Written by Emily Craig
Professional photography by Nat Gold ZA
Late at night I scroll through Facebook and, because I belong to so many rescue animal communities, I end up forwarding rescue requests to all my friends whom I know would help animals in need. At the end of the night asking God to keep all animals safe and loved and free from cruelty.
One particular evening I saw a heartfelt plea for a nine-year-old dog who lay at his owner’s side for 48 hours when the dear man had passed away. The photo of the beautiful doggie darling had me in tears. I could see the grief and pain in her eyes and thought: I have to find her and I need to love her.
I have six rescues and they truly are my children, but I’d promised my husband: NO MORE.
My darling husband was away for the weekend on a golf trip, and I thought this was the best time to add another member to the family. Also, it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission, so I called the number on the post and asked what her status was.
A lovely lady called Bianca Castleman Peens, with whom I connected immediately, said she was temporarily in a kennel and truly pining.
I couldn’t bear it and asked how quickly could she get to Cape Town.
Bringing Missy home
Bianca told me about another incredible lady called Renata Haussmann who brings animals from all over the country down to CT, and Renata would be prepared to bring Missy in the next day or so. I was beyond excited and couldn’t wait for her to get to us. I even suggested driving up and getting her myself, but everything had very quickly been arranged and so we waited…
My five-year-old daughter, Josephine, and I went to buy her her own bed and food and a few other bits to make her feel at home as soon as she came to us. We had a stern talk with all our doggie darlings about making her feel welcome. We also made an appointment with our extraordinary vet, Dr Duncan at Hillside Veterinary Clinic, as we heard her nails were too long, her teeth needed doing, and she had very bad arthritis.
Everything was set and ready for her – all except telling my beloved Stevie.
Forever ours
Sunday arrived and I drove out to Butterfly World to meet our new member of the family. We met the pet transport vehicle, and as soon as I saw her in her transport cage I burst into tears and knew she was ours forever. She came out of her cage and, within moments, began to lick me and wag her tail as if she knew that I was her new mummy. She was so good in the car on the way home, and when we arrived we slowly introduced her to her new brothers and sisters one by one. Her new siblings greeted her with love and respect, as if they all knew what she’d been through.
That night, curled up in front of the fire, we FaceTimed her new daddy, and truly it was love at first sight for them.
The following week we went to Dr Duncan and had a full dental, plus nails clipped and x-rays to check her arthritis and general well-being. She’s such a trouper and handled herself like a true lady and champion.
She’s such a happy girl and is barking and licking and even running with her brothers and sisters in the garden.
My dad passed in 2014 and Missy was born in the same year. I truly believe that Mr Nutt spoke to my dad in heaven and sent Missy as a gift to our family through my dad. We feel so blessed to have this incredible girl as part of our family now.
