Tatum, a pitch-black bitch with striking almond brown eyes, is basking in a sunbeam on her human mother’s bed. Her coat glistens in the light, and it is evident she doesn’t lack food, comfort or love.
But things have not always been that easy for Tatum. In fact, she is very lucky to still be alive.
Tatum’s story begins on the streets of the Eastern Cape, where she was found as a tiny puppy together with several other brothers and sisters.
There was no sign of a mother and the pups were very sick, with bad mange, bacterial infections and tick and flea infestation. Tatum was also fighting distemper and on the brink of death.
Hog’s Life Animal Rescue Farm Rescue literally saved the pups from an imminent death.
Because Hog’s was at the limit of its capacity with homeless pets it reached out to other welfare associations countrywide. And so Tatum found her way to Kleinmond Animal Welfare Society (KAWS), which was able to accommodate her and some of her siblings.
But her road to recovery was a long one, and then once she was fully back on all four paws the task of finding an adoptive home for her began.
This was not an easy one as many people prefer to opt for cute little fluffy puppies, not a one-and-a-half-year-old cross-breed who sometimes came across as skittish. Tatum evidently was nervous of children and showed quite a fear for men.
KAWS management feared the worst, that she would not be adopted.
But along came the Nel family from Durbanville. They had just lost a beloved dog due to cancer and were looking for a partner for their elderly Jack Russell. They also wanted a dog that could be a bit of a watchdog.
They were, however, worried about the Jack Russell who, despite her age of 15 years, was still feisty and did not take to other dogs.
But it was love at first sight for the Nels. They did, however, take a few weeks to carefully weigh up their options. And Tatum remained in their hearts.
So, in July 2021 the mother-and-daughter pair prepared to fetch Tatum and take her to her forever home.
At first Tatum was very skittish. And if people came to visit she would snap at quick movements and more and this posed a concern for the family.
But with perseverance and much love, Tatum has grown into a loving lap dog, posing no threat to visitors and evidently being very happy with her human family.
She is full of beans, full of energy and she loves playtime more than anything.
Even the feisty JR adopted Tatum as her sister and the two are inseparable.
Tatum is a classic example of how well a rescue dog can adapt to a loving home, despite the extreme perils he or she must have suffered on the streets and at the hands of abusive humans.. KAWS is a non-profit organisation that aims to serve the areas of Rooi Els, Pringle Bay, Betty’s Bay, Kleinmond and Salandra by taking care of the community’s unwanted, mistreated and neglected pets. It advocates and promotes the sterilisation of cats and dogs to curb unwanted breeding in an already overpopulated pet community.
KAWS sterilises, dips, vaccinates, deworms and treat illnesses of animals in their low-income communities and provide a safe haven for homeless or surrendered animals until they can be placed in good, loving homes.
For more information, phone 028 271 5004 or visit the organisation’s website, KAWS.co.za
