Rescue dog Kiwi given six months to live celebrates first birthday at Plymouth sanctuary

A rescue dog given just months to live due to a serious heart condition has just celebrated her first birthday at a Plymouth sanctuary.

Pomeranian Kiwi was nine weeks old when she arrived at Woodside Animal Welfare Sanctuary last spring, having been diagnosed with a heart murmur.

With vets expecting her to live less than six months, Woodside assistant supervisor Kirstin Stone decided to take Kiwi home and give her the best life possible in the time she had left.

A year on and Kiwi - who loves going to the beach and paddle-boarding - has just celebrated her first birthday with a party at the sanctuary, surrounded by Kirstin and staff.

“I’m really excited and happy for her,” Kirstin said. “I take every day as it comes with Kiwi and don’t look too far ahead, I’m grateful for every adventure.

“I like to take on animals that need extra care and I wanted to give Kiwi the best life she could have. Her heart has started to get stronger. It hasn’t healed but it is getting stronger.”

When Kiwi first arrived at the sanctuary at Elfordleigh she slept for much of the day and, once home with Kirstin, was carried around because she was so tired.

Kirstin gradually introduced gentle exercise followed by rest days and as Kiwi grew stronger, the inseparable pair started taking on new adventures together.

In the last few months, Kiwi has been on boat trips, paddle-boarding, running on the moors and visited Father Christmas, with plenty of rest in between.

“Initially I made sure Kiwi took it slow and at her own pace,” Kirstin said. “As she got stronger, I upped her walks and have done more with her. 

“She still has rest days. If she’s had quite a long walk the day before, she’d quite happily go again but I give her time to recover.

“She’s very loving and playful. She’s very loved here at the sanctuary and had a birthday party with the staff. Everyone wore party hats and sang happy birthday. She had presents and a cake.”