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In the love-filled atmosphere of February, we not only celebrate the romantic bonds between partners but also share the unconditional love between humans and their canine companions. In this special feature, Senior Paws interviewed a dedicated couple, Holly Wong and Niall Gaffney, who have been long-term volunteers at the DSPCA.
Four years ago, during the challenging times of the Covid pandemic, they adopted a German Shepherd with a back injury. Through their diligent care, the dog not only regained mobility but also brought boundless love into their lives. Let's explore the heartwarming journey of this couple and their resilient furry friend, Sprinkle, highlighting the joys and challenges of adopting and caring for a special needs dog.
Holly Wong and Niall Gaffney
A compassionate couple involved in volunteering at the Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) since 2018, extended their love to shelter dogs. In 2020, they made a heartfelt commitment to adopt Sprinkle, a German Shepherd with a back injury, into their hearts and home.
DSPCA Volunteer Contact Email: Volunteer@dspca.ie
What are the Challenges of Fostering a Dog?
The adventure of Holly and Niall with Sprinkles began with an urgent email from the DSPCA, signaling the imminent lockdown and the need for experienced dog foster families. They were notified about two German Shepherds in need of special care, particularly Sprinkles, who had previously experienced paralysis and required unique attention. Despite Niall's initial hesitation due to the emotional commitment involved in caring for a dog, as long-term volunteers, they answered the call bravely.
However, their journey as first-time foster parents was marked by challenges and moments of uncertainty. When Sprinkles fell ill just a few days after joining their home, they rushed her to the emergency vet, fearing the worst.
When she was spitting out blood, vomiting, diarrhea, we were panicking a little bit. And we thought the dog was dying, maybe having more serious problems than just the broken back.”
Fortunately, it turned out to be a treatable stomach issue, and Sprinkles fully recovered soon after. Despite Holly's initial perspective of providing only temporary foster care, Niall had a premonition that forming a bond with Sprinkles would make parting ways challenging. After thorough consideration, they decided to welcome Sprinkles permanently into their home, regardless of her health conditions.
She's just so sweet and loves kids. She also reads emotions so well. When one of our close family members passed away during COVID, my sister and I cried in the house. Sprinkles planted her head into us, and never left us. Over the years, if one of us is sick, Sprinkles stays by our side all day. She is an amazing dog!
Since adopting Sprinkles, the couple has consistently prioritized her well-being. From the initial adoption, they actively researched and adapted to Sprinkles' specific needs, addressing essentials such as a memory foam bed. Regular vet visits and staying in touch with the DSPCA adoption group ensured that her ongoing health needs were consistently met.
Faced with COVID-19 restrictions, the DSPCA provided remote guidance to the couple, teaching them how to massage Sprinkles' hindquarters. Even though in the absence of in-person professional assistance, the couple actively adopted a hands-on approach, implementing a daily physical therapy for their dog.
The origin of Sprinkles' broken back remained unclear, with the DSPCA hinting at a possible road accident. Despite initial indications from the DSPCA that she might never walk again and could only stay in the garden, the couple still tried their best to encourage Sprinkle’s mobility.
“We were gradually building up her muscles in a way. We choose good food with a variety of protein as well. I can understand why DSPCA invested time in rehabilitating her because she is a really strong dog.”
Recognizing Sprinkles' resilience, they progressively introduced various activities, transitioning from a confined garden to engaging in 20-minute walks. Seeking advice from a veterinarian, they carefully selected high-quality food, enhancing her protein intake to help strengthen her muscles. After their dedicated care for Sprinkles, they observed surprising improvements in her mobility.
When I show videos of Sprinkles jumping really high and chasing water in our backyard to the DSPCA staff who rehabilitated her before, they can't believe it's the same dog.“
Over the past four years, Holly and Niall have wholeheartedly cared for Sprinkles, fostering mutual growth and learning, particularly in the realm of patience, enriching all their lives and emotional connection.
The couple acknowledges that even with a healthy dog, adoption comes with its challenges. Patience is crucial, and establishing a strong connection with the furry friend takes time and understanding. When adopting, some animals may carry emotional scars from their past, requiring a patient and supportive environment to heal and adapt to their new home.
Given Sprinkles’ fear and reactivity of dogs, they sought guidance from at least three dog trainers, helping the couple to learn and guide Sprinkles with other dogs. Throughout the trainings, the couple’s patience had been challenged every now and then, but with the power of persistency, they are now proud to say that Sprinkles no longer fear dogs, but now has the problem of getting overly excited with dogs!
Training and learning are ongoing processes for Holly and Niall, but they are confident that they will get there one day!
A Chance for Stray Dogs to Find a Home
Reflecting on the substantial effort required in caring for Sprinkles, Holly and Niall firmly believe that choosing to adopt was the right decision. They actively encourage others who are contemplating adding a furry family member to opt for adoption over purchasing. Especially for the new dog owner, senior dogs are a great fit and deserve love just as much.
“Senior dogs are calmer. They don't require a lot of exercise as much as puppies. There is a lot of misconception that people don't know there are actually a lot of different dogs out there suitable for them. There's so many dogs that need a home and you're supporting a charity”
Holly and Niall also emphasize the importance of psychological readiness and encourage open communication and shared responsibilities among couples or individuals. Bringing a dog into your family will change your daily routine, so it's wiser to evaluate your time, ability, and economic situation before getting a dog, and to maintain an open mind for continuous learning.
Patience to everyone involved, patience to your partner, patience to the dog. I feel it's really important to communicate, even with whoever they share the house with, to communicate their expectation of what is our lifestyle like, what is our work schedule like, and etc.”
Effective communication is necessary, not only within the adopting family but also with the animal shelter. Furnishing detailed information about the household, encompassing living arrangements, ensures a smoother transition for both the adopters and the dog.
Most importantly, they hope prospective dog owners, whether choosing adoption or not, can let go of biases and the pursuit of a perfect canine companion. Believe it or not, not all humans are perfect, and the same goes for our pets! So, why can't we embrace the imperfections of our pets and love them for who they are?
Sprinkle is now also approaching the senior dog stage, and due to previous injuries, she may face hip dysplasia earlier than typical German Shepherds. As she ages, there's a possibility of recurrence of paralysis, and the couple is preparing in advance. They provide nutritional supplements to support Sprinkles' joints and are considering relevant medical treatments. Regardless of the future developments, they have committed to caring for Sprinkles with utmost dedication as she gracefully ages.
Holly and Niall’s journey with Sprinkles serves as a testament to the transformative power of pet guardianship, advocating for adoption. They underscore that each dog, regardless of age or background, is a distinctive individual deserving of boundless love and a forever home.
