My Life with dogs, from then to now ...
Bullies are now my love, but it would never stop me for helping four legged friends in need, it has always been that way and will no doubt continue to be for as long as I am able
'74 - My first dog came into my life when I was 16 years old. I was living in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. It happened when my Auntie who was living in the Melbourne CBD was on the phone to Mummy telling her someone had dumped a puppy in a cardboard box in the yard of her flats. Well against Mum's direction, onto a bus, onto a train and into the city. Arrived a Fitzroy and hour or so later and found this sweet little girl in a lot of trouble. The vets thought someone had poured acid or similar over her. She was badly burnt and her rectum was protruding. Many, many months later she started healing well. Odee was her name - for Orphan Dumped. I had my little girl for 18 years. RIP.
'75 - My next dog was a kelpie cross called Jackie, from memory she was being given away and I wanted her. She was a lovely girl and travelled all the way to W.A with me. Sadly I had to have her put to sleep at 12 years old and I beat myself up to this day for it. RIP Jackie.
'75 - Next came Royal Petite King Leo, 'Poofy', he was given to me from kennels that I worked at. I did not have him very long as Mummy was not keen on the number of dogs I was accumulating so he went back to where he came from. I did have a lot of fun clipping him and his original home was a great one.
'76 - Tara, a young female Doberman came shortly after I left home. She was also a re-homer and did the long journey to W.A. with Jackie and I. She disappeared in very stange circumstances. She was running along the beach and running up the dunes to me on our way home. I lost sight of her and after a few minutes when she did not show at the top of the dunes I went looking for her, she was no where to be seen. I searched for hours and phoned everywhere I could think of. I never did find her and to this day have no idea what happened to her.
'81 - I was living up in the hills of Perth when I saw a add for a German Shorthaired Pointer that needed a home. I replied to the add being told he was a bit destructive. I went to the house and as I was knocking on the door I could see down the hallway to the backyard. There was the pointer and eyeballs on me he came flying down the hallway, flung open the front door and knocked me to the ground. How could one refuse such enthusiasm - enter Haskel, named after a friend who bred Labradors and could not stand GSP's. Well he certainly did suffer seperation anxiety not like I had seen in my life thus far. It took almost 1 year before he would stop destroying things. But he did settle enough that when I went to work all he would do would collect every soft toy and pillow he could find, pile them up and sleep on top of them - he did not eat them anymore. I could write a book on the antics of Haskel - I had him until he was 18. RIP
'98 - An old Scotch Collie was wandering down my road (now on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria). He was skinny beyond belief, smelt beyond belief and was so matted he had to be completely clipped off. I owned a grooming salon at the time so that was a bonus. I was unable to locate any owner for him so he lived out the rest of his days with me, to very old age at a guess. RIP Pete.
'06 - Now living on the mid north coast of NSW. Driving home from work, a male kelpie was hiding in the bushes on the side of the road. He appeared lost and scared. 20 minutes later I had coaxed him into my car. I drove around all the properties in the area and no one knew where he came from. The last house I went to said he had been hanging around their place for 6 months but they could not catch him. I called the council and vets to report I had found him and the next day the Ranger came out to take him. When I asked him what would happen to him they said if he was not claimed they would put him down as they did not re-home working dogs. I told him I would keep him as he was only a pup and did not deserve to die because of his breed. He would not let me as he legally had to take him. His death knock was the 15/06/2006. So I was at the pound that day and had to privilege of paying $380 for a dog that I rescued. Not much justice in that. Jack is now around 10 and very happy. By the way the angry horrible owner who came to my house the next day after the ranger had been. No idea how he got my address other than from the council!! He refused to get him from the pound, and on the 15/06/06 put huge signs up in the trees in the area, naming me as a dog killer. I will take great delight in putting a photo of dear Jack in his letterbox when Jack passes. He will know the only dog killer would have been him had I not rescued him. Jack died on 22/03/2023 16 years+
'13 - A trip to the pound to look for a friend's dog ended up with Jet. Micro chipped and owners contacted twice to collect him - they didn't so I did. He is the sweetest albeit needy little chap but an absolute delight. I'm not sure why he wasn't collected as he is super obedient and very well trained and does nothing wrong. I hope his old owner is OK and am happy to have this wonderful little man live out his days here, many to come as he is only young. Jet died on 28/10/2021 after a very short battle with a very aggressive live cancer, I will so miss my little rascal, R.I.P beautiful Jetty boy
'16 - An old dog entered last week. Very thin, very smelly, acting very bewildered and fleas and ticks by the thousands. After my experience with Jack, no council this time. He is very old, working dog, entire and would be a certain death sentence at the pound. I am not paying for the privilege of bailing a dog I already have. I have notified who I need to and he can live out his days here. Sweet boy died on 25/01/2021 very old.
'20 - Buddy entered my life in 2020. He had been hanging around in Wootton for weeks, skeletally thin, and on approach would totally and uncontrollably empty his bladder while shaking and wagging his tail. I encountered him three times over 2 weeks doing this and in the end took him in to rehabilitate him. This beautiful big boy was an absolute joy to own. After 10 months he was totally transformed, he was strong, a good weight, shiny and above all happy, confident and had full control of his bladder. Sadly this lovely boy took on a black snake unbeknown to me until too late and died. He had a short life with me but a very happy and safe one. R.I.P big beautiful Buddy
'21 - Enter Benson. After losing my first Staffy, Jet, I decided to get a Staffy puppy after many years of only having rescue dogs. Staffys are such a comical, quirky loving breed and life wasn't as full not having one. Many adventures to be had I hope