Who could forget Sunny’s sad story. This young collie mix was seized by a BC SPCA animal protection officer after he was dragged behind a vehicle.
But the best present we could give him and everyone who heard his story is this – he has found the most amazing forever home just in time for the holidays!
“We changed his name to Buddy,” says Darlene his new mom. “We have always adopted dogs from shelters. There is nothing more fulfilling than bringing a dog back from a bad situation and giving them a happy life. It fills my heart.” Darlene and her husband Rudy, have a combined 55 years of adopting and working with rescue dogs.
“When my husband and I met Buddy, it was love at first sight,” says Darlene. “He was playing in the gated yard of the animal centre and was wearing a cone because he had just been neutered,” says Darlene. “He saw us and ran over to us and started to give us kisses. Our heads were stuck in the cone with his. The BC SPCA staff that were in the yard with him couldn’t believe how quickly he warmed up to us.”
After such a wonderful introduction, there was no doubt that Buddy would be coming home with them.
Buddy hit the jackpot in more ways than one. He now lives on a 12-acre property with room to run and play! “He loves to go outside,” says Darlene. And more toys than you can imagine.
“We have a toy box in our dining room,” says Darlene. “He goes in every day and pulls out every single one of them. Every morning, we walk around the house picking them up.” One of Buddy’s favourite toys is a squeaky lamb. He is also a big fan of his tug of rope toy.
Buddy has now been with his new family for about six weeks, and he has changed so much in that time.
“He has really opened up,” says Darlene. “He started sleeping on my husband and we heard him bark for the first time.” She adds that he has taken over every room in the house and loves to lay on cushions and look up at them with an ‘I am the king of the castle’ expression on his face.
“It was so rewarding when he laid on his back for the first time and let us give him tummy rubs. He is such a good boy.”
Buddy is smart as well. “When he is hungry, he picks up his bowl and brings it to his dad,” says Darlene. “He knows the wieners are in the fridge, so whenever I open the door, he is right by my side hoping he gets one. He has also picked up a bunch of commands quickly.” As for the holidays, “Our plan is to take him with us when we visit people as long as he is comfortable. If not, we will be spending a quiet Christmas with him at home. We don’t know how he is going to react to the Christmas tree, when he was out on a drive with us, he growled at a Santa display so we will have to see how it goes.”
They really couldn’t be happier that Buddy came into their lives. “He is so wonderful. We feel really blessed.”
Dog seized by BC SPCA Animal Protection Officers after being dragged behind vehicle
Original story: October 17, 2024
BC SPCA animal protection officers have seized a young collie-mix male dog who was dragged behind a vehicle in Merritt.
“This is such a sad story. The dog had been tethered to a vehicle,” says Eileen Drever, senior officer, protection, and stakeholder relations for the BC SPCA. “Someone got into the truck and drove off, dragging him for about 200 metres. He has abrasions to his front and back paw pads and hocks, (the joint between the dog’s hind leg and foot) and his nails were shredded. He is also under weight with a body score of two out of nine, which is very thin.”
Officers transported the dog to a veterinary clinic in Kamloops where radiographs were taken to assess any internal damage that may have been caused during the incident. Thankfully, no internal injuries were found, and Sunny, as named by BC SPCA staff, was treated for the abrasions to his paw pads and bruising. He was prescribed antibiotics for the infection to his carpal pads, which are located just above the foot on some breeds of dogs. He was also given medication to treat his pain while he is healing.
Drever adds that the staff at the BC SPCA are following veterinary recommendations for weight gain. “Sunny has already gained two kilograms while in our care,” she says.
The dog has quickly become a favourite of staff and volunteers. “Everyone is so impressed at his resiliency,” says Drever. “Sunny loves spending time outside in the sunshine, playing in the field with staff and volunteers. He is a huge fan of cuddles in his kennel and loves nothing more than hanging out with people.”
As this is an ongoing investigation, it is not known when Sunny will be available for adoption. The BC SPCA will be recommending charges to Crown Counsel, pursuant to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
