Within the boundless expanse of the animal kingdom, the profound connection between a mother and her offspring radiates with unwavering protection and nurturing. This extraordinary manifestation of maternal love transcends all limitations and embraces even the most unforeseen circumstances. A touching video recently surfaced, showcasing the deep affection and unwavering loyalty of a dog as she shielded her pups from her owner’s reprimand following an accidental mishap. This heartwarming tale has resonated with millions, shining a light on the remarkable motherly instincts displayed by our beloved canine companions.
The incident that sparked this heartrending display of maternal love took place in a humble household. The dog, named Bella, had recently given birth to a litter of adorable puppies. One fateful day, as Bella’s owner was busy with household chores, an unfortunate accident occurred. A precious family heirloom was accidentally knocked over and shattered into pieces. Filled with frustration and anger, the owner couldn’t contain their disappointment and raised their voice in reprimand.
What unfolded next was an awe-inspiring testament to the fierce protective nature of motherhood. Bella, sensing the distress of her puppies and perceiving her owner’s scolding as a potential threat, immediately sprang into action. With a combination of fierce barks and defensive posturing, Bella positioned herself between her puppies and the owner, shielding them from harm.
The scene captured on video was nothing short of extraordinary. Bella, a medium-sized mixed breed, stood tall and determined, her eyes filled with determination and love. Despite the owner’s continued scolding, Bella remained steadfast, unyielding in her commitment to safeguard her precious offspring. The power of her unwavering loyalty was palpable, and it resonated deeply with all who witnessed the video.
As the video made its way across social media platforms, it quickly gained traction and touched the hearts of millions worldwide. People from all walks of life marveled at Bella’s incredible display of motherly instincts, highlighting the indomitable bond between a mother and her children, even in the animal kingdom. Countless comments poured in, praising Bella’s devotion and expressing admiration for her selflessness.
The video became a symbol of hope and compassion, reminding us of the capacity for love and protection that exists within all living beings. It served as a gentle nudge, urging us to recognize and appreciate the profound connections we share with our animal companions. It also sparked conversations about responsible pet ownership, emphasizing the importance of treating animals with kindness and respect.
In the end, Bella’s act of bravery and devotion not only protected her puppies but also touched the hearts of millions, reminding us of the unbreakable bond between a mother and her young. It serves as a poignant reminder that love knows no boundaries and can transcend even the most challenging circumstances. Bella’s story continues to inspire and uplift, serving as a testament to the extraordinary power of maternal love within the animal kingdom.
Animal rescue volunteers launch Gaza’s first spay-and-neuter scheme
In the impoverished Gaza Strip, where most people struggle to make ends meet amid a crippling blockade, the suffering of stray dogs and cats often goes unnoticed.
Said el-Er, who founded the territory’s only animal rescue organisation in 2006, has been trying to change that. He and other volunteers rescue dogs and cats that have been struck by cars or abused and nurse them back to health – but there are too many.
So in recent weeks they have launched Gaza’s first spay-and-neuter programme. It goes against taboos in the conservative Palestinian territory, where feral dogs and cats are widely seen as pests and many view spaying and neutering as forbidden by Islam.
“Because the society is Muslim, they talk about halal (allowed) and haram (forbidden),” Mr El-Er said. “We know what halal is and what haram is, and it’s haram (for the animals) to be widespread in the streets where they can be run over, shot or poisoned.”
Islam teaches kindness towards animals, but Muslim scholars are divided on whether spaying and neutering causes harm. Across the Arab world, dogs are widely shunned as unclean and potentially dangerous, and cats do not fare much better.
Mr El-Er and other advocates for the humane treatment of animals face an added challenge in Gaza, which has been under an Israeli and Egyptian blockade since the Islamic militant group Hamas seized power in 2007. Gaza’s two million residents suffer from nearly 50 per cent unemployment, frequent power outages and heavy travel restrictions.
With many struggling to meet basic needs, animal care is seen as a waste of precious resources or a luxury at best. Mr El-Er’s group, Sulala for Animal Care, relies on private donations, which can be hard to come by.
Mr El-Er says his team can no longer keep up with the number of injured animals that they find or that are brought to the clinic. “The large number of daily injuries is beyond our capacity,” he said. “That’s why we resorted to neutering.”
On a recent day, volunteers neutered a street dog and two cats that had been brought in. There are few veterinary clinics and no animal hospitals in Gaza, so they performed the operations in a section of a pet store that had been cleaned and disinfected.
“We have shortages in capabilities, tools, especially those needed for orthopaedic surgeries,” said Bashar Shehada, a local veterinarian. “There is no suitable place for operations.”
Mr El-Er has spent years trying to organise a spay and neutering campaign but met with resistance from local authorities and vets, who said it was forbidden. He eventually secured a fatwa, or religious ruling, stating that it is more humane to spay and neuter animals than to consign an ever-growing population to misery and abuse.
Once the fatwa was issued, Mr El-Er said local authorities did not object to the campaign as a way of promoting public health and safety. The Hamas-run health and agriculture ministries allowed veterinarians to carry out operations and purchase supplies and medicine, he said.
The Gaza City municipality provided land for a shelter earlier this year. Before that, Mr El-Er kept the rescued animals at his home and on two small tracts of land that he leased.
The new shelter currently houses around 200 dogs, many of them blind, bearing scars from abuse or missing limbs from being hit by cars. At least one was adjusting to walking with a prosthetic limb. A separate section holds cats in similar shape.
The group tries to find homes for the animals, but here too it faces both economic and cultural challenges. Very few Gazans would keep a dog as a pet, and there’s little demand for cats. Some people adopt the animals from abroad, sending money for their food and care.
Over the past decade, international animal welfare groups have carried out numerous missions to evacuate anguished animals from makeshift zoos in Gaza and relocate them to sanctuaries in the West Bank, Jordan and Africa.
But there are no similar campaigns for dogs and cats, and Gaza has been sealed off from all but returning residents since March to prevent a coronavirus outbreak.
Mr El-Er’s phone rang recently and the caller said a dog had been hit by a car. Volunteers from Sulala brought it back to the shelter on the back of a three-wheeled motorbike and began treating it. Mr El-Er says they receive around five such calls every day.
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