Durban - There were emotional scenes at the Kloof and Highway SPCA when a truck driver was reunited with his beloved dog after he suffered a heart attack and the two became separated.
Andre Enslin and his cross-terrier, “Seuntjie”, had travelled across the country together when the trucker suffered a heart attack in his vehicle at a truck stop in Westmead, Pinetown.
Enslin was rushed to hospital by paramedics, leaving his dog Seuntjie behind in the cab of his truck.
A passer-by, Jacques van Zyl, stopped to help.
Seuntjie was scared and cowering in the cab, hiding from the strangers who were trying to coax him out.
Lisa Gadd, spokeswoman for the SPCA, said Van Zyl got into the cab, closed the door, and sat for what must have seemed like ages trying to befriend the bewildered dog.
“He was able to touch the quivering dog, pick him up and bring him to us. He also informed Enslin of his intentions. The dog would not walk on a lead and was carried to reception. The shaking dog wet himself when he was placed on the floor – scared, frightened and overwhelmed by everything,” she said.
The dog was put in a kennel with a bed, warm blanket, food, water and some treats to help make him as comfortable as possible.
Gadd said a week had gone by when Van Zyl brought a recovering Enslin to the SPCA last Tuesday.
“When the kennel assistant, Siya, walked through the gate with the dog in his arms, Andre cried out ‘Seuntjie’ and the dog sprung out of Siya’s arms… and bolted for his beloved owner,” Gadd said.
Staff shed tears of joy as man and dog were reunited.
Gadd said they seldom witnessed endings quite as happy as this tale.
Enslin could not be reached for comment.
Daily News
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