Written by Loretta Bam, Adoption Co-ordinator - Grabouw Animal Welfare Society
Photography by Shannon @ Think It Designs
Our field team was notified by a concerned community member that there was a dog with severe burn wounds. Our field team went out to investigate and found Layla. While in discussion with the owners, we discovered that the owners did not think there was anything wrong with their dog having burn wounds or that she was so underfed. This led to an emergency removal.
Layla was immediately taken to our vet for assessment, and the feedback was positive in that Layla would be able to fully recover from her wounds. Layla was immediately placed on a treatment plan.
Next, the task of finding a foster home for her began. As you can imagine, she would need 24/7 care for the treatment plan to be effective and have the best outcome possible for Layla. Within days of being rescued, her angel arrived in the form of Field Manager Shirley Surridge, who also handled finding foster care for Layla. Layla went into her foster home and blossomed with her foster family’s dedication to her healing. The family fell in love with her gorgeous eyes and “one-of-a-kind” personality, and Layla became a foster fail.
Fast forward to one year later, and this precious girl shows no signs of ever being burnt or underfed. She is loved, cared for and a very special part of her family. She is free from the pain of her wounds and the extreme hunger she must have felt daily.
Our hearts are full, and we truly appreciate her family’s love for her.
Layla’s guardian shares...
It was Saturday, the 12th of June 2021, when a friend and I decided to visit the Elgin Railway Market. As we approached the entrance, I immediately spotted Layla in the pen. I told my friend I should probably stay clear of the GAWS pen because I would be taking Layla home. I couldn’t even walk past the pen. Layla immediately drew my attention, and I fell in love with her. I completely forgot why we went to the market in the first place. About an hour later, we were en route home with Layla in the back seat of my car, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Layla adapted to her new environment immediately and instantly made friends with my other dog, Lady, who is an older cocker spaniel. They are now inseparable. The first night at home, Layla was under the duvet, next to my daughter, fast asleep, and little has changed since.
The following Sunday, we had a major scare. Layla was ill, and we rushed her to the vet in Grabouw. The poor girl had tick-bite fever and had to spend the night. As we drove home without her, the car was silent, punctuated with little sobs from my daughter and me. We were both worried sick – would Layla survive the night? Upon arriving home, my son was waiting at the door, wanting to know if Layla was okay. He was also in tears at the mere thought that Layla might not make it. But our little fighter pulled through. The next day, the vet phoned and told us that Layla was waiting for us to fetch her. We were so happy to see each other. That’s when I knew I would never be able to let go of this beautiful girl.
Once she had fully recovered from the tick-bite fever, she became a bundle of energy. She loves playing tug-of-war, chasing my son around the house, and going for walks, although she has no love for the sea or any other water for that matter. Everyone that passes us on our weekend strolls is greeted with a jump and a wagging tail. Layla also has no sense of personal space, her size, or her strength. Sometimes I think she thinks she is one of the smallest dogs alive. While watching a movie, she will force her way onto your lap on the smallest of seats. She has no problem lying on top of us if the space is limited. She is also highly intelligent and learns quickly but will always try her luck to get away with anything she knows she is not allowed to do. She loves her treats and toys. If you want to make her happy, bring home a rope and ball, and she will keep herself entertained for hours. She also loves an empty cooldrink bottle and will play with it non-stop, bringing it to us to throw it sp that she can fetch it and return for a game of tug-of-war.
Layla has become my shadow. Wherever I go, she goes. She adores the kids, and when they come home to visit, she doesn’t leave their sides for a second. She is such a blessing in our lives. I can’t even remember what life was like before her. The highlight of my day is coming home in the evening and being greeted with all that love and the best cuddles ever.
I am so blessed to have come across Layla when I did.
