Guyana has a major stray dog and cat issue, particularly emaciation, overpopulation, and animal neglect and abuse. I found this puppy digging through a trash pile. The moment I saw her I knew that I needed her in my life as much as she needed me. Working at a primary school in Guyana as a literacy promoter I always try to incorporate my love for animals and stories about caring for my animals in lessons (I also rescued a kitten, named Bora (Guyanese for string bean). I took my puppy, Phoenix, to our Inter-school Cricket sports day, and the reaction of the kids was priceless. I told the students about my puppy and let them play with her. The students told me "Miss, we love your puppy." When I asked if they had puppies or kitties most of them said yes, but their "animals were different". When I told the students that I had found her in a trash pit as a stray a few weeks before, they couldn't believe it. The lesson being, give an animal love, respect and care and they will return it to you tenfold.