Source : Perth Now news
Zara the kelpie was handed one of the most heartbreaking starts to life imaginable.
At just one year old, the adorable dog was bludgeoned with a hatchet, abandoned and tethered to a tree at a South Australian golf course.
She was found beaten, shaken and utterly terrified by a visitor to the Nairne golf course in the Adelaide Hills, her former owner nowhere to be seen.
The shocking incident, which happened in March this year, sparked fury and heartache among dog lovers across the country.
But, one of those most rocked by the shocking incident has since turned out to be the unfortunate pup’s salvation – 61-year-old Jodie Cahill.
A long term dog lover, Ms Cahill has always been particularly fond of kelpies, having kept several of her own over the years.
After learning of Zara’s fate through media coverage and the RSPCA’s South Australia branch, Ms Cahill immediately knew she wanted to help.
“She just popped up on my Facebook and I was utterly heartbroken by what had happened,” Ms Cahill said.
“I kept following her progress and was constantly messaging the RSCPA asking how she was recovering.
“I couldn’t believe someone could do such a thing to a sweet, innocent dog and I just wanted her to be forever safe in a loving home.”
A few months passed after the attack, with Zara having to undergo painful surgeries to repair soft tissue and brain injuries and a skull fracture.
She then had to undergo specialist veterinary treatment, pain management and specialised behaviour support to help with the trauma and anxiety caused by the attack.
But in May, she was finally ready to be rehomed and moved from Adelaide to Penola in Mount Gambier, where Ms Cahill looks after her.
And almost six months to the day from the horror, she is fully integrated with a new dog pal and her new best friend Ms Cahill.
“When I first got her she was really timid and quite scared of most things,” Ms Cahill said.
“She wouldn’t cross the main road in town and would often cower if she didn’t want to walk in a certain direction.
“She always barked and growled at tall, grey-haired or bald men wearing hats. But now she is not afraid to walk anywhere.”
Ms Cahill said Zara had settled well into her new home and had formed a particularly strong bond with her other dog, seven-year-old fellow kelpie Red.
And she is encouraging others to take a risk on adopting an animal who has been through trauma, as the RSCPA launches an annual fundraising appeal – Give to Get Them Home – to give other animals a second chance.
“It is just fantastic seeing how far Zara has come. She is now so trusting now she knows she is loved and has a great home,” Ms Cahill said.
“I’ve always had kelpies and they have always been rescue dogs, it is so rewarding, everything you put into a rescue dog you get back tenfold in love.”
The new RSCPA campaign launches on October 1, with charity partners agreeing to match every dollar donated.
Any money raised will then be pumped into providing veterinary care and support to any animals affected by neglect, in the hope of eventually helping them find new forever homes.
“Zara’s story is a testament to the teamwork that goes into helping our animals recover and find loving homes,” Marcus Gehrig, chief executive of RSCPA South Australia, said.
“Give to Get Them Home is a wonderful opportunity for anyone who cares about animals to make an even bigger impact because their donations will go twice as far.
“With your support, we can provide vital treatment, training, rehabilitation, care and enrichment to these vulnerable animals, and ultimately, give them a second chance at the happy life they deserve.”
