Cape Town - After being found on a rubbish heap in the middle of Newtown in the Western Cape, the five-month-old ball of energy recently adopted from the Domestic Animal Rescue Group (Darg) is a far cry from the undernourished, flea-infested mutt rescued only two months ago.
Newton, named after the town where a paramedic noticed him sitting atop the dirt in April, was only three-months-old when he was rescued.
Riddled with ticks and fleas and suffering from a bad case of worm infestation and mange, the little pavement special was cared for by a volunteer at the Hout Bay NPO until local resident Ant Latimer recently spotted him during a visit.
“There were about 20 dogs in the kennels and when I entered, they went completely crazy,” he recalled. “They started to attack one of the puppies, who was lying flat on his back as the others lunged at him. That little one being bitten is now my little Enzo.”
Latimer picked him up to comfort him, and hasn’t been able to let go since.
“I was planning to only adopt a dog in about four months’ time, but when I held him in my arms and saw photos of how he looked when he was brought in - near death and without any fur - I knew I had to take him home.”
But the timid and shy pup he took home that day has since become a “naughty bundle of joy”.
“He eats any shoe he can get his mouth on,” Latimer laughed. “And while he’s not that big, he quite likes challenging dogs twice his size. His appetite is also costing me a fortune, but he is a joy to have around.”
Darg kennel manager Nicole Nel told News24 it was heartening to see the tiny pup carried into their facility in a milk crate mere weeks ago transformed into a healthy dog.
“There are 35 other pups looking for homes as we are currently filled to capacity,” she pointed out.
The pro-life group cares for, sterilises and re-homes abused, neglected and abandoned cats and dogs and stays afloat through donations.
Winter is a more quiet period at the shelter, which cares for pets from the greater Hout Bay area.
Latimer appealed to those interested in getting a pet to make shelters their first stop.
“There are so many dogs looking for a happy home. Taking one from a shelter is such a rewarding experience. I wish more people would make use of this option.”
- Darg website.
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