MARGARET Cooper’s affectionate dog Lulu was shaggy, filthy and starved when she was rescued by a rehoming organisation just two months ago.
Photos tell the story of her ordeal at a puppy farm — neglected and malnourished and forced to live in a stifling cage with her brother and sister, while she had litter after litter of puppies to sell to unsuspecting buyers.
And although physically she is now recovering, Lulu’s under-nourished start to life is still evident.
She is without bottom teeth and vets are unable to tell Ms Cooper just how old Lulu is as her treatment has “aged her beyond her years”.
She is Ms Cooper’s third rescue dog, and has been receiving an immeasurable amount of love since taken in to her Swan Hill home.
“It is disgusting, it makes you disgusted to be a human-being — [dogs] have no voice,” Ms Cooper said.
“When they picked Lulu up, the person who picked her up vomited — that was how bad she smelled.
“It is very fulfilling to see her gain her confidence and see her start to be a little dog.”
But it is not just Lulu whose life has changed, with Ms Cooper also enjoying her “bouncy and cheeky” companion.
“I laugh a lot — I go to bed laughing and wake up laughing — I’m not lonely, so she is good company and she is good for my health because we go for walks,” she said.
The pair plan to take part in the Million Paws Walk on Sunday, with Lulu set to be one of the most fashionable pooches around in a jumper, jacket and scarf that are just for her.
If you are thinking of getting a dog, but not sure if a rescue dog is for you, Ms Cooper has some wise words to offer.
“Get one,” she said, “but you have got to be prepared to be patient and understanding.”
The Million Paws Walk will be held on Sunday at Riverside Park, with registration from 9am and the walk starting at 10am.
Organisers are hoping to attract more than 150 animal owners this year.
For more information visit the Million Paws website.
