"While educating the owner about the dog, I noticed a skinny little puppy also tethered to a post. Once the owner understood that
tethering or chaining dogs is illegal, she offered the puppy to us," said SPCA Senior Inspector, Salomé Botha. "With my heart singing I brought the puppy back to our vet for evaluation."
But that's when a problem emerged!
"Having had no exercise and receiving poor nutrition during its vital early growing phase... and losing much of its food to worms... when we dewormed and properly fed the pup, her calcium-deficient limbs were too weak to cope with the growth spurt! It took intensive calcium supplement treatments and some of the very best puppy food (that had been donated by a kind animal lover), to get her back on her feet." added the SPCA in-house veterinarian.
While still being treated, the now rapidly growing pup was spotted by Kaye Voges, who had come to the George SPCA kennels in search of a second dog. She had adopted a Bull Terrier from the SPCA some seven years before and was now looking for a large female dog as a household companion. And when she spotted the gangly, soft-eyed pup it was love at first sight!
The home check done and the R500 adoption fee paid (which includes the first vaccinations, deworming and sterilization), Kaye was clearly elated to be taking this plucky pup home. And the feeling was obviously reciprocated! From life at the end of a short rope to a life of walks, playing in the garden and being part of a warm and caring 'pack' for the rest of her life! This is one lucky pup!
The skinny pup that Salomé spotted.The picture of health and going to a new home!
The poor pup outgrew its weakened bones.
