Written by Heather Cunningham
It began on a warm summer’s evening on the 18th of February 2019. Nadine Nel, who works at the Animal Anti-Cruelty League in Johannesburg, posted a message on the Linmeyer Pet group. She was asking for help. She’d found a dog that was dying down by the river in Regents Park. Whilst managing to get the dog to her home nearby, she had no transport to get him to the vet.
I had this overpowering urge to go and help. I asked my brother if I could borrow his car and posted on the group that I was going to get the dog. Ursula Hope, a fellow animal rescuer, said I should pick up her husband, Michael, because it was getting dark, and Regents Park is a dangerous area. Ursula said she’d arrange with Zuerina Venter from the Animal Protection Network to wait for us at Brackenhurst Vet.
By this time, it was already dark as Michael and I drove through to Nadine’s house and collected the poor dog.
Arriving at the vet, Michael carried the poor soul in. Zuerina was waiting; she asked Michael to put him on the scale and weigh him. He only weighed 14.40kgs – he was so thin. He could barely stand, and I just picked him up and put him on my lap. Heartbreaking! He had these beautiful brown eyes that were so sad.
Michael decided his name should be “River”, because that’s where he was found, and that’s how River got his name.
River was very, very ill and so weak. The vet immediately put him on a drip, because he was very dehydrated. He also took a blood sample and found that he was dreadfully anaemic.
His diagnosis after a myriad of tests: Immune Mediated Haemolytic, anaemia, canine babesiosis, and several other illnesses.
He received the very best care at Brackenhurst Vet. Thank you all so much for nursing him back to reasonable health. And not forgetting Zuerina and her endless supply of cooked chicken, which River loved!
River was obviously centre stage in my mind, and I decided I definitely wanted to be his foster mom so that I could help to heal this broken soul.
He was released into my care on the 2nd of March 2019, after spending 12 days in hospital. I was really nervous about bringing him home, because my brother has two Cocker Spaniels and I didn’t know how they’d react to one another. I needn’t have worried – they were fine together. In fact, River and Red became very good pals.
Given the horrible time in his life, River had the most beautiful nature, loving cuddles, tummy tickles and hugs.
He had a really bad upset tummy, which, I should imagine, was due to all the medicine administered to him when he was in hospital. Never in my life have I seen a dog so thirsty. He camped out by the water bowl; I suppose it was difficult to find water when you live on the streets!
I was advised by Ursula to carry on with the cooked chicken breasts and to add brown rice, butternut, and sweet potato. Dr Joe, who conducted River’s blood tests to check how he was coming along, also advised me to give him cooked liver in order to help his red blood cells increase.
After four days, his tummy had started improving. Not a single mess inside! Not ever!
When he first arrived at my home, he was very loath to come inside the house, and he’d just lie on the doorstep. He’d obviously never been allowed inside wherever he lived before. This was short-lived, however, and it didn’t take long before he was in and out sleeping in his bed at night and with his own couch in the lounge on which to stretch out. (And not once did he ever mess inside!)
Gradually, with lots of TLC and with nourishing food, River began to slowly improve.
Trying to get him to walk on a leash was also very interesting. He just about turned himself inside out, then sat down and wouldn’t budge. He was terrified! I think he was probably tied or chained up at his previous home. Eventually, with perseverance, it came right, and from then on whenever the harness came out, he went ballistic with pure joy. He loved his walks. Thank goodness my brother was here to help me, because getting his harness on was a feat of note as River was so excited.
This beautiful boy was meant to come into my life; he was balm for my heart and soul. We were so good for each other. And it is with thanks to the vets and staff at Brackenhurst Veterinary Hospital that River actually survived. He was literally at death’s door and their dedicated and loving care saved him from dying.
The problem is, I’m 73 years old and River is probably not even two years. What to do? What if I need to go into a retirement home? Then my daughter, Ashleigh, and her family came to South Africa for Christmas and totally fell in love with River – as does everyone.
My Ashleigh was a puppy-walker for the Guide Dogs Association in the UK. When she had to give her beautiful boy up for advanced training, and then when he actually went to his blind person, she was heartbroken. That’s when we discussed the possibility of sending River to live with them in England. It was heartbreaking for me, but I knew that this precious boy of mine would heal my daughter’s broken heart.
On the 7th of September, River from Regents Park flew to London Heathrow where he was picked up by Ashleigh and her husband, Coert. Then it was into the car and off to Brookwood in Surrey. Ashleigh lives in the country, and River loves going for walks on the heath and through the woods. Ashleigh, Coert and my granddaughter, Kayla, adore having him. He shares the couch with Brownie the guinea pig and sleeps in the same room as Whiskas the cat! (How amazing is he?)
I know he’s in a far better place and now safe from people who’d try and poison him or steal him and use him as bait for dog fighting. Cruelty to animals is horrific in South Africa.
I’ll love you forever, my River. I’ll see you soon when I come and visit your new family in your new home.
