Choco needed a guardian angel to save him
For Choco, the world was a hard, painful place.
He lived in a metal cage on a bare concrete floor. No blanket. No bed. No other living thing to curl up beside.
Choco was rescued from a dog breeder, along with forty other dogs living behind kennel doors. But there was something different about Choco when he was found by RSPCA WA Inspector Jayde.
He was the only chihuahua on the whole property, and he was kept separate from the others, completely alone in a faeces-covered kennel.
While all the other dogs barked at Inspector Jayde’s arrival, Choco just sat there as if he’d given up hope for anything better a long time ago.
“He was just this little old man sitting in a freezing cold kennel,” Jayde says. “He’d just been thrown out there.”
Choco was 10 years old. No one knows how many of those years he’d spent living in that kennel. Forgotten, alone and in pain.
Choco was suffering from severe dental disease, osteoarthritis, patella issues… Conditions that would have made every movement a struggle. His body was so neglected you could count every rib and his toenails were painfully overgrown.
It wasn’t until he arrived at RSPCA WA that Choco finally received the kindness and care he so desperately needed to feel okay again.
He underwent multiple dental surgeries, each one under general anaesthetic to remove every single one of his teeth. This was the first step in taking away the constant pain he’d lived with for too long.
He had x-rays to assess the damage in his hips and legs, knee surgery that required rehabilitation, and received pain relief for his arthritis.
He was placed on a special feeding plan and was carefully monitored to reach a healthy weight. Small, measured increases helped his body recover safely without overwhelming his system and causing dangerous complications.
His nails were trimmed back so that standing up didn’t hurt anymore.
Choco needed more than medical attention to recover from the cruelty he experienced. He needed love, care and consistency.
Slowly, with patience and care, Choco began to trust the RSPCA WA team. He gained confidence. And he was able to live comfortably for the first time in a long time.
He was a completely different dog to the one who first arrived at RSPCA WA.
After his incredible transformation, Choco finally found a safe, loving home and a new life – the one he’d always deserved.
Since being adopted, Choco spends his days curled up in a soft, comfortable bed, with warm hugs, soft pats and the companionship of a fellow furry friend. It’s the best life he’s ever known.
Choco found his Guardian Angel in our generous supporters, but not every animal is so lucky.
Every animal deserves the chance to know what love and kindness feels like.
This Christmas, you can be a Guardian Angel to an abused, abandoned or neglected animal like Choco. Your gift will help let them know there’s kindness and gentleness in the world.
Posted on in Animal stories, Animal cruelty