(Picture: RSPCA)
An American bulldog called Winnie has gone from buckling under her own weight to being able to stand on her own four legs.
Sweet Winnie was just nine-weeks-old when she was rescued by the RSPCA in July 2019, and back then it wasn’t known whether she’d be able to have a normal life to due to her bent front legs.
Her previous owners had got her when she was just five weeks old, but they weren’t able to cope with her so called on the charity for help.
Thankfully, after lengthy treatment, Winnie has gone from strength to strength.
Kathy Butler, from the RSPCA’s Essex South, Southend and District Branch, said: ‘When Winnie came to us, both front legs bent at the knee and her legs would buckle under her weight, leading to her collapsing.
‘We had her assessed and a specialist clinic found she was suffering from a developmental disease of the carpus (or wrist) where the ligaments and tendons had formed abnormally and couldn’t support the joint.
Winnie as a pup (Picture: RSPCA/Ferrari Press Agency)
She’s worked hard at the pool (Picture: RSPCA/Ferrari Press Agency)
‘When Winnie arrived she was a bouncy, sweet puppy but was very disabled’ (Picture: RSPCA/Ferrari Press Agency)
‘They gave us a treatment plan and we started her therapy immediately while looking for a special foster home that could take her on and help with her rehabilitation.’
It was Wendy Linge who signed up for the challenge of caring for Winnie as a foster parent.
Wendy, who runs the Shangri-La Cattery in Hockley, Essex, and often takes cats in for the charity, wanted another lovely canine to care for after losing her beloved dog, Bob.
She said: ‘It felt like the perfect set-up at the perfect time.
‘I wasn’t looking for another permanent dog but fostering sounded ideal.
‘When Winnie arrived she was a bouncy, sweet puppy but was very disabled.’
Now she’s living a normal, happy life (Picture: RSPCA/Ferrari Press Agency)
‘Her transformation has been amazing’ (Picture: RSPCA/Ferrari Press Agency)
What was meant to be a short-term foster turned into a permanent adoption, as Wendy realised she wouldn’t be able to let Winnie go.
Wendy said: ‘To look at Winnie today is unbelievable; her transformation has been amazing.
‘Her rehabilitation journey has been a long one with months and months of hydrotherapy at Completely K9 Hydrotherapy & Rehabilitation.
‘They were so kind and even gave Winnie free lifetime hydrotherapy at their Canvey Island pool.’
Winnie would go to the pool twice a week and following every session, Wendy could see an improvement.
‘Now she’s back on all four paws,’ Wendy added.
Following that nose (Picture: RSPCA/Ferrari Press Agency)
‘Winnie now enjoys taking part in scent work trials all over the country’ (Picture: RSPCA/Ferrari Press Agency)
What a clever girl (Picture: RSPCA/Ferrari Press Agency)
Now, the pooch attends hydrotherapy once every fortnight to make sure she stays fit and strong.
‘There’s no stopping Winnie now,’ Wendy said. ‘We joined K9 Scent and Search UK and Winnie now enjoys taking part in scent work trials all over the country.
‘She’s working through the different levels of training (currently on level five of eight) and she absolutely loves the sport.
‘At home, Winnie is such a friendly dog and loves everyone she meets. I couldn’t have wished for a better dog to join our family; it just goes to show that sometimes, when you least expect it, the dog you need comes along.’
More: Lifestyle
The RSPCA is appealing for more fosterers like Wendy to put themselves forward to help animals in need of extra special care, like Winnie, as well as taking in healthy animals for short-term care.
This will help ease the significant pressure rescue centres all over the nation are facing.
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Wonky Winnie’s been adopted by her fosterer, Wendy.
