Westport Vets' Gift of Kindness Campaign 2024 Winners

Westport Vets asked both their clients and the public to nominate cats and dogs who they felt deserved to receive a ‘Gift of Kindness’ this Christmas. Working with local business Waggy Bags to gift deserving pets for Christmas.

The Gift of Kindness was created in 2022, as a way to give special and deserving pets an extra treat for Christmas.

Via a social media campaign they asked for nominations of pets who deserved to receive a Gift of Kindness. Whether this was people own pets for making them smile everyday, or for helping to get them out for walks; or a pet who's companionship means the world to them or to someone they knew. It may be the animal or owner has had a tough time and that receiving a Gift of Kindness for Christmas would be a nice surprise and bring them some cheer over the holidays.

The winners of the Gift of Kindness each received a goodie bag of items from local business Waggy Bags. Each dog received a 'Waggy Bag Original' (dog goodie bag), the cats each received a 'Moggy'Bag' (cat goodie bag), and they made a special Gerbil Edition Waggy Bag for this year's nominated gerbil. Treating a total of 10 deserving pets in time for Christmas.

Westport Vets say:
“The Gift of Kindness is a lovely campaign, being able to provide some extra cheer to such deserving pets for Christmas. This was a popular campaign again this year and we loved reading all of the heartwarming stories of the nominated animals, from both their owners - and their neighbours! We hope our winners all have fun with their gifts.”

The Gift of Kindness 2024 Winners

Leia the Cavapoo and Stanley the Beagle

Leia brought fun and joy back into Stanley life after the loss of his companion Teala.

Leia and Stanley's owner Karen Calder said:

“After the loss of our lovely Labrador Teala at the grand age of 18yrs. Our poor beagle Stanley was totally lost without his big sister. So one year later we decided to get him a new sister, enter Leia. Stanley absolutely adores her along with the rest of the family, even though she doesn't give him a minute's peace. Stanley is back to his fun loving, cuddly self.”

Pepper the Rhodesian Ridgeback

Pepper helps to build children's confidence, and helps bring comfort to those who need it the
most.

Pepper's owner Kirsty Donaldson said:

“She’s had a really tough year with her spay having to be opened up for a second time and now a TTA surgery too but she loves nothing better than give love to others."

"She loves to train with my 8 year old niece, helping build her confidence as she lacks in this a little. She’s booked to start hoopers together as soon as she’s fit to after this last op as we had to cancel the original course. She loves to come to school and visit with the kids I work with. She is usually found sidling up to the kids who needs her most on any given day. She’s done scent work demos and enjoyed being read to at school."

"At her own scent class she even helped bring out confidence in a fellow classmate's child just by being her, a wee girl who was not normally someone who would talk to strangers spent the whole afternoon with Pepper chatting to me and asking questions etc. Her parents were amazed. She’s a very special pup and a wee gift may help get her through this period of crate rest.”

Bella the 12 week old Kitten

Bella is a fighter, surviving the odds from birth and in recovery after suffering a broken leg.

Bella’s owner Fiona MacDonald said:

“She has been through an awful lot in her first 12 weeks of life and really deserves a treat. Bella was found on a farm when she was only one day old. Her cord was still attached and it is thought her mum got spooked and ran away leaving Bella behind. She was taken to David Cochrane, Team Leader for Cats Protection West Lothian branch. David hand fed her and cared for her 24 hours a day. The first few weeks were touch and go but she is a fighter and survived to become a feisty wee kitten. Her foster name was Sketcher as for her first few weeks she lived in a Sketcher shoe box.”

"When dropping off some donations to David we spent a couple of hours playing with her and fell in love. We couldn’t stop thinking about her and decided to adopt her. So at 9 weeks and one day old Bella came to live with us. We thought long and hard about a suitable name for her and picked Bella as it means fighter or survivor, which she definitely is.”

"Things were going well and she was just starting to play with her big brothers and come and sleep at the bottom of our bed at night when she broke her leg. She had a big operation to pin the bone and over the next wee while is going to have to have some more procedures, all the while being confined to a cage. So just as she was getting to the point of being able to go outside and explore, she is going to spend her first Christmas in a cage. It's a lot for any animal to go through let alone in your first 12 weeks of life and so a moggy bag might just go a little way to making her first Christmas that little bit more special.”

Maisie the Multipoo

Maisie brings great comfort and companionship to her owner, following the loss of her husband.

Maisie's owner Linda Cameron said:

“I lost my husband Michael in July 2020. He was only 53 years old. I re-homed Maisie in August 2020 because her family didn't want her anymore. She has brought me so much joy over the years. And gave me a reason to get up in the morning when I was finding it so hard.”

Brodi the Cavachon

Brodi protected his family during a frightening emergency and brings them endless comfort, support and companionship.

Brodi's owner Lauren McMurray said:

“My wee dog Brodi has been such an amazing support to my mum over the last couple of weeks. 2 weeks ago my mum took my Brodi out for a walk whilst I was at work, on that walk she unfortunately took unwell and had a seizure. Brodi stayed by my mum’s side the whole time, clearly worried for her & making sure she was ok. Thankfully neighbours saw her and went to help & they all said how amazing Brodi was, that he wouldn't leave her side whilst she was in the seizure, it wasn't until she had started to come out of it that he accepted going into a neighbours house. Where I was told he was such a good boy for them until we got home. Since then he has been very cuddly with my mum & you can tell he is making sure she is ok. He is such an amazing, caring wee dog with a big heart.” 

Pepsi the Gerbil

Pepsi helped to save the life of her sister Patch by alerting the family when there was an accident.

Pepsi's owner Lorna Simpson said:

“I am nominating our gerbil Pepsi for trying to rescue her sister and cage mate Patch who was stuck on their wheel. Patch had been going so fast it had moved it so it was against front of cage so she couldn't get out of it. Although Pepsi was unable to rescue Patch her attempts drew attention to her sisters plight so we were able to intervene and rescue here!”

Murphy the Australian Labradoodle

Murphy has been very brave throughout orthopaedic surgeries and the long recovery periods of rest required to heal.

Murphy’s owner Susan Simpson said:

“He's had a pretty boring life since his luxating patella surgery on both his rear legs. His 1st surgery was on his 2nd birthday in November, with the 2nd 6 weeks later, this has meant no walks and very little fun as he needs to be kept calm. He has overall been a wee star and we all can't wait to have him back running around again and having cuddles on the sofa.” 

Rolo the half Maine Coon, half Domestic Cat

Rolo is a therapy cat who is a beacon of light, a lifeline and brings comfort to her best friend, five year old Oliver.

Rolo's owner Emily Jones said:

“My son Oliver is 5 and autistic, and since Rolo came into our lives, she has become Oliver’s little therapy pet. Whenever Oliver is feeling overwhelmed or over-stimulated, Rolo senses it and sits on his lap or next to him and he puts his head on her to listen to her purrs and stroke her soft fur to calm him down. Rolo has been a lifeline for Oliver and is the most loving and cuddly girl who deserves all the recognition she can get.” 

Snoopy the Golden Labrador Retriever

Snoopy received several nominations, for being brave, making his family happy, and for putting a smile on everyone's face!

Snoopy's owner Billie Linden said:

“Snoopy suffers from epilepsy. He is the best dog around our children and everyone he meets, he is a big goofball and takes everything in his stride. He does not deserve this horrible thing that happens randomly to him, hes getting an old boy and they affect him more & more every time, wish i could take it away from him.”

Snoopy's neighbour Emma Brown said:

“Snoopy is just the bravest boy ever! Even though he suffers from epileptic fits, he’s such a good boy and doesn’t let it stop him. He puts a smile on all the neighbours faces when he passes by, and is the best family dog for his big brothers along with his 4 legged brother Rolo.”

Thank you to everyone who nominated!