We received Casper our beautiful Husky from the Husky Rescue Association in Fourways – a wonderfully incredible lady named Joanne van Niekerk more than 4 years ago. Casper is a huge and very integral part of our family or “pack” and is the most loving, well mannered, fantastic dog we have ever had in our lifetime. Casper started losing weight drastically and his energy started draining to such an extent that he couldn’t do much in a short span of time. We rushed him to a vet in our area – (we’ve just moved to the area less than 6 months ago and had to take him to someone close by here). Unfortunately the Vet did not know what was wrong, after a myriad of tests, in and out of their hospital and a HUGE bill– they released Casper with  a lot of medication for what they believed he had and our beloved Casper started going downhill almost immediately and overnight. We were distraught and did not know what to do or who to phone. Joanne van Niekerk from the Husky Rescue association told us to get hold of our previous vet – who knows our animals well or alternatively get Casper to Onderstepoort immediately!

We contacted our vet from our area that we used to live in – who highly recommended that we contact Dr K de Cramer from Rant en Dal Animal Hospital – who is a Veterinary Specialist. We phoned the Rant en Dal Hospital immediately on Thursday the 4th November in the evening and spoke to Dr K de Cramer. Even though they were going to close for the evening - he instructed us to bring Casper in immediately. Upon arrival – Dr de Cramer examined Casper – heard the history and without a seconds hesitation instructed his staff to start a blood transfusion on Casper.

Dr de Cramer told us that he would investigate what was wrong with Casper and would let us and know and true to his word, the very next day (Friday 5thNovember), he informed us that Casper had SpiroCerca Lupi. In one day this Dr diagnosed what the other Vet could not do in 3 days! We knew then that our Casper was in the best hands ever. Dr de Cramer had done everything he could to find out what was wrong with our Capser and he did! He kept Casper in the hospital from then until the 9th November and we were allowed to visit Casper every day and stay with him for as long as we wanted to. All the staff and the Doctors at Rant en Dal Hospital were absolutely amazing and when we went to visit Casper – a Doctor would talk to us first, telling us about Casper’s treatment, printing out information sheets for us to read up on, giving us a run-down of what to expect, what they were doing and just being the most amazing, caring people we have ever dealt with in our lives. For them the most important was to get Casper on the road to recovery – and that touched our hearts deeply!

Casper was almost on death’s door before we had taken him to Rant en Dal Hospital and during his time at the Rant en Dal Hospital he received numerous blood transfusions, drips, medication that has made him so much better (although he is not completely out the woods yet) but Dr de Cramer and his staff made every concerted effort possible to make sure Casper survived and gets better. We understand it is going to be a long road to recovery, but with the incredible help of Dr de Cramer and his staff, the dedication to find out what was wrong, the dedication to getting Casper better and on the road to recovery, the Specialists incredible knowledge and caring and sharing with us – we were able to bring Casper home and are treating him here – with visits to the Rant en Dal Hospital for checkups on a regular basis. During this time – we had constant contact with our Husky Rescue Association – Joanne van Niekerk from the Fourways Haven, who’s warmth, caring and knowledge was unbelievable.

Our family – the Frangeskou’s and van Niekerk’s wish to express our unbelievable gratitude to the Rant en Dal Animal Hospital, the staff and more specifically the biggest Angel of all – Dr de Cramer – who has done everything in his power to help our beloved Casper. Also a special thank you to the Husky Rescue Association (www.huskeyrescue.co.za ) – Fourways Husky Haven – Joanne van Niekerk and her daughter - who never stopped caring, who love Casper like his theirs and who have given up their time and souls to save Huskys and care for those that have been placed with people – like Casper was with us. These are all Angels  sent from Heaven, giving our beloved animals the care, attention and love that no-one else could ever imagine. These are special people, very special people and for that we would like to thank them from the bottom of our hearts for everything that they have done for our Casper. We are ever indebted and may God bless you all for what you have done.. for your kindness, your generosity, your caring, your loving and for your knowledge that got our Casper back on the recovery road. This experience is deeply etched in our hearts – and we will never forget what all of you have done for our Casper. He is getting stronger and we are positive that because of the intervention of the Rant en Dal Hospital – he will recover. Thank you all once again from a very happy Casper “pack”  - the Frangeskou’s and van Niekerk family. You are angels sent from Heaven!
Attached are pictures of our Casper.

Kind regards
Ronel and Alwyn (Casper’s “Pack”)