Rosie Bud has made a miraculous recovery a year and four months after her rescue by Project Uthando’s Dada Pietersen and Nicolas Ngcongwana.
The then mange-infested Rosie was labelled a “demon monster” by the community in the informal settlement and she was surrendered into the care of Pietersen and Ngcongwana in November 2022.
It has been a long road of recovery for Rosie, who still has long-term health effects from the mange caused by severe neglect.
Looking at Rosie now in comparison to when the Ridge Times first reported on her, one would never say this is the same dog.
Although most of her body has recovered hair, there are still patches with no hair that the vet says might not heal.
She also has an enlarged liver, blindness and swelling in one eye, and swelling of one of her lymph nodes.
“Rosie was on Bravecto and Nexguard treatment, but due to her liver condition I am now treating her with a natural remedy,” said Pietersen.
The severe infection Rosie had to her paws that would ooze with pus has healed up nicely and there has not been an infection for longer than nine months now.
“She loves other dogs and makes friends easily with new K9 rescues that come into our care,” said Pietersen.
Rosie does not trust nor go to any humans, except Pietersen and Ngcongwana.
As for Rosie’s diet, Pietersen said: “She will eat anything. I had to change her diet a month ago to more raw meat and veggies because she is gaining too much weight.
“She loves her raw goat milk with bone broth and blueberries in the morning as well as the odd chicken foot or chicken neck. Any raw meat is high on her list.”
Pietersen said Rosie loves her tummy being scratched and has a funny nature.
“She loves to nibble on my arms and hands. Rosie also learned from her best buddy Tiger how to play with leaves that fall from the trees,” said Pietersen.
Pietersen and Ngcongwana try to help the informal settlements with the sterilisation of their dogs.
“Depending on the vet availability, we try to take in four to six rural dogs monthly for sterilisation, however, money is limited,” said Pietersen.
For more information on Project Uthando visit their Facebook page or contact Pietersen on WhatsApp only at 076 745 6129.
