Interview With A Rescue Dog Owner!!
Hey Woofa’s,
I find some people hesitate when it comes to Rescue Dogs because they don’t know their back ground therefore they don’t know what they’re going to get!!!
The same could be said for people, but we take the time to get to know that person regardless of what they’ve been through.
It’s regulation that Rescue Dogs be temperament tested these days and even then I don’t believe that ALL are given a chance to adjust to what’s happened to them.
It breaks my heart that humungous amounts of Dog Lives are lost each and every day because we just don’t have the time or money to put into them.
Today’s post is a continuation of the Interview Series that I’m doing! Where I Interview Dog Owners in order to get the hands on experiences out there.
Interviews so far are:
Noodie & His Cushings Diagnosis!
Today’s interview is with one of my dear Customers about her journey with Rescue Dogs!
I have had the pleasure of knowing all four Rescue Dogs that we’re talking about today Mikey, Rascal, Moonbeam and Zorrow. Each one of them have a loving temperament.
INTERVIEW
You guys are animal lovers, was it an easy decision to get dog/s?
Very easy. I have had a puppy dog since I was 14 years old and Mark has had dogs all his life.
Where did you get Mikey & Rascal from?
We had Dinky who was a black silky terrier who we got at six weeks of age. When Dinky was 14 years of age, we had moved and felt that Dinky was quite lonely and I had heard about Monikas Doggie Rescue and I looked on the net. I saw Mikey was being fostered and I looked at his photo for a week. I went to work on Mark to get Mikey. We contacted Monika and was given the address of Mikkey’s foster home. When Mark and I went to his foster home with Dinkey, Mikey came running over the swimming pool (it had a cover over it). Mikey came running over to us. We all fell in love straight away and took him home.
After three months of Mikey being with Dinkey, Dinkey passed away three months later. We were devastated by Dinkey’s passing and we went to Monika’s home and were shown a girl dog. Mikey was not interested in her, then Rascal (named Jerry) was brought out Rascal and Mikey were the best of friends.
How old were Mikey and Rascal when they passed?
Mikey passed away at 14 years of age two weeks before his 14th birthday and four days before we got Moonbeam and Zorrow. Rascal had the company of Moonbeam and Zorrow for eighteen months before passing at the age of 14 years and 9 months.
Where did you get Moonbeam & Zorrow from?
We got Moonbeam and Zorrow from Harboard Dog Kennels. Mark’s second cousin and his then girlfriend, who was looking after them couldn’t keep four dogs at her home. We were asked if we would like to take them as the owner of Moonbeam (named Bubbles) did not want her as he said suffering Epilepsy was too costly to keep and to give her to the RSPCA to be rehomed.
How did you come up with their names?
Zorrow kept his name and Moonbeam just came to me.
How old are Moonbeam and Zorrow?
Moonbeam is 10 and a half years old and Zorrow is nine and a half years old.
Tell us each dog’s story – Mikey, Rascal, Moonbeam and Zorrow!
Mikey originally came from the Central Coast and I think his original owner could not look after him. He was only about one year old when he was handed in.
Rascal had only been with Monika for a week when we got him. We did not get any history about him.
Moonbeam was approximately five years old when we got her and do not have any history on her. We only know she was previously owned by an Asian family.
Zorrow we have no history on.
What breed is each dog?
Mikey was a Terrier Cross. Rascal was a Maltese Cross, Moonbeam is a Shihitzu and Zorrow is a Shihitzu Cross.
What age were the dogs when you got them?
Mikey was eighteen months old, Rascal was one year old, Moonbeam was five years old and Zorrow was four years old.
Can you tell us about Zorrow’s Cushings Disease? How did you notice it? What signs were there? Is it costly to treat?
Zorrow was diagnosed with Cushings disease about three years ago, but they took quite a long time to diagnose it. The vet stated that she thought he had Cushings but they couldn’t give a diagnosis because the previous company couldn’t get the proper reading. They then had a new company that could get a correct diagnosis. We noticed that he was getting a pot belly and the vet stated she was certain that he had the Cushings disease. The signs are a pot belly and always hungry and wanting to wee. The cost of his treatment is $200.00 per month if he gets tablets from the vet. We get from McDowell’s Herbal Treatment at Bathurst – Cushing 100ml bottle $69.00, Conditioner 100ml bottle $69.00. He is given 10 drops night and morning in his food. These bottles last 3-4 months and we find them very effective.
Do you find Zorrow is in any pain with his Cushings?
No he is not in pain only very hungry. He has arthritis, but we don’t know if it is caused by the cushing’s disease.
Can you tell us about Moonbeam’s epilepsy? How was she diagnosed, what happens when she has seizures? Roughly how much does her medication cost etc?
We were told when we got her that she suffered from epilepsy. It was recorded in a vet’s letter that she had a seizure while at the vet’s. When Moonbeam has a seizure she stumbles around, and shakes. We pick her up and try to calm her down by cuddling and talking to her. When the seizure is over, she is quite unsteady on her feet for about 10 minutes. We watch her if she wants to go outside, because the back verandah has 6 steps for her to go down. When the seizure has finished she is normally back to her lovable self in about 15 minutes. Moonbeam is on Phenonay 30mg 200 tablets. Moonbeam has one full tablet in the morning and half a tablet at night time with her meals. The cost of the medication is $30.20 every six months. Her blood test is $120.00. She has one every six months to see how the tablets are working.
Being long haired dogs, do you groom them yourself or have you always had a dog groomer do them for you? How often do you have them groomed and roughly how much does it cost?
We have Janine Allen from Henabel’s Dog Grooming groom the kid’s every three months. We only groom their rear ends when it gets a bit hairy. It costs us $120.00 for both of them. It is very hard to do it yourself.
What funny things do each of them get up to?
Moonbeam loves her dumbbells. She loves listening to them squeak. She will come and lay on her bed, grab her dumbbell and squeak it and chew it. Zorrow on the other hand loves to sit under chairs and start snoring his head off.
What do you feed your dogs?
The kids are given Baxters Adult Meaty Rings, Good O, Supercoat, My Dog and Nature’s Gift pouches.
Would you recommend others to rescue dogs?
I would thoroughly recommend people to go to the RSPCA, Monika’s Doggie Rescue, Renbury Animal Shelter or a pound. I would never buy a dog from anyone. These dogs need a home. People are not thinking of the animals that they are breeding. All they can see is money. Dogs need a lot of care and love.
Is there anything else you would like to share with us about your dogs?
All the dogs that we have had have been given and give so much love. I could never be without a dog. If I had a bigger property, I would have many more.
Who looks after your dogs when you go away?
We rarely go away, but we have Mark’s daughter staying at our house at the present moment, and she feeds them while we are away. If we go away, It would only be for one day.
Have you ever taken them on holidays with you?
We have never taken them away with us. Moonbeam does not like long drives.
Do you walk the dogs and if so, how often?
When one of us are on holidays or not working, we take the kid’s on a walk every day. On Sunday’s they go for a walk around Eaglevale Nature Park.
What are they like with other dogs?
Zorrow gets a bit snappy with other dogs, he will snarl but we talk to him to calm him down. Moonbeam just says hello and then wants to get on with her walk.
Is there anything more we need to know??
Be kind to you dogs, love them and treat them kind. Buy a rescue dog and give them a loving home and kindness.
A HUGE THANK YOU TO MARK AND SHARON FOR SHARING THEIR STORY!
I hope it has opened people’s eyes to the possibility of Rescuing a Dog!
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
It means that you don’t have to overlook Rescuing a Dog from a Shelter.
From most of the Pounds the dog are temperament tested so you can ask for the test and see whether that certain dog would be a good fit with you and/or your family.
All the years I’ve been grooming I find most rescue dogs are just grateful for that second chance with an understanding family.
Do you have a Rescue Dog? What have been your experiences? We’d love to hear your story in the Comments below.
Cheers
Leave A Comment