Pet’s corner

Using up his nine lives

Chow has used many of his lives already – and he’s only two and a bit years old in human years!

Chow now lives in Freshwater Place with his owner Paula, but the story of how he got here is an amazing one.

Originally he lived as an outdoor stray in Melbourne, being fed by some kind strangers from time to time.  He was surrendered to Lort Smith Animal Hospital for medical treatment after he was seriously injured in a car accident.

Paula met Chow when she was asked to foster him following a tail amputation at Lort Smith.  She noticed a strange limp, poor gait and a real weakness in his hind leg and so she recommended he was x-rayed at the hospital.

He was found to have a fractured pelvis and a dislocated hip and he needed full hip surgery.  He came through his second operation in three months like the soldier that he is and Paula was asked to foster him once again to rehabilitate him and complete a physio program with him.  This involved mainly walking him on his back legs whilst holding him under his armpits (like you used to do with your dog when you were a child!).

After his accident, it was recommended that he not be allowed to climb trees and has to maintain a healthy weight in order to keep his hip strong.  That’s when Paula thought he’d love the idea of a high-rise apartment with a view!  So she adopted him. 

Paula says she’s never looked back, and neither has Chow – he is well-adjusted, on a great diet thanks to Lort Smith and has his own spot at the window with a full view of the city.

Paula takes him away on weekends and Chow enjoys traveling in the car. She said if you spot them in Southbank – do come and say hello.