HUMPHREY’S winning attitude, soulful brown eyes and wagging tail are just some of the reasons why the local hound has become such a superstar in uMhlanga. But it’s his support in raising funds and awareness for the Durban & Coast SPCA that has got tails wagging. The precious pooch recently raised R100 000 for the organisation and was rewarded for his his sterling efforts with a doggie biscuit and a tummy rub from owner, Alwyn Immerman.
“We are delighted and overjoyed. Through these efforts, he has been able to touch so many people’s lives. I work at the Umhlanga Medisport Pharmacy and I bring Humphrey in every Thursday, and so many residents come in on that day specifically to donate and to say hello. When I adopted him from the SPCA he was a sorry sight, a real ragamuffin – unkempt, withdrawn and submissive. But it’s his soulful eyes and his loving demeanor that are just so special.
“We set him up alongside a table with a sign saying ‘Make every day a Mandela Day’, and the residents and holiday-makers were just incredibly generous and they all love Humphrey. To share some of the stories, a kind lady by the name of Paddy McLeman bakes Humphrey liver bread. We had a gentleman who walked in to the pharmacy recently and said he’d like to make a donation. I told him where the collection bottle was and he asked for Humphrey’s banking details as he had a deposit to make. The next morning, I saw R10 000 had been deposited into the account. I phoned him to ask if he’d made a mistake, but he said he hadn’t. It was all for Humphrey,” she said.
Humphrey is also a hit with an English couple who visit uMhlanga regularly. They have requested that Alwyn keeps a diary so they can book to take Humphrey for the 9am walk when they next visit, in six month’s time.
“He’s a special boy and he will always have a special place in his heart for the SPCA. It’s so heartwarming to see such a wonderful response and I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved,” Alwyn said.
