In May 2000, ‘Yappa’ was rescued from one of the most abhorrent home environments seen by staff at The Lost Dogs’ Home. Yappa was kept in a woman’s house with thirty other dogs, twenty cats and dozens of birds and rabbits. The menagerie was coated with faeces and a stench which would make most people physically ill. The animals were forced to eat droppings and were given no veterinary care. Most of the animals had been there for two years.
When Yappa came to The Lost Dogs’ Home, he was timid, frightened of people, in poor health and not trained in any way. He required several dental operations to mend his damaged and diseased teeth. It was going to take a special owner to bring this neglected Maltese cross back to life.
Graeme Thompson was just the man. He had heard about the rescue of Yappa and the other dogs and cats forced to live in disgusting conditions. He wanted to adopt one of these animals and show them how a pet’s life should be.
When Yappa arrived in his new home, he hid straight under a table and didn’t move until Graeme was asleep. In the morning, Yappa was sound asleep on Graeme’s trousers and shirt laying over a chair in his bedroom.
“He slowly started to show his personality. I didn’t push him; I just let him take his time and come to me when he was ready. He only soiled the carpet once”.
“The first time I heard him bark was when the fire truck drove past blaring its siren. I later found out that a fire truck had accompanied Lost Dogs’ Home staff to the rescue at the foul house,” said Mr Thompson.
Yappa lived a happy and rich life but was never able to trust strangers. He was an excellent watch dog and choosy about who he would let into the house. His favourite activity was going for rides in the car. He died at age eleven.
Last month, Graeme decided it was time to adopt another Maltese cross from the Home – enter Yappa 2. Yappa 2 is about three-years-old and is a little more outgoing than his predecessor. So far, the two of them are getting along famously.
“I really feel lost without the companionship of a dog. I chose to adopt from The Lost Dogs’ Home because I wanted to give a deserving animal a second chance. I also know how thoroughly the animals are checked over and cared for at the Home,” said Mr Thompson.
The Home rescues and cares for 21,000 cats and dogs every year. Some are rescued from appalling circumstances like Yappa and require intensive veterinary and behavioural care. If you would like to support the care of animals like Yappa, you can make a contribution to the Buckley’s Friends in Need Fund. This fund was established in honour of Buckley, the puppy cruelly attacked with a pair of scissors in July this year.
Are you thinking of adopting a pet? View animals for adoption here. Remember, a pet is for life, not just for Christmas.
