WATCH: Shack fire victim receives relief from Johannesburg SPCA
The only thing that I was worried about was my dog.
When her dog went looking for her during the shack fire in Booysens informal settlement, Daisy Mkhabela knew she could not just leave him behind.
Daisy (32) explained that her dog, Tiger, nearly died thinking she was in their home and that he rushed back inside to look for her.
“I was outside the house with a friend of mine when the fire started. While we were outside we saw a huge cloud of smoke outside my home and that terrified me,” said Mkhabela.
While everyone was panicking the only thing that she could think about was her dog that she left.
“I did not care about my belongings that were inside my shack. The only thing that I was worried about was Tiger, who went inside to look for me. I realised he was inside when I heard him barking and that is when I went inside to fetch him.
“Tiger is the only family I have since my family is in another province. I would not forgive myself for leaving Tiger to die in that blazing fire,” she said.
Mkhabela has been unemployed for years and after the fire, she didn’t know what will happen to her. Since she has lost everything, the only thing she was left with was Tiger.
“Everything I had turned into ashes. The only things I have is my dog and the clothes I was wearing the day the fire broke out.”
She said her new home with her dog was under a tree until the Johannesburg SPCA came to help people and their animals.
Liana Marx from JSPCA went into Booysens informal settlement after a fire outbreak to help families and animals in need.
“The moment we heard that the Booysens informal settlement caught fire we rushed to the scene to rescue any animals that were caught in the devastating fire that destroyed just over a thousand homes. “The scene was surreal as everything was burning, people’s homes and all their belongings were caught in the flames. We wanted to help by donating clothes and food,” she said.
She said what also caught their attention was a woman under a tree with a dog.
“That is how we found Daisy and her dog, Tiger. Fortunately neither were injured. Daisy has lost everything, she is emotionally distraught.
“During the fire, Tiger panicked and ran back to the shack because he thought Daisy was still in their home and refused to leave her behind.
“Daisy has had Tiger since he was two months old. He is just over a year now and there was no way she was leaving her best friend behind.
“Daisy ran back into the burning home and tried to get Tiger to safety. They just managed to get out when their home collapsed,” explained Marx.
She said many people lost their homes and their pets, as some cats refused to leave as they were just so petrified.
“To witness something like that will make even the toughest person break down and cry. Tiger is in our care and thankfully he was not injured. But as Daisy lost everything it will be quite a while before they have a place to call home again.”
The SPCA offered Daisy a temporary job just to try to pick up what she has lost.
In the meantime, Daisy lives at a friend’s home.
“While Tiger is in our care he will be vaccinated, dewormed and neutered.
“We have put out an appeal on our Facebook page for people to please help us by donating any unwanted household items towards Daisy and Tiger. Daisy wears a size six shoe and is a size 30. Any donations are welcome,” said Marx.
Donations can be pad into the account of JHB SPCA, FNB Southdale, branch code 254 205, account number 623 6250 8396. Please use the reference: Daisy and Tiger.
