A dog which twice cheated death in Ukraine after being rescued from floods and surviving a Russian bombing has found a new home thanks to a British charity.
Heartbreaking footage captured the crossbreed, named Henry, clinging for life in the rubble of a building after the Kakhovka dam in Kherson was destroyed.
The sound of missiles dropping can be heard in the background as rescuers made their way through flood water to rescue the stricken pooch in June.
To avoid drowning, brave Henry managed to doggy-paddle to the remains of a bombed-out building poking out of the flood waters.
He was taken to a clinic in Odesa for round the clock treatment after being found alone, scared and covered in toxic sludge which burned his skin.
But his ordeal didn’t end as shortly after his rescue, the animal clinic caring for him was bombed by the Russians.
Despite the bombardment, Henry and the other animals escaped unharmed and he was moved to another clinic where he continued to receive treatment.
Just four months on and he is in a loving new home thanks to Save the Dogs and Other Animals – a charity supported by Blue Cross’s Ukraine Pet Welfare Fund.
Gregg Tully, Country Director for Save The Dogs, revealed how Henry was originally found “collapsed, exhausted and barely conscious”.
He said: “After the dam in Kherson exploded, [Henry] was one of the dogs that was pulled out of the flood waters.
“He was covered in oil and sludge. There was a lot of toxic material at the bottom of the reservoir that washed out with the flood.”
The thick coat of toxic oil coating his fur also caused painful chemical burns to his skin.
Gregg added: “We thought he was a black dog – we thought this dog was all black.
“And then he was cleaned up and taken to a vet clinic, and actually, he’s more white than black.
“He’s still very underweight and he still has some skin problems, but he obviously loves people and is a really happy dog.
“It’s been really inspiring after seeing the videos of him getting pulled out of the flood waters, and now he’s a happy, loving dog in a loving new home.
“I won’t forget him – it was really amazing to see that.”
Liliana Pacheco, Director of Community Engagement at Save The Dogs, said: “Henry did not deserve what happened in Kherson.
“But here he is and it’s thanks to Blue Cross, the donors and Zhanna [volunteer of Save the Dogs and Other Animals] who rescued him, so thank you very much from the bottom of our hearts.”
Henry is now in a loving new home in Poland with new owner Anya where he continues to go from strength to strength.
He is still on medication for heartworm, a parasitic worm that is spread through the bite of a mosquito, but he is improving every day.
Anya said: “When the Russians blew up the dam, I saw a video of Henry and my heart broke.
“I realised that no one would want to take him in, and he will never feel that someone loves him after this hell he went through. That’s why I started looking for him.
“I found the hospital where Henry was taken. They didn’t think he would survive because he was very injured, but he was treated and he was transferred to me in Poland.
“Every day he gets a little bit stronger. We continue to treat him but he feels much better and is happy.”
Anna Wade, Public Affairs Manager at national pet charity Blue Cross said: “We’re so happy to see Henry in a loving home after all he’s been through.
“Sadly the war is continuing to have such a devastating effect across Ukraine and there is still much work to do.
“The compassion and dedication of the charity partners on the ground to rescue pets and care for them day to day, is overwhelming and we’re doing all we can to support them and their vital work.”
Henry’s rehabilitation was made possible by donations to the Blue Cross Ukraine Pet Welfare Fund, has since raised over £500,000.
It was launched in 2022 to fund and provide support to cats and dogs left in Ukraine and for owners fleeing the country with their animals.
Gregg added: “Save the Dogs has sent almost 1,000 tonnes of food to dogs and cats in Ukraine that depend on you and us to protect them from starvation.
“Furthermore, we’ve sterilized more than 1,300 animals to avoid a surge in strays on the streets and we’re helping more every month.
“All of this work is only possible because of Blue Cross and our other partners around the world.
“Ukraine continues to be under severe attack and the future is uncertain for the people and animals there.
“I can’t find the right words to tell you how important it is that because of Blue Cross, thousands of homeless animals are being fed.”
Produced in association with SWNS Talker
