Written by Sandy Clifton – Adoptions Manager, African Tails
Professional photography by Nat Gold ZA
During the first stage of our sterilisation campaign in Graafwater in March, when dropping off a kennel for a previously sterilised dog, we found Marbles. She looked so sickly and thin – her owners said that she’d been that way for a while. They agreed to surrender her as she clearly needed help.
Upon visiting the vet, she was diagnosed with Ehrlichia, causing her to be severely anaemic. She underwent an urgent blood transfusion, thanks to a lovely donor dog named Maggie. The transfusion was a success!
The vets were still a bit concerned about her weight, but luckily she went from strength to strength in her foster home and she’s now healthy and happy! Nothing was ever too much trouble for her lovely foster mom, Merle Borgström.
Marbles very quickly crept deep into Merle’s heart and it came as no surprise to us when Merle turned into a foster fail! Marbles has officially found her happily ever after – and with the family that she already loves and adores. When Marbles was rescued she weighed a mere 8kg, and now she weighs a whopping 17.9kg!
Merle, Marbles’ new owner, shares...
My first introduction to Marbles was on the 4th of July 2024, at the TAH Rosmead Clinic. Her head looked big for her frail body, she was very skinny, her tail was between her legs, and she looked very gentle. Her medical history had been explained, and I picked her up and carried her to my waiting car.
In the car, she sat next to me and I drove very slowly home. It was a cold day and, because she has a brindle thin coat, she was shivering. Every moment of the trip I attempted to reassure her that she was smart, beautiful and would be home soon.
On reaching home, we cooked up delicious chicken “free range” trims with rice, as well as the puppy food kindly provided by African Tails. Marbles enjoyed her meal then snuck off into my daughter Simone’s room to make a wee; she looked very forlorn when she came out of the room and we immediately hugged her and said, “Next time we’ll take you out for a wee-wee and you’ll obtain a little treat.”
Her anxiety levels were very high when Mike arrived home as she didn’t know what to expect. He welcomed her and told her she was home.
For approximately ten days she struggled with communication when she needed to go out, so I elected to take her out four times a day, asking her and gently letting her off the lead to make her necessary toileting; we have packets which we obtain to pick it up and dispose of. Simone, my daughter, visits when possible and Marbles delights in hearing her car.
We had heavy storms and Marbles was crying softly as she heard the heavy rains. I gently spent time holding her and letting her feel cuddled until she fell on her back and went to sleep. Marbles follows me with her brown eyes and loves sitting on the couch in front of the kitchen watching food being prepared. Her nose works very well and she enjoys sniffing, and when the oven is opened, she enjoys having a peek, especially when it’s roast chicken.
Marbles is a little curious, territorial over the property, and doesn’t enjoy our eight dwarf rabbits. Mouse, Garage Girl, Father, Ugly Girl, Whitey, Black Man, Sleepy Joe and Blue all have the same parents, who’ve passed away naturally, and they’re all sterilised. We keep them in a separate enclosure.
Mike is passionate about trees and bird life and is very knowledgeable. Because Marbles instinctively chases the birds, to use her energy productively we take her for daily walks on our green belt and the beach, which she loves!
Marbles is a gentle, sweet-natured girl who enjoys playing with other dogs, loves meeting people and wagging her tail, and her playful nature has just blossomed. Thankfully, she’s now sterilised, as keeping her away from doggie male suitors whilst on heat was tricky. To know Marbles is to love her, and she’s an integral part of our family and is loved by all.
