In nearly every corner of the world, people rely on guard dogs to protect their homes and businesses. These dogs are often chosen for their strength and intimidating presence, meant to deter any would-be intruders. So, it’s not unusual to feel a sense of fear or wariness when encountering one. That’s the point, after all. But for those who crossed paths with Cala, a supposed guard dog in San Jose, Costa Rica, the feeling they were left with wasn’t fear. It was heartbreak.

Cala was chained up at a car repair shop, tasked with “guarding” the property, yet she was anything but formidable. She was neglected, sick, and slowly dying. Her owner hardly fed her, and when she fell ill, she wasn’t taken to the vet. As the days turned into weeks, Cala’s condition deteriorated. She became so weak that standing was no longer an option. Instead, she would sit or lie down in an old car tire, a heavy metal chain wrapped around her neck. The chain was so short she couldn’t even rest her head. Her neck, rubbed raw, bore the deep, painful imprint of the metal digging into her skin. Her head hung limply from the chain, and her breathing became labored. Day by day, Cala was slipping away.

It was clear that if no one intervened, she would die there—alone, in agony, and forgotten. But fate, it seemed, had other plans.

A neighbor who had seen Cala suffering decided to take action. They alerted the police, who then contacted a local animal shelter known as Territorio de Zaguates, a sanctuary known for rescuing and rehabilitating neglected dogs. The founder, Lya Battle, responded immediately, but even she couldn’t have anticipated the sight that awaited her.

The first time Lya saw Cala, her heart sank. She described the moment to The Dodo, saying, “I felt desperately sad and frustrated. The picture I first saw of her showed a pitiful creature robbed of its dignity and ready to give up — a dog whose spirit had been broken and was just waiting for the end to come while living a never-ending nightmare.”

With the help of the authorities, Cala was removed from her cruel situation and taken directly to a veterinarian. The medical team treated her physical wounds, including the gruesome injuries on her neck from the chain that had slowly cut into her flesh. But physical healing was only part of the battle.

Once her immediate medical needs were addressed, Cala was transferred to Territorio de Zaguates. It was there, in the safety of the shelter, that her long journey toward recovery truly began. Her physical wounds were stubborn, but even more difficult to heal were the emotional ones. The trauma she had endured left her scarred in ways that couldn’t be seen. At first, she appeared to hate other dogs. Volunteers were hesitant to let her interact with the others, fearing she might lash out or couldn’t be rehabilitated. Some speculated she had never been around other dogs. Others feared she had been trained to attack them.

But as time passed, Cala began to change. Slowly, hesitantly, she started to trust again. She began engaging with other dogs. She no longer avoided humans—in fact, she began seeking them out, nudging them for affection. The dog who had once looked like she was waiting to die had started to come back to life. “With every day that passed, we saw more of her personality come through. She went from fearing humans to trusting them and even ‘bugging’ them for attention,” Battle recalled.

Just as things seemed to be looking up, tragedy struck again. In June, intruders broke into the shelter and left poisoned sausages for the dogs. Sixteen dogs died that night. Cala had also eaten one of the poisoned sausages. By sheer luck—or perhaps sheer resilience—she survived. It’s believed that her large size relative to the amount she consumed played a role in saving her life. Still, she suffered from neurological issues afterward and struggled to regain her footing.

But once again, Cala proved just how strong she truly was. She recovered yet again, fighting her way back from the brink of death. Her body had been abused, starved, and poisoned. Her spirit had been crushed. And still, Cala held on.

Today, Cala lives with a loving foster family. She receives the affection, attention, and care she had been denied for so many years. She plays, she cuddles, and she enjoys the simple joys of life that every dog deserves. She is no longer a forgotten, broken creature lying in an old tire. She’s a survivor. Her story has touched thousands around the world, offering a beacon of hope for those who believe in second chances.

For Lya Battle, Cala’s rescue is one of many, but it’s one that has left a lasting impression. She has saved countless dogs through her work with Territorio de Zaguates, but Cala’s journey—from despair to healing—is one she will never forget. It’s a reminder that even in the darkest situations, hope can endure. It’s a testament to the strength of a soul who refused to give up, even when the world had given up on her.

Cala’s story isn’t just about cruelty and neglect. It’s about resilience, compassion, and the power of love to heal even the deepest wounds. In her, we see what can happen when someone decides to take action, when kindness overcomes cruelty. Cala may have once been a broken guard dog at a rundown repair shop, but today, she is something much greater: a symbol of survival, a lesson in hope, and an inspiration to all.