X and Instagram Communities Rally around Rescued Dog 'Alba': Her Fight for Survival

Aimee Herd : Jan 9, 2025
Breaking Christian News

"She's back home with me. Have to hope she can get through the night. Her body is fighting with everything she has..." -Niall Harbison, via X

[Breaking Christian News] There are a lot of animal lovers on social media, and maybe especially dog enthusiasts. (Screengrab image: via Instagram)

Nowhere is this more evident than those who've followed the activity of hero street-dog rescuer, Niall Harbison.

Niall lives in Thailand and spends his time finding, feeding, rescuing and rehabilitating dogs who've been abandoned, or abused. He shares about those canines whose lives he's helped to transform on his Instagram and X accounts.

On Instagram, there are 1.2 million followers of Niall's rescue work. And on X, where he has over 400,000 followers, his stories of these dogs' lives going from desperate to thriving have prompted many heartfelt comments of gratitude and encouragement.

Niall's bio on X states that he's "on a mission to save 10,000 dogs a month..."

One of the latest recipients of his benevolence is a medium-sized dog who was found chained to a chair and dying from starvation and parasites, who Niall named "Alba" because it means "sunrise" and signified "new beginnings." (Screengrab image: via Instagram)

Alba was very sick, however, even too sick to be treated yet for her heart worm condition, so Niall took her home and made her comfortable, feeding her tiny bits of chicken and salmon. And Alba slowly grew stronger.

As Alba was given vet-prescribed meds, Niall continued sharing on his social media, and his followers responded.

A few of those replies on X:

@donnac158: "I am praying daily for Alba. She is such a warrior! I can tell she wants to live. I pray that God grants this miracle for her."

@NotEpahlee: "Niall, you are amazing! I truly believe God puts people on this earth to remind us how powerful love and kindness can be. Thank you for everything you do for these precious souls. #AlbaStrong #RescueSavesLives"

@MarleyBlood2: "I'm praying she makes it. My intuition tells me she will. That being said, it's all about the moments. You've given her the best moments of her life. You're one of a kind, Niall."

On Thursday, Niall posted that Alba had taken "a turn for the worse."

X's AI "Grok" posted a summary of what was happening:

"Niall Harbison, known for his animal rescue work, shared that his dog Alba has suddenly become critically ill. Alba, recognizable by her white fur and purple bandana, was urgently taken to the vet for treatment, which included a drip and medication adjustments. Despite some positive changes in her blood tests, her liver condition is still a major concern. Niall expressed hope for her survival through the next critical 24 hours. The news of Alba's condition has garnered widespread support from fans globally, with many sending messages of encouragement, prayers, and positive energy for her recovery." (Screengrab image: via Instagram)

Whatever does happen with little Alba, the fact is, thanks to the kind efforts of Niall Harbison, she has now known what it is to be cared for and fed, to have friendship with other dogs, to watch a beautiful sunrise, and—most importantly—to be loved. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

Follow Alba and other rescued dogs' journeys on Niall's Instagram Here and X account Here.