KentOnline

bannermobile

News

Sport

Business

What's On

Advertise

Contact

Other KM sites

CORONAVIRUS WATCH KMTV LIVE SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTERS LISTEN TO OUR PODCASTS LISTEN TO KMFM
SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE
News

Offers to home Deal rescue dog Wanda flock in after TV debut on ITV's This Morning

By: Eleanor Perkins

Published: 00:00, 06 July 2016

Updated: 10:55, 06 July 2016

A rescue centre in Deal has been inundated with offers to home one of its dogs since she appeared on ITV’s This Morning.

Wanda, a five-month-old cocker spaniel, had a wobbly start to life when she was handed in to Eileen Mellis and Kerri Eilertsen-Feeney of Cinque Ports Rescue in Meryl Gardens.

With birth defects her forelegs were twisted 180 degrees and she could only shuffle about on her elbows.

Scroll down for video

Wanda's forelegs were twisted 180 degrees

Mrs Mellis said: “This is a rare condition and ideally should have been fixed much sooner, but she was already 15-weeks-old when she was handed in to us.

mpu1

“We were advised it may be best to have her put to sleep, but she had such spirit. If she was willing, then so were we.

“Wanda had her first operation within a few days of arriving with a specialist orthopaedic vet in north Kent.

VIDEO: Wonky Wanda wanders round the garden

Presenter Holly Willoughby cuddles up to Wanda

“Pins were strategically placed to rotate her ulnas but there was no guarantee it would work.

“They were removed last week and the operation has been a success, so Wanda has been learning how to walk all over again.”

Eileen Mellis and Kerri Eilertsen-Feeney from Cinque Ports Rescue with Wanda on the train up to London before her first appearance on ITV's This Morning
Eileen Mellis, Kerri Eilertsen and Wanda on the famous sofa with Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby

Shortly after announcing on their website page about the triumph they were contacted by the ITV This Morning team.

An excited Mrs Mellis and Mrs Eilertsen-Feeney jumped at the chance to appear on the popular show.

They featured last Wednesday, where they chatted to presenters Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby about the puppy’s journey.

Wanda in make up before her TV debut
After her first operation Wanda's legs started to twist again

Mrs Mellis said: “We think they were fed up with politicians and wanted a feelgood story.

“We had a marvellous day, and everyone adored Wanda, who was very well behaved.

mpu2

“Since she was featured on the program we have received emails from all over the country wishing her well and offering homes!”

Cinque Ports Rescue is the same rescue that worked with Boris - a severely neglected Saint Bernard dog who needed to have his ears amputated.

Boris was forced to have his ears amputated but can still hear

Years of fighting for food in a garden with other dogs had left Boris with ears each weighing 400g – the same as a tin of beans.

He has now been happily rehomed with Louise Herrick and her family in Culcheth, Warrington.

Visit Cinque Ports Rescue on Facebook for more information.

More by this author

sticky

© KM Group - 2024