A Cause Close To Our Hearts – Every Dog Matters

Here at The Coffee Table Book we are dog-lovers through and through. I grew up with dogs, Labradors to be precise. Our family took on 2 Labrador pups after the neighbours dog gave birth to a litter when I was around 4 years old — they were named Goldie after her golden fur and Brutus, well he was a brown Lab named by my dad.

Back in those days dogs lived outside — and sadly we had to say goodbye to both dogs at young ages due to poor health and severe arthritis. It just wasn’t the done thing to spend money on vets in those days for surgeries or medication.

Next was Beauty, our black Labrador. I had her until she was 9 years old. She was my best mate as a kid. I recall days laying on the grass in the front yard under the trees, using Beauty as my pillow. When Dad wasn’t home, we’d sneak Beauty inside. I’ll never forget the day coming home from school to be told by Mum that they had to put Beauty to sleep — always my Sleeping Beauty.

We then brought another dog into the family home, and when I moved out of home for the first time, I got myself a dog. My years are categories by the dogs I cared for.

Previous to my current dog, I had taken in my Mum’s best friend of 60 years, Patricia’s senior dog as she was diagnosed with a terminal illness. While I knew him from my visits to see her, I was his mum for only a short 2.5 years. He was a Cavalier and came with the typical heart condition Cavi’s are known for. His monthly medical expenses were around $300 but it wasn’t about the money. Sadly I had to say goodbye to him too, and it was quite emotional being that he was my Mum’s best friend’s dog (Mum had passed and so had Patricia by this time), the dog also passed on my 50th birthday weekend in rather a traumatic way.

After my experience with a senior dog and learning how many senior dogs are surrended, and how heartbreaking it is to think in the last days, weeks, months of their lives after their loyalty to their family, they are living it out in a cold empty cage. I did seriously consider taking on another senior dog, but my next dog, Rosie, came about in an unusual and unexpected way.

Nine months later my current dog (my biggest joy) came into my life quite randomly. Traveling through South Australia I pulled my campervan into a campground and a guy approached me asking “did I want a puppy?” … after a couple of hours chatting and playing with the pup he asked did I want her? … I honestly made my mind up within the first 10 minutes … well of course I said yes!

She was 3 months old, a mix of Kelpie, Cattle Dog and Jack Russell. Oh boy did I not know what I was in for. She has endless energy and cheeky alright. The intelligence of the two working breeds and the naughtiness of the Jack. But I can honestly say I don’t regret one moment. She’s a jolly little thing that makes me laugh turning every day into the best day. I went into this dog knowing I wanted a best-friend dog relationship like I had with my childhood black Labrador. Rosie & I are together 24/7 and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

If I’m ever behind in responding to emails, it’s usually because Rosie pulled her cute puppy face at me encouraging an extra long walk or play session. Yep blame it on the dog! haha