Written by Ernestine Strini
Professional photography by Pet Portrait Photography
Having committed my life to helping senior dogs, I had to help Idumbe – but it was going to turn out to be harder than we ever imagined…
Leaving on a jet plane
I have to be honest: each time I hear of people emigrating and needing new homes for their pets, I get very angry and depressed.
A loyal dog or cat that has enriched lives by giving joy and unconditional love, being left behind for various reasons, usually convenience and/or money (the cost of pet travel is often prohibitive). Some of the younger animals do find new homes, but what about all the senior pets? New homes are scarce, even for puppies. What chance does an Oldie stand?
Therefore, when I received a friend’s message that a twelve-and-a-half-year-old German Shepherd-mix girl was in dire need of finding a suitable, loving new home due to her family moving overseas, my emotions ran high for the aforementioned reasons. I just needed to get to the bottom of this story, and by phoning the owner, I promptly did.
Left stranded and desperate
The family had two dogs: Blacky, a spritely five-year-old Border Collie – a young and energetic family dog – and Idumbe, who they’d adopted from a shelter as a tiny pup of five months old and loved and cared for ever since.
On finalising their moving overseas, a family member had promised to take both dogs. This was ideal as the dogs knew the person and were comfortable with her – problem solved!
UNTIL four months before they boarded the aeroplane – this person withdrew the offer. Whilst Blacky found a home in no time at all, Idumbe, at her advanced age, was not so lucky. By now it was too late to make arrangements for her and the family were desperate to find a new home.
This was a different side of the coin to what I’d thought: a family thinking that their pets were sorted and safe had been left stranded and desperate.
The greying muzzle and clouded-over eyes of Idumbe haunted me, and I said that we would try integrating her into our family.
Stranger in a strange place
We’ve adopted senior dogs from all walks of life – thrown away, mistreated, neglected – the lot (see Happy Tale http://www.happytailsmagazine.co.za/happy-tales/frosty-faces-are-our-favourites/). But what awaited us by bringing Idumbe into our home was one of the worst heartbreaking experiences by far.
A neglected shelter dog thrives on attention, love, a full tummy and a soft bed, but Idumbe had had that all her life. She lived in a home where she’d been well cared for, with a family that loved her and with only one other dog as her companion.
She arrived in a new home with two total strangers and seven other dogs crowding her. Idumbe totally withdrew from life; the only self-preservation her instinct told her. She found a corner outside where she lay day and night. She didn’t look at anybody; she couldn’t be approached to the point of fear-biting when we came too close to her.
Healing broken hearts
Our hearts were equally broken; her inner turmoil and pain was my own. We discussed with the owner that we’d allow her a certain time to adjust, but if no changes were to be seen, her owner would collect her and hold her close at the vet when she crossed over… I couldn’t bear the thought of her just lying there, waiting for her dying day.
The day drew close and there was no change; I phoned the owner, sobbing. Did Idumbe hear me? Did she feel my distress? Because, when I looked up, there she was: ears standing up alertly, looking in my direction.
The very next day the circles she walked around us got smaller. She sat at a safe distance but looked at us all the time, and eventually we were allowed to gently touch her as she walked past us. Shortly after that, Idumbe began walking into the house, eating with all the other fur kids and finally becoming part of our family.
Every day brought her closer to us and, four months later, these earlier troubles are only distant memories.
She is part of the “furniture” now; she happily comes for cuddles and jumps and barks for her food. She’s even starting to get playful, running and jumping and as bright-eyed and bushy-tailed as a youngster.
Our girl turned 13 years old in March, and all that counts now is the wonderful future we are going to have together!
Watch Idumbe in action here: https://www.facebook.com/ernestine.strini/videos/10155498903217747/
