ABSTRACT

Ever since I can remember, animals have been part of my life. My mother had a compassionate heart toward street dogs, the Puerto Rican mutts that nobody wanted, so we always rescued them, one dog at a time. For many years, these feelings of compassion, love, and deep respect toward animals have been a curse and a blessing: a curse because it gives me pain to live in a country where animals are poorly treated; a blessing because it drives everything I do today. It has opened many doors and connected me with like-minded people: animal lovers who envision a better and kinder world.