Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
‘Daisy May was at death’s door - now she’s loving life’
Remarkable transformation of rescued dog
Remarkable pictures show the amazing transformation of a dog who was discovered looking “like a bag of bones” alongside her starving puppies less than three weeks ago. American bulldog Daisy May and nine of her offspring were described as being “at death’s door” when they were rescued from a home in Canterbury on February 12. Shocking images showed how the three-year-old was painfully thin, with volunteers from Guardian Angels Dog Rescue saying she looked like “she had given up”.
Sadly, one of the rescued puppies - who was named Annie died a week after the litter was taken into the care of the notfor-profit organisation.
But now, most of the puppies, and especially Daisy-may, continue to make drastic improvements in a foster home. Christine Recton, who co-founded Guardian Angels, said: “When I saw Daisy-may she was at death’s door, and from her demeanour and look, she had given up.
“She was a broken dog. “Now, she is bouncing about, she recognises me, and she is going out for walks and is loving life.
“She is so happy and her face is so lovely, and she is beginning to get the shape back in her face.” The owner of the dogs had reportedly left them at the Canterbury house with a young woman, promising to return, but he never did.
While 10 puppies were discovered, one of them had already died from suspected malnutrition.
Guardian Angels had been alerted by the mother of the
young woman after the dog’s death.
Daisy May and her puppies almost starved to death but are doing well since being rescued Speaking to the Gazette previously, Ms Recton said: “I’ve never seen anything like it. “Daisy May was like a skeleton - just a bag of bones.
“She clearly hadn’t eaten in ages and was so emaciated it was hard to even tell what breed she was. How she’ll ever trust humans again, I don’t know.
“She had no milk so the puppies were also starving, and one had sadly died.
“They were screaming for hours.”
After the dogs were signed over to Guardian Angels, Mrs Recton called the RSPCA to alert the charity to the situation. It was agreed the dogs would stay with Guardian Angels, and the Gazette understands it is unlikely a prosecution for neglect will be pursued. While the condition of the dogs has improved, there remain complications, with all nine seen by a vet this week.
Daisy May - who has put on 12kg since she was found underwent scans and was given a clean bill of health
But the youngest puppy, called Harrison, remained with the vet as he has stopped growing. Speaking yesterday, Ms Recton said: “He had to stay overnight at the vet, who took him home last night and nurtured him. “There is a good chance he can make it.”
Guardian Angels says supporters have given generously to help the puppies, which are a litter of seven boys and one girl. It is still seeking cash donations, puppy pads, food and durable toys.
Donate at guardianangelsdogrescue.co.uk.