Appeal after dachshund that went viral after playing with a seal is now in need of help
A dachshund whose playful antics with a seal went viral in 2020, has had to have vital surgery, its owners have said.
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Stanley the sausage dog's 'magical moment' and unlikely friendship with a curious rescue seal while on holiday in Cornwall, saw him featured on news outlets from New York to Australia.
Footage of him went viral after Melanie Talbot, one of the dog's owners, took some shots when she visited the Sea Life Trust Cornish Seal Sanctuary in January 2020.
The amateur photographer from Newtown in Powys said the inquisitive seal swam up to the glass when she spotted Stanley on the outside - and the pair spent the next 20 minutes posing for a series of astonishing holiday snaps.
She said “He was an internet sensation when he was on TV in New York, Cornwall and as far away as Japan. We were even approached by Judge Rinder’s researcher for Stanley to appear on his show.”
Stanley, who also featured in almost every major British newspaper, is now seven, but has recently had to have surgery on his spine, and while owners Melanie and mum Wendy Clark-Newby have pet insurance, the surgery has exhausted the amount the insurers will pay out.
“He has been through the mill a bit,” Ms Clark-Newby said. “He was diagnosed with IVDD - Intervertebral disc disease – which is quite common in dachshunds.
“He has had surgery and we are hoping he can come home on Tuesday. He's been in Willows Vets in Solihull, and they have been absolutely marvellous and have been sending us pictures to keep us updated on his progress – he is such a poser.”
However, she said while Stanley was insured, the surgery has exceeded the £6,000 the insurers would pay out, and the sausage dog will require further treatment and physiotherapy, and have set up a Go Fund Me page in the hope to raise some money to help pay for Stanley's recovery.
Melanie Talbot added: “His care and after-care are very expensive and will continue for months.
“We have already exceeded his £6,000 insurance claim and desperately need your help in paying for the rest of his ongoing care, physiotherapy and hydrotherapy.”
If you can help, you can visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-for-stanleys-surgery-aftercare
