Farewell to our old friend Oxy
In 2011, a little abandoned puppy took a tumble from a veranda in Vava’u and broke his leg. Fortunately, a small volunteer team of vets and vet nurses from SPAW were on the island at the time and were able to help.
Oxy, as the puppy was to become known as, was adopted by expat locals Paul and Karen, who gave him a loving home and attended to his care. Oxy’s leg healed well and he went on to enjoy his years in Vava’u with his adopted family. This family was Paul and Karen but also included Oxy’s canine family members Niki, Nuke and Loki with whom he would play with.
Oxy was a regular attendee when our SPAW teams visited Vava’u and he was well known to many of our volunteers. His bold personality and big voice were always present. As he aged, the personality remained but arthritis began to take a toll on Oxy’s mobility. Oxy’s family managed his aging and mobility issues with care, compassion and medications from SPAW to keep him as happy and as mobile as he could be.
In November 2025 after the SPAW Vava’u clinic had wound up, Oxy had his final SPAW visit. A house call provided by one of the SPAW vets, where at the age of 14, Oxy was able to peacefully pass away, surrounded by the people who had loved him for his lifetime.
Rest in love, Oxy. Your story is a reminder of why SPAW exists – and the positive difference we can make to an animal’s life in remote island locations
