Wednesday, April 18, 2018

KOSBAAR (PRECIOUS) - STORY OF A RESCUED STRAY DOG

On Saturday afternoon (14th of April 2018) my husband (Pierre) and I were driving along the Theronsberg Pass road, about 21 km outside of Ceres, when we saw an animal crossing the road (in an unsteady gait).  At first we thought it looked like a hyena, but as we passed, we saw that it was a dog - but VERY neglected.  The type of animal one does not even want to see in pictures, because it breaks ones heart.  We stopped immediately, because it is unthinkable to leave any animal in such a condition.
She immediately started walking towards us, but clearly she was afraid (because of possible abuse previously?).  Moments later another vehicle passed us, then turned around and stopped.  It was Rassie and Malinda Bester from Wolseley. They had passed the dog moments before us, then turned around and came back to help her.

The dog did not want to come close to us, but sought shelter underneath our vehicle.  We tried getting her to come out from under the car, but to no avail.  I knelt behind the car, and spoke to her.  The fact that her tail was moving (ever so slightly) indicated to me that she would possibly not bite.  We offered her some water (in the cut-off bottom of a plastic cool-drink bottle), but she ignored it.  Also did not want a piece of bread.  She was possibly too weak (and perhaps afraid) to eat and drink, so I dipped my fingers in the water and moistened her lips and gums.  After doing that several times, she licked the moisture from her lips.  Pierre slowly drove the car forwards, so we could get closer to her.  She did not resist.
The poor animal was in a terrible state, and surely stood no chance of surviving for more than a day or two, if she did not get help urgently!  The expression in her eyes was that of pain, rejection, desperation, uncertainty and fear - but there was also a glimmer of hope.  Her poor body did justice to the expression, "bag of bones"!  Virtually every bone in her body was clearly visible and palpable, and her skin, which to a large extent was depleted of hair, had a rhino-like appearance, was broken and had ulcers in several places, some of which were bleeding. We could see fleas and ticks moving around in the little hair she had left.  







Malinda called the veterinarian and spontaneously offered to pay the bill.  But it will surely amount to a few thousand rand, so we decided to pay half of it.  The vet said that she would see the dog as soon as we could get her to the animal hospital.  Our new friends helped us lift the dog into the back of our station wagon, where Pierre had spread out a groundsheet.



Dr. Hannelu de Villiers treated her with lots of compassion.  Put up an intravenous infusion, and gave her several medications e.g. a painkiller, antibiotic (she had a fever), and the first of several treatments for her skin condition and ticks and fleas.  Also took a blood smear to test for possible tick-bite fever.  All the time the dog showed no resistance, and Pierre and I kept stroking her gently.

After the initial treatment, we gently lifted her into a kennel.  After having washed our hands and forearms well with germicidal soap, I went back to where she was lying in the kennel.  When she saw me, she wagged her tail very definitely, about 10 cm high with each wag - that made my day!! :-)

After our previous dogs had passed away, we decided that we would not get another dog again, unless one crosses our path, and had nowhere else to go.  She has crossed our path both literally, as well as figuratively.  Now we know that God has sent her to us, so we can take care of her.  We still had the dog kennel from our previous dog, and our new friends gave her blankets as a "welcome" gift when we fetched her from the animal hospital. After only a few hours in her new home, her bare, sunburnt doggy-face started smiling. 
It's now been three days since her discharge from the hospital, where she was treated for almost 48 hours, and she seems to adapt well. At this stage we're still giving her 4 small meals a day, so her body can gradually get used to it.  She enjoys walking with us around the yard, she's eating well, and the only fear I have, is that her tail may come off ... because of all the wagging!  :-)  The road to full recovery will be long, especially as far as her outward appearrance is concerned. 
Somewhere I read or heard something to this extent:  "You may not make a difference to the world, but perhaps you can make the world's difference to one being."  We feel privileged that we can make a difference in this dog's life.  We are also thankful for the kind and compassionate emergency treatment Dr. De Villiers gave her, without which she probably would not have survived.  Our thanks also goes to Rassie and Malinda who helped us with her, in more than one way.
This foundling is precious to us, and will always be. "Precious" would have been an appropriate name, but since Afrikaans is our mother tongue, we named her “Kosbaar”.

Riana Joubert

16 comments:

  1. Wow wat n hartverskeurende mooi verhaal. Mag sy julle nog jare se liefde gee. Groete Carolina Minnie

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  2. Honestly this is one of the sweetest things I have ever read. You guys are wonderful souls as well as excellent mineral dealers. <3

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    1. Thanks for your kind comments, Vladimir - we'll do our best for her.

      Pierre and Riana

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  3. How wonderful that you took this little one in and saved her life. She is so lucky to have you and I know you will be rewarded many times over for your kind hearts. I am thrilled that the crystals I recently bought are coming from the hands of people like you! Angels all around you.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words and blessing, Krysta. We feel privileged to make a difference in her life.

      Pierre and Riana

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  4. My Lifes Motto is; "Smile, Embrace Life, Have Fun & Do A Good Deed A Day", and that my friends you did! Thank you for Sharing and spreading the Love. Hello from Oz, tom-paul Jagg

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    1. Hi Tom-Paul,

      Thank you for your kind words - and a great motto to remember!

      Pierre and Riana

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  5. Hi. Ek volg haar verhaal vandat ek dit op facebook gesien het. Ek sit hier en huil... Dis so 'n amazing storie. Dankie dat julle vir haar gestop en haar opgetel het. Sy sal jul ewig dankbaar wees. En so ook ek. Hou ons asb op hoogte van haar vordering en fotos asb. Nogmaals dankie.
    Groete
    Sandra vani Baai

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    1. Baie dankie vir jou boodskappie, Sandra! Ons beplan om van tyd tot tyd opdatering hier op die blog te doen.

      Pierre en Riana

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  6. That is so beautiful! She was certainly on the right path when it intersected with yours! So happy for your new family addition.

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    1. Thank you! We'll do continual updates on her condition.

      Pierre and Riana

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  7. WOW! SO beautiful ! She is a lucky dog and I am sure will bring you all much love.... Thank you so much for sharing such a uplifting story of your life... I'm a dog lover and always get my dogs from the animal shelters, so this really touches my heart. Congrats on your new family member :)

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    1. Good to know that her story means something for others too. There are way too many stray dogs, and we're thankful to everyone who 'adopts' such a dog. These dogs, who were first deprived of love, tend to make the best pets, for they are usually so thankful. So far, Kosbaar's behaviour has been excellent!

      Pierre and Riana

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  8. So proud to have you as my family xxx

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    1. That goes for you too :-) Good to have you as a daughter - love you!

      Pierre & Riana

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