The Journey to Pawsome
Our journey to Pawsome really started when we brought home a beautiful Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy, who we named Buddee, at four months old. She was just beautiful, well socialised and perfect in every way. When Buddee was three years old we got her a play mate (also a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel), Felicity. Felicity was seven months old when we got her and she was also a gorgeous girl. Buddee and Felicity were the best of buddies and this is probably where the story should stop… but really this was just the beginning!
Pawsome – A New Passion
It Began With Doogie
I found out one day about a beautiful old boy, Doogie (previously Duggan) who was in need of a new home. He was fully deaf and nearing 13, had been rehomed three times previously, and was having trouble finding a home because of his age. We decided we would go and look at him with Buddee and Felicity to see if he would be a good match to join our pack. Prior to this we had absolutely no intention of getting a third dog but I felt so sad knowing his story.
So off we went to visit him. When we got there they couldn’t find him at first, and of course he couldn’t come when called due to being fully deaf, and eventually he was found just wondering around aimlessly and looking so so sad. He was extremely underweight, malnourished, and not in a good condition at all. We just wanted to get him out of there and into a better and safer place (we’d found out he was being kicked), so before we knew it, we had him bundled in the car and on his way to his new forever home with us!
He needed a lot of vet care when he first arrived due to his poor condition, as well as urgent dental work. Because of his age he was unable to have an anaesthetic so he was very heavily sedated instead and kept a very close eye on during the procedure. Once he settled in and got to know and trust us, his whole personality transformed.
He turned into the most friendly and affectionate boy, as well as quite cheeky! It was such an honour and a pleasure to see the change in him. He was like a different dog and we were so so proud of him.
Otis
A year or two after Doogie came along, Otis came along! Otis was around seven years old when he came to live with us, and he arrived with a few – I guess you could say ‘social’ issues – but was also the most beautiful and affectionate boy. Otis also became fully deaf but we used many hand signals with him (as we also did for Doogie) which he picked up on, and he also followed the lead of the others. He may not have heard someone at the gate but he soon cottoned on once he realised all the others were outside barking and he’d happily join in!
Through The Years
1. Hannah
Next came along Hannah. Again we weren’t planning on getting another dog to join our pack but Hannah needed a home as her elderly parents were going into a retirement village and couldn’t take her with them. Hannah was nine when she came to live with us, and unfortunately very unwell. She was in the end stages of Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) so we only had her for six months but I like to think that they were a very happy six months for her.
2. Loss, But Then Gizmo!
Over time we lost Buddee (old age), Doogie (old age) and Hannah (CHF) all within a relatively small time frame. Felicity had also developed CHF and we were worried about Otis going from a pack of four to being on his own, and how he wouldn’t cope well with that.
We decided to get Otis a friend and along came Gizmo! Gizmo was seven when he came to live with us, had also been ill-treated, was malnourished, and was fully blind in one eye from rocks being thrown at him. It took him a wee while to come to trust us, and he’s still very anxious around new people (and he still has a very strong dislike for children!) but once he gets to know you and trust you, he’ll be your best friend. He talks constantly and grizzles all the time. It’s just the cutest. His nick name is now Grizzy or Grizmo.
3. Lester
Lester also came to live with us. His owner was planning on going overseas for an extended period of time, and also looking at moving into a retirement village in the near future, so he came for a trial with us and also became a permanent resident. Lester was around nine when he came to us.
He also has a club foot. That doesn’t stop him though and he runs around like mad with the others.
4. Missy and Pawsome Dog Care
Now we also have Missy. Again we weren’t planning on another dog (!) but Missy was also in need of a new home. Missy came to us when she was nine, also very unwell and in CHF, and from a puppy farm. She’s had several litters and had a very tough life. She had never really lived inside a house, been on carpet before and was unable to go up or down stairs before coming to us.
Every day with her is a blessing. Her CHF is off the charts – as in literally off the charts that they don’t even grade her heart anymore and she’s known as the ‘dancing heart girl’ by the vet. She has conquered the stairs and absolutely is living her best life, and is ready to welcome you to Pawsome Dog Care!
Through The Years
1. Hannah
Next came along Hannah. Again we weren’t planning on getting another dog to join our pack but Hannah needed a home as her elderly parents were going into a retirement village and couldn’t take her with them. Hannah was nine when she came to live with us, and unfortunately very unwell. She was in the end stages of Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) so we only had her for six months but I like to think that they were a very happy six months for her.
2. Loss… But Then Gizmo!
Over time we lost Buddee (old age), Doogie (old age) and Hannah (CHF) all within a relatively small time frame. Felicity had also developed CHF and we were worried about Otis going from a pack of four to being on his own, and how he wouldn’t cope well with that.
We decided to get Otis a friend and along came Gizmo! Gizmo was seven when he came to live with us, had also been ill-treated, was malnourished, and was fully blind in one eye from rocks being thrown at him. It took him a wee while to come to trust us, and he’s still very anxious around new people (and he still has a very strong dislike for children!) but once he gets to know you and trust you, he’ll be your best friend. He talks constantly and grizzles all the time. It’s just the cutest. His nick name is now Grizzy or Grizmo.
3. Lester
Lester also came to live with us. His owner was planning on going overseas for an extended period of time, and also looking at moving into a retirement village in the near future, so he came for a trial with us and also became a permanent resident. Lester was around nine when he came to us.
He also has a club foot. That doesn’t stop him though and he runs around like mad with the others.
4. Missy and Pawsome Dog Care
Now we also have Missy. Again we weren’t planning on another dog (!) but Missy was also in need of a new home. Missy came to us when she was nine, also very unwell and in CHF, and from a puppy farm. She’s had several litters and had a very tough life. She had never really lived inside a house, been on carpet before and was unable to go up or down stairs before coming to us.
Every day with her is a blessing. Her CHF is off the charts – as in literally off the charts that they don’t even grade her heart anymore and she’s known as the ‘dancing heart girl’ by the vet. She has conquered the stairs and absolutely is living her best life, and is ready to welcome you to Pawsome Dog Care!