Dog reunited with owner after heart attack

IT was a very emotional reunion for truck driver, André Enslin, and his dog, Seuntjie, at the Kloof and Highway SPCA.

Enslin had suffered a severe heart attack in his vehicle at a truck stop in Westmead on 17 November while he was travelling with his dog. A passer-by, Jacques van Zyl, stopped, heard the commotion and went to assist.

He promised the panic-stricken Enslin he would keep the dog safe and make sure he was cared for until André could be released from hospital. The paramedics then rushed him off by ambulance to the nearest hospital, leaving a petrified, frightened Seuntjie cowering in the vehicle, hiding away from the strangers who were trying to coax him out.

Van Zyl got into the truck, closed the door and sat for ages trying to befriend the bewildered dog. Eventually he was able to pick up the scared dog and take him to the Kloof and Highway SPCA. He had to carry the male terrier cross into reception as he would not walk on a lead and the shaking dog wet himself when he was placed down on the floor, scared, frightened and overwhelmed by everything.

The young male dog was placed into a kennel with a bed, warm blanket, food, water and some treats to help make him as comfortable as possible.

“It is so hard and so difficult for our staff to see an animal in such distress and panic, and all we could do was make sure that he was loved and cared for until his owner would come to claim him,” said Lisa Gadd, PRO for Kloof SPCA.

It was a ten days later on  26 November when a  weakened Enslin, accompanied by Van Zyl, was able to return for his beloved pet. While the owner filled in the claim paperwork a kennel assistant was sent to fetch the dog. As he walked through the gate with the dog in his arms, Enslin cried out, “Seuntjie!” and the dog sprung out of the assistant’s arms and ran to his owner.

“Tears of joy ran down every staff members’ cheeks in reception as André and Seuntjie were happily re-united once again,” said Gadd. “We learnt that the pair travel all over South Africa together and have never been apart from each other.

“It was very overwhelming to witness André and Seuntjie being re-united again. At this time of year, we do not get to see many happy endings such as this one, but the story of André, Seuntjie and the compassion that Jacques had for them is so heart-warming to see.”

Barbara Patrick added, “Although André was very weak and unable to walk without help, he could not wait to see his beloved Seuntjie, and when Seuntijie saw André that made our day, and there were many tears. A big thank-you to Jacques for caring and for everything you did for André and Seuntjie.”

As soon as Enslin is well enough, he and Seuntjie will be travelling back home to Cape Town.