Rescuing bongo
It was 2020. The world was in the grips of COVID, and mine and my husband Jack’s work life completely changed as a result. No more commuting to the office every day. Working from home was becoming the new normal and looking like it would be here to stay.
We’d never been able to have a dog before because of work commitments and not feeling like it would be fair to leave them during the day, but now the door was wide open with dog adoption possibilities!
In my teens and early 20’s I’d volunteered at my local RSPCA, and over the years stayed in touch and supported the local branches fundraising and even did some time as a Trustee on their committee. So, through those connections I’d made, I put out some feelers and learned about a lovely boy called Bongo.
He was 10 years old and had been severely neglected. He was underweight, had large bald patches all over his body from excessive scratching and blisters related to an untreated skin condition (likely for his whole life), infection in both his eyes and ears, and most of his teeth removed due to gum infection.
We decided to go meet him and discovered that, in the face of all the poor treatment and the state of his body, his soul shone brightly through, and he was a gentle and playful boy. This picture is the first day we met him.
We made the decision to adopt Bongo, knowing it was going to be an intense ride, and wow it really has been.
For the first few months, he needed bathing every other day with medicated shampoo to help the itching and soreness. He was put on medication for life, and a long term course of steroids to bring everything under control.
Once we’d got on top of the worst of his infections and blistering, we continued with regular baths at least twice a week, which went down to 1 a week. Now, 4 years on, we can go 2-3 weeks between baths.
For a while, he had to have a head wrap and cone on whilst the cuts on his ears healed. Without the wrap, when he shook his head the cuts would split open again spraying blood all up the walls. Our hallway needs redecorating from having to wash the walls down so much, and the gloss work all over the house is wrecked at dog height from lack of cone spacial awareness!
There’s still a bald patch on his back that is so scarred the fur will never grow back (and said bald patch requires moisturising almost daily, and sunscreen protection), but the rest of his body has made a great comeback!
Thankfully, we’ve weaned him off the steroids and he only has them now when he has a flare up in his ears to avoid any long-term damage in his stomach. We achieved this through all the regular skin care treatments and baths, but also his diet. Since living with us, Bongo eats a vegan diet and we cook for him every day. He eats a variety of foods alongside his dog biscuits to ensure he has all the nutrition he needs.
He is now in such amazing shape and living his best life, turning 14 in June this year and still playing ball like he is a puppy!
Despite all he has been through, he is the sweetest, most gentle boy in all the world. I know I’m biased because he is my baby, but everyone he meets genuinely comments on how loving and well behaved he is. The stereotype of neglected or rescued dogs always being aggressive or badly behaved is so not true. Some dogs of course do struggle with behaviours after mistreatment (wouldn’t we!), but this is not Bongo! He is so well behaved, we can take him anywhere. We just bring a bed with us and he sits happily, wagging his tail and saying hello to people who walk past. He’s great with children and all animals, I don’t think there is a bad bone in his body.
Bongo’s brothers, our two cats Loki (tabby) and Binx (black), adore him. Binx has a real soft spot for Bongo and meows when he comes into the house to find him, and both cats rub their heads affectionately on Bongo while purring.
Always an affectionate boy, Bongo loves to cuddle up and just be with you. He can’t be left on his own as he gets a bit stressed, so we always make sure he is with one of us, or close family/friends help us out with doggy sitting which we are massively grateful for! As you can imagine, Bongo is no trouble and is so well behaved and loved by everyone.
He costs us a small fortune and is the most intense animal I have ever owned, but he is perfect in his own special way, and I love him endlessly for it.
Bongo has taught me to love unconditionally, that I shouldn’t overthink too much, and to move on and enjoy the day not holding on to what came before it.
Happy National Rescue Dog Day my boy. I am so thankful we have you in our lives.
xo
