THE “GOLDEN PAW AWARD” is presented twice a year by both McKee Project and by the magazine “PETS Y MAS”, and its purpose is to honor local people in our communities for their compassion and service toward animals. On June 22nd, 2011 this award was presented to Brenda Morales Gonzales. Brenda came to Costa Rica by way of Nicaragua some 18 years ago, and it is here that she learned to love animals, soon making the decision to dedicate her life to dogs. And this is where she continues to learn so much about them, and where her affection for them grows so much. About 5 years ago Brenda was living with her husband Juan and son Marvin on a farm in Quebrada Ganado, and there wasn’t a week that went by that she didn’t end up bringing home some injured or abandoned animal which needed help. Because of her big heart, very soon the family was surrounded by 12 dogs, which became too much for the owner of the farm, who soon asks Brenda and Juan to either get rid of the animals or leave.
Now Brenda and her family are heartbroken and don’t know what to do, but it seems that 2006 is to be Brenda’s lucky year, as she meets Patricia Holmer, a Canadian lady who just happens to live up the road apiece in Tarcoles, together with her husband Tonny and over 10 dogs and cats, most of which have been rescued from the streets. Patricia, a big- time animal lover herself, offers Brenda and her family a place that she and her husband are taking care of, a short 200 meters from where she lives, and she gives her permission to bring all 12 dogs she was taking care of on the farm. This is the start of a great relationship between these two extraordinary ladies. Today, on Brenda’s property live always between 20 and 30 animals, all rescued from a miserable life with irresponsible owners or from the streets, and she and her family not only take care of them, they also make sure that the animals get both the necessary medical care as well as spayed/neutered, in order to find good homes. Brenda’s son Marvin is (besides Brenda) the main caretaker – he’s learned how to inject animals and give them their treatments so that they don’t need to be brought to the clinic every day. Every free minute of each day Brenda and Marvin spend taking care of these animals, and they both have part-time jobs in addition to all this hard work they do at home! Their animals live in good conditions on a large fenced piece of property, and there is always enough food and fresh water for them. But the most important thing they have is the love and attention they get from all 3 family members – something they never knew in their previous lives.
For more information about the McKee Project: visit www.mckee-jaco.com!
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