This Women’s Month, we celebrate the story of two dogs whose lives were changed for the better when Barking Mad’s founder, Tracy McQuarrie, refused to look away. With compassion and determination, Tracy acted when Natalie and Nicole needed someone speaking up for them, setting them on a journey toward the love, kindness and security they deserve.
Someone had to step in
Tracy came across Natalie and Nicole by chance, and not in any professional capacity. But when she saw the condition they were in, she knew she had to step in. She immediately noticed their emaciated state and became concerned about their welfare. Alarmed by their condition, she contacted Hartbeespoort Animal Welfare Society (HAWS) and requested the assistance of a qualified inspector to assess the situation and facilitate the surrender of the dogs.
During the inspection, the family was asked to show what food was being provided for Natalie and Nicole. There was no food available for them. It raised serious concerns that even their most basic needs were not being met.
The HAWS inspector was also told that Natalie had been accidentally run over as a puppy and never received treatment for the injury. Today, she still has a limp as a result.
The family surrendered Natalie and Nicole, and the girls spent around two weeks at HAWS, where they were accommodated for quarantine, before coming into the care of Barking Mad.
Following the surrender, the former owner subsequently threatened and harassed Tracy, including making unfounded claims that she had taken possession of the dogs to make a profit. In reality, taking animals into care comes with significant costs, from food and shelter to boarding, veterinary treatment and ongoing care. The matter eventually escalated to the point where Tracy reported it to the police, and thankfully, the harassment stopped.
Despite these challenges, Tracy never gave up on them. Her experience and heart told her that, with the right care, Natalie and Nicole could still be given the chance to live healthy, happy lives.
Learning that humans could be kind
Natalie and Nicole arrived in heartbreaking condition. They had known neglect and uncertainty. Now, they were surrounded by people ready to show them a very different kind of life.
With the support of the dedicated team involved in their rehabilitation, the girls began the slow process of recovery.
With regular, balanced meals, they began to gain weight and regain their strength. But their recovery was about more than putting weight back on. It was about learning that the humans caring for them could be trusted, and that kindness could be something they could rely on.
With patience and kindness, they began to trust.
And as their bodies grew stronger, something else began to emerge: the personalities that had been waiting underneath everything they had been through.
Natalie had some extra challenges to overcome. Alongside her old leg injury, she has some hearing loss. Yet neither has stopped her from becoming the affectionate, joyful girl she is today.
She is the cuddly comedian of the pair, with one magical blue eye and a full-body wiggle that announces just how delighted she is to see you. Convinced she is a tiny lap dog, she makes it her mission to get as close as possible whenever you sit down.
It is difficult to reconcile the image of this happy, affectionate girl with the frightened puppy who once went without the treatment she needed.
Nicole is her playful counterpart. Curious and adventurous, she loves fetch, sniffing adventures, chew toys and walkies. Once she trusts someone, she becomes a sweet little shadow, happiest when she can be close to her favourite people.
A bond that carried them home
Natalie and Nicole are a bonded pair. Where one goes, the other follows. They play together, nap together and look out for one another.
After everything they had been through, Barking Mad was determined that the girls would not have to face another upheaval by being separated. Finding them a home together became the goal, but as rehoming often does, their journey took time.
Then, eventually, the right family came along. And they chose them both.
Today, Natalie and Nicole are adored, doted on and loved beyond measure. Natalie can cuddle to her heart’s content. Nicole can explore, play and follow her favourite people around. And the two girls who had faced so much uncertainty together can now experience the joys of everyday life, side by side.
Tracy’s courage and perseverance, even in the face of challenges, helped rewrite Natalie and Nicole’s story. She saw two dogs who needed someone to act, and she did. Her actions are a testament to the difference one person can make when they refuse to look away.
We extend a special thanks to HAWS for their assistance, and to the team that worked with Natalie and Nicole throughout their journey.
Natalie and Nicole’s journey home began with one person noticing that something was wrong and refusing to look away. Their story reminds us that speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves can be the first step towards changing a life.
Welcome home, Natalie and Nicole. 🐾💛
