A little more than a month ago, the news team at Estevan Mercury Publications received a few phone calls from local residents, who wanted us to know that a seven-year-old chocolate Labrador retriever somehow managed to survive despite being trapped at the bottom of a three-metre well for 27 days.
It seemed incredible. And it didn’t take a genius to realize that this story was going to receive a lot of attention. After all, you occasionally hear stories about animals who were lost, or ran away, only to be reunited with their families weeks or even months or years later.
So a dog who survives for 27 days in a well is a pretty big deal. Nobody could have imagined though, that the story would attract national and international attention, thrust a humble rural family into the spotlight, and give people reason to talk about Estevan for a reason that they haven’t in the past.
Bruno the Miracle Dog truly is special.
The care he received was outstanding. The Prairie Animal Health Centre in Estevan and Weyburn was there in the beginning, doing their best to ensure Bruno’s story had a happy ending.
And when he needed to be transported to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) a few days after his rescue, he received round-the-clock care from veterinarians and the students, as they had to find a way to deal with “refeeding syndrome,” a health problem seen in humans and, to a lesser extent, in cats, but is very rare in dogs.
They found a solution for Bruno’s refeeding syndrome, and they managed to treat his damaged paws without subjecting Bruno to surgery, which would have been difficult due to his weakened state.
Bruno is home now, and readjusting to life on the Billesberger farm. His homecoming created relief and excitement not only for his owners, but for all the people who offered their support for the family.
After all, there was an entire community behind the Billesberger family and their miraculous pooch.
A Facebook page, Bruno’s Road to Recovery, documented Bruno’s rehabilitation in Saskatoon and his return home. It also celebrated the many people and businesses who have made donations to Bruno during his recovery.
After all, even though he’s home, he still has a long way to go in the healing process.
Some might question why Bruno has received so much attention. After all, they say, how many times can news outlets talk about one dog?
But a story like this is truly incredible. It’s so rare when you have this kind of a survival story, regardless of whether it’s human, canine or any other animal.
We’re grateful to Bruno for bringing out the best in everyone, and for showing that Saskatchewan’s resiliency isn’t just limited to its people.
