A 5-year-old brindle terrier cross named by the RSPCA Florence was struggling to breathe when a couple came across her in Hull, England. Thankfully, they were just in time to save the abandoned animal’s life. A new mum who had her puppies taken away from her, Florence was in extreme distress. But to her rescuers' relief, the resilient pooch found happiness again in her new forever home.
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‘She was struggling to breathe’
A couple walking their own dog heard cries and whimpering as they were crossing the children's play area in Hull park. When they went to investigate, they faced a heartbreaking sight. An extremely distressed pup was laying in the undergrowth, tied to a tree with a white rope used as a slip lead.
The rope around Florence’s neck was so tight, that she was struggling to breathe.
The man who came to her rescue said:
She was laid down and looked so sad and frightened. We brought her home and would have kept her but she wasn’t getting along with our own dog so we reported the matter to the RSPCA.
A new mum with a severe ear infection
RSPCA inspector Laura Barber took over the case and saw that Florence was not microchipped.
The rescue’s vet noticed that she had recently had puppies as her breast was enlarged. There was no way to find out what had happened to her ‘babies’, but the separation from them must have caused her extreme distress.
The examination also showed Florence had a severe infection in both ears, Hull Live writes.
Laura Barber said:
She is very friendly but also very nervous - but has a really sweet nature and craves attention. It seems her owner had decided to just dump her like rubbish and walk away from their terrified pet.
A loving home at last
Despite the trauma and ordeal, Florence was able to find love and happiness in a new home with Mike and Sandra a year after she had been abandoned.
Mike had seen Florence's story in the news and was ‘horrified’. When he and his partner found out she was available for adoption, they went to meet her and ‘were smitten’.
The couple adopted the pup and couldn't feel more blessed.
The pooch has gone through an ‘amazing transformation’ under their care.
Mike commented:
She has settled in so well and loves spending time with us and gets plenty of cuddles. She enjoys her walks and playing with her favourite ball. She is such a happy dog in spite of what she has been through. We are delighted to have her.
Sources used:
- Hull Live: ‘Hunt for cruel owners who abandoned tiny terrier and left her tied to a tree at Hull park without her pups’
- ITV: 'Terrified' dog dumped and tied to tree in Hull 'loving life' in new Cleethorpes home'
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