Zeus ... The SPCA special.
Our first dog was an SPCA rescue.
Zeus was an 18 month old Ridgeback Huntaway cross who had a hard start to life. He taught us both so much about owning a large dog (he was 45kg) and I think without him we would never have taken on a Flat Coated Retriever!
When we went looking for a dog at the SPCA I think Andrew was looking for something small to medium... I was ;looking for something big. Thankfully we both loved Zeus on sight! Two weeks after first seeing him we went back to the SPCA and took Andrew's mum Joanna. Zeus was still there. As I had worked att he SPCA we were allowed to take Zeus in to the adoption area and see how we thought he might suit us. Joanna was not too keen... he was a VERY large (and very stinky) dog... but with a heart of gold. He did everything we wanted so to cut a long story short... he was bundled into the back of the car and taken home that day!
Sadly his life had obviously not started out well. He was as soft as butter but still somebody had found the need to beat him with every day items... Items we had to work hard to get him to trust. He was an awesome dog who was extremely well behaved and was always invited to all our friends houses to play with the kids or just to be there.
Three weeks after having to have our beautiful Zeus put to sleep at 12 years old, a heartbreaking time for us both, we were off to the SPCA to find another friend.
The "Dog God" was looking after us that day when Vicky's boss sent a text message saying that he had found us a Flat Coated Retriever needing a new home...were we interested?
Our first introduction to a Flat Coated Retriever was meeting "Kenny" (Voyager out of Africa aka "Kenya", who belonged to Vickys' boss and his wife. Kenny was very handsome and full of fun - and so the love affair with this beautiful breed began.
Zeus was an 18 month old Ridgeback Huntaway cross who had a hard start to life. He taught us both so much about owning a large dog (he was 45kg) and I think without him we would never have taken on a Flat Coated Retriever!
When we went looking for a dog at the SPCA I think Andrew was looking for something small to medium... I was ;looking for something big. Thankfully we both loved Zeus on sight! Two weeks after first seeing him we went back to the SPCA and took Andrew's mum Joanna. Zeus was still there. As I had worked att he SPCA we were allowed to take Zeus in to the adoption area and see how we thought he might suit us. Joanna was not too keen... he was a VERY large (and very stinky) dog... but with a heart of gold. He did everything we wanted so to cut a long story short... he was bundled into the back of the car and taken home that day!
Sadly his life had obviously not started out well. He was as soft as butter but still somebody had found the need to beat him with every day items... Items we had to work hard to get him to trust. He was an awesome dog who was extremely well behaved and was always invited to all our friends houses to play with the kids or just to be there.
Three weeks after having to have our beautiful Zeus put to sleep at 12 years old, a heartbreaking time for us both, we were off to the SPCA to find another friend.
The "Dog God" was looking after us that day when Vicky's boss sent a text message saying that he had found us a Flat Coated Retriever needing a new home...were we interested?
Our first introduction to a Flat Coated Retriever was meeting "Kenny" (Voyager out of Africa aka "Kenya", who belonged to Vickys' boss and his wife. Kenny was very handsome and full of fun - and so the love affair with this beautiful breed began.