SPCA thanked for its empathy

MOSSEL BAY NEWS -  A local woman said her deep-seated grief over the recent unexpected death of her five-year-old black German shepherd was somewhat eased when she experienced the empathy and kindness the members of the Garden Route SPCA Mossel Bay branch displayed.

The woman, who has asked to remain anonymous, said she and a fellow hiker had set off for a walk along the St Blaize trail at 06:00 on Sunday morning, 25 January, an activity and route her German shepherd, Odin, always thoroughly enjoyed.

She purposefully left early for the hike to ensure that Odin would have some shade on the trail and was not subjected to the midday summer heat. As she always does, she made sure to bring more than enough water for Odin, whom she fondly refers to as her 'shadow'.

"He was so happy to go for a walk. He was running along, sniffing around and doing his own thing," she said.

They had stopped a few times along the trail to drink water and for Odin to lie in the shade and take a break.

His owner described Odin as an exuberant boy who loved going for walks. Photo: Supplied

"Just before we reached Pinnacle Point's outer boundary, we stopped again. I gave him some more water. He lay in the shade and was just a happy chappy. We then got up and started to make our way back, but just as we reached the gate near that outer boundary, Odin stopped."

The woman said she wasn't sure what was wrong, and that Odin seemed fine. When she started walking again, he eventually began to follow.

"He stopped at a rocky outcrop and just lay down in the shade, but he was lying in a strange position, and he was panting heavily."

They sat with Odin, letting him rest for a while before trying to get him up and walking again, but when they did so, he took three steps and collapsed.

Odin under the shelter of a jacket propped up on some sticks. Photo: Supplied

The panicked owner started making calls to various friends and colleagues, unaware that the SPCA could help. She said it was a friend in Riversdale who directed her to the SPCA in the end.

"By this time, it was starting to get hot. I sent the SPCA my live location. They parked their vehicle at the Mossel Bay Golf Estate and had to traverse the rocky trail to reach us."

While waiting for the SPCA to reach them, a colleague from work met the woman and her fellow hiker out on the trail. They built a makeshift shelter for Odin using a jacket and some sticks.

The woman had also managed to call a local vet by that stage, who said he was ready to meet them at his practice.

The Garden Route SPCA's Sisa Mtumbeza and Wally Wagenaar reached them and secured Odin on a blanket, used as a stretcher. Between the five of them, they carried him out to the SPCA vehicle.

Odin was carried off the trail by two members of the Garden Route SPCA Mossel Bay branch and two of his owners’ friends. Photo: Supplied

"Sisa jumped in the back with Odin. I will never forget his face. He sat there with tears streaming down," said the woman.

"I didn't know the SPCA had a team like this. From the response to my call, to the help they gave. They never complained; they only cared about Odin and what he meant to me. The incredible empathy from Wally and Sisa will stay with me forever."

Odin unfortunately died on the way to the vet.

His devastated owner said she was too distraught at the time to ask for an autopsy.

"Odin was the most quirky, funny boy. He had a will of his own; he was just a crazy, exuberant boy," she said.

The Garden Route SPCA Mossel Bay's branch manager, Elize Goosen, said every animal matters at the SPCA.

"No matter how many losses our staff experience, each one is deeply emotional. We thank caring pet owners for loving their animals and for reaching out to us, allowing us to walk with them and help carry the pain during these difficult moments," she said.

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