A dog who was found straying in Bristol and underwent multiple surgeries before being adopted is now being featured in an advertising campaign for a local brewery.
Flora, a one-year old Boston Terrier arrived at Bristol Animal Rescue Centre in early 2021 after being found as a stray, with a complicated fracture to her right front leg. Her injury meant she was unable to use the leg at all and faced a risk of long-term mobility issues. The charity launched an appeal to fund surgery on her elbow joint on this leg, as it was quite an unusual injury and required a specialist orthopaedic surgeon to do the operation.
Following a successful surgery, Flora underwent a course of physiotherapy so she could learn how to use her leg at last.
It was also discovered that Flora had a breed defect called macorpalpebral fissure euryblepharon, meaning that her eyelids didn’t cover her eyes properly. This left her with very prominent eyes that were prone to exposure and damage. Once again a fundraising appeal was launched and she received treatment for this, before she was put up for rehoming.
She was eventually adopted by Vikki Carter and her family, from nearby Brislington.
Vikki said, “Flora has settled in really well, she is enjoying finally being a puppy and has been on lots of adventures. She has made lots of dog friends at the local park and is a very happy social puppy. She makes us laugh every day with her funny personality and quirks.
“Her favourite place is on the sofa for cuddles when she is not trying to steal our shoes! After having been through such a lot, I love seeing her thrive and learn new things every day. She is very much loved and we are so glad she is part of our family”.
Dr Damian Pacini, Principal Vet at Bristol Animal Rescue Centre, said, “After a rough start in life, Flora is now living the life she truly deserves with adopters who understand her ongoing health requirements”.
Flora finds fame
Vikki was so proud of Flora that she entered her into the Dog Day Afternoon competition, launched by local brewery Lost & Grounded. The company was looking for dogs to feature on its new beer can designs and Flora was one of six dogs eventually chosen. The new beer, which launches for the first time this weekend, is a Kölsch, 4.8% Cologne-style ale.
“We’re absolutely thrilled that Flora is going to be featured on Lost & Grounded’s beer can designs. I’m a very proud dog mummy right now,” said Vikki.
“It’s not often that one of our dogs becomes famous, but if anyone deserves to be recognised for everything they’ve been through, it’s Flora. She’s a very special pup and one that we’ll all remember here at the Rescue Centre for a long time,” said Jodie Hayward, Animal Home Manager at Bristol Animal Rescue Centre.
Annie Clements, Co-Founder of Lost & Grounded Brewery, said: “We are thrilled that Flora was able to enter our dog beer label competition and after we heard her story we were really touched. She’s certainly a trooper! The main reason for making this beer was to raise awareness of the welfare and care of our pets and the importance of their company. Thank you, beautiful Flora, you are an absolute superstar!”
