a call from Lina, the woman who ends Lazarus’ story with the best possible ending.. When he heard about his grandfather’s incident, he was moved to tears. That’s why he wanted me to be part of his family. After conversations and meetings to ensure a smooth transition, Lazarus was eventually adopted.
Lina speaks lovingly and Lazarus is very spoiled. “She says that when she gets home from work, he is waiting for her at the door and that he is the first person she cooks for her. Lazarus loves the food his mother prepares for him and leaves his plate clean without any traces of food,” Mariela says with a smile.
Share company on the patio in the afternoon. “Lina also enthusiastically told me that she recognized this.” Lazarus hears some sounds. When people clap or call in the house, he moves his head to where the sound is coming from and moves his tail. He can bark and loves to be petted.”.
Now Lazarus is with his family in every room of the house. He likes enjoying the morning sun in the garden, resting in bed, eating homemade food, and “flirting”. In fact, a few days ago Lazarus went to the dog groomer for a makeover. “We love him and spoil him a lot, which is what he deserves,” his mother says proudly.
If you have adopted, rescued, rehabilitated, or helped an animal at risk and would like to tell your story, please email bestiariolanacion@gmail.com.