Written by Evelyn Duperron
Photography by Evelyn Duperron, Sarie Stander and Michelle Cotton
Laine’s diary entries...
LAINE’S STORY
On the 17th of November 2022, Elaine van Tonder posted photos of an emaciated dog on the Harrismith Animal Shelter group on Facebook. The poor dog had been chained to a tree with no food, no water, abandoned by her human family and left to die a cruel and slow death. She needed to be rescued, and Elaine reached out to the community for help.
The Harrismith Animal Shelter committee agreed that we had space for Laine and could help. As the committee, we named her Laine, after her rescuer, Elaine.
Looking at the photos Elaine had shared along with the video footage, I felt that Laine couldn’t live in the shelter – she’d need a lot more than just shelter care. She’d need a special diet, extra medical treatment (which would be too costly for the shelter), and a home with a comfy mattress to rest and recover in peace and be loved.
On the 21st of November 2022, Laine was discharged from the hospital into the shelter’s care. I went to meet her on the 22nd. Although she was listless and gave the impression that she had no more will to live, there was something special about her – beneath all the pain and trauma, there was strength. I knew that with enough love and support, we could bring that personality back.
I helped Helene to clean Laine’s badly clogged-up ears. The following day I went back to clean off the remaining gunk and to see how she was doing, but it was hard to leave. I just wanted to lift her into my vehicle and take her home.
I consulted with the committee, and everyone decided it was a good idea for Xavier and me to become Laine’s foster parents until she recovered and was ready for her new forever home.
Laine came home with me on the 25th of November, and the first thing other than feeding her a first small portion of a home-cooked meal with chicken and vegetables (which had to be provided in small amounts at regular intervals for a while), I bathed her with shampoo mixed with Geranium Essential Oils and treated her for ticks and fleas. I also consulted with Dr Marisa Slabber, a brilliant holistic veterinarian in Fourways. Dr Slabber agreed that she’d help with advice and guide us on Laine’s journey to recovery.
Although Laine felt much better after her bath, it was clear that she was exhausted, frail and needed rest. She was also in physical pain, which I treated with Copaiba, Turmeric, and Frankincense essential oils. Other than eating and going to the toilet, she mostly spent the rest of the day sleeping in her room on her mattress. On the second day, we could see how the aromatherapy, food and rest were starting to pay off. Laine was moving around and began showing an interest in her surroundings. She inspected her patch of garden, which would be part of her home while she recovered. She played and cantered with me in the garden for a while and then went to bed. This felt like a baby step, but after what she’d been through, it was a huge step and quite remarkable after only two days. I could physically see how the trauma was lifting off her, and her personality was starting to peep through.
I took Laine for her follow-up visit to Dr Wim Slabber on the 29th of November. She’d gained 4kgs, and he was pleased with her progress. Her ears needed a thorough cleaning, and she received her first vaccination. Laine’s blood work showed that she was on the mend. Nothing else needed to be done.
Laine had quite a few setbacks during her recovery, but this is to be expected with a dog as ill as she was. Thankfully, I’m trained in essential oil and food therapy, but the guidance I got from Dr Marisa Slabber, along with Dr Wim Slabber’s support, was also very helpful. Laine recovered well, and on the 19th of January 2023, she was ready to be put up for adoption. In my opinion, she was a happy, healthy doggy on the mend, progressively gaining weight, and her muscles were gradually developing. Her “wood” personality was also all out. Overall, she showed no more emotional trauma and was such a joy to have around.
In our home, she’s become known as Lainosaurus, the “Queen of Africa” – two names Dr Marisa gave her after watching her videos or photos. Laine is a real “madam” who enjoys her food, comfort and aromatherapy.
Although she was up for adoption, finding the perfect home for her wasn’t easy. She was great with kids, cats, and other dogs but needed space. In addition, whoever adopted her needed to understand the extent of her trauma and what she’d been through to further support her in her healing journey. I was extremely fussy on those points, and I also wanted her to have the perfect bed, the perfect food, the perfect love, and the perfect fur siblings. Her new home had to be better than what I could provide.
After a failed attempt at getting her adopted, I, unfortunately, had to give her back to the shelter as I’d just started studying Kinesiology and needed to travel. I didn’t want her to move between foster homes and felt the shelter would be for the best. It was also the only place where she could meet new people, have a huge lawn to play and run with other dogs and stand the best chance of being adopted. It was a tough decision, and I was petrified that Laine wouldn’t find the perfect home. Helene kept reassuring me that my decision was for the best and that the right family would come along. I won’t deny it – had my doubts and felt awful leaving her there.
On the 18th of March 2023, while I was in George, Helene sent me photos of a young man holding Laine and told me she’d been adopted into the perfect home. My heart lit up. I saw two beautiful souls and knew they were a match. Helene sent me videos of Laine meeting their dog, Boeta. They, too, were the perfect match and began running and playing instantly. Later I received photos of Laine on a comfy bed and then on a couch. Laine got the exact home I’d been praying for – the home she deserved.
Helene kept in contact with Sarie and Rubin Stander, and the feedback we received on the committee was that Laine was doing very well and that Boeta and Laine really enjoyed playing together. We’re extremely grateful to Ruben and Sarie for supporting us and giving a home to our doggies.
From my side, as Laine’s foster parent, it was very hard to let Laine go, and I promised her that if I came back and she still didn’t have a home, Xavier and I would make space for her. But this story is pure proof that prayers do get answered. I asked for a home just like the one I saw in the footage, with lots of love, a young friend (who’s now a sibling), and a large garden where she could run and play and be happy as part of a loving family. The very life Laine deserves and a hundred times better than what I could provide on my property.
To Ruben and Sarie: Thank you so much for opening your hearts and home to Laine and giving her the home she deserves. I trust she’ll bring you great joy and that your love will make her a happier and healthier dog.
Rubin Stander, Laine’s new guardian, shares...
After Sheba (our oldest dog) passed, Boeta (our youngest) was without his big sister. He’d grown up with her, and now that she was gone, he’d be alone when we were at work, which we weren’t comfortable with. One day, a friend sent me photos of the dogs at the shelter, and I decided to drive down during my lunch break to take a look.
It’s always difficult because, in an ideal world, you want to provide a home for every dog there, but that’s not really an option. I took a liking to one dog while there and then decided to return on the weekend with my mom so that she could also take a look.
We went back that Saturday, and while looking at all the dogs playing, we noticed a large dog lying inside her dog house in her camp. When we approached the enclosure, the dog came rushing out to greet us, and it was love at first sight. She came home with us that very same day.
After the drive home, where Laine adamantly insisted on sitting in the driver’s seat, we let her loose in her new home. Within a few days, she was completely comfortable with us, and Boeta was overjoyed at having a new friend.
