New home for dear Shimbungu
HARTBEESPOORT – Shimbungu has had a tough start to his life and is paralysed from the waist down, but this special dog has now found his forever home at the All Hearts Foundation in Hartbeespoort.
Shimbungu may only be seven months old, but he’s already travelled over 1 000km in search of a good home at the All Hearts Foundation South Africa (AHF) in Hartbeespoort.
The dog, from Oshana Namibia, was struck by a car sometime last year and his neglectful owners did not get him any medical attention for his injuries. Due to the damage done to his spine in the accident, he became paralysed and could not use his back legs, meaning that to get around he would drag them behind him.
A member of the public took a video of the dog, which gained the attention of the community when it was shared on social media.
“The Otto family in the area saw the video and began searching for him,” said Lexi Austen, chief executive officer of the AHF and a graduate of Crawford College Lonehill. “After searching for 48 hours, they found him. After taking him to a vet they discovered that his spine had been broken.”
This means that Shimbungu has no feeling in his lower body and no control of his bowels or bladder, but is still very happy and loves life.
“I had been following his story [on the Oshana Facebook page], and my husband decided to reach out to them and say that if they could not find a home for Shimbungu in Namibia, we would be happy to take him,” Austen added.
“We have experience with animal care and could give him a good home.”
The AHF was founded three years ago and primarily cares for exotic animals in need, perhaps most famously the pack of Canadian timberwolves which was rescued from the Free State in 2017. At their grounds in Hartbeespoort, there are currently about 60 animals being cared for, including two wolf packs and a sheep named Marley who thinks he’s a dog.
After a long journey, Shimbungu landed at OR Tambo airport on 14 January and is settling in nicely in his new home. Plans are in place for a wheelchair to be created for him to help with mobility and comfort.
“He does need to have his nappy changed every two hours. But he has such a will to live and is so filled with love. We’re not going to rehome him or anything, he’s with us for life.
“To me, he is such an inspiration – we complain about all our problems, but he’s been through so much and his will to survive could teach people a lot,” Austen concluded.
If you would like to support the All Hearts Foundation, you can find out more by visiting their website. Donations of nappies (sizes 6 and 7) are also welcome as they will be used for Shimbungu.
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