Sharpei and owner reunited
Just days after the EXPRESS was distributed, a Sharpei that endured a traumatic experience was reunited with its owner.
Mr David Joubert, a Kensington resident, was elated and thankful. He said her return resulted in inexplicable feelings for the family.
It was previously reported that the Animal Anti-Cruelty League (AACL) was contacted by a Bez Valley resident in June to assist with an injured dog.
Inspector Armand Jackson visited the area and found a limping, scared and emaciated Sharpei. When he approached her, she went into a stormwater drain that eventually feeds into Bruma Lake.
Chocolate, the name given to her by AACL staff, crawled in deeply enough to make it impossible to reach her. During the months of her disappearance, her family and companion Oreo, were distraught. Mr Joubert’s children, Sinéad (18) and Liam (16), prayed their pet was alive and that she was taken care of – wherever she was. The nine-year-old Sharpei, whose real name is Sasha, had been missing since Mr Joubert moved house in May this year.
“She escaped through the gate one night. We hoped that she was safe and would return. We hoped she was not knocked down and killed, suffering or that anything bad had happened to her. Oreo did not eat. He was depressed and was like a baby. Every day was a struggle for us. We visited local vets and placed posters at strategic points but heard nothing,” said Mr Joubert.
Due to the stress and loneliness, Mr Joubert looked for another companion for Oreo, which is a mix between a rottweiler and chow. However, they did not get another pet.
Meanwhile, there were numerous attempts to rescue Sasha (Chocolate) on different occasions.
Rescuers’ efforts finally paid off on August 13. It took help from residents and the fire brigade to get her out safely.
AACL members said Sasha was severely traumatised and scared. She was taken to the AACL’s veterinary hospital to recover.
Mr Joubert contacted the AACL after he was informed about the article. He picked her up on August 21.
According to Mr Joubert, some of his friends contacted him immediately after reading the article. “With the way the article described her, we were sure it was her. When I went to pick her up I was in tears because it was her. When I brought Sasha home, Oreo, who is a year younger, jumped up at her and wanted to play immediately. Sasha means a lot to the family. We bought her for Sinéad’s 10th birthday, from a person in Cape Town. I am so grateful to everyone who helped, including the EXPRESS, for publishing the article. Sasha was well taken care of by the AACL and we are grateful she ended up in Bez Valley where there were caring people.
“Without people like all who were involved, we would be negative about things going on around us. Everyone’s help ignited a sense of pride in me. Sasha is still healing but is up and running,” said Mr Joubert.
Sasha was sent home with antibiotics and painkillers and was vaccinated and dewormed.
She will pay a visit to her AACL Veterinarian in a couple of weeks for a check-up and microchip insertion. Once her wounds are completely healed, she will be treated to a free grooming session courtesy of the AACL.
