STAFF and learners from Livingstone Primary School in Morningside have another little rescue pup in their care, this time a tiny creature they have named Hope.
Hope started her life in a rusty old container along with her brothers and sisters. According to Caryl Marshall from Livingstone Primary School, someone in the area noticed the puppies and called for help.
“Their mum hadn’t been seen for days and when the rescue team arrived, they were shocked by what they saw. Five puppies around 10 days old lay huddled together at the back of the container. They were ice cold, barely moving and one of the pups was already dead. Barely alive, they were rushed to their foster mums. It was decided that I was to have the weakest puppy, and when she arrived, I thought she was already dead as I couldn’t find a heartbeat. Her body was so cold and it was starting to shut down,” said Caryl.
ALSO READ: Pupils open hearts to orphaned animals
She said the only way to try and save her was to inject fluids under her skin immediately, which she knew how to do from experience at working with a vet. She then warmed her limp little body up and the pup responded slightly.
After four days of feeding her little bits of milk through a syringe, giving her sub-cut fluids and keeping her body at a constant temperature, the puppy started to improve. Unfortunately her brothers and sisters didn’t make it.
“Staff and pupils at Livingstone absolutely adore our pup and the children decided to call her Hope, our little miracle puppy. It is with great joy that after weeks of care, Hope is a strong, lively and happy little pup. She has survived all the odds,” she said.
Caryl said at Livingstone Primary staff and learners cherish helping these little rescues.
“With the children’s love and care we are able to find them living forever homes once they are strong and independent enough to no longer require hand-rearing,” said Caryl.
Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 060 532 5535.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Berea Mail WhatsApp number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts