Hope by Lesley Higham who looked after her while she recovered. (Photo: Facebook)
The boerboeltief, whose metamorphosis from a burn-sick dog that could not walk to one that playfully runs across the lawn of her new yard with her toy rope in her mouth, faces yet another challenge – one of her kidneys may need to be removed and there is something wrong with her lungs.
Vanya Schöfmann, an inspector from Caledon Animal Care, says Hope’s new owners rushed her to the vet on Tuesday evening after she fell ill. On Wednesday morning they took her to a kidney specialist at Vetscape animal hospital in Paarl.
Hope was weak when she was found by Caledon Animal Care in January – so weak and burnt that she couldn’t stand up. Due to malnutrition, she had no immune system, but her fighting spirit and will to survive was stronger. She was taken in by Lesley Higham who cared for her until she was well again and put on weight. Just over a month ago, Hope was taken to her new owners near Riebeeck-Kasteel in the Western Cape.
Posts on Facebook about Hope drew thousands of responses. Videos of her have been shared on social media where, among other things, she runs across the spacious yard and digs in a bowl of soil with her front legs.
The most beautiful part of Hope’s story is that after her rescue she learned to trust people again.
Schöffman says that according to information she received, the vet at Vetscape says he has never seen a kidney that looks like hers. “Something is seriously wrong. There is also something on her lungs and they will test for cancer.”
Hope shortly after arriving at her new home. (Photo: Archive)
Scans, X-rays and tests are done to determine exactly what is wrong. “When she was admitted late last night, the priority was to stabilize her.”
Some time ago she had tick fever and now she faces the kidney operation. “Hope is very ill. It is quite possibly her previous difficult life that is causing her to give in,” says Schöfmann.
She asks the thousands of people who follow Hope’s story on Facebook to keep her in their prayers.
“Our girl is not in a good place.”