Nearly a month after he was found in a well at the Billesberger farm near Hitchcock, Bruno the miracle dog is coming home.
When Bruno was found at the bottom of the abandoned well, John and Cindy Billesberger were astounded that the seven-year-old chocolate Labrador retriever was still alive.
After 27 days trapped in a cold and wet three-metre hole, Bruno was found on Oct. 14, but his recovery would take even longer.
On Oct. 19, Bruno was admitted to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM)鈥檚 Veterinary Medical Centre (VMC) at the University of Saskatchewan. Now, after nearly 22 full days in the hospital, Bruno was ready to go home on Nov. 10.
鈥淲e鈥檙e so excited,鈥� said Cindy Billesberger, who brought Bruno to Saskatoon.
The family鈥檚 local veterinary clinic, Prairie Animal Health Centre, treated Bruno for a few days, but then referred the dog to the specialized medical centre after bloodwork showed his phosphorous levels were dangerously low.
Billesberger said her family is grateful for the care provided by veterinarians in Estevan, Weyburn and Saskatoon.
鈥淵ou鈥檝e got such a feeling of helplessness when you pull an animal out like that, and they鈥檙e suffering and there鈥檚 nothing you can do. There was no way we could take care of him,鈥� she said.
鈥淜nowing there is somebody there that can take over 鈥� [who has] the knowledge and expertise and the strength. It鈥檚 the strength of character that it takes to see an animal in that kind of shape and put that aside and do what needs to be done. That鈥檚 huge.鈥�
Bruno鈥檚 remarkable story made headlines across North America, but behind the scenes, a dedicated team of veterinary clinicians were working around the clock to make sure he pulled through.
鈥淲hen he came in, he was barely walking. He was miserable. The only time he would look at us is when we had food,鈥� said Dr. Alison Khoo, the small animal internal medicine resident who managed Bruno鈥檚 case.
鈥淣ow he鈥檚 like a different dog. He loves going outside. He鈥檚 still very food-motivated, but he鈥檚 got a lot of energy back and he鈥檚 starting to show more of his personality.鈥�
Next week鈥檚 edition of the Mercury will have more on this story.
