A picture of a dog hugging his owner, who needed to surrender him to the SPCA because she could not provide for him anymore, has dog-lovers across the world in tears.
The photo of Whiskey was first shared by Head Inspector Salomé Bruyns from the Garden Route SPCA, and has since gone viral.
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Bruyns was in the Lawaaikamp area in George on 9 April dropping off sterilised dogs when Whiskey’s owner Cordelia Nqoqo approached her to surrender her dog, who she could not provide for anymore due to financial difficulties. The dog stood up against her and hugged her lovingly, as if he knew what she was about to do.
“He clung to his owner for dear life. There was only one way to describe it – pure love. Yes, we are an animal welfare, but we also care deeply for the people out there. We see the poverty that some of these people have to endure and we can’t just erase those images when we go home at night.
“I couldn’t take Whiskey from his owner as she clearly loves him and he loves her. So I decided to make it my mission to ensure that Whisky is cared for,” Bruyns told the George Herald.
Instead, she appealed to the public for help on the Garden Route SPCA Facebook page and was overwhelmed by the response. In a short period of time the post was shared widely.
People from George and all over the country contributed food, money and even medical treatment to help Whiskey stay with Cornelia.
The overwhelming support has allowed the SPCA to care for other animals in the area as well. Whiskey was neutered on Wednesday and a cyst on his back was removed.
“He did very well for a ‘ou toppie’. We also collected some of his home boys and girls in his area to be sterilized today,” the Garden Route SPCA said.
Bruyns thanked all contributors who allowed a dog and his loving owner to stay together. It is truly a heart-warming story with a happy ending.
