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Braveheart bonding with Wynand
On a cold winters morning in July of 2008, Wet Nose Animal Rescue Centre’s Inspector, Wynand le Roux, was busy with outreach work in Mamelodi, a township just east of Pretoria. He and a Kennel Staff Member called Picanne were finally on their way back to the shelter after a gruelling day of working with Mamelodi’s numerous pets, and teaching their owners how to take proper care of them.
They drove passed a filthy scrap yard and noticed a lot of dogs. Wynand’s decision to stop and take a look, changed the course of one very brave dog’s life forever. Lying under a rusted old trailer, they noticed a much traumatised looking dog. As Wynand and Picanne approached, the dog lifted his head and was about to run away. What they saw stopped them in their tracks, as they tried to comprehend what had happened to this poor boy!
They stared at him with horror as they realised that a “human” had taken a knife or a pair of scissors and had cut his ears off, and had thrown what they assumed to be boiling cooking oil all over him, probably in an attempt to get him off their property. He had raw burned patches all over his body and the wounds on his ears were full of scabs. This dog had been through unspeakable pain at the hands of a human with no compassion or conscience.
They fetched some dog food from their bakkie and gently tried to coax him closer. This was an animal that had absolutely no reason to ever trust a human again. His fear was obvious, but his hunger was strong! Little by little, he came closer as food was put down for him. After about 30 minutes he started to realise that these humans were different. Their patience had paid off and they eventually managed to get a lead around his neck. Wynand and Picanne slowly gained the dogs confidence and showed him that they were not there to hurt him.
Although not completely convinced, the dog allowed Wynand and Picanne to put him into the vehicle. He was brought into Wet Nose, where his long walk to trusting again, began. His rehabilitation would take months of physical healing as well as emotional healing. He was named Braveheart, which was so appropriate for this dog, as he was brave enough to trust that Wynand and Picanne were there to help him; even after the way he had been treated by humans.
Healing his wounds involved special creams on the burns and later oils all over his body to smooth and moisten the skin, in the hope that his hair may grow back one day and cover the unsightly scars. His physical healing however, proved to be the easy part of the rehabilitation process.
Getting Braveheart to trust again was a slow and difficult process…. But who could blame him? Wynand soon became his best friend and the only person he trusted for quite some time. He was miserable in the beginning and just lay in his kennel. He would not even look up if anyone besides Wynand went to talk to him.
As time went by, Braveheart slowly started to let more people into his “Circle of Trust”. He realised that he was being given a second chance in life and decided to make lots of friends. The Wet Nose staff refused to give up on him and he thought it best not to give up on himself either. His tail started to wag, his eyes started to shine, and his awesome personality started to emerge. Braveheart started to love!
Today Braveheart is a bright shining star who gets to go out on very important missions. His purpose in life has become education. He goes to schools and to events and teaches people about animal abuse and what to do if they come across animal abuse. He is an ambassador of note and a fine example to us humans. Who other than a dog, could go through such horrific experiences and bounce back (without a chip on his shoulder), to become a wonderful, friendly ambassador who helps fight abuse?
BRAVEHEART, YOU HAVE TAUGHT US SO MUCH, YOU ARE OUR HERO!
Braveheart – fully rehabilitated and FULL of life!
Posted in 
All,
Wet Nose has done truely amazing work with this boy (as you do with all the dogs in your care). I met him, and what a wonderful dog – brought tears to my eyes.
I wish him many happy days ahead!
Kindly
This story brought tears to my eyes – You GO Braveheart !!!
You are amazing, thank you so much for what you have done for this little brave soul, wow Wet Nose you are great.I cried tears of sadness and joy for this beautiful pup, what agony he must have gone through, how scared, sore and alone he must have felt until Wynand and Picanne rescued him. Thank you once again for what you do for the animals
I cannot imagine the what kind of person would inflict such cruelty on this special animal. Can they even be called a person. Thank God for precious people like Wynand and Picanne, who can only be classified as angels.
Wet Nose – you truly all are angels in disguse – sent with a specific mission. I sit at my computer this very moment with overwhelmed sadness but also great joy when reading about Braveheart. May special blessings be upon all of you, as you care so unselfishly for all these precious, precious animals. Our Maker says clearly in His Word, that He cares for animals and people ALIKE !! Be assured of your reward one day !
Blessings, Bev Flemix
For anyone with a heart, this is a story that is so hard to read. Animals are such blessings to humans and dogs especially love unconditionally, no matter what. It is our responsibility to earn that trust and love that they so freely give. All that they ask in return is love and a good home. Bless you Wetnose for everything that you have done for the community and for the precious angels that you save each day. Brave Heart, you are an inspiration to me and my family. May you live a long and Happy Life!
Dominique
What agony Braveheart went through but thanks to Wet Nose was saved from an agonising death. Not much to say about some of the human race!
Thank you for all the work you do to save and protect our animals who have no voice.
What a beautiful boy Braveheart is now – bless you and keep up the good work.
EK KAN MY NIE IN DINK DEUR WATER PYN HIERDIE PAGTIGE DIER MOES DEUR GAAN NIE.
DIE EMOSIES WAT DEUR MY GAAN IS VAN WOEDE NA DIE HARTSEER. DANKIE DAT JULLE NIE OPGEE NIE MAAR DAT JULLE SO ‘N WONDERLIKE WERK DOEN.
DIE STORIE HET MY OOK LAAT BESEF DAT HIERDIE DIERE GEBRUIK KAN WORD OM KINDERS EN MENSE KAN HELP WAT DEUR TRAMA GEGAAN.
AS JULLE ENIGE HELP NODIG HET LAAT ONS NET WEET. MY MAN IS ‘N PROKUREUR EN HY SAL JULLE SAKE VERNIET VIR JULLE DOEN.
AS ‘N GESIN HE ONS 21/2 JAAR GELEDE DANIE BY JULLE GEKRY EN HY BRING VIR MY NET VREUGDE.
You go Braveheart!
This story brought tears to my eyes…. Thank you to all the people involved who help to take care of these animals who have needed it! Braveheart , you are the voice that speaks for all the others out there! Thank you!
This is absolutely the most heart broken story of my life!! I just CAN’T believe that someone could do such horrified things to a animal!
Braveheart, you are an eye opener and such an inspiration!!!
[...] Braveheart | Wet Nose Animal Rescue Centre [...]
All I can say is God is Watching, He never sleeps, this is His creation. God bless all people throughout the globe making ‘n difference in animals in distress’s lifes. Bless you all!!
Dear loveable dog friend, you have earned your name….Salute to Wynand et al at Wetnose.
Know Braveheart that you touch every human soul wherever you go.
Regards…and my heart full of love 4 you.
Dr Elfrede