Save a Life - One Dog at a Time
Donation protected
Please help me with a small donation to help Fantasma Animal Rescue and this spectacular dog, too.
My Story
One month ago, a friend and I traveled to Guatemala. She has been going there for years and wanted to share with me the culture, the indigenous traditions of the Maya and the impact it has made in her spiritual growth. Having gone through recent changes in my own life it piqued my curiosity. That curiosity landed me on the shores of Lake Atitlan in the highlands of Guatemala.
I was instantly immersed in the color and vibrancy of the Tzutuhil Maya. Daily, the streets were filled with people selling their handcrafted textiles and family grown vegetables and fruits.
What also really struck me amongst the hustle of the small city was the presence of many homeless dogs. When not searching for food, they take refuge in alleys and alcoves and sleep. Some looked pretty good, others were injured, maimed and starving to death.
Ghost Dog
On my first day wandering through the market I noticed one dog in particular. He's been on the street for years and is refered to as Ghost, for his distictive look and his blue eyes. He seemed aware of my interest in him and we often had eye contact. I would seek him out searching the marketplace every day. He cautiously allowed me to touch him and I began to take him food which he graciously accepted. Not knowing where to begin, I came up with the crazy idea to somehow get him off the street and adopt him...
...enter Barb and Don, founders of Fantasma Animal Rescue of Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala .
Two People Making a Big Difference
Barb and Don have been administering meds, care and food to the street dogs of Santiago Atitlan. They know Ghost and have been feeding him on the street for years. After pulling him off the street, they had placed Ghost temporarily at an orphanage on the outskirts of town and recently have taken him into their home, treating him, vaccinating him, and helping get him ready to be transported to the US with me.
How Your Dollars Will be Used
Barb and Don run Fantasma on a shoestring. They don’t receive grants, have backing from big donors, or hold fundraisers. They just do. They are able to provide comfort to the animals that cannot help themselves.
I created this site for for several reasons, first and foremost, to raise money for Fantasma Animal Rescue and the incredible work that Barb and Don do every day.
Your donations will also support Fantasma's first ever spay and neuter clinic this July. Together with FarVet, Barb and Don are organizing a spay/neuter clinic where eight veterinarians from Cornell University will combine their skills with local vets to perform the surgeries on as many dogs possible, plus they'll educate the people of Santiago on the importance of controlling the dog population. This is a huge endeavor, and when it proves successful, it will be repeated yearly. Finally, a small portion of your donation will be focused on Ghost, to help him get healthy, certified and ready for travel.
Thank you for reading my story and please consider a donation. One US dollar goes a long way in Guatemala.
Geoff
Ghost after a bath, food and a night on a soft bed.
My Story
One month ago, a friend and I traveled to Guatemala. She has been going there for years and wanted to share with me the culture, the indigenous traditions of the Maya and the impact it has made in her spiritual growth. Having gone through recent changes in my own life it piqued my curiosity. That curiosity landed me on the shores of Lake Atitlan in the highlands of Guatemala.
I was instantly immersed in the color and vibrancy of the Tzutuhil Maya. Daily, the streets were filled with people selling their handcrafted textiles and family grown vegetables and fruits.
What also really struck me amongst the hustle of the small city was the presence of many homeless dogs. When not searching for food, they take refuge in alleys and alcoves and sleep. Some looked pretty good, others were injured, maimed and starving to death.
Ghost Dog
On my first day wandering through the market I noticed one dog in particular. He's been on the street for years and is refered to as Ghost, for his distictive look and his blue eyes. He seemed aware of my interest in him and we often had eye contact. I would seek him out searching the marketplace every day. He cautiously allowed me to touch him and I began to take him food which he graciously accepted. Not knowing where to begin, I came up with the crazy idea to somehow get him off the street and adopt him...
...enter Barb and Don, founders of Fantasma Animal Rescue of Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala .
Two People Making a Big Difference
Barb and Don have been administering meds, care and food to the street dogs of Santiago Atitlan. They know Ghost and have been feeding him on the street for years. After pulling him off the street, they had placed Ghost temporarily at an orphanage on the outskirts of town and recently have taken him into their home, treating him, vaccinating him, and helping get him ready to be transported to the US with me.
How Your Dollars Will be Used
Barb and Don run Fantasma on a shoestring. They don’t receive grants, have backing from big donors, or hold fundraisers. They just do. They are able to provide comfort to the animals that cannot help themselves.
I created this site for for several reasons, first and foremost, to raise money for Fantasma Animal Rescue and the incredible work that Barb and Don do every day.
Your donations will also support Fantasma's first ever spay and neuter clinic this July. Together with FarVet, Barb and Don are organizing a spay/neuter clinic where eight veterinarians from Cornell University will combine their skills with local vets to perform the surgeries on as many dogs possible, plus they'll educate the people of Santiago on the importance of controlling the dog population. This is a huge endeavor, and when it proves successful, it will be repeated yearly. Finally, a small portion of your donation will be focused on Ghost, to help him get healthy, certified and ready for travel.
Thank you for reading my story and please consider a donation. One US dollar goes a long way in Guatemala.
Geoff
Ghost after a bath, food and a night on a soft bed.
Organizer and beneficiary
Geoff Kahler
Organizer
Salt Lake City, UT
Reini Winter
Beneficiary
