Oliver’s Tail: A Rescue Story from Vondi’s
We spoke with local natural pet food maker Cindy from Vondi’s Holistic Pet Nutrition about her unforgettable rescue story. What began as a short-term foster through LEAPS turned into a life-changing journey of trust, healing, and unconditional love. This is the story of Oliver, the three-legged dog who became family.
A Broken Spirit
"As guardians of our domesticated pet, we have a responsibility to protect them from harm and assure them of basic human rights. That said, it should be our honor and privilege to harbor this companion in our home. A being so loyal, committed, loving and affectionate, you will not find anywhere."
This was not the case with Oliver. He came into our home with a broken spirit and a broken body. He had to have a leg removed. His ribs were injured and there were deep scars around his neck. In the spirit of honoring his story, I want to share how Oliver came into our lives 11 years ago.
Dot Skelly from LEAPS remembers that day:
“I took the call on a Sunday morning. A neighbor told us he had returned home in a shocking condition. But this wasn't the result of a single incident — even hardened Dr. Rust could tell Oliver had suffered for some time. His ribs had been broken long before, and it looked like someone tried to take his leg off with a blunt knife. He was called ‘Killer’ at the time. But when I looked into his eyes, the name ‘Oliver’ just came to me.”
"As I work there, sometimes one gets the story out of the people in bits and pieces over time. However, this particular area is very closed. I do not think that the old people whom Oliver belonged to would do it, but some of the youthful riff-raff hanging about is quite capable of this. Often the elderly are abused and bullied by these youngsters. Possibly family of theirs. They aren't telling."
"The vet then amputated the leg. To us it looked as though someone had tried to take the leg off with a blunt knife. His name was (believe it or not) Killer. When I looked at him, the name ‘Oliver’ just jumped into my mind. Thank you for giving him such a loving home.”
Meeting Oliver
We were initially approached by LEAPS to foster Oliver for a few days until a suitable home could be found. I agreed.
Oliver came to us in a mess. His leg was bandaged after amputation. His ribs were sore, and he struggled to walk. The phantom leg irritated him and he would often squeal in pain. He couldn’t ascend or descend the stairwell at our home. We had to carry him. He cowered when I approached, and I thought to myself, “Do I really need this in my life?”
A Fragile Bond
He showed affection for the children and our domestic helper, Rhoda. He followed her everywhere. But I could not approach him. Anyone who tried to pat him would be met with a nibble. He wasn’t familiar with affection or being stroked. He only knew “the hand” to mean one thing.
The Adoption That Wasn't
Not long after, LEAPS found a kind lady with a large property in Lakeside. It seemed like the perfect home for Oliver. I was pleased. We arranged to meet her the next day at Vondi’s in Sea Point.
My wife waited at the shop while I went downstairs to get Oliver. He was lying peacefully on the couch. As I approached to pick him up and take him to the car, he looked straight into my eyes.
“I love you for what you have done. I will forever remember you. I hold no grudges against you or your human friends. I am committed to you to be loyal and loving for the rest of my life. Please let me stay.”
I broke down in tears. I asked God to ask Oliver for forgiveness. I called my wife and said, “I cannot give Oliver away. He must stay with our family.”
Learning to Climb
Hobbling on three legs, Oliver had to learn to ascend one flight of stairs. He tried and persisted, but it was difficult. He could manage two or three steps, but the rest overwhelmed him. Even tasty treats and the tender calls of our children couldn’t encourage him enough.
He tried day in and day out. After a few weeks, he made it to the top. That was just the first challenge. Getting down the stairs was even harder. He often got it wrong and slid down a few steps. But he was determined to overcome his disability.
From Fear to Joy
Today, Oliver flies up and down stairs and is one of the fastest dogs on the Sea Point Promenade. He still walks like Quasimodo or Gollum from The Lord of The Rings, but when he runs, he resembles a majestic Greyhound.
It took Oliver a long time to get used to being stroked by that dreaded hand. He cautiously bit at first. Today, though still cautious with certain hands, he can lie back, shut his eyes, and revel in affection. He dreams of a world where humans and companion animals live in harmony, respect, and love.
A Tail That Tells
Soon, the only tail we saw was a wagging tail of happiness. His painful memories faded. He forgot the grief. He ignored the fact that he had one less leg. He focused only on love, friendship, play, and goodness.
He became our true Yogi Dog, our Guru. He judged life not by the past, but by what he saw in front of him each day.
"That tail wagged continuously."
It wagged when he heard our family getting ready in the morning. It wagged when Ava, our six-year-old, cuddled him out of bed. It wagged at breakfast, even though it wasn’t breakfast time for him. It wagged when it was time to take the kids to school and jump in the car.
It wagged when the birds chirped, when the sun was out, when the wind blew, when it rained, and when it was TV time.
Dinner time was the best. His jaw and tail moved together as he waited for his bowl of food. It was pure bliss.
The Real Rescue
Whether you are able to cure a rescue dog completely is not the point. You certainly have saved a life, nurtured a soul. The amazing wonder about rescuing an abandoned animal is that it is your own soul that is saved and it is your pain that is relieved. This is the wonder of our companion animals.
“This is the wonder of our companion animals.”
