PUPPY LOVE : HARRY ' S STORY
By Juliet Pearce
It started with a phone call from my Deputy Manager Anita one summer ’ s day in July . Anita ’ s question to me was could I possibly hand rear a 3 day old puppy . The only pup to survive from a litter and whose mum was very poorly and couldn ’ t care for him .
Without hesitation I said yes and popped in the car to go and collect him from West Hatch . As a Veterinary Nurse at West Hatch for 21 years I have had many hand rearing opportunities with kittens but never a puppy before so this was a new and very exciting challenge !
When I arrived he was in a basket with all his equipment ready for the mass exercise of bottle feeds , toileting , cuddles , sleep and repeat . I learnt his name was Harry , and I remember thinking how tiny and vulnerable he looked .
It didn ’ t take long to get into a routine with him . Feeds every three hours initially , day and night . The first week was exhausting ! It soon became apparent that the possibility of Harry going back to his mum was now out of the question as she had sadly passed away . But between myself , my partner and children we knew we could give Harry the best start possible .
Harry was an easy hand rear as he loved his “ bottles ” and devoured them within minutes , always looking for more . Cuddles and love were never in short supply in our household . Every milestone was amazing , especially the day he opened his eyes , then there was no
stopping him ! Initially crawling around but soon running and playing in the garden . He loved our old family dog Molly and she was very gentle and patient with him . By four to five weeks of age Harry was 90 % housetrained , going to the toilet on command in the garden . Clever little chap !
Harry weaned onto solid food easily and rapidly grew week by week . I knew that time was fast approaching when we would need to make decisions about Harry ’ s future . We weren ’ t in a position to keep a puppy , due to work commitments and other factors , so we set about looking for Harry ’ s forever home .
It didn ’ t take long for the Centre to find an adopter for Harry and he left us at nine weeks old . It was a very sad day letting him go as we ’ d all grown so attached to him , but happy in the knowledge he was going to a new loving family .
We get regular updates and photos from Harry ’ s new family and it ’ s great to see that he is thriving and loving life ! Harry was a little fighter from the minute he was born . He is a little miracle and will always have a place in my heart !
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