Written by Suzanne Peterson – Admin manager at New Beginnings
Professional photography by Fido Photo – Dog Photography
New Beginnings received reports of an injured Greyhound living in the Quaggafontein area in Bloemfontein. The individuals were concerned about the dog’s condition as well as the fact that people in the area had threatened to shoot him as he was reportedly catching and eating their chickens.
Making an important decision
New Beginnings immediately started working on a plan of action to rescue this dog. Upon arrival the team noticed that he was in a better condition than expected, but he did have an old wound on his torso, and he was living and sleeping on a dirt patch, without any form of shelter against the harsh elements of the Free State.
There were many mixed emotions and opinions on whether Grey should be rescued or if he should be left where he was.
New Beginnings stepped back and gathered as much information as possible to make the right decision for the animal and his future. They released the following statement:
“After thoroughly reviewing all communications and gathering the necessary facts regarding the Greyhound in Quaggafontein, we would like to present a final statement to the community and all parties involved.
With over 11 years of experience in rescue work, we approach each situation with wisdom and a commitment to factual accuracy.
Upon arrival, our team located the dog, who appeared healthier than initially expected. We attempted to gain his trust for a closer examination, but he fled. While following him, we discovered the carcass of a dead animal, likely caught by him or other dogs.
We engaged with local residents and learned that there were plans to shoot the dog due to suspicions that he was hunting and killing chickens.
Understanding the dire circumstances and the bleak prospects for a stray animal, we were determined to help. However, we received numerous messages and comments from individuals who lacked complete information and urged us to leave the dog where he was.
In our continued efforts to gather all relevant facts and seek a viable solution, we discovered that a pre-approved, excellent home was ready to welcome the dog after his rescue and rehabilitation.
We faced two options:
1. To leave the dog in his current environment, risking his life to potential threats such as being shot, poisoned, hit by a car, or injured. Providing occasional food is insufficient for the well-being of a sentient being.
2. To rescue the dog, offer him a new beginning, and place him in a loving home where he deserves to be.
We chose the second option. We apologise if this decision disappoints or angers anyone, as our intention is not to cause discord but to prioritise the welfare of the dog and our community. We believe in unity and positive action to create lasting change.
We deeply appreciate the support and trust of our community. Every decision we make is carefully considered and based on thorough assessment and investigation.
We hope to have Bloemfontein’s support in this rescue mission and look forward to sharing joyful updates soon.
Thank you for your kindness and support.”
A new beginning for Grey
New Beginnings stood by their choice and Grey was rescued and taken to our Rescue Centre. Perseverance and love always wins!
On bringing Grey Gandalf in, there was a moment when we were very concerned about Grey and he went back to the vets where he received more medicine. I decided to sleep at the shelter to monitor him and give him electrolyte water and his meds.
At first he refused to eat and tried to bury his food; showing his struggles as a stray dog. He also gulped up his water to a point of vomiting. The vet said that it’s linked to him being a stray and not having enough food and water at all times. Our hearts broke watching this poor boy doing what he learnt to do to survive!
We were so relieved that he was safe in our care. He also had an old wound that we monitored. Grey wouldn’t have had a happy ending on the streets!
Grey was destined for greatness... from life on the streets to now having a full tummy, a warm bed and loads of attention. He’s so lucky to have so many people, far and wide, who cared for him!
He went to the vets twice, but his blood work came back clean. He only needed time to adapt to an environment of care, people and enough resources.
Every day in rehab Grey made steps in the right direction. Our team worked hard to gain his trust and we tracked his improvement with delight.
Grey has been blessed with an amazing family who are committed to his rehab and who are patient and willing to spend time on building his trust. This family also donated towards his rescue and rehabilitation. They even built an extra fence in their yard to make double sure that Grey would be safe at all times!
We wish every animal was as lucky as Grey, to have a home ready and waiting even before they’re rescued.
When organisations work together and support each other, amazing things happen.
Thank you to:
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Sighthound Rescue SA
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Hannalize from BARC, who started this rescue.
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Dr Ryan Niemand
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The new adopters and everyone who supported this rescue.
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And, of course, the New Beginnings team for not giving up on him.
Together, we can do so much more!
Liz Donaldson, Grey’s new owner, shares…
In October our son was on a sport tour in Bloemfontein and we accompanied him. On our first night at the guesthouse in Quaggafontein, we spotted a beautiful Greyhound. My husband tried to lure him over, but he was very skittish. We later asked our hostess, Kim Langerman, about him and she told us the sad tale of how he’d just been dumped there earlier in the year. Several attempts had been made to capture him, but he was clearly a bit of a Houdini.
There was just something about him that made us fall instantly in love with him – we knew we wouldn’t sleep back in Johannesburg knowing he was still on the streets. We contacted Sighthound Rescue who in turn contacted various people in their network in Bloemfontein, and eventually it was Emain from New Beginnings who took one look at the situation and said: “I’m bringing this dog in or this is going to end badly.”
Kim established a feeding pattern with Grey by putting out yummy treats for him and kept Emain appraised of his movements. Eventually, New Beginnings and Dr Ryan managed to capture him. We cried with relief when we heard he was safely at New Beginnings. We’d said from the outset that if they could just capture him, he had a home with us, and we’d come and fetch him! By then the kids had chosen a name for him: Gandalf the Grey after the Tolkien character, a favourite of my daughter’s, but also because we’d come to Bloem to play sport against Grey College – it was just so obviously meant to be!
The New Beginnings team were absolutely incredible. They sent us daily updates and photos of Grey and told us exactly how the rehab was going. We were delighted when they told us he was ready to come to his forever home much sooner than we’d initially hoped.
My hubby drove to fetch Grey on Sunday the 24th of November and he settled in nicely. He had an instant connection with Bowie and they’re already great mates. The Dachsie is behaving exactly like the diva she is and tolerates him, but she wants to boss him around. Fortunately, she’s so small compared to him, and he just ignores her and seeks refuge somewhere else.
Initially, he was incredibly skittish and wouldn’t come when called, but he soon started following us around the garden and coming into the house looking for us. He’ll approach on his own terms if you sit quietly. Unfortunately, we’ve discovered that he’s somewhat “treat immune”. He categorically will not take food from your hand, so we’re not sure how we’re going to address this in training, but I have enough experts to consult!
Grey is very, very gentle, but as I say, he doesn’t like to be approached directly. However, once you’re down at his level, he’s quite happy to have a gentle stroke and lie quietly with you next to him. He also doesn’t really like to be made to walk places on a lead, so that’s very much a work in progress.
He absolutely loves that little pond in the photos, but we’ve cordoned it off now because he keeps getting in and then trailing muck and pond scum all over his blanket and my carpets!