From Rescue to Resilience: Nala and Simba’s Journey
Earlier this year, our team helped rescue 65 dogs from one household as part of a welfare operation led by the RSPCA. As a result, 30 of those dogs came into our care.
Among them was Mary, a Poodle cross, who was heavily pregnant when she arrived at our Lincoln Farm centre in Dorset.
Safe at last, Mary gave birth to 5 puppies several weeks later, but sadly 2 died shortly afterwards, leaving 3 – Nala, Simba and Zazu.
While Zazu and mum, Mary, have already found their forever homes, Nala and Simba’s journey is a little more complex.
After a few weeks, our Animal Care team noticed that Simba and Nala’s development wasn’t progressing as it should, so they were both checked over by the vet.
It was then found that they both had abnormalities of the spine, most likely to be Spina Bifida, which is a rare diagnosis in dogs, but one that can bring a lot of physical challenges.
While sweet Simba’s impact from the condition has been less severe, little Nala has sadly been the most affected of the two.
She also has deformities in her front legs and paws, meaning she needed help just to start walking.
But she’s a determined girl, and with specialist physiotherapy and support, she’s making remarkable progress.
To help her grow strong, custom splints have been fitted to her front legs that are padded for comfort, but flexible enough so that she can still walk, play and explore like any other pup.
These will only be temporary while her bones grow, but they’re already making a big difference.
Both Nala and Simba are happy, playful and full of life, completely unaware that they are any different.
They’re currently in loving foster homes, receiving regular physio and monitoring to ensure the best possible future before they’re ready for rehoming.
For many rescue animals, the journey to rehoming isn’t always a straightforward one, and like Nala and Simba, their care requires extra time, patience and specialist treatment from our dedicated teams.
It is the kindness and compassion of people like you, our wonderful supporters, that make care for animals like Nala and Simba possible.
Could you help others like them today?
Your donations help to transform the lives of vulnerable animals, giving them hope and a bright future.
We can’t wait for the day that Nala and Simba find their forever homes, just like their mum and brother.
Our sincere thanks to Lauren Cranny, Veterinary Physiotherapist and Chiropractor, and Specialist Occupational Therapists, Beth Cooke and Felicity Tucker from the Dorset Stroke and Neuro Service, and Dorchester County Hospital Hand Therapy Teams for all their help in caring for Nala.
P.s. If you are interested in offering a foster home to a dog in our care, please click here to find out more.
