‘Maya, our lifesaver’
RUIMSIG - Maya the pitbull is a hero for his human family after a potential robbery at their home.
“If it wasn’t for Maya that bullet would’ve been for me,” said Thys Mulder after he and his family were saved by their pitbull, Maya.
Mulder lives on a smallholding in Honingklip outside Krugersdorp, and explained that on 2 September at around 9pm the family was sitting at the table when his two-year-old pitbull, Maya, got shot.
“My other two dogs, Tagus, also a pitbull, and Coco, the Jack Russel were at the table and Maya is usually in the passage.” He said they suddenly heard two gunshots, and that’s when he noticed that Maya wasn’t in her usual spot.
He then rushed to get his firearm and a torch to go and investigate. “When I got outside, the guy had already fled the scene.” Mulder said that his wife then screamed and said that Maya was bleeding. “She was responsive, but was in a lot of pain.” Thankfully nothing was stolen.
An emotional Mulder said that he sent a message on a WhatsApp group that he belongs to, and a neighbour, Sam Burrill, and animal rescuer, Helga Tsoumbris immediately responded and advised Mulder to take the bleeding Maya to the Ruimsig Veterinary Clinic. “Dr Dave Shipster and his wife, Dr Sue were so helpful and immediately responded to my messages,” added Tsoumbris.
Mulder said that they reached the clinic at around 10.30pm where Dr Shipster waited for him. The vet examined Maya and found that a bullet nicked her ear, entering her side, travelled next to her spine and organs and exited the left side of her left thigh.
Tsoumbris added, “The Shipster couple even took Thys home because he was in such a state.”
Thankfully, Maya is doing better, despite the rough start to her weekend.
“That bullet was meant for you,” said Tsoumbris to Mulder at the time.
Maya was named after the American poet, Maya Angelou. “Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud,” is one of her famous quotes which sums Maya up perfectly, concluded Mulder.
The Ruimsig Veterinary Clinic confirmed that Maya will most probably be sent home this week.
Details: Ruimsig Veterinary Clinic 010 591 2530.
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