Left to right: Misty, Maggie, Annie, Peggie and Sheri
Written by Heather Gertzen
Photography by Tamaryn Lombard
I’m the mom of five fluffy female rescue pooches. We all have the need to protect those who cannot speak for themselves, hence my cute, naughty, lovable pooches landing up in my arms and in my home.
Holly, my first rescue – a Maltese ball of fluff – came from a backyard breeder. I rescued her when she was about two months old. She had a specific love for balls and never tired from fetching and carrying most of the day. Even while we were eating at the table, Holly would bring her ball for us to play with her. Many times a day she’d sit on the dining room chair with her paws on the table waiting for us to finish eating so we could play with her. Sadly, she passed away last year before her 17th birthday. I miss her terribly.
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Maggie, my second rescue, is also a Maltese whom I rescued at the age of six weeks. She was born in winter on a heap of sand (no grass, water, shelter or food). The neighbour where I got the dog from used to throw food over the wall for the parents and Maggie. Maggie had the strangest little hairstyle resembling the shape of a mushroom. Now in her 12th year, she’s the laziest, gentlest and most beautiful soul. I reported the woman to the SPCA, and they confiscated all the other dogs with which she was illegally breeding. |
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Three months after getting Maggie, I adopted Sheri at six weeks of age. Raising two puppies was worse than raising two kids! I’m not sure if little Sheri was abused, but she was terribly timid and cowered a lot. To this day she’s crazy about a ball (no other toys interest her), and she thinks a ball is called “fetch it”. When visitors pop in, Sheri thinks it’s their duty to throw her “fetch it” up and down, be it in the house or outside. She’s also in her 12th year. Sheri is my grumpy granny and I love her just as much as the others. The next two rescues came from the same home. I don’t know how old they are, but I adopted them in 2016 from Germiston SPCA. They lived in a house with 40 other dogs in appalling conditions. The hoarder left these little souls to walk and play in their own urine and faeces, which was everywhere. Some of them had burns on their feet, and some were so ill from all the bacteria that they had to be euthanised. Misty and Peggy didn’t know what grass was. The SPCA had to wear gumboots to confiscate all the dogs. Disgusting indeed. |
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Misty, a Morkie, is a feisty little pooch. She’s learnt to walk and play on grass and shares the same love as Sheri – playing ball – although she’s reluctant to give it back to me (probably thinks I’m going to steal it from her!). She’s my barker and has unfortunately taught all the others how to bark at nothing. |
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Peggy is my smallest little one and is a white fluffy Maltese cross. She’s my protector and she’s my shadow! Every hour or so she feels the need to be hugged and have lots of kisses. When I call her my pretty girl she runs to me for that extra little cuddle. She’s my “scarf” in winter and summer, and I wouldn’t change her ways for anyone. I love her little habits, and when she looks at me with those loving little eyes, my heart melts for her. |
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Last but not least is my youngest baby, Annie, whom I got from T.A.G. rescue centre in 2017. She was used as a plaything by a child who delighted in pulling out all her fur. Gratefully, she was rescued, and the day she was taken away, I adopted her. She barely had any fur covering her body, was in enormous pain, and weighed just under 1kg. Her fur took a while to grow back, but today she’s the most beautiful girl and gets all the love that every dog deserves! Annie is probably my naughtiest, self-centred, quite “spiteful” yet very lovable pooch in my household. She loves playing ball but selfishly snatches it from the others who have it. |
Oneplan Pet Insurance was so moved by Annie’s story; her fighting spirit made her a true Oneplan Pet Hero, and I’m relieved to have them looking after her health.
I can happily say that I love all my strange little fur balls with all my heart, and I dread the day I’ll have to say goodbye to them. They’re my life, my comforters, and my precious companions.
