GoodHeart | One Love, One Dog: Marley’s rescue inspires a movement of kindness

When Stacey Tarrant came to Jamaica a year and a half ago on a family vacation in Negril, she never imagined that a simple act of kindness toward a brown-and-white pup would lead to a village of hearts coming together to make the impossible possible. Marley, a rescued beach mutt who turns two in June, is now thriving in Canada alongside her fur siblings. And her journey, now told through a children’s book, shows just how far compassion can go.

The book details Marley’s rescue with eye-catching illustrations by Laura Watson, and begins exactly where she and Tarrant met, on the beach.

“I was taking a sunset walk, and out of nowhere comes this little puppy, flops at my feet, and I was like, ‘oh, you’re so cute’,” Tarrant recalled to GoodHeart of her first interaction with Marley.

Tiny, alone and covered in sand and fleas, Tarrant knew that leaving Marley on that beach would be a mistake.

“That evening, in my hotel room, I went on Facebook and found the Negril Spay and Neuter Clinic and the Montego Bay Animal Haven, and both charities said they could help me to get her home to Canada,” the newly self-published author explained.

The main challenge, however, was the cost, as it would take CAD$2,000 to get Marley there. Tarrant admitted she wasn’t prepared for the expense, especially with other dogs at home, but she refused to give up. So, she set up a GoFundMe account, and within 48 hours, the funds were raised.

“I stayed on vacation afterwards for a week while the Haven looked after her, and when I got to Canada, the story blew up about how one act of kindness can inspire a ripple of kindness and one love, because all these people, I didn’t even know some of them, helped to donate,” she added.

Inspired by this, Tarrant got to writing, sharing Marley’s story as a children’s book titled One Love. One Dog. Marley’s Incredible Journey, which had its official launch at the Happy Tails’ Yappy Hour doggie social held on Sunday at the Jamaica Horticultural Society in St Andrew.

Initially, the books were offered as online pre-orders due to publishing expenses, and about 250 copies were sold. It was somewhere within that moment that Tarrant received a call from Rowena Connor on behalf of Toyota Jamaica, who stepped in to help her bring 500 books to the island.

Speaking with Yappy Hour attendee Gaseth Hall, who had already purchased a copy for her granddaughter, she shared that she was drawn to the book as her family had recently adopted a new puppy. “It was also an opportunity to show my granddaughter how important it is to be kind to dogs,” Hall added.

This sentiment is something Tarrant said she has heard from other Jamaicans who have read the book, noting that “they feel it is a tool for children to help foster a more compassionate culture towards dogs”.

A CHANCE FOR OTHER RESCUES

But writing the book alone wasn’t enough for Tarrant. She felt she had to give other rescues a chance. As such, a portion of every book sold supports the Montego Bay Animal Haven, along with a one-time donation to the Negril Spay and Neuter Clinic in honour of volunteer Donna Brown, who is also represented in the book. “When you take something from an island, you have to give back. So there was no question in my mind that I had to help other rescues like Marley,” Tarrant added.

Sabria Hector, operator of the Montego Bay Animal Haven, shared with GoodHeart that, for her, a book inspired by dogs like Marley shows just how special Jamaican dogs are.

“Everybody sees them and just considers them mongrels. But for them to have such a big platform, both internationally and locally, and to receive so much love from people all over the world, it really means something for our dogs, our ‘Royal Caribbean Terriers’,” Hector said, adding, “Too often, people focus on designer dogs, but all dogs deserve the same level of care. It’s not about how a dog looks; it’s about the bond you share. This book helps show that these dogs are special and can live wonderful lives.”

Echoing the book’s message of teaching compassion, responsibility and respect for animals, Melissa Esliger of Happy Tails noted that, as a long-time supporter of the Haven, being part of the book launch was especially important.

“Not only do the proceeds from the book directly support the Haven to help them continue their incredible work, but the story itself plays a role in education especially for us as Jamaicans. We need to build awareness around animal welfare ... the story encourages us to have empathy and give second chances. A children’s book is ideal because that’s where it begins,” she explained.

Since sharing the story, Tarrant said one of the most surprising encounters has been how widely it is recognised and how deeply it resonates with Jamaicans.

“I love this island … this is my 13th visit, so I feel like I’m Jamaican,” Tarrant laughed, adding, “I’d love to move here, and maybe it will happen one day. But I resonate with the lovely souls here, and it’s all the more reason why adopting Marley was so important.”

Currently, Marley enjoys the snow, having lived with Tarrant and her family for just over a year now, and is full of love.

“It’s like she knows she was rescued, and she is living a very happy life and happy to be the face of Jamaican rescue right now.”

rollesha.laing@gleanerjm.com

WHERE TO FIND ‘One Love. One Dog. Marley’s Incredible Journey’

The One Love. One Dog. Marley’s Incredible Journey is available for purchase in Jamaica at select stores islandwide for $3,500. Part proceeds from each sale support the rescue efforts of the Montego Bay Animal Haven. Visit marleysincrediblejourney.com for a full list of stores.