Ruskin the dog is helping to keep alive his late owners’ memory after they were tragically killed in a car crash in east Auckland.
The four-year-old fox terrier was the only occupant of the vehicle he was travelling in to survive a crash in Botany on May 31.
It claimed the lives of popular local artists and devoted animal lovers David and Jill McArthur, who were aged in their 80s, and their other dog, Misty Rose, when a vehicle collided with theirs on Botany Road at about 2.42pm.
A police investigation into the crash is ongoing.
The couple’s daughter, who doesn’t want her name published, is now caring for Ruskin.
She says immediately following the crash the dog was rushed by persons unknown to Sommerville Veterinary Centre.
“He had a few scratches but internally he was okay,” she told the Times.
“He was the lucky one. We didn’t know he’d survived.”
She and her siblings are immensely grateful to the person or people who stepped up to help.
“One of the things we would like to say is ‘thank you’ to the people who transported him. We don’t know who they are.
“And ‘thank you’ to Sommerville Vets because one of the vets there was taking him home at night and caring for him.
“I didn’t know what to expect but when we got there he was so happy to see us.”
In another act of kindness from the local community, people generously donated money to help pay Ruskin’s vet bill, which came to more than $1000.
“We weren’t expecting that,” she says.
“We got a phone call from the vet saying the Auckland Beagle Club and a couple of other people had asked whether they could donate to help with the vet bill.
“He’s really good and he’s come a long way.
“I’ve got two dogs and he’s become part of the pack.
“He goes bush and to the beach every day. He is very loved.”
She says Ruskin recently started at doggy day care and he loves it.
“I’m really happy I’m able to do this for Mum and Dad.”
