This is a story about Shelly Chadwick and the wonderful work she has done to save many of the Cunucu dogs that wander the streets of Aruba, surviving only by pillaging trash and begging. The situation is deplorable and it is largely through Shelly's efforts that at least some of them are being saved and placed in loving homes in this country.

The story began for Shelly and her mom, Leslie Clark, who, as many of you know, own the Antiques Emporium in Middleburg when they were staying at the La Quinti Beach Resort where they have a time share. Shelly goes three or four times a year and plans to eventually start a business there.

One day, much to her horror, Shelly witnessed a four-month-old puppy being thrown off a balcony by an Aruban security guard. Needless to say, she rescued the little girl puppy, named her Dushi, which means "Darling," nursed her back to health and brought her to her home in Virginia.

To bring these dogs our of the country is quite expensive. They have to get health certificates, shots, etc. On top of that, the airline charges another $200. When all is said and done, it costs about $500 per dog.

In the three or four years she has been doing this, Shelly has raised several thousand dollars to help these dogs. Meg Gardner has been especially generous. Another regular donor is Manuel Johnson.

One of the reasons I decided to write this article was in the hope that more people would be interested in helping.

On Shelly's last visit she heard puppies crying and found them next door to where she lives. Upon investigation, she found that a very nice security guard had been feeding them along with two other adult females, one of which was the mother of these pups) and a male, thought to be the father. She was able to capture the puppies and take them to safety along with another pup that had been hit with a machete and would have died if not for Shelly's intervention.

Needless to say, the puppies are now living happily ever after with Shelly in Virginia.

To help Shelly save Aruban Cunucu Dogs, contact her at:

Happy Tails
P.O. Box 2186
Middleburg, VA