Let’s face it: deep down, we all have a soft spot for animals. From our quiet, aloof friends (cats) to our yappy, more extroverted furry pups (dogs), there’s no denying they bring a smile to our faces. We all know a friend or two who are fervent pet owners with a passion to give their pets the best life possible.
While a healthy pet may be a handful to care for – caring for their health, active levels, grooming and the works – have you ever considered the amount of care required for a disabled pet with mobility and health issues? Or the emotional and financial toil that could come with the role of a caretaker of pets with disabilities?
Speaking to Fiona of Hope Dog Rescue, she shares that she didn’t always adore pets, much less dogs.
“I was terrified of dogs growing up, that is, until I had my very first dog, a grey and white miniature Schnauzer named Button. She was trained as a Hokkien-speaking therapy dog, and ended up helping me overcome my fear of dogs. After her passing, I wrote a book dedicated to her.”
With the confidence of a new-found adoration for dogs, Fiona began rescuing strays and eventually opened Hope Dog Rescue in 2011. To date, hundreds of dogs have been rescued and rehomed, and given opportunities to live beyond their disabilities.
The journey isn’t a walk in the park, and while Fiona has encountered many a nasty pet owner – owners who neglect their pets to the point of deafness and loss of sight, to those who drop their pets off in a bag to get rid of them – she’s also met with a lot of kind-hearted spirits.
Caring for Harper, a puppy born with a broken spine, taught Fiona all she needed to know about special needs dogs: how to express the pet’s bladder, wheelchair knowledge, and how to avoid pressure sores.
When people meet Harper on our daily walks, they tell her what a good job she’s doing, and how amazing she is. They love taking photos and videos of her and giving her affection.”
We also spoke with Camy, caregiver and pawrent to her late rabbit Suki, and she shared how her once-healthy furry friend became heavily dependent on her after a tragic incident.
“When Suki was almost 9 years old in 2023, he had an accident at the groomer’s. He crushed his spine and suffered a broken pelvic bone, causing him to become disabled overnight.”
Being an elderly rabbit meant Suki was too old for surgery and had little chance for recovery. “When we passed the 2-week mark, it was permanent that Suki’s hind legs could never function again; we cared for him for the next 3 months.”
Having been absent for Suki’s fall at the vet, Camy relied heavily on her family and best friend for support. Her sister took on the initial role of rushing Suki to the hospital and coordinating all visits to the vet.
“She also reached out to the groomer’s and sought compensation when I knew I was not able to handle myself emotionally.”
The care-giving days ahead were long and arduous, and with work keeping her away most days, Camy’s mom became Suki’s main caregiver. She took the reins on feeding Suki 5 times a day, on top of the daily medication and regular cleaning. “Sometimes, he’d be covered in his own poop and pee because he couldn’t get to his potty like he used to.”
On Suki’s final day with the family, Camy had been out of town again and her best friend took on the role of making key decisions and comforting the family who witnessed Suki’s passing.
“It was a series of unfortunate events. I was away again when Suki passed. I called my best friend for help and she immediately turned up at my place and saw it through. She also comforted my family as they were traumatised from witnessing Suki’s last breath.
I appreciated all the kindness and support these people have shown me.”
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If you’re considering adopting a disabled pet, or are a new caregiver yourself, Camy has some advice on making the journey ahead a fulfilling one for you.
Patience & Perseverance
There are days when you will not know what to do. When your pet’s condition deteriorates, all you may be able to do for them is to be close by to soothe and comfort them. Be patient and check in with yourself emotionally to keep persevering for your pet.
Follow Your Heart
In Suki’s situation, the vet advised the family early on to let him go and to end his suffering. However, Camy could sense Suki’s will to live and that he was fighting his hardest to survive; she trusted her gut and decided to take her pet home to care for him.
In the next two months, Suki was making significant progress, and his diet and appetite was consistently improving despite the odds. Camy credits this decision to her best friend’s reminder that only she knew her pet the best and that she should always follow her heart.
Do Your Research
From the get-go, ask your vet as many questions as possible to obtain facts and clear information. This, along with speaking with fellow pawrents who are caregivers to their pets will also help you make your decisions, big or small. Their stories and experiences will guide you.
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Being a caregiver or pet owner of disabled pets is no easy feat – the next time you meet a stranger with a less fortunate pet, consider giving both human and pet a word of encouragement; you never know the weight your words will have on them.
If you’re interested in giving your time and support to Hope Dog Rescue, they can be reached over on Instagram.