Mr Gwing named top dog at pet grooming salon

Lucky dog: Derene (holding Mr Gwing) with Lee at the pet grooming salon in Kota Damansara, Kuala Lumpur.

PETALING JAYA: The grit and will to live displayed by a severely disabled puppy inspired a pet groomer to name her centre after him and appoint the canine as its “CEO”.

Jovy Lee decided to name her salon after one-and-a-half-year-old Mr Gwing because even the veterinarian who attended to him and advised euthanasia now calls the dog a miracle.

“I felt it in my heart that naming my salon after Mr Gwing would bring me luck and inspire me to have his tenacity and perseverance,” said Lee, 40.

Mr Gwing, dressed in red to symbolise luck, was seen walking around and meeting guests who patted and pampered him during the official opening yesterday.

He is required to come to “work” at the salon every morning and goes home in the evening after a day's pampering and feasting on doggie treats.

Lee said she was still amazed at how Mr Gwing had allowed himself to be put through hours of strenuous physiotherapy and training without even a whimper until he was able to walk.

Mr Gwing was unable to move because his entire spinal column was spiral-shaped and the major bones in his body were either crooked or twisted.

The then three-month-old puppy was rescued by a canine welfare project Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better (MDDB) volunteer at the Semenyih wet market, where it was lying in its own urine and faeces without being able to move much.

“The puppy must have been dumped at the market because of his acute disability and MDDB was advised to euthanise him, as in addition to being severely disabled, he was also very fierce and would not allow anyone to touch him,” recalled Lee.

However, Lee said MDDB being strictly “no-kill” asked her cousin Derene Lee who was on a semester break to take up the challenge of rehabilitating the puppy.

“My cousin took the puppy back to our hometown Kuantan and a long rehabilitation process took place where the puppy was first made to overcome its fear of people and gain confidence,” said Lee.

Derene has since adopted Mr Gwing.

The outlet called Mr Gwing & Furry Friends Pet Salon is located in a petshop Superpetfans in Kota Damansara.

Mr Gwing has his own FB page http://www.facebook.com/Mr.Gwing and the story of his arduous journey has been made available on YouTube and is called “A Year With A Dog named Mr. Gwing”.