Dispelling the laws of attraction

According to the laws of attraction, in the pet world in this case, they were unlikely choices for adoption at the dog shelters — one was old and sick, one was born with only three legs and the third had to have its foreleg amputated. Death-row for them would seem more likely.

But against all the odds, they were adopted and are now living in their forever homes. These are their stories.

Betty the relaxer dog

Betty with Mike and Sophie. Photo: Siam Lim

If she could speak, Betty would say life is bliss. But just a few months ago, life was no picnic for this Corgi King Charles Spaniel cross. She had cancer and a terrible ear infection when she was brought to the rescue kennel.

Betty had been living at the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home (SDCH) for about five months when she first met the Mike and Sophie Steers.

Her future could have been one big Catch-22. As Mike said, if there was no hope of adoption, there probably would be no hope of an operation, and there probably would be no adoption if her new owners had to bear the high cost of the operation.

A deal was made. The Steers gave their commitment to adopt and the SDCH raised the $3500 needed for Betty’s double ear canal surgery at Sydney University.

Mike may have pointed out the obvious, that as an old, sick dog, no-one would want to adopt her — but he and Sophie did. And why? “Because she's such low maintenance and she just fits into our family really nicely; yeah, she is just easy to get on with, that’s why we chose her.

“Sophie is pregnant so we expect a pretty busy lifestyle coming up. We didn't really want a dog that is going to interfere with that.

“She’s our first baby, the second one is on the way,” says Sophie. She calls Betty their relaxer dog. 

“She relaxes us, she’s a good excuse to get out; she’s my free gym membership,” she says.

As Mike says, Betty a good couch potato. “The other night we had take-out, wine and watched a movie and Betty was with us on the couch. These are the feel good times.

“Betty is deaf and uninsurable. She’ll probably not be with us for long. The vet said the cancer might come back. She’s 10 years old now and if she lives till 13, we’ll be happy to let nature take its course. She’s had a tough life so far and she’s now in retirement.”

Life is no setback for Missy, born with a deformed back leg. Photo: Siam Lim 

Michael McTeigue and Missy. Photo: Siam Lim

No shortage of treats for Missy. Photo: Siam Lim

Saved from death-row to live in a house of treats

Missy, an eight-month old staffy vizsla cross, was born with a deformed back leg . Her rescuer, Michael McTeigue, likes to tell people Missy was saved from death row to live with an owner whose business is in dog treats. 

Michael started his company, Savour-Life, because he wanted to help rescue dogs. He donates 50 per cent of his sales to dog rescue organisations, including the  Sydney Dogs and Cats Home.

He says: “Instead of asking people to donate, why not use everyday purchases dog food to help fund rescue work?” 

Champion sprinter on three legs

Gina and Katherine. Photo: Siam Lim

When Katherine Meaney first met Gina, a whippet kelpie cross, at the Rutherford RSPCA, the little brindle puppy had a huge scar that ran the whole length of her side after having had her front left leg amputated. Katherine was visiting the shelter to see if they needed any grooming volunteers.

“Gina pressed her little face up against the bars. Her little brown eyes looked deep into my soul.”

On leaving the shelter all Katherine could picture were Gina’s eyes. She knew she had to have the pup but didn't anticipate the many obstacles in her way; she had to chase paperwork — and dog — all the way to Yagoona RSPCA where Gina was being transferred, having been too long in the shelter without anyone showing an interest.

At the recent Dogs Day Out at St Ives Showground, Gina showed that her disability was no hindrance as she sprinted her way to first place in the race for disabled and old dogs.

She sure did her owner Katherine proud.

Getting to zero

Giving them a second chance saves many dogs from death row when pounds and shelters become overcrowded. In NSW alone, over 57,000 companion animals were euthanised during the last 12 months. The majority were young and healthy.

Today, many pounds and shelters are adopting a No-Kill policy under the Getting to Zero (G2Z) initiative in which only those animals that are irremediably suffering, or have behavioural problems with limited hope of rehabilitation are destroyed. To read more about No-Kill, go to www.g2z.org.au

Patti Page sings Can You See That Doggie in the Shelter

In 2012, Patti Page reprises her 1950s hit, "How Much Is That Doggie in the Window?" for The Humane Society of the United States in this version, "Can You See That Doggie in the Shelter?” She dedicates the song to all homeless dogs in shelters. Hear her song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHMdlpzK-4A