Dear Friends,

We want to share a story that’s incredibly close to our hearts — one that started on our honeymoon and grew into a mission we now feel deeply called to support.

While traveling through Costa Rica, we met someone we weren’t expecting — a small, resilient, and beautiful stray dog who we later named Asha, which means Hope in Hindi. She first appeared while we were stopped for lunch on the way to our final Airbnb destination — thin and clearly in need of care, but also with such a big heart. By the end of that meal, she had stolen our hearts and we knew we needed to find an animal rescue for her.

That’s when we discovered Guayabo Animal Rescue, a sanctuary in the heart of Costa Rica dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming animals like Asha — dogs who would otherwise be left to suffer on the streets or worse. Thanks to the compassion and care of the team at Guayabo, Asha found her way to safety and is now on a path to a better life.

Yes, they save dogs like Asha — but their impact extends far beyond that. Guayabo runs spay and neuter clinics, pet food banks, and education programs that teach responsible pet ownership and animal welfare to local communities. They’re deeply committed to youth engagement, helping children build empathy and connection through hands-on learning.

And it’s not just dogs. Their sanctuary is home to chickens, goats, horses, cows, and more — each one rescued, rehabilitated, and cared for with love.

It’s a full-circle model of compassion, education, and community impact — and it needs support to keep growing.

We also had the honor of sitting down with Nicole Brose, the Executive Director of Guayabo Animal Rescue, to talk about their mission, the daily challenges they face, and how people like you can help make a difference. The full episode on YouTube is linked below.

If our story with Asha touched you, or if you simply believe in compassion for all living beings, we invite you to join us in supporting Guayabo. Every donation — big or small — helps provide food, shelter, medical care, and most of all, hope for animals in need.

Cost Breakdown:

$24 Donation = 1 Spay/neuter

$50 Donation = Pet food bank for one month (feeds four dogs)

$100 Donation = Emergency medical support (saves two lives)

Let’s give back in honor of Asha and all the animals still waiting for their chance at a better life.

With gratitude,

Parker & Malavika

Guayabo Animal Rescue Podcast Episode