Meet Dante, rescued from his own personal inferno

When Dante was brought into our Centre, he was just a “big, inflamed, swollen dog.” His paws were bleeding, and new bleeding would start if any pressure was applied to his skin. He was in such a bad way, shaking from pain and so hot to the touch.

His paws were so swollen he couldn’t even walk on them – he had to be carried everywhere, and he didn’t want to put pressure on them, so he wouldn’t even stand up. He had severe infections in both ears, and our teams worried his tail may require amputation. Dante was a very sick dog.

He was supposed to be a white dog, but he was multicoloured from mange, bruising, old welts and general neglect. He was exhausted, sleeping for three whole days after his arrival, just fighting to keep going. His demeanour seemed to say, “I can’t do it anymore.”

Despite this, he let our teams cuddle him, touch him, move him. He seemed to know they were there to help; he lent into them and licked their faces or did a little sigh, trying to interact despite having almost no energy. After three days, he started responding, lifting his head from his bed when our teams approached to say “hi” – that’s when they knew he would be okay. He huffed and didn't bark, simply demanding a “hi” from anyone who passed by.

Dante underwent extensive treatment to help his recovery.

He received specialist medicated baths to heal his skin. Vets did numerous tests to find out exactly what illnesses Dante had so they could be sure he got all the treatment he needed, and to find out if there would be long-term damage from his mange. He was put on three different treatments, as well as pain medication.

Some of the treatment he received would have caused him pain – the medicated baths when he had open wounds, and skin scrapes to get samples from lower layers of skin – but he didn’t make a fuss, and was very gentle with all the staff working with him.

When he was well on his way to recovery, Dante went into foster care to help him fully recover and to help him learn to be a dog.

Dante’s foster mum Dani tells us her “first impression of Dante was just sadness; he was one of the most miserable looking dogs I have seen in some time. He was so sore and uncomfortable, paws so swollen he could barely walk or stand. He almost never left his bed. We were absolutely worried about the condition he was in; he was also quite nervous and timid.”

After a few weeks in foster care, feeling better and gaining confidence, Dante was a new dog.

“Watching him come out of his shell, we have learnt how goofy and clumsy Dante is,” says Dani.“He stomps around with his big front paws as if he is wearing flippers. When we think we can’t find him we have worked out he will be curled up in a ball on the couch. If he's napping, we can pick him up and put him somewhere else where he won't even move and continue his nap. He also has to inspect every new food or treat he is given before he eats it.”

Dante has been very busy at his foster home. He’s now fully crate trained, walks well on and off lead and loves car rides. He’s also great with toddlers, cats, other dogs and sheep. His attitude for life has completely changed.

It takes a community to help animals like Dante become happy, healthy and full of life, despite their rough beginnings. Together, we can achieve incredible results for vulnerable animals.

Dante’s Christmas wish is that every hurting animal has access to the same love and care that he received. Will you be the difference between despair and hope for a dog like Dante, with a special Christmas donation today?