Remember Marvellous Merlin?
I want to share with you one of the best videos I’ve seen on social media in a long while. This is Merlin, a dog rescued at the start of the year from a hideous breeding situation. When I first heard about him from Diana Brimblecombe Animal Rescue Centre, I wrote this,
…his first dental revealed a mouth full of terribly worn down teeth, many of which needed removing. The pattern of damage to his teeth is highly suggestive of him repeatedly chewing on something hard and resistant, bars possibly in an attempt to get out of where he’d been kept for years.
His claws are severely damaged, again probably as a result of scrabbling to get out of where he was. When I was told this, a cold shiver ran through me as I imagined the poor boy shredding his frail but desperate body, hurting himself in vain, trying to free himself from his torment. His ears are badly infected..he has severe dry eye, painful and left untreated for years which has badly affected his eyes. His skin is in a dreadful state with many sores.
Well look at him now, on his recent holiday, loving life,
This is how a puppy farm survivor should be enjoying life ! Free !! pic.twitter.com/vyptdL3NEz
— jan (@youngoftheyard1) September 19, 2017
Merlin lives life happily as a tripaw as you can see in the video. He lost his leg through a huge, untreated tumour which DBARC got the right treatment for as soon as he was in their care. The surgery was extensive, huge in fact. Pictures taken at the time were shocking.
The sarcoma on Merlin’s leg was huge and weighed over 1kg.
Merlin, recovering after surgery to remove his leg and sarcoma.
Back then no-one could have imagined how well Merlin would recover. What a total transformation he’s undergone and what a brilliant testament the video is to the courage dogs show when they’re rescued. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. I asked Janet, one of his adoptive mums to tell me how well he’s doing,
He’s had a great holiday in Croyde Devon. He’s really coming out of his shell. We took him to the local pub, Billy Budds and they loved him in there. He’s even learnt to play pool! The assistant manager fell in love with him, it also gave us a great opportunity to tell a lot of people about his background, puppy farming and rescue work.
Merlin in Billy Budds Pub
Merlin with his sisters
And, the final joy today, seeing Merlin resting up in his new rucksack. What a marvellous life he’s now enjoying, so well deserved.
Merlin taking it easy!
Merlin received the great honour in July of being awarded the DBARC Dog of Courage at their summer fair. You can read what this meant to his mums Janet and Jackie here. His story is one of great bravery, transformation, love and dedication from the humans around him.
