Puppy who suffered horrific injuries from baiting finds forever home

Connie, a fox red Labrador, was brought into White Cross Vets in St Helens a year ago by a member of the public who found her alone and suffering gruesome injuries including savage bites, open wounds and torn tissue, as well as being in a state of total shock.

Vet, Cat Morley, from White Cross Vets, said: “Poor Connie was in a bad way, but despite everything she’d been through, she was still clearly a lovely dog and deserved a chance.

"We were able to fund her treatment with contributions from our emergency trust, St Helens Dog Welfare and Enforcement Service and Labrador Rescue (North West) charity.

"Our wonderful team also looked after Connie on their days off and at weekends to reduce costs.”

White Cross Vets and Labrador Rescue (North West) then set about making a plan for Connie.

Cat added: “We could tell that Connie was very sweet natured, but she was petrified and had obviously been through so much trauma.

"We have liaised with Labrador Rescue (North West) in the past and we knew that Glenys Fryer, who runs the charity, would help find her a new home with owners who were capable of continuing the care and treatment we had started.”

Connie with White Cross Vet staff (Image: Connie with White Cross Vet staff)

Jennifer Smith, from Liverpool, said: “We had recently lost our gorgeous 14-year-old black Labrador, Buzz.

"He had cancer and needed 24-hour care, so we were all set up for a dog like Connie and had registered with Labrador Rescue to be foster carers. When Glenys put the call out, my husband and I instantly responded.

"Another lady had also offered to help, but she had two dogs already and White Cross Vets thought she would be better in a home without other dogs to start with.

“When we collected Connie, it took us almost an hour to run through all the medications, timings and instructions!

"Her wounds were still open and needed flushing with saline solution four times a day. She was on antibiotics and painkillers too.

"When I first met Connie, she was so afraid it was difficult for the team to get her into the consultation room. Petrified was an understatement, she was constantly shaking and wet herself all the way home.

Connie with White Cross Vet staff (Image: Connie with White Cross Vet staff)

“We understood how stressful the whole journey had been and were just relieved to get her into the house.

"The first night all she did was pace, and it wasn’t until about 9pm that she finally lay down and 4am before she went in her bed.

"Over the next few days, we slept downstairs to keep Connie company. She would circle the garden for long periods of time before going to the toilet, so we made sure that we gave her the time and space she needed.

“Her poor little body was so battered, and her wounds were so deep it was difficult to pet her and show her the love we so wanted to.

"However, slowly Connie started to get used to our home, despite being absolutely terrified of my husband. She was also petrified of going in the car and had to be lifted in when we took her for her check-ups at the vet.

"She also wet herself if I left the house, suffering from separation anxiety and I had to carry her upstairs to bed and back down to the loo every night around 2am, so it was exhausting.

“After several weeks of medication and constant care Connie got the medical sign off from the vets and she improved psychologically each week and slowly came out of her shell.

"We had originally agreed to foster her temporarily, but there was no way we could put her through the process of getting used to a new home again. She’d come such a long way and we knew she had to stay with us forever.

“When Buzz died, we had put our name down with a breeder for a puppy and we decided to speak to the team at White Cross Vets about whether Connie might like a young friend. As she was so settled with us everyone thought it would be a good idea.

"We welcomed Moose into our home in December and they became best friends. Connie didn’t play at all when she first came to us, but Moose taught her how to. Her face lights up when we throw her ball and she’s so fast that Moose can’t keep up!

Connie now (Image: Connie now)

"They play so well together and are great companions – she even shares her beloved bed with him!

“Connie still has some anxieties, but nothing compared to what she was like at the start. Connie has also become my husband’s biggest fan and sits with him on the settee having her tummy tickled. We have a camper van and go to The Lake District a lot, and both Connie and Moose love walking there.

“As we got Moose as a puppy, he's had monthly visits to White Cross Vets which means that Connie comes along too.

"She loves seeing her White Cross Vets family and helping out behind reception! She also manages to sweet talk everyone into giving her loads of treats!

"We really couldn't imagine life without her, and she came along at just at the right time after we lost Buzz.

“It’s horrific to think about what Connie and so many other sweet natured dogs like her have been through, which is why we now fundraise to help other dogs in need.

"We donated a number of items to the Labrador Rescue (North West) auctions, which have helped to raise around £3,000 and Connie will also feature in the charity’s 2023 calendar.

"We also recently raised £850 for Hope2Hounds at the Garstang Scarecrow Festival. Connie was the chief greeter at our tombola stall, and she was an absolute star. She was so confident saying hello to everyone, getting lots of cuddles and drawing lots of attention to the stall - we couldn't be prouder of her.”

Cat from White Cross Vets added: “We are so happy to see Connie thriving in her new home and living her best life with her loving owners. She comes to see us on a regular basis with Moose, and every time she visits, she gives us the warmest of greetings and plenty of kisses too!

"I am so proud of the team here in St Helens who made such an effort to get Connie back on her feet and into a loving home.”

For more information about White Cross Vets, visit whitecrossvets.co.uk.