Beau the Dalmatian did not get to grow up the right way as a puppy because she was pretty much isolated for months due to parvovirus.
A family bought a Dalmatian puppy online with hardly any idea if the dog was ever vaccinated. They were assured but not shown any proof that she received the necessary shots and soon enough, Beau became very ill.
When the family could not afford to pay for her veterinary bills, they surrendered the dog, now at nine months old, to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) Millbrook Animal Center in the UK. Shelter workers suspected Beau had parvovirus, an infectious disease, which prompted Beau's isolation from the other dogs.
Growing Up with Parvovirus
According to Joss Iveson of the RSPCA Millbrook, online purchases of puppies commonly happen but this has its disadvantages and risks. As in the case of Beau, dogs sold online can get very ill because they usually do not receive the right vaccinations.
So, for the next seven months, Beau did not have a normal puppy life while in isolation as she struggled with the deadly disease. The RSPCA had to raise funds for her treatment and fortunately, 72 kinds souls showed their support with the donations. The dog was able to fully recover and was soon ready to be taken in by a new family.
But since Beau did not get to experience growing up in a regular environment due to being sick, she soon showed behavioral problems. The Dalmatian would be afraid of the slightest noise, sights, and smells. She was terrified of entering doors and avoided going to the garden to play. She also did not know how to play gently.
For the second time, Beau had to be surrendered to the shelter because she wasn't properly trained. It took six months for the Millbrook RSPCA to build Beau's confidence and skills so that she becomes a fully housebroken dog.
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Adopting a Dog with Serious Issues
Trudy Kemp heard of Beau from a local veterinarian and did not think twice about visiting her at the shelter. She's a Dalmatian lover and works at the British Dalmatian Welfare in re-homing abandoned dogs.
The news of Beau came at the right time because Trudy had recently lost two of her Dalmatians. It was love at first sight for Trudy the moment she saw Beau.
It truly was the perfect fit since Trudy understood the dog's history too well, according to SurreyLive. She knew that Beau did not get to experience becoming a normal puppy, hence she has nervous episodes.
From Beau to Bonnie
But Trudy is patient to teach the dog how to be calm, confident and behaved. She has renamed Beau as Bonnie and brings the dog to her work as a hairdresser every day so she would learn to socialize.
Trudy also has a retired greyhound named Penny that's helping her teach Bonnie how to be a dog. She's joyful about being able to give a dog a second chance now that Bonnie is happily adjusting to her new home with her mom and sister.
Dangers of Buying Pets Online
Iverson once again had to reiterate the various online puppy sale scams and the many dangers of buying pets on the Internet. Instead of buying dogs online, Iverson hopes that people would reconsider and instead look for their forever pet at shelters. This way, they can properly assess the dog's health and situation, as well as get the right answers about the dog's status from the shelter workers.
The Better Business Bureau also warns against buying puppies online as a number of people have been victimized by this scam. Always be wary of the practice, consult with experts and do your research beforehand. Ultimately, it's best to adopt at the shelter.
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