Written by Nicola Kruger, Founder of Bella’s Guardian Angels
Professional photography by elysian
Ginger kitten Leo was just three months old when a good Samaritan found him hiding under the ATM at a petrol station. She searched for his owners and put flyers up everywhere, but when no one came forward, she contacted us to assist.
From the beginning, he was such a chilled and playful boy. Any new environment or person or animal he encountered was met with curiosity and confidence. And he played like a maniac, loving any and all toys.
Jasper’s story unfortunately had a sadder beginning. At the tender age of 10 weeks old, brindled puppy Jasper was found in Mossel Bay, tied to a tree in the woods.
We suspect he most likely belonged to people who lived in the woods. It just so happened that the day these people left him tied up all alone, two Capetonians were on holiday in Mossel Bay and found him. And so Jasper found his way to us.
Although sweet and gentle, he was VERY hungry. He struggled with eating too fast and, given his long legs and having to bend down to eat, he developed reflux. Thus we fed him only small amounts at a time and with his food bowl on a step stool. Within just a week he was eating slower. The next thing we had to work on was his love and affinity for dustbins: he’d lie in front of the dustbin, waiting for his food.
Jasper learned to play fetch and gave the best cuddles. We did notice that he preferred women to men, and very loud children also scared him a bit. He was a definitely more of a one-person dog and loved to follow me around all day. And, although he loved to play with the other dogs, the cats were also his friends. I think because he was such a gentle soul, the cats also didn’t mind his presence.
We’re so thankful that Sherene Hoffman and her family took a chance on these deserving rescues! Leo was an older kitten already and Jasper wasn’t necessarily the “popular” pup given his introverted personality and large size.
Sherene, Jasper and Leo’s owner, shares...
Someone once said: “The best therapist is the one with fur and four legs.” We lived in India for six years where we had a feisty ginger cat called Hobbes. When we returned to South Africa, we were determined to bring him with us. By some amazing series of events, it happened that Hobbes travelled in the cabin on the airplane with us back to South Africa.
Sadly, after a few weeks in South Africa, Hobbes went missing. We mourned him for months. We still believe that by some miracle we might get Hobbes back one day…
This is where our story with Jasper and Leo begins. How can you replace the special place you have for one animal with another? No, we didn’t replace Hobbes, we made room to love Jasper and Leo as well. They in turn helped soothe the missing of our dear Hobbes and now have their own unique places in our hearts and house.
Jasper was a scared and nervous puppy when we adopted him. We had to be patient with him and keep on loving him. He took to my daughter and found refuge in her gentle nature. In the beginning, he was afraid of men and would run to hide if he heard my husband or son speak. Now he runs to them and loves to go for long walks with them.
Leo has been a blessing to us as he’s such a gentle kitten and will cuddle up on our laps or lie next to us on the bed. He loves being around people and will come looking for us to just be with us.
Jasper and Leo have been instrumental in our healing process after losing Hobbes and we have once again realised that animals enrich your life. Even though we’re a family and enjoy each other’s company, our furry friends bring more joy and laughter to our house.
We’re thankful that we could find Jasper and Leo at Bella’s Guardian Angels. It helped us to go ahead with the adoption as we could give Jasper and Leo a home; however, we received so much more in return: therapy for our souls.
