Pringle

Heading Home

Pringle's rescue story began when I was heading home from a failed rescue mission with Brownie, who I was unable to leave, despite having found a perfect home for her, and despite an excellent slow integration over the course of a week.

I knew that in Brownie's heart that she wanted to be with me as she was very attached to me and I didn't want her to experience any pain through separation or the feeling of being abandoned, unwanted or that she had perhaps done something wrong and that I didn't want her.

This was very difficult for everyone concerned, including the amazing lady who was ready, willing and wanting to accept her into her family, and also for me as I was plagued with feelings of guilt and uncertainty as to whether or not I was making the right decision.

The most important part of a successful re-homing is the feeling of peace in the heart that one gets when everything is right and for whatever reason, I just didn't have that, and therefore, could't complete the mission.

And as I headed home from Pringle Bay, with Brownie in tow, I passed through a poverty-stricken location and saw a little pup walking along the side of the road, all alone, slow, weak and thin, looking as though she needed a helping hand.

Turning Around

And so, even though I was bursting at the seams, trying to re-home dogs as opposed to taking in more, I had no option but to turn around to see if I could help.

I turned around, despite the fact that I was in a dangerous area and in a vulnerable situation with my laptop, a case and 2 other dogs with me, and I headed back to the spot where I first saw her.

As I pulled over, I noticed her turn down a side street and I deliberated what to do next, whether to go in and look for her, leaving my valuables and other dogs behind, and if I took the risk, whether I would even be able to get her as sometimes, dogs are scared and won't come to you.

As I waited, weighing up my options, handing her over to God and awaiting inspired guidance, a man who was sitting outside his shack signalled to me, indicating her whereabouts.

I wasn't sure at first so I waited a couple of seconds and he signalled to me again, poignant out to me that she was close to him, and I took this as a sign that I must go in and try.

An Easy Win

As I went in, asking God to protect me, my bakkie, my valuables and of course, my precious dogs, this man had already scooped her up and immediately handed her to me.

I asked if she had a home, he said that she didn't, she was weak and limp and didn't put up a fight and I had to quickly think where iI would put her as I didn't know how Brownie and Tammy would react to a new dog but thankfully, perhaps sensing and seeing her need, they were OK.

I opted for the front seat where she was next to me and put her in Tammy my old dog's basket, moving her to the back seat with Brownie.

As we were doing this, another man came up to me and I thought that perhaps she belonged to him, but he just wanted advice on the things that were crawling on his dog, which I told him were fleas and ticks and that he needed to get some stuff from the vet each month, including for worms.

And off we went into a new life.

First Stop The Vet

No longer heading home, as I didn't want to take yet another dog home as I was already bursting at the seams, I decided to stop off in a place I know and love, where I have a big support network, until I had made a plan for Pringle.

Judging by how sick and weak Pringle was, the first stop was the vet, and when I lifted her out of the car into my arms, she clung to me so tightly, not wanting me to leave her or part with her.

I snuggled her close and told her she was going to be OK and we waited for the vet, and whilst we waited, everyone fell in love with her too.

She had a blood smear and the vet prescribed medication for tick bite fever, and also prescribed her medication for worms and gave her a flea and tick tablet to immediately get rid of the parasites she was being plagued with.

At first, Pringle was quite flat, wouldn't drink any water and only ate a little, but after the vet was done, her confidence increased, perhaps because she sensed she was safe, and she celebrated by diving head first into the open can

First Night's Peaceful Rest

I managed to find us somewhere to stay after many hours of finding nothing, as it isn't easy when you have 3 dogs with you, and I lovingly and gently washed her with warm water, hand picked all the fleas off her, dried her, cleaned her ears with a cotton bud and we rested.

Pringle snuggled up next to me in the bed, clean and smelling good, and ready to take her first comfortable, safe and peaceful night she had most likely ever had.

Over the next few days, Pringle experienced lots of firsts including snugly blankets, comfy couches, nice food and safe spaces to adventure around in and very quickly, a different dog emerged.

Watching her relax and release all the stress she had been carrying was a true joy and being with her, being able to support her, was an absolute pleasure, and a special little soul was beginning to emerge.

Pringle was very gentle, very clever and stuck very close to me, not leaving my side for a second, even when we went out, she would just curl up and sleep next to my feet, and slowly but surely, this little poppet made her way into my heart.