How a young purebred husky came to be wandering lost and injured in the Catlins remains a mystery, but the kindness of strangers has seen the dog saved from death.
Nala, now minus one leg after a life-saving operation, is recuperating in Invercargill and awaiting a new home. She turned up at a farmhouse ''in the middle of nowhere'' south of Owaka two weeks ago, Clutha District Council dog ranger Karenne Walker said.
''When I went there the same day I was expecting a farm dog, but here was this beautiful husky - lovely natured and friendly, although injured and very thin.''
Miss Walker, who deals with about 100 lost dogs annually, said Nala's gentle and trusting nature ''touched her heart''. She took her to Peter Heslip at Clutha Vets, who said Nala had an infection in a leg bone and the only options were to amputate the injured leg or put her down. The vet agreed to discount his bill and council staff raised $300 in a whip-around. Another $100 was donated by a Balclutha business owner.
Miss Walker was referred to Jo and Karl Thomas, of Wallacetown, near Invercargill, who run a dog-care business and own seven huskies. The Thomases agreed to help Nala, contributing to her surgery and after-care costs, rallying support from Invercargill K9 Cribs owner Kim Findlay, who offered to board Nala free until she could be found a new home.
