Saved from the brink
Three neglected puppies who arrived at our doors weak, bald, and terrified are now living life to the full after an incredible transformation…
Who could have left them in such a terrible state? Starving with red-raw skin and bellies swollen with worms, Zac, Isaac, and Taylor were abandoned when they needed love the most.
The lurcher siblings were found fighting to survive as strays when they were just eight weeks old, and it’s unlikely they would have clung to life much longer had they not been saved.
Sarcoptic mange – the type carried by foxes – had ravaged their delicate puppy skin, leaving them practically bald, itchy, and sore.
Meanwhile, parasitic worms and malnutrition had made them dangerously weak.
There were mental scars, too – all three were understandably wary of people, with their early lives likely to have been devoid of human kindness.
The littermates first spent seven days with the dog warden – compulsory for strays in case they are claimed – but were given swift vet care while there to help get their health on track.
This included parasite treatment to kill the mange mites as well as soothing medicated baths to clean the pups and give their itchy and painful skin some targeted relief.
The treatment continued when they were transferred to our Bromsgrove rehoming centre in Worcestershire a week later to begin their rehabilitation journey.
Assistant Manager, Saffron Parry, says: “When they arrived, they still had bellies swollen with worms and were very malnourished due to a lack of food before they were rescued. They were all really scabby and uncomfortable as well.”
As mange is very contagious, Zac, Isaac, and Taylor needed to be kept in isolation – with a small circle of carers wearing protective clothing, who weren’t in contact with other pets.
It made it more challenging to mend the psychological damage caused by the siblings’ ordeal.
“All three were quite worried by people,” says Saffron. “It took a little bit of time for them to warm up to us.”
She continues: “In isolation, we kept a routine and opened up their world quite small.
“We gradually gave them more and more access to different things, lots of training with collars and leads to prepare them for future walks.
“And they had activities to keep their brains entertained while confined to their kennel. We don’t think they’d ever had toys before.”
The siblings quickly settled in and learned to trust their carers, emerging from isolation after three weeks as typical rambunctious and confident puppies with shiny coats of fur. They were unrecognisable.
“Three weeks isn’t very long in the grand scheme of things, but for puppies it’s such a vital period of learning, so they did really well considering how small their world was during that time.”
In fact, there was no stopping Zac, Isaac, and Taylor once they were out of convalescence and able to start exploring the outside world.
Zoomies around the puppy playpen quickly became a daily highlight for them.
“They’re wild,” laughs Saffron, as Zac and Isaac charge across the grass in a whirlwind of gangly legs and tumbles, shortly after brother Taylor flew the nest.
“They’re typical young lurcher puppies – energetic and causing lots of mischief.”
It wasn’t long before Zac and Isaac followed their brother out the door. All three are now enjoying life as much-loved pets and keeping their new families on their toes.
