Submitted by Garden Route SPCA – Public Relations Officer: Amber du Preez
Photography by Salome Bruyns
“I am the gentlest, sweetest Pug-Terrier cross girl of about four years old. I was initially named Millie, which means ‘gentle strength’. I used to have no name... I sure feel very special now. I also feel so much better.
“My leg was badly broken more than a year ago; nobody looked after me or got me the medical attention I needed. I was left to fend for myself. This means that my broken leg caused me severe pain until it eventually grew back this way. I learned to cope with it.
“But then, something magical happened: a very kind gentleman came to the George SPCA to report my circumstances. He referred to me as ‘One of those adorable dogs with the cute teeth’. These words will never be forgotten. Thank you to that extremely kind gentleman who came to us for help.
“Inspector Estelanie Van Wyk and Senior Inspector Salome Bruyns came to my rescue. They collected me and brought me in to the SPCA where I’ve been treated like royalty. I’ve been getting love, cuddles, the best food!
“A HUGE THANK YOU to Mr Japie Coetzee for the amazing donation of R2,500 for my leg to be amputated (as it couldn’t be repaired) so that my road to recovery could begin. And then, as if I thought things couldn’t get better, with thanks to my Adoptions Officer, Kian, I found a wonderful home with a family who understand my story and love me unconditionally. They renamed me Phoebe, a name I love!”
More from Phoebe, as narrated by Izelle Mulder, Phoebe’s new owner...
“My new mom and dad decided to rename me Phoebe, which means ‘shining’ or ‘bright’. As they say, this describes my smile and personality 100% perfectly.
“I was very shy in the beginning when mom and dad first brought me home, but with the help of my brother, Pluto the Daxie (also an SPCA fur baby, like me), and mom and dad, of course, in just a short time I hit my stride. Now there’s no turning back.
“I still don’t like my cat brother, Raven, but with some training, I’m sure I’m going to love him in no time. I had the bad luck of getting mange, but when mommy fetched me from the SPCA on the 17th of October 2022, we got some medication and my skin is doing much better. Mom says I should be fully recovered by the end of January 2023.
“Due to an injury that I had in my ‘previous life’, I have faecal and urinary incontinence. Mom and dad have learnt how to help me go ‘number 1’, and they’ve been doing their homework on ‘number 2’. They also took me to a physiotherapist so they could learn the exercises that I need to do every day to keep my right hind leg healthy, and I also get some yummy chicken-flavoured joint care medication every day.
“I absolutely love my stuffed toy animals. I have a ‘Hedgehog’ squeaky, a ‘Puggy’, a ‘Ducky’ and a ‘Woef’. I carry Ducky and/or Woef (which are both twice my size) almost everywhere I go, and when it’s bedtime, there’s no sleeping for me if they aren’t close to cuddle with. I was a bit fearful of squeaky toys in the beginning, but now I just adore them. Mommy and Daddy also got me some big tennis balls and small ones with squeakies in them. I just love playing fetch. And don’t forget about our walkies. I’m also obsessed with bees and love chasing them all over the garden. Mom and dad are looking for a ‘Bee’ stuffy for me; I just can’t wait.
“With mom and dad both working from home, life is good. I spend my time between the two of them, depends on who I feel like being with at that time. I just love being close to them, following them around, and don’t forget all the many loves, kisses and cuddles. I also like routine. I know exactly when I get my bacon-and-egg flavour ‘good morning’ doggy biscuit, then my breakfast, and, late afternoon, I get my supper, and then a bit later, it’s chamomile-and-honey ‘good night’ biscuit time. I even know the sound the bottle makes that have my other treats in. Mom and dad have both tried to open it without me hearing… sorry guys, no chance – I’m just too good!
“Sadly, Pluto, who was 15 years old, passed away on the 28th of November 2022 from old age. Mommy and Daddy believe that our Lord sent me to them to also help them through this difficult time. They say I’m such a blessing to them and they tell me every day.
“I just love my new home and family. Thank you for reading my story.
“Lots of love, Phoebe.”
