Likely, you’ve been there before. You make a decision to deviate slightly from your usual course of action at the last minute.
You switch up your coffee routine or leave the office a little sooner. The smallest shift in your daily routine can have a profound effect.
You unexpectedly run into a long-lost acquaintance, or you get home from work early and discover that your spouse has been cheating on you.
Sometimes the shifts are minor, and other times they’re monumental.
Something like what occurred to Malissa Sergent Lewis when she took a different route to work one day last summer.
Malissa Sergent Lewis was running late for work at her elementary school in Kentucky one morning in the summer of 2016.
Malissa wanted to get there faster, so she took a back road instead than the main highway.
Malissa will always be grateful for your choice.
That day, the road was empty, except for one thing: a trash bag.
But this was no ordinary garbage bag; it seemed to be alive.
“I saw this trash bag in the road, and I thought to myself, ‘Did I just see that bag move?’ The closer I got, I realized it was moving,” Malissa told The Dodo.
Malissa felt she had to open the sack and see what was living inside.
Since she had no idea what was in the bag, she stepped out of the car and approached it gingerly.
Malissa understood that whatever was inside the bag didn’t get there on its own because the bag was tied.
Malissa carefully ripped apart the bag’s corner to have a look inside.
What was inside was even more surprising.
“It was a puppy. And he sure was glad to see me. As soon as I opened it up, and he saw light, he just started wagging his tail. I couldn’t believe it,” Malissa told The Dodo.
The dog was found in the middle of the road, having been put in a trash bag. Even if the small kid was only in there for a second, it would have been too long.
The puppy had a collar on, but no identification tags.
Since Malissa couldn’t bear to abandon the puppy, she drove him with her to class.
The puppy was eventually taken back to Malissa’s house by her son. After that, he and Malissa took the puppy to the vet to get checked out and immunized.
It’s unclear how the dog came to be in a bag on the side of the road.
Malissa called animal control after becoming concerned that the puppy would be abandoned or stolen.
The dog, however, was not reported as lost, and no one came forward to claim him.
Fortunately, Malissa and her family have adopted the puppy, so he will receive the care and attention he deserves. However, she is at a loss to fathom who would carry out such a heinous act.
“Who could do something like that to any animal? I don’t care who you are; everybody loves puppies. It’s a real coldhearted person to put an animal, any animal, in a garbage bag and dump it on the side of the road,” Malissa’s told The Dodo.
Enduring Hope and Resilience in the Midst of Adversity
Juanita Lira Eguiguren was an extraordinary woman who, despite enduring immense challenges, left a lasting legacy in the realm of health and well-being. Tragically, she passed away at just thirty years old after a courageous battle with breast cancer.
Diagnosed at the age of 22, Juanita confronted her illness with remarkable bravery and an inspiring spirit. She was a firm believer in the power of positive thinking, even in the face of overwhelming adversity. In a heartfelt message before her passing, she shared, “Hope is peace for me,” reflecting her unwavering belief that while we may not control our circumstances, we can choose how we respond to them. This mindset gave her comfort and strength throughout her fight.
Juanita came from a family deeply rooted in public service—her father was the mayor of Lo Barnechea, Chile. Her passing left the community in mourning, but those who loved her take solace in knowing she has found peace. Her courage, perseverance, and optimism live on in the hearts of those she inspired.
Her diagnosis came just as she was preparing to embark on a new adventure: studying abroad in Barcelona, Spain. Though her plans were derailed, Juanita faced this challenge with resilience. She underwent surgery and radiation therapy while maintaining a hopeful outlook on her recovery.
Despite the physical and emotional toll of her illness, Juanita achieved significant milestones. She completed her degree, fell in love, and eventually got married—all while battling cancer. These personal victories offered moments of hope, but in 2017, devastating news arrived: the cancer had returned and spread to her sternum, lymph nodes, and lungs. Even then, Juanita continued to face her circumstances with immense strength.
In addition to her personal achievements, Juanita left her mark on the professional world. She founded “The Healthy Route,” a health-conscious catering business that also provided wellness advice. Through this platform, Juanita reached a wide audience, gaining over 245,000 followers on Instagram, where she shared her journey and encouraged others to prioritize their health and well-being.
Juanita Lira Eguiguren’s life stands as a testament to resilience, hope, and the power of perseverance. Though her time was cut short, her impact on the world of health and wellness endures. Her story reminds us all that optimism and strength can carry us through even the greatest challenges, and that we each have the power to make a lasting difference in the lives of others.
Let us remember Juanita as a symbol of courage and inspiration, whose legacy continues to motivate others to face their struggles with hope and determination.
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