Chile dogs

Back in June, you may recall, I had the pleasure of spending several hours in the company of the amazing Nicole Doriguzzi for a story for North & South Magazine. She made me laugh, and cry, and hug my precious doggie closer to my chest.

That story is published in this month's issue (click here to read).

If you love animals, and want to support an amazing cause, Nicole has started a GiveaLittle account to help her care for Chile's unwanted dog population. Please, please, please dig deep.

  

Gobsmacked

Today I had the privilege of spending several hours in the company of the amazing Nicole Doriguzzi.

Nicole, who I met a few years ago while we were both walking our dogs in the Town Belt, is a vet nurse who has long agitated for the rights of animals, having volunteered with vet clinics and at the SPCA since she was 12. She recently returned from three months in Chile where she worked with the street dogs and to change attitudes to animals and issues such as sterilisation, etc. What makes this chick even more remarkable is that she was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis when she was three days old and has spent large chunks of her life staring at hospital walls.

Nicole is one of the most courageous, determined, open-hearted folk I know, and her grace in the face of horrific abuse and neglect is something to see. During our interview today for a national magazine, I had to fight back tears several times. I am truly in awe of her and the selfless work that she does.#Totalfan

 
(Pic credit" Nicole Doriguzzi)

How freaking cool is this chick?

I first met the astounding Nicole Doriguzzi a couple of years ago when we were both walking our pooches in the Town Belt.

Over the years we've run into each other numerous times and I've gotten to understand this crazy, tattooed chick with a heart bigger than Wellington Harbour. Bit by bit, she also shared stories of the illness, cystic fibrosis, that has made her life so difficult.

Tonight after work Bristol and I ran into her and her two woofers and she told me she had given up her job and sold to van so she could head off to Santiago, Chile for two months to work with stray dogs. The Dom did a story on her last week (click here to read) and I'm planning to do one on her when she gets back.

Tired and jaded old bitch that I am, there isn't much in this world that raises my 'amazing' barometer; but Nicole did that today. She's all kinds of fantastic, this young woman, but also badly needs dosh so she can help feed and care for Santiago's quarter of a million strays. I've just donated to her Give a Little page, so why don't you too? Click here to donate. 

 (Pic credit: Stuff)