On the property of a breeder where 39 dogs were found, it didn’t take long for one female, now known as Lulu, to capture the attention of RSPCA NSW Inspectors for all the wrong reasons.
Aside from being visibly matted, a bandage on her rear left leg pointed to a more pressing concern.
After removing the bandage, Inspectors discovered a gaping wound that clearly required veterinary attention. While it wasn’t bleeding, there was a noticeable smell which suggested the open laceration wasn’t new.
No doubt in some serious pain, Lulu’s plight was made all the more distressing by the fact she was also the mother to three six-week-old puppies still very much dependent on her.
All four dogs were seized by RSPCA NSW as Lulu received the help she urgently needed.
Her wound was found to be infected which required antibiotics and surgery to treat. If left any longer without treatment, the infection would likely have spread to the joint.
Lulu’s matting was also found to be so severe she was clipped under sedation.
If all that wasn’t enough, Lulu and her three puppies all tested positive for hookworm.
Thankfully, all four were able to make successful recoveries with Lulu finding the forever home of her dreams where she was given the time to flourish and learn to trust again.
“Lulu arrived in our home through foster care timid, exhausted, and deeply anxious,” her new owner Lauren said.
“She bonded instantly with our other two miniature dachshunds and with me, but she was very unsure about my partner at first.
“Watching her slowly decompress, take a deep breath, and realise she was finally safe enough to stretch out on the couch was incredible. Bit by bit she began to trust my partner too…helped along by his steak cooking efforts. She’s a girl who knows the way to her heart and is incredibly food motivated!
Who could say no to those eyes?!
“It didn’t take long before she truly made herself at home. Lulu is beautifully social and friendly, and she adored beach trips and walks with her new dachshund siblings. She had received no training and had no recall, so we helped her learn her new name using treats and she now runs to us whenever we call her.
“We did have a few medical hurdles to get through, including desexing and dental work, but by the time she was ready for adoption, our minds were already made up. She belonged with us.”
Lulu is set to spend her first Christmas in her forever home this year and even got to meet Santa Paws recently.
Lulu meets Santa Paws with her new dog siblings.
Despite her perilous past, Lulu has shown incredible perseverance and gives back just as much love as she’s now receiving.
“My partner and I often talk about how remarkable her love and trust are, given everything she’s been through,” Lauren said.
“She’s a dog who simply needed time, patience and a safe space to flourish and she truly has. We love her deeply and couldn’t imagine our little family without her.
“We’ll be forever grateful for the amazing Inspectors who rescued her and brought her into our lives.”
Lulu also recently got to reunite with one of the RSPCA NSW Inspectors that rescued her as her recovery tale came full circle.
Lulu reunites with an RSPCA NSW Inspector.
