Boy and dog reunited!

A story from the Wet Nose Organisation of South Africa

"Josh" was a two year old Golden Labrador that was depending on us to get him back to his beloved family that is now in New Zealand. This family and their 13 year old son witnessed all their animals been slaughtered on their farm and the only one they managed to save was "Josh". Wet Nose was contacted for help and we immediately got "Josh" to safety and flew him into South Africa via British Airways. "Josh' family arrived in South Africa in December to come a visit "Josh" at Wet Nose before they had to depart to New Zealand to their new home where they are hoping to find their feet again and hoping to start a new life with very little. Family put monies together to get them home to New Zealand but there was no funds available to pay for "Josh" 

When Josh and Graeme saw one another again, laughter and tailwags filled the kennels and ball games were in full swing. But then the time came for Graeme and his family so say goodbye to "Josh' as they had to depart. As the car door closed "Josh' stood beside us and barked saying his farewell to his beloved owner. We will always wonder what went through his mind at that stage and so extra love and attention was bestowed on him to help ease whatever pain he may have been feeling at that stage. 

A day later we placed "Josh' into quarantine kennels in Pretoria where he started his long journey to get home to Graeme in New Zealand.

My name is Graeme Simmonds. I am 13 years old and I used to live on a farm in Zimbabwe. My best friend is my Labrador dog, his name is Josh. This is our story.

 I chose Josh when he was 5 days old and right form the beginning, i knew he was going to be special. He was the best Christmas present I have ever had. We did everything together. I hated going back to boarding school on a Monday morning, but every Friday he was waiting for me and we always had busy weekends. 

My brother and I loved to camp in the bush, before the times got bad, of course, and Josh was there. He loves swimming and he would always jump in after me, grab my arm and swim to the shallow end. I am a good swimmer, but I think he thought I was drowning and wanted to pull me to safety. We have done so many things together, it would take too long to share all our experiences.

Our world was turned upside down in April 2002, when our farm was invaded by "warvets". They threatened to kill us, to trash our house and kill our dogs. I will never forget the chaos and the confusion, the noise, the shouting, always the shouting. They would never go away and then lots more of them came and smashed the lock to our gate and poured into the garden shouting, waiving sticks and pieces of brake cable. All our dogs went crazy, growling and barking. Somehow we managed to get them into the house and barricade ourselves in, for they surely would smashed the dogs' heads in. 

The cats had all scattered and we prayed and prayed that they would be all right. It was terrifying, I thought we were all going to die that day. the whole situation was so out of control. The farm radios were going crazy and all my dad's farming friends were on standby, waiting for the signal to come to our rescue, and still the POLICE DID NOT COME. Our two maids locked themselves in my bedroom and hid under the beds, they knew that if they were found, they would be beaten up dead.

The shouting and demands never stopped and then they broke into our house and there was nothing we could do. The main guy had a pistol under his arm and a big knife strapped to his waist and he kept shouting at my Dad and spitting on him. My Mum was crying and crying. I had put a leash on Josh and kept him at my side. My brother and I had to be strong and I knew then, that I had lost more than my childhood. We lost our home; we lost our livelihood.

The horses on the farm were shot. All our animals were taken away from us, except Josh and Milo, my brother's chocolate Labrador. He has since been put to sleep due to injuries. We could not save him and he was buried in the beautiful garden to rest in peace.

Our lives have been in turmoil ever since and we are now going to live in New Zealand, where we can live a safe and normal life. We have said goodbye to our families and friends. My one granny is very frail, I don't think I will ever see her again. I asked my Mum to move Heaven and earth to help me get Josh relocated to new Zealand. I did not want him to go to another family, or to be put to sleep. Our prayers have been answered as he is in kennels in Pretoria thanks to Wet Nose assistance and I would like to personally thank all those who have worked so hard to try and keep me and Josh together.

The nightmares are fading, but I will never forget the horror and the sadness, but we have to look towards a bright new future and hope and pray that Josh will be able to come back home to me.
Thank you for caring.

Graeme and Josh Simmonds.

Wetnose managed to raise the monies, R 8500 for his 90-day quarantine in SA and R13 500 for his 120-day quarantine in New Zeeland excluding flight costs that was sponsored.

On the 13 July 2003 at 5am in the morning we received the long awaited call all the way from New Zealand. Josh had just landed and Graeme was absolutely ecstatic. Many friends had gathered at the airport in New Zealand to welcome this special dog home after his long journey to eventually be with Graeme. We were asked to hold on and put onto a speaker system for us to hear the joys of the reuniting. Words could never express this moment, with many tears and a huge lump in our throat. It was great to hear Josh barking for joy and Graeme shouting out: - “Thank you South Africa, my life is whole again."

What a day it was! Graeme has sent us his first email to share with you now that they are together again, we hope you enjoy it and feel proud of yourselves for having been part of this wonderful never-ending story, a story of hope and love:

“Dearest Wet Nose and all of South Africa.

Josh is wonderfully well, and settling in to his new life as though he was never apart from us, He won't let us out of his sight though. We have gone on some great walks, and he had his first swim in the sea yesterday. He got bowled over by a wave, but that didn’t stop him from going in again and again. He just loves the newfound freedom. He sends a wet kiss to you all.
God bless
All our love Rachel, Patrick, Patch, Graeme and Josh.”

Editors comment:

Isn't it amazing how God can touch people's hearts and give them compassion for pets and their owners? God can move a dog from one end of the earth to another. Faith moves mountains!

 

top of page     List of stories