adoption & rescue
Saved in the rain
On a cold, rain-soaked day, a tiny puppy was pulled from a storm drain. With the odds stacked against him, Ponzo went from rescue case to beloved mascot … and finally, to my forever dog.
By Shannon-Lee Beukes, adoptions manager at Animal Welfare Society of South Africa
I started working at the Animal Welfare Society of South Africa about five years ago as an inspectorate controller and switchboard operator. In my first few weeks, I was still learning the ropes and trying to find my feet. While voluntarily assisting the adoptions manager at the time, I took a call about a dog stuck in a drain at one of our neighbouring businesses, WBHO.
It was pouring with rain that day, and the poor little puppy was completely soaked and terrified. When he arrived at the Society, I took him under my wing. Our hospital team ran tests and discovered that he had parvovirus and ehrlichia.
He refused to eat for days, was severely emaciated, and honestly … was hanging on by a thread, but our hospital team went above and beyond their duty to treat him and get him into good health again.
Day after day, he stayed close to me. I spent as much time with
him as I could, quietly willing him to fight. Then one day … finally, he started eating. From there, we slowly but surely began to see improvement.
As he grew stronger, I started training him. He loved interacting with visitors and had a beautiful way of making nervous dogs feel safe and comfortable. It wasn’ t long before management noticed him and realised he had something truly special. They decided he would be the perfect mascot, and he truly was!
When I eventually moved out on my own, there was never any question: he was coming home with me. I made sure he got the forever home he so deeply deserved.
Today, we are completely glued to each other. He is an incredible, gentle, and accommodating dog, and the coolest big brother to my twoyear-old. We love him beyond words.
Pet Name: Ponzo Age: +- 4 years old Breed: Cross-breed Favourite treat: Chicken, cheese and eggs Hobbies: He loves running, jumping and doing tricks for treats.
Fun fact: He doesn’ t let me use the bathroom alone( no matter where we are) and if I hide myself( no matter how far), he WILL find me.
FACT: Ehrlichia is a genus of Rickettsiales bacteria that are transmitted to vertebrates by ticks. These bacteria cause the disease ehrlichiosis, which is considered zoonotic, because the main reservoirs for the disease are animals.
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