Mike Vonk, NSRI Wilderness station commander, said:
On Saturday, 19 March, NSRI Wilderness dispatched a team to Kleinkranz Beach following a request for assistance for a family dog collapsed on the beach.
The family, while taking a walk on the beach with their 4 dogs, their one dog Rex had collapsed on the beach.
A fair distance from the car park, the local husband and wife, who have not lived in the area for very long, reached out to The Barnyard Kennels for advice. Staff at the kennels suggested calling NSRI.
On receiving the call without hesitation a crew was activated and our NSRI rescue vehicle responded to the closest access point.
On arrival on the scene the elderly dog, suffering a long term illness and unable to continue on their walk, was assessed and in a stable condition the dog was secured into our Stokes basket stretcher and assisted by the family we hiked carrying Rex in the stretcher to the car park.
The husband and wife were grateful for the assistance and their other 3 dogs displayed visible concern for their ill family member. The compassion displayed was heartfelt by all involved.
The family took Rex to a local Vet who treated him with medications and while the dogs long term illness appears to be the cause of Rex collapsing on the beach the family took Rex home to be with them for comfort and care.
On Sunday morning we have heard that Rex is comfortable at home and showing signs of recovery.
We are all hopeful that Rex fully pulls through to live a longer life with his loving family.
Cape Town Lens: IMG_1283.jpg