Another day brought another welfare case through our gates, and this time, it was an elderly Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who quite honestly broke our hearts.
He had been tied up outside and left. Just like Truman.
When he arrived, the extent of his neglect was immediately clear. He was painfully thin, heavily matted, with no muscle mass. His eyes were extremely dry and sore, his teeth in a terrible condition, and we suspected he had very limited, if any, vision.
It was yet another case of severe neglect. And once again, our team stepped in.
Our veterinary team worked quickly to make him comfortable. His matting was so severe that it was pulling tightly on his skin, causing irritation and pain. As an older boy, we ideally wanted to avoid a full general anaesthetic, but sadly the condition of his coat meant sedation alone was not enough. His welfare had to come first.
It wasn’t about giving him the perfect groom, it was about giving him relief.
Despite everything he has endured, he proved himself to be a little fighter. He came through his procedure with a strong heart and immediately began receiving the care, warmth and gentle handling he so desperately needed.
Take a look at the video below to see just how bad Rueben was when he came into our care.
A Brighter Chapter
Rueben is now safe and beginning his recovery with us. He is up and about, enjoying plenty of cuddles, soft bedding and the comfort of knowing he will never be abandoned again.
Considering what he has been through, he is doing incredibly well. He is a little wobbly on his back legs and, due to his age, there are some ongoing health concerns that our veterinary team are carefully investigating. As with many older dogs who come into our care, we are taking things slowly and gently, ensuring he receives everything he needs at his own pace.
We will continue to share updates on Rueben’s progress over on our social media channels once we know more.
Rueben’s story is sadly not unique. Cases like his are becoming part of our daily reality. But thanks to your continued support, we are able to be here when dogs like Rueben need us most.
Thank you for standing with us, and with him
