Snowy was on a walk with her favourite human, Terrance, when she became the victim of an awful hit-and-run. This is the beautiful story of what happened next.
Nieu-Bethesda, South Africa (03 November 2026) – When this story popped up on our radar, it melted our hearts.
Shared on Facebook by Nieu-Bethesda Animal Welfare and penned by Mandy Roets, it tells the true story of how a Karoo community recently came together to save Snowy and her human, Terrance, from heartbreak and pain.
It all started with a walk. Terrance – a young, beloved member of the Nieu-Bethesda community – and his mixed-breed puppy, Snowy, were out adventuring when something terrible happened. Snowy became the victim of a hit-and-run.
A visitor in town was the culprit. Instead of stopping to help, they swore at Terrance and drove off.
“The culprit unfortunately drove off after swearing at Terrance, and poor Snowy lay there with a broken pelvis & femoral head.” Roets writes.
With his severely injured dog in his arms, Terrance rushed to Victoria Nance for help. Nance is the town’s animal hero – she runs Nieu-Bethesda Animal Welfare.
“A devastated Terrance rushed to Victoria for help, as he (and the locals) rely on her for the welfare of their animals.”
Terrance is young and unemployed. He does not have much, and life has not been easy. Affording veterinary treatment for his four-legged best friend was out of the question.
“Young Snowy is Terrance’s whole world. He absolutely adores her and his aunt told Victoria that Snowy ‘is his everything, his sister, his brother, his best friend, the moon, the sun and the stars’ and losing Snowy would be too much for Terrance.” writes Roets.
Bringing Smiles Closer to Home: Inside Operation Smile's Life-Changing Mission in Mthatha
Celebrating a Month of Miracles and Journeys with Wings and WishesThis is where hope stepped in.
Nieu-Bethesda is a small, tight-knit community. When word of Snowy’s injuries got out, there was immediate concern, and from that a glimmer of hope arose. Three incredible community members were willing to rally help for Snowy: Victoria, Briony Chisholm and Gouni-Mae.
“Briony said to Victoria that life has let Terrance down so often and that they could not let it happen again.” writes Roets. “This is what made them decide that Snowy had to survive.”
That’s when the Nieu-Bethesda community came together to provide the funds and support to save Snowy for Terrance. Local guesthouses, galleries, pizzerias, distilleries and residents rallied to make it happen.
Briony and Gouni-Mae then transported Snowy to Camdeboo Veterinary Clinic in Graaff-Reinet, where she had an emergency operation, a femoral head ostectomy.
“She has been so well cared for by all the staff at Camdeboo Vets, and was reunited with Terrance yesterday for the first time since being taken to Graaff-Reinet.” writes Roets.
The video of their reunion is everything. Watch above.
As Snowy heals from surgery, she needs to be kept in a crate. Victoria will look after her for this short stint, until she can return home for good. Roets says that Terrance will visit her daily while she recuperates.
Roets ends by thanking every Bethesdan who helped save Snowy.
“Each and every one of you are the reason why Snowy has survived this terrible injury. Thank you” she writes. “This is what makes Nieu-Bethesda so special…..the kind hearts of the Karoo people.”
by 
