UPDATE 11th May 2010
Jenny & Sandie had to make the decision to let Harry go to Rainbow Bridge after an episode of bloat. He was brought home but unfortunately started to deteriorate so the vet was called and Harry went
to sleep in his favourite bed. R.I.P. Harry, a very special boy. |
Harry on the right is a 12 year old welfare Newfoundland who has recently been adopted by the Northern Newfoundland Club.
His life has not been a happy one. He was used as a stud dog on a puppy farm and his name appears on a lot of pedigrees of puppy farmed dogs. Harry was mated to Newfies, St Bernards, Pyreneans and any other breed unfortunate enough to be owned by his unscrupulous owner.
He was kennelled in appalling conditions for years and it was only when he had outlived his usefulness for breeding that he was rescued by an animal sanctuary in West Wales. At this point Harry was very depressed and extremely underweight (48 kilos) with large sores on his skin.
Fortunately the sanctuary contacted Jenny Davie and Sandie Sharpe who have huge experience in helping and rehabilitating rescued Newfoundlands. It became a matter of urgency to secure his release, and Jenny and Sandie soon took him home with them .
It was obvious that Harry desperately needed help and in spite of the attitude of certain uncaring people who thought he should have been left in kennels because he had never known anything different, Jenny and Sandie set about giving him some quality of life. For the first time Harry had a garden to roam in, a beach to walk on, and a fire to sit in front of. He also has people who care for him, and he revels in the affection he has been denied all his life.
But it quickly became apparent that Harry had a major stomach problem which required veterinary attention. Abdominal Surgery followed. This revealed that his stomach was full of 2 kgs of stones, nails and screws. The vet was convinced that he had eaten this material in an effort to assuage his hunger. This was proof that Harry was starved at the puppy farm.
Harry soon became a much happier dog, but recently he was diagnosed with pancreatitis linked with a pancreatic tumour. Again he was hospitalised on a drip but rallied and is now greatly improved and living at home again with Jenny and Sandie.
We know his time is limited but while he has good quality of life he deserves the very best.
The Northern Newfoundland Club has now taken Harry under our wing, and has accepted responsibility for meeting his veterinary bills. We will make sure that Jenny and Sandie have the support they need to keep him happy and pain free.
Harry is one of many of the unfortunate dogs that need help from Welfare. Not all Newfoundlands have the luxury of a caring home with loving owners- some are isolated, unloved, neglected and abused.
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