Two dogs being treated by London vets have overcome tragic backstories to find homes and companionship with a fellow rescue dog and tortoise.
The Harlow Essex Animal Rescue Team (HEART rescue) is raising £20,000 to pay for the surgeries of two rescued canines, Zella, a four month old Cane Corso, and Bear, a eight month old Caucasian Shepherd.
The puppies were found separately, but both suffered from severe injuries and evidence of neglect, explained HEART founder Hannah Bolton, 42.
Bolton, who is also a care and support worker for disabled children with epilepsy, said: “Both dogs have adjusted amazingly through neglect. They’ve come through this so so well.”
Zella is currently living in a multi-animal household where he has become best friends with fellow rescue dog Rupert, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
Bear, meanwhile, has found solace in the support of a tortoise.
Bolton said: “Bear loves the tortoise, the tortoise loves Bear.”
“Bear gets on with all the animals in the home.”
HEART became aware of Bear via a Facebook post informing them of an abandoned dog in a forest.
Upon arrival, they found the terrified puppy in a remote and isolated location, wary to trust the rescuer.
Bolton stated: “At the start, he was terrified, crying out when the rescuer managed to persuade him to leave his little safe place that he’d found. It became apparent at that point that he had a major performance thing within his legs.”
Bear suffers from a condition where his two front limbs do not grow at the same rate, likely due to malnutrition.
He is being treated at Mercer and Hughes in Morden, where the veterinarians have run X-rays and scans to determine the extent of surgery he requires.
In the case of Zella, HEART is raising money to pay for his multiple surgeries.
The team took in the Cane Corso after being contacted by a fellow rescue, who told them that Zella’s owners wanted to put him to sleep because he had a broken leg and was a young puppy.
They scheduled a surgery for Zella’s leg, however three days before the operation, he collapsed.
He was taken to the Royal Veterinary College in London where they discovered that he had a fractured skull, ribs, broken leg, and liver stunt.
Zella has since had operations to address his many ailments and is recovering well, despite the need for continual treatment.
Bolton said: “My most memorable rescue and my most heartfelt rescue was Zella.”
“He is very loved, and he is doing really well. He is recovering still. He has got a very long road ahead of him.”
Bolton founded HEART, a wildlife rescue that also helps with the occasional dog in an emergency, three years ago after finding a pigeon that had been hit by a car.
She would like to keep growing HEART, but right now, is focused on fundraising for their veterinary bills.
She said: “It upset me so much, I stopped. I picked up the pigeon, and from that day, I carried on rescuing.
“We owe so much money that we can’t take anything more on at the moment, until we pay these rent bills.”.
For Zella and Bear, they are looking to raise £10,000 per dog, and as of mid-March the team has raised £11,100 of their £20,000 goal via GoFundMe.
Feature Image: Rescued puppy Zella and his best friend and fellow rescue dog, Rupert. Photo Credit: Liza Moore
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