She’s the Pembrokeshire pup whose story has travelled the globe - but Ariel who was born with six legs, and is now recuperating following surgery, is taking fame all in her stride!
Greenacres Animal Rescue Centre admit that they have been ‘blown away’ regarding the attention that Ariel’s story has generated, after she captured the hearts of people from all over the county and across the world - after being born with multiple defects and returned to her foster home on the weekend, safe and sound, after a successful operation.
Beautiful Cocker Spaniel pup Ariel was found abandoned in a Pembroke Dock car park last year, after being born with six legs and various other anomalies.
Rescued and taken in by Greenacres Animal Rescue at Ebbs Acres Farm, Haverfordwest, fundraising was sought so that she could have the surgery required to remove the extra legs, which were fused to her spine, and also some corrective work to her pelvis as well.
Ariel was initially managed by her local vets, Fenton Vets and the SMART clinic before being referred to the ‘Small Animal Referral Hospital Langford Vets University of Bristol’ and in the expert hands of surgeons Aaron Lutchman and Ed Friend.
She had her surgery last week to remove her extra legs, and the procedure went very well, with Ariel taking it all in her stride, before returning to her foster home on Saturday (January 20).
Her additional limbs were removed, and thankfully having the CT images meant the surgeons did not discover anything unexpected, and although it wasn’t a regular amputation it was described as ‘uneventful’.
Giving an update on Facebook, Greenacres stated: “Our wonderful and special little spaniel has been discharged from Small Animal Referral Hospital Langford Vets University of Bristol and is back in the comforts of her wonderful foster home.
“The procedure went as well and to be expected and now she’s got a few weeks of recovery. The staff at Langford have been wonderful and we could not ask for better service.
“Ariel has to now rest for the next 10-14 days to recover and we will post updates over that time.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that has been part of Ariel’s story and journey, every message, donation and well wishes have been very much appreciated.
“The public’s generosity has known no bounds in this case, and by supporting our work it ensures that we can always be there for cases like Ariel.
“Since Ariel’s discharge - her story has again become the story on everyone’s lips, we’ve done various telephone and Zoom interviews and still have more planned as the week goes on. But Ariel, is quietly recovering in her foster home without a care in the world, and when we say quietly, more like restricted as she wants to go back to life as it was, running and playing with her canine friends but until healed she must take it easy.
“Her foster mum, June, has been very busy keep her mind occupied for this period of recuperation.
“We have been blown away regarding the attention that Ariels story has generated, we are very grateful to every person that shared her story and/or donated.
“We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone that’s followed and supported Ariel in anyway. Her story has travelled the globe, getting calls from Australia, China and the USA was just surreal and her foster mum is often stopped by her local fans - but we are extremely appreciative of everyone’s support and donations. She’s taking fame in her stride!” they added.
You can head to the Greenacres Facebook page to donate to the cause.
Ways to donate to Greenacres Rescue (please remember to Gift Aid if possible):
• Via this Facebook Fundraiser
• Via PayPal - paypal.com/gb/fundraiser/charity/129520
• Via Website - https://donorbox.org/pennies-for-lives
• Bank Transfer - Greenacres Rescue HSBC - A/C 01580299 Sort code 40-23-21
• Cheques can also be posted to Greenacres Rescue, Ebbs Acres Farm, Talbenny, Haverfordwest, SA62 3XA.