A pensioner has been praised online for walking over five kilometres to ensure his injured pup was given medical attention. The fur-baby, Coco, had a broken leg, which required specialist surgery. However, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA was unable to perform this at the primary-care hospital.
Inspectors had to break the sad news that the injured pup may have to be euthanised if they could not help. The next day, the loving owner, Mr Gertse, walked back to the SPCA with his injured pup and his heart broken, expecting the worst. But fortunately, fate had other plans.
INJURED PUP GETS MEDICAL TREATMENT
As a result, the story ended in happy tears. Through the sponsorship of kind donors, the organisation was able to give Coco a second chance. But, Cape of Good Hope SPCA’s communications manager, Belinda Abraham, said a new technique was used to help the injured pup.
“We had to try an alternative to a surgery that was out of reach for Mr Gertse. Coco was young, and our vets felt that her soft bones might come together on their own. With the right bandaging technique, good pain control, ongoing nursing care and a lengthy stay in our hospital. But, we are delighted that we could unbreak a leg and unbreak a heart and give Coco back to the man who never gave up on her.”
A SWEET REUNION FOR PUP AND ELDERLY OWNER
The pensioner and his beloved, Coco, shared a sweet reunion. The once-injured pup was delighted to see its owner again.
“Wet kisses for Mr Gertse and wet eyes for every SPCA staff member involved in her care. This kind of devotion can’t be taught. But it lives in the hearts of people who, despite facing their struggles, choose compassion,” shared Abraham, who was moved by Mr Gertse and little Coco’s story moved her.
Abraham said the SPCA encourages responsible pet guardianship, including the ability to provide for an animal’s basic and medical needs.
“We saw heart in every line on Mr Gertse’s weathered and worried face. He didn’t have transport. He didn’t have money for surgery. But he had love. And he had the will to act. While our country’s cost-of-living crisis deepens, we are seeing more people, especially the elderly, turning to us. Not because they’re failing their pets, but because they are desperate not to. Their animals are family. Sometimes, they are all they have. We know that having less doesn’t mean loving less.”
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA thanked the community for their generous donations. Fortunately, the sponsorships helped save the injured pup.
“To everyone who helps us keep the lights on, the wards warm, and the doors open, thank you. Thank you for healing Coco and honouring the love of one man for his dog. No one should lose their animal simply for being poor,” said Abraham.
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA treats an average of 18 pets an hour, every day. According to Abraham, the facility runs at a loss of over R5 million annually.
HAVE YOU EVER VISITED THE SPCA?
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