An ex-Surrey police dog who once saved lives, is recovering after emergency surgery. Fiji, 12, spent six years working with the Surrey and Sussex Joint Dog Unit and only survived due to charity donations.
Fiji joined the police at just four-months-old. She’d been rescued when her owner had committed suicide and was paired with Claire, who’d recently returned from maternity leave.
Over her career she saved lives. Claire explained: “An emergency call came in for a high-risk missing person and there were concerns he may have been suicidal. Within just a few hours, thanks to Fiji’s amazing nose and her training, we located him. He was unconscious but alive; and Fiji had saved his life. She’s a true hero.”
While she received a commendation for her work that night her career ended early when she pulled the ligaments in her leg jumping for a toy. She retired to live with Claire and her family.
However, recently her life was put in jeopardy after a sudden illness. Claire said: “I was chilling on the sofa with Fiji after working a night shift and I’d given the dogs a bit of leftover roast lamb and Fiji was being sick in the garden.
“I went to check on her and I noticed her stomach was getting bigger and rushed her to the vet. I was panic-stricken and rushed down in my pyjamas and a coat!”
Fiji has life saving surgery
(Image: The Thin Blue Paw Foundation)
On Monday (January, 6) Fiji was x-rayed and rushed straight into surgery while Claire waited nervously for news. She said: “Vets said if I didn’t hear from them then it would be good news so when they rang me half an hour into the surgery to say she’d need her spleen removed too I was terrified, but thankfully she pulled through.”
In order to cover the expensive emergency surgery Claire turned to the Thin Blue Paw Foundation to help pay the bills.
The Charities chairman Kieran Stanbridge said: “Fiji has needed almost £10,000 in support over the years, for emergency surgery and for regular medication to help with an ongoing condition and ensure she has the best quality of life in her retirement.
Fiji is now recovering at home
(Image: The Thin Blue Paw Foundation)
“This is why we founded the charity; to be there for these heroic dogs in their hours of need. I’m proud that we’ve been able to be there and play a part in saving Fiji’s life so she can continue to enjoy her retirement with her loving family.”
Claire added: “I’ve kept all of my working dogs when they retire and, as any dog owner knows, taking care of them is expensive. But I couldn’t turn my back on them after everything they’ve given.
“I’m so incredibly thankful to the Thin Blue Paw Foundation – and everyone who donates to them – for helping to save Fiji’s life, and for helping me make her happy during her retirement.
“I feel so lucky that we were paired together, especially as she was rescued and went on to become such a brilliant police dog. She really does deserve a great retirement after all she’s been through and everything she’s done.”
You can learn more about the Thin Blue Paw Foundation here.