Abandoned pup thrives on love
In just five weeks, abandonded Rottweiller pup Khaleesi went from death’s door to a healthy, happy pet with a brand new family.
|||Durban - When Khaleesi first walked through the doors of the eManzimtoti SPCA she was on death’s door. But in just five weeks, the roughly 9-month-old Rottweiler has done a complete 180 and last week the now happy, healthy pup went home with her new family.
When Khaleesi was found, on the R603 in Umbumbulu, she was in a “terrible, terrible state”, the association’s Tracey Girling told the Daily News.
She had a yeast infection and mange and later developed a high temperature and had to be treated for biliary.
“She was totally depressed and withdrawn. When we took her into the kennel, she just sat in the corner and stared at the wall,” Girling said.
The first two weeks were a challenge.
Khaleesi had to have a special medicated shampoo massaged into her skin, which was covered with sores.
“It was very painful for her and it was terrible for us to have to listen to her cry,” Girling said.
But after a few baths Khaleesi started responding to the treatment, and after about two weeks started coming out of her shell.
By week four Khaleesi looked like a new dog and behaved like one too.
“She was playing and smiling and started to show herself to be a friendly puppy that loved other dogs. She showed no aggression at all.”
Girling suspected Khaleesi was at some point someone’s pet.
How she landed up on the streets remains a mystery.
Local supporter, Taryn Barber, named Khaleesi after the warrior queen from the popular series, Game of Thrones.
“Very appropriate for what she went through,” said Girling.
Khaleesi was finally able to go home to her new family, the Wadsworth Borain of eManzimtoti, on Friday.
Karen Wadsworth Borain said Khaleesi was fitting in “so well”.
“Our other dogs follow her everywhere she goes and she hasn’t stopped wagging her tail,” she said.
Wadsworth Borain first got involved with Khaleesi just after she was brought into the SPCA and helped raise funds to facilitate her recovery.
“When I saw her picture, I felt compelled to go and see her,” she said, “I took some pictures, loaded them on Facebook and posted them on some community pages.”
After that, the donations started rolling in.
Thousands of rands were raised for Khaleesi and sponsors including ACANA pet food and Promix Natural Supplements also stepped in to offer their support.
Initially Wadsworth Borain had no intention of adopting Khaleesi, but she continued visiting her daily and the two soon developed a close bond.
After four weeks, she and her family realised they “couldn’t not” adopt Khaleesi.
“My son and husband had also formed a bond with her by then and she just loved us so much.”
The family was thrilled with the new addition.
“What astounds me is her tenacity and strength of character,” Wadsworth Borain said, “To think of everything she’s been through - You would never think it, she’s so lovable and playful.”
Wadsworth Borain also commended the SPCA.
“They’ve been amazing. It’s not often you find people who care as deeply as they do,” she said.
When Stacey Wall, a volunteer at the eManzimtoti SPCA, first met Khaleesi the Rottweiler she had a severe case of mange and other ailments and was depressed and withdrawn.
After five weeks Khaleesi went home with her new family, Karen Wadsworth Borain and Stephen Borain and their son, Damian Borain. They say she is a perfect fit for their family and has not stopped wagging her tail since she got home.
Daily News