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A miserable mutt called Teddy has become a global internet sensation after animal lovers opened their hearts and their wallets to help him get back on his feet.
A Facebook page has been set up in his honour and last weekend a fund-raising party was held so that supporters could express their love and support for him.
Teddy, a husky puppy, is currently being cared for by Britta Tappendorf, the owner of the Saluki Shelter Bahrain in Janabiyah. She said: “It’s a miracle he’s still alive but his ordeal has united the global community of dog lovers.”
Teddy’s tale is an extraordinary one.
On February 12, Ammar Abdul Rasool Rajab, 29, from Bani Jamrah, an IT employee at the Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait (BBK), found a group of children chasing the young husky with sticks outside his home.
The canine was suffering from severe malnutrition, was dirty, smelly and terrified. The skinny dog was covered in cuts, had damaged skin and could barely crawl due to an abnormality.
Instead of turning a blind eye, Ammar courageously made a stand. He said: “I quickly shooed them away and took him home. When I first saw Teddy I thought he didn’t have any chance of surviving because his back looked as though it was broken. He didn’t bark and even my two-year-old son Nooh comforted him. I knew that I couldn’t let this dog die.”
His friend Ahmed Yousif Al Sharaf, 32, owner of Tails natural pet food company, was contacted for advice. Ahmed, from Jurdab, said: “Ammar constantly rings me up asking if I know anyone looking for a puppy or a dog that he has found. He has been rescuing dogs for as long as I can remember. He is just a great guy.
“When he called me about Teddy I thought OK, another dog. Then I saw him and it was obvious that Teddy would need a lot of attention and I thought Britta had the patience and facilities for that.”
At first sight, Mrs Tappendorf, 41, along with her businessman husband, Boris Uhlig, 46, were apprehensive. She admitted: “We didn’t expect he would be in such a state and were worried he might transmit diseases to our 14 Salukis.
“He was covered in puss, blood and had such a bad odour that you could hardly stand to be around him.”
The couple took him to renowned Bahrain vet Dr Nonie Couts for help and the animal was found to be crawling with puppy mites under the skin.
At first Teddy could not have an x-ray on his lower body as he could not stretch out his back legs. Often the best thing to do in such circumstances is to put the animal to sleep.
Mrs Tappendorf said: “We decided to try again in a week’s time and fortunately he gained weight and his condition improved. We gave him a tranquiliser, crossed our fingers and hoped for the best.
“We were afraid there was something wrong with his hip or spine. But we discovered he had dislocated his knees. As a result all the muscles and ligaments were too short which prevented him from straightening his legs.”
It was decided that as soon as his skin heals, Teddy will undergo two operations to put the joints and knee caps back in their correct positions alongside an operation to stretch the ligaments.
A Facebook page entitled ‘Husky Teddy wants to survive Bahrain’ was created to share Teddy’s story and raise awareness of animal abuse in the kingdom.
Mrs Tappendorf said: “We just didn’t know how popular Teddy would become. We posted his picture on the Lost Pets Project page and so many people commented on him that we decided to create his own page to show people that these animals have souls.
“Teddy is a huge online personality now. People send messages asking about him on a daily basis. We never asked for any donations but people offered and we have now received requests from all over the world asking how they can help.
“We said if you insist then head over to the vet and make a donation. One time we went to the vet and someone had already paid his bill. That was sweet. People have also donated money for his future treatment.”
Teddy’s story has gone viral with more than 1,270 people already following his progress on Facebook and receiving 1,212 likes. A rescue organisation started a fundraising link on his page and within 16 days raised more than BD1,000.
He is now almost ready for his first operation as his skin is improving and there are no more open wounds.
The surgery has been scheduled for early this month. In the meantime. he has started to swim to strengthen his legs and is rolling around in his K9 cart sent from the US. It used to belong to a dog in Washington that died of cancer last year. The family is also requesting a suitable cot or bed if anyone can spare one.
Overwhelmed by the positive response to Teddy’s plight, Mrs Tappendorf added: “After he heals, we have decided to send Teddy to a country with a better climate for a husky. We will be there for him until his surgeries are done and he doesn’t need us anymore. We do love him and that’s why we will let him go. We want the very best for him.
“Please keep your eyes open as there are many other Teddies around in urgent need of help. Please don’t ignore them! You can make a big difference.”
For information on upcoming fundraising and awareness events follow Teddy’s Facebook page – Husky Teddy wants to survive Bahrain.
