Zymba shows the need for shelter

Zymba as she looked in 2004 suffering from severe malnutrition and anaemia. PHOTO/FILE

After an incredibly rocky start and a close encounter with death, Zymba went on to lead a good life full of love and adventure.

But that all ended this week when Elizabeth Andrew, owner of the lovable kelpie-labrador cross dog she saved 11 years ago, had to accept his health had deteriorated to the stage it was kinder to have him put down.

Zymba restored to good health. PHOTO/FILE

The heart-wrenching decision was made because Zymba had, in his old age, developed a heart problem, had "waterworks" problems and suffered from a disintegrating spine meaning he could no longer walk properly.

Mrs Andrew spoke out about Zymba this week because his story epitomises the need for a fully functional SPCA animal shelter in Wairarapa.

"Without the SPCA all those years back Zymba wouldn't have lived," she said.

Back in 2004, Zymba -- then known as Simba but whose name was changed by Mrs Andrew -- wound up as a refugee at the SPCA shelter in Masterton.

He was in a pitiful state, wretchedly skinny and in such poor condition the decision was made to put him down.

It was only when the little dog wagged his tail that a last ditch effort was made to save him and SPCA embarked on the precarious journey of keeping him alive, feeding him a diet that included peanut butter sandwiches and scrambled eggs with lashings of butter.

His plight was revealed in the Times-Age and that's when Mrs Andrew became interested.

She phoned the SPCA "every second day" to see how he was doing and when finally meeting up with him "he put his head on my knee, it was love at first sight".

Once she got him home the two became inseparable and with tender loving care Zymba bounced back to become a picture of health.

The two went on long walks and Zymba visited hospitals and rest homes to share the joy of living with patients and residents.

Mrs Andrew said no longer having an SPCA shelter in Wairarapa was "a real shame".

"I am very angry about it to be honest," she said.