When a starving, malnourished lurcher was discovered by Animal Welfare inspectors in Blythe, Northumberland, just before Christmas, the lyrics of a well-known pop song, “Don’t they know it’s Christmas time at all?” sprang to mind. The puppy appeared to have been abandoned for dead after being callously dumped on the street where it was discovered. The poor dog’s health was terrible; she was practically skin and bones, dried out with a clearly visible ribcage, almost hairless, and weighed only 24 lbs (10,88 kg), which is less than half of what she ought to weigh. When Berwick Animal Rescue Kennels (B-A-R-K for short) took the dog in and cared for her, they might have just as easily renamed her Twiggy. When Berwick Animal Rescue Kennels (B-A-R-K for short) took the dog in and cared for her, they might have just as easily renamed her Twiggy. Everyone feared she wouldn’t survive past Christmas. But thanks to B-A-R-K and manager Jan Ross, the dog miraculously made a full recovery. And the same popular song still rings in our ears: “The greatest gift she’ll get this year is life.
The first moments
Image credits: BerwickAnimalRescue
Image credits: BerwickAnimalRescue
Image credits: BerwickAnimalRescue
Since being in B-A-R-K, the dog has received special treatment. Since Tiggy’s illness prevented her from living in kennels, she had to live inside a house. She had a lifeless appearance. Furthermore, Jan subsequently explained in an interview with Funny Moment that when she first saw the dog, she experienced a range of emotions, including “shock, horror, fear, relief,” and “instant love for her fighting spirit.” Nobody actually knows why she has been placed in this situation, despite speculation about possible motives. They initially believed she was gravely ill, but it turned out that she only missed the most fundamental food and parasite care. Tiggy has been receiving plenty of food, and she is getting better every day. The neighborhood has also been helpful.
Gaining strength
Image credits: BerwickAnimalRescue
Image credits: BerwickAnimalRescue
Since then, the story has garnered interest, piqued internet curiosity, and been heavily covered by British newspapers, online publications, and television. The Northumberland County Council and the local community have also taken notice of it and have issued a public plea to discover the perpetrators as well as any leads or proof as to why Tiggy was abandoned in such appalling state. The Council stated in its formal letter, “This is a shocking and inexcusable case of neglect and we are very keen to get to the bottom of how she came to be in such an emaciated condition and bring the person(s) responsible to account.” “Tiggy is in terrific shape right now, but this could happen to another animal if those responsible are not brought to justice.
Image credits: BerwickAnimalRescue
Image credits: BerwickAnimalRescue
Image credits: BerwickAnimalRescue
Image credits: BerwickAnimalRescue
Image credits: BerwickAnimalRescue
As for Tiggy, she’s been recovering fast. Jan assured, “She’s doing great… when she came a few days ago, she was over 39 lbs (18 kg), another couple of kilos, which will probably mainly be muscle, and she’ll be target weight. She has an amazing personality, her fears get smaller each day. When first she came in, she wouldn’t go out at all, then gradually she trusted to come into the garden with us and now today she races out there if the weather is nice, has to be called back in. (There is no way she’ll stay out there if there is just one spot of rain – she’s a bit of a diva that way) She has enjoyed walks at the beach, playing in the exercise area at the kennels and although she has had literally tens of donations of toys, she prefers the beat-up tennis ball.
Image credits: BerwickAnimalRescue
Image credits: BerwickAnimalRescue
Image credits: BerwickAnimalRescue
And there is wonderful news regarding Tiggy’s future! She will soon move into a new house! She will be living with two other rescue dogs at a home. We anticipate that happening by the end of January. Tiggy has received donations of food, collars, coats, jumpers, treats, and toys. While she waits for that day, she can’t complain about all the good care she now receives. Most ladies would be pleased of her clothes. We wish Tiggy the best and envision this as the start of a successful new chapter for her.
