SYDNEY — It’s not known how many walks in the sunshine a special dog has left but a search is on to ensure each one of them will be filled with love.
Cesar, a 17-year old Cane Corso mix, is in palliative care at the Cape Breton SPCA and in need of a loving home to spend his final days.
“We’ve had quite a hard time getting him in a home for his final months, days, weeks … who knows how long he has left. We don’t really know,” said Ryan Toomey, a community engagement co-ordinator for the Cape Breton shelter.
“But we’d really like to see him get into a home for his final days instead of living at the shelter."
Cesar was surrendered to the SPCA late last year. The previous owner was having medical difficulties and couldn’t care for him anymore.
“She did the right thing and brought him to us and entrusted in us to find him a new home,” Toomey said.
He said most times when people surrender an animal they are making the best decision for that animal.
“They could do anything from abandoning that animal or having it put down but it’s good people are actually bringing the animals to us now."
Through the SPCA palliative care program an animal is placed in a foster home but the SPCA retains ownership and covers any medical expenses.
Cesar has some notable requirements that include a home with no kids, dogs or cats and he can’t walk up or down stairs due to his arthritis.
Toomey said Cesar is a wonderful dog, grateful to be around anybody.
“He is my office buddy and sleeps next to me all day while I work,” he said.
Cesar loves affection, enjoys short walks and is food motivated with a love for a good treat.
“A lot of the staff like to lay with him, just give him some one-on-one attention and he really appreciates that.”
The shelter is open every day except for Mondays. Anyone interested in meeting Cesar can contact the shelter at 902-539-7722, Ext. 2.
“We’ll have a little conversation about their home and their lifestyle to see if Cesar’s lifestyle would be a good fit,” Toomey said.
If a good fit is determined, the person will be given an appointment to go in to meet Cesar.
It would be nice if someone retired adopted him or even someone who works from home that would be with him all of the time.“ — Shauna Madden of Shauna Madden Photography
The elderly canine is starting to get massive attention on social media because of photographs Shauna Madden of Shauna Madden Photography in New Waterford has taken of Cesar and posted on Facebook.
UPDATE!! Cesar's story has been picked up by a wonderful journalist from the CB Post and will be sharing his story, so...
Posted by Shauna Madden Photography on Monday, 22 February 2021
Madden, a volunteer at the SPCA for about eight months now, has completed several projects through her photography to help the shelter including raising funds and spreading the word on animals needing homes.
“She has been fabulous,” Toomey said. “The pictures of Cesar capture his personality perfectly."
Madden said she loves dogs.
“I like the idea of volunteering when you can and this is my way I want to volunteer, helping animals,” she said.
Recently, Madden said she contacted the SPCA to see if she could help with any animals up for adoption and they told her about Cesar's situation.
Although the SPCA features animals on the Nova Scotia SPCA website, due to the pandemic they are not posting on Facebook right now.
“I thought I could get a good picture and post it on my Facebook,” she said.
That proved to be a great idea. As of Friday afternoon there were 2,800 shares and the post had reached about 275,000 people.
“Yes I was surprised,” she said. “I thought it would get shared but not 2,800 shares!”
Madden also enjoyed her photography shoot with Cesar.
“I went in there and he was laying on the floor like he owned the place," she said. “They let him roam around there. That’s really nice. He’s with everybody, getting lots of attention.”
Madden said Cesar’s a sweet dog. If you call him he’ll come over and snuggle up to you, wanting you to pet him.
She's anxious to see him get a loving home.
“It would be nice if someone retired adopted him or even someone who works from home that would be with him all of the time.“
