A puppy who survived a horrific beating is looking forward to his ‘first proper’ Christmas – with the vet nurse who helped save him.
Terry, a Whippet, was just 12 weeks old when he was attacked by his owner and left with blunt-force trauma injuries after he urinated inside. He was taken to the Hull PDSA Animal Hospital in East Yorks,. where he was treated by nurse Rachel Coombes, 42, who fell in love with the puppy.
She told her colleagues if he survived then she would adopt him, and she brought him into her home last year.
Although Terry celebrated Christmas with Rachel and her son Stanley, four, last year – this will be their ‘first proper’ one as he’s now fully settled in with them.
“I just felt a connection as soon as he was brought in as he was in such a state we actually thought initially he hadn’t made it. Then when we spotted gentle breathing I did say ‘if he survives this I am going to give him a home’, which is exactly what I did. He hasn’t looked back since – he loves life and is having the best of life right now,” said Rachel.
“He enjoys running around the garden and going to the beach. He has formed a close bond with my son Stanley and will always be there by his side. Last year we got him around Christmas but it was such a hectic time for him and he was learning to settle then. Now we are planning a proper Christmas celebration for him,” she added.
After Terry was brought into the vets in November 2021, the vet discovered the white of his left eye and his lips were both bruised. Three of his upper incisors were missing and another tooth was also broken. Due to his suspicious injuries, RSPCA Inspector Laura Barber was asked to investigate.
“He was in such a sad state and was really quiet and withdrawn when he was with people. I always remember him though coming over to me and putting his head on me and being so trusting,” said Inspector Barber.
“He was so loveable and it is great to see he has the home he deserves with such a lovely family.I know Terry will have the best first proper Christmas with his lovely new family and one he thoroughly deserves,” she added.
Emily Lomas, animal care assistant at the RSPCA’s Hull branch, says she was ‘thrilled’ when she found out Rachel had adopted him. “He was very traumatised and overwhelmed when he came to us so we had to really show him there was nothing to be scared of and that he was now safe,” said Emily Lomas.
“We took him to the socialisation room and I remember him falling asleep on my legs. We were all thrilled when he was adopted and we knew he was going to a special home,” she added
Terry’s owner appeared in court, where he admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a dog and was handed a five-year ban on keeping animals.
Produced in association with SWNS Talker
