The island is not wealthy by any standard, but there is a wealth of love being shared here for all the furry creatures that wander St. Thomas.  This is due in no small part to a heroine who died much too young, but left such an amazing legacy, Paula Loyd.  Her unusual story must be told.  She was inarguably a gifted person, graduate of Choate and Wellsley, very well educated in the field of anthropology, who went on to join the Airborne unit as a non-com.  Obviously multi-talented, multi-faceted, she found her passion as an advocate of the people (and animals) of Afghanistan. It was in her struggle to improve conditions there that she was senselessly murdered by a local in such a horrendous fashion that I cannot document it here.  Having spent most of her youth in the US Virgins, it is fitting that her passion lives on here on St Thomas.  The Paula Loyd Foundation built a new, state-of-the-art solar powered facility for the island’s homeless animals.  It rests on 4.5 acres of wooded hills in the center of the island.  I have enjoyed my time here walking the dogs, feeding the goat Sampson cheetos (his fav), and taking in the beauty of Paula’s legacy.  The locals swear they have seen glimpses of her walking this shelter, I am certain it is true.  I certainly felt her presence here.