reader’s story
The Story of Jim By Kate Fitz and Celeste de Vis Photo Credit: Kate Fitz
It’s time I shared with you the story of our boy Jim. Jim was owned by a family member, a man with severe diabetes and heart disease. This man lived for Jim; loved his dog with all his heart.
assured Jim would be looked after. The doctors called the RSPCA and the inspector promised him that he would be well cared for. At this point, the hospital stay would only be short-term.
“He pleaded with the inspector to bring Jim to visit him and she did. Jim visited his dad in hospital and again in palliative care.”
He also suffered dementia, which meant that he thought he was doing the right thing giving Jim lots of treats and yet, he was over feeding him - a lot. Killing him with kindness, one could say.
That’s not what happened though; sadly he lost a foot, and then the other, both from diabetes. He would now be in a wheelchair. A fiercely independent man and living in the bush, he would not be able to live the life he had loved. He pleaded with the inspector to bring Jim to visit him and she did. Jim visited his dad in hospital and again in palliative care.
As soon as I saw Jim, he ran to me knowingly. He knew I was there for him, and I knew he was coming home with me. Jim is the happiest, loveliest soul and he has lost a whopping 27kg! He has hips and a waist!
“He refused to get into the ambulance until he was assured Jim would be looked after.” Jim was 56kg at his heaviest, he couldn’t stand to eat his food and had sores on his body where he would chafe from his size. Jim’s dad went for a routine check up and didn’t realise how sick he was. He was very, very unwell and was immediately sent to hospital. His dementia had played a huge part in this and it breaks my heart to know he was so unwell and alone. He refused to get into the ambulance until he was
Jim has the most amazing soul I’ve ever known in an animal. Jim’s dad passed away and Jim remained at the RSPCA on his diet for six months in total. After hearing of this man’s passing, I knew my duty was to find his dog. I searched high and low across Tasmania until finally I found ‘Big Jim.’ I called Michelle (my supportive partner) and told her I was on my way to meet Jim and her response was, “We do whatever we need to do baby.”
Christmas Day gave us the greatest gift as Jim swam for the first time. He is getting so much stronger! He stands to eat and runs to the gate. Jim, we weren’t looking for another dog but we’ve definitely gained another family member. P.S. He is now known as ‘Slim Jim’. Do you have a story to share? Contributions to this column are made freely and can be edited as required to meet Supernal’s editorial standards. Any images supplied must be credited.
Email: editor@ supernalmagazineaustralia. com.au
Supernal Magazine
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