Finding a home for ‘Oscar’
His tale is meant to remind you that there is goodness left in this world, but we have to be a part of the goodness, we have to show it and prove it in our actions if we want to see a change and make a difference.
People walked around him, stepped over him and eventually someone kicked him to the side of the walkway.
This was how Nico Kilian found the stray dog, dehydrated and dying outside a local shopping centre when he picked up his wife Liza.
Parts of the dog’s raw flesh were exposed to the elements and his body was covered with ticks and fleas.
Fresh scars marked his head and back, but he was of a strong build. Hints of strength in the muscles that barely showed in his slightly malnourished body were evident.
“He was dying, we couldn’t just leave him there,” said a distraught Mrs Kilian.
Hoping the SPCA would aid, she contacted them, but unfortunately due to the organisation’s stray policy it could not.
A second call was placed to the Newcastle Pound, but as it was after hours, no assistance was forthcoming.
In desperation, they made a call to the Newcastle Advertiser.
The dog’s arrival at 70 Paterson Street, was a sight that would break hearts.
He was so weak he could barely drink the water offered to him.
After re-hydrating and feeding him with a cup of water and a few slices of bread, it was decided that the Newcastle Advertiser staff would not be happy until this dog found a place to call home.
Unsurprisingly, Newcastle Advertiser layout artist and animal lover, Chantall Van Biljon, was immediately taken by the dog’s big eyes and immediately rushed to take him home as her own.
Albeit scared at first, because of her own resident cats, Ms Van Biljon soon learnt that the dog was in fact very obedient and extremely friendly.
“He has a lovely personality and is just a real sweetheart!”
After just a little more than a week in good hands, there is a visible increase in the dog’s health.
He looks healthier, has more energy, gone are the ticks that infested him and the scars around his neck and face are slowly healing.
He sits on a chair in the garden, lounging like a lord, those puppy dog eyes gaze at you sweetly, but say his name and he immediately recognises it.
‘Oscar’ is the dog who made it on a loaf of bread and a cup of water.
His tale is not meant to break your heart, or fill you with hope.
His tale is meant to remind you that there is goodness left in this world, but we have to be a part of the goodness, we have to show it and prove it in our actions if we want to see a change and make a difference.
Thank you to Nico and Liza Kilian and Chantall Van Biljon for making a difference in the life of an animal insignificant to others.
