Betty
Author Archives: magdafoto
Daisy and Freddie
Oscar and Mums-Mums
“I was 16 years old when I first encountered a black pekingese boy, it was in Vienna, Austria, and it was love at first sight. I couldn’t determine what that little adorable, playful gremlling-looking thing was, so I asked; what is it? A cat, a dog? 17 years later that was a question I finally started to get on a daily basis myself.
My now husband and I had finally received permanent residency in Australia. We had come to and age ready to settle down plus I was working from home so there were no longer any excuses to postpone my dream of getting a pekingese. I found a breeder in Melbourne who had two black peke girls for sale; one 6 month old and one 3.5 year old. We decided on the 3.5 year old without having met the two of them – and it was a match made in heaven. We decided to call her ”Mums-Mums” (after a Swedish fluffy cake). Wherever we would go, we brought her. We smuggled her on buses, trains, taxis and in shopping centers. Naturally – she wouldn’t walk herself but be carried in a bag I got for her. I wasn’t aware of that little detail – pekinese don’t like walks – they expect to be carried.
We quite soon decided to get another peke and fell for a gold/red peke boy from a New Zealand breeder. His name was Oscar and he was trained to walk on a leash, at least for shorter walks. We were worried that Mums-Mums wouldn’t approve of the new family member, but luckily it was the opposite. During the first week Oscar was with us, Mums-Mums behaved like a teenager in love, rolling around on the floor, trying to get his attention.
The two of them have very different temperament, but yet always together. Mums-Mums, a bit of a clown, loves playing with stuffed animals that she ”kills”. Oscar loves fetching ball and wrestling. Mums-Mums has zero interest in that. Mums-Mums is a real ”diva”; the kind of a dog that when everyone is upstairs, and she is downstairs, she will call on you until you come and pick her up. She loves hide and seek, but usually her wagging tail gives her away, and if she’s found a place were she really can’t be seen, then thankfully the door-bell works like a charm, every time. Oscar is a real sweat-heart, a cuddly teddy bear who wants to please everyone. Still they cuddle up together, chase each other in the corridor and play.
When we had our baby just before Christmas 2015, we thought a lot about how to make the transition as smooth as possible for the dogs. It just had to work, they are or babies too and it was important to us that they wouldn’t feel replaced or less important to us. So the plan – which turned out well – was to get a pram/stroller with a basket big enough for the dogs, so they could join for walks. They very quickly realised that the new addition to the family came with a nice ride and also a nice place for daytime naps (just in case no one tries to sneak out without them).
Pekingese is a very rare breed today. They are funny little dogs with a lot of humor. Their temperament are not too far from cats; they only care about their mom and dad (and siblings) and don’t bother about anyone else – and they will let you know. Company and visitors are not appreciated.
It is now almost 5 years since we first got Mums-Mums, and another 4 since we got Oscar. Yet today, not a day passes by without people asking what they are. I once overheard two Spanish speaking ladies discussing weather they were ”gatos” or ”peros” (cats or dogs) and decided they must be ”gatos”. Most dogs would find that the greatest offense of all, but I am pretty sure our dogs took that as a compliment.” by Marie
Millie, Yuki and Akira
“Our three furry kids are Yuki, Akira and Millie. Yuki is our first at 9 years old and he is a fox terrier cross Pomeranian. We got him from gumtree because the advert said he was the last puppy and would go to the pound if not collected by the end of the week. Akira came second and she is 8 years old. Her mum was pregnant in the pound and gave birth to her and her 6 siblings in foster care the day after she was saved. We think it really affected Akira since she was a very scared puppy. But Akira is now a totally different dog! Millie is our third (but will she be our last??) and she is just 3 years old. We saved Millie from a greyhound breeding facility because she had injured her paw somehow. It was very traumatic for her but the vets managed to save the leg and get her a prosthetic. We were only supposed to foster Millie but of course we couldn’t give her up. Since Millie we have fostered many other greyhound puppies and we hope to keep doing so!” by Nora
Hayne and Billie
“Billie:
Billie is 1 year old female American Staffie. We purchased her as a companion to our older dog Hayne. Billie has a mischievous nature and loves to run and wrestle with Hayne. She is highly energetic and spirited and loves socialising with other dogs and people at the dog park. Billie likes to dig and we are always discovering new holes around our back garden.
Hayne:
Hayne is an 8 year old male American Staffie, we purchased him from a friend who is a breeder. Hayne lost his sight when he was 3 years old and has since learned to navigate life using his other senses. He did not lose his sense of adventure and loves to be outdoors and involved in family life. When our children were little they used to ride him around the backyard and he would patiently oblige. Hayne is a gentle giant and has a calm and loving nature and is extremely loyal.” by Sarah
Ripley
“Ripley is also known in our house as “the best dog in the world!” He is a Rhodesian Ridgeback x Rottweiler who will celebrate his 12th birthday in October 2016. He is our first born with 4 legs. He was born on Cockatoo Island in Sydney Harbour and after an exchange of 50 bucks at 6 weeks of age, he was ours! He loves hanging out with kids, going for walks, lying in the sun, going for drives in the truck or on our barge. Any chance for swimming and he’s there. We are always greeted at the gate with a heartfelt “woo-woo” that sounds like a noise that would emminate from a much smaller dog! He also has a distinct kettle whistling sound that he makes when he is subtley trying to get your attention. If a dog could talk, that would be Ripley. He talks with his eyes & his mouth & always makes his feelings very clear!” by Nicole
Bailey
Doofet and Jessica
Mili, Tobi and Franki
“We have 3 chinese crested. Tobi Jugs, Milli Moo and Franki
Tobi Jugs is a 6yr old male a hairy hairless. He is a snuggle boy and very affectionate and loves nothing more then cuddling up on the lounge or underneath the doona at bed time. He loves walks and loves human attention. Gets very withdrawn and anxious if left alone. A real old man in a puppy body.
Milli Moo is Tobis little sister. Born the same day from same litter. She is a powder puff and you could say almost the opposite to Tobi. She is very independent and doesn’t like human attention or cuddles. If we get 30 secs with her patting we consider ourselves very lucky. She would much rather bury herself in bed and stay there all day. She also loves walks and if anything is a Daddys girl.
Franki was a rescue. We heard he needed a home and couldn’t resist that face. He is only 11 months. Hairy Hairless male. We have had him 3 months and its taken him a long time to settle in and get used to us. He is also very affectionate and only now will cuddle on the lounge or in bed. He has had his fair share of chewing on furniture and doors. He is very lucky we love him. He had a problem in his hip joint and needed major surgery on his leg but recovering very well now and starting to use his leg.
They are all very spoilt and love laying in front of the heater. They have coats there wear outside in winter as they get very cold with no hair to protect them. If we go out we always organise a dog sitter to sit with them. They have the best life. We just loved the breed and how so many people think they are so ugly. We found beauty in ugly.” by Sasha
Cisco
A bit about Cisco….
He is named after “Cisco The Kid” an old American western saga with his side-kick “Pancho”. An opportunity came to me via a dear friend of his birth after my dear dawg Jackson departed after I damaged him to the point of “putting down” the week before the previous Christmas. We travelled to Newcastle to collect this beautiful tiny thing of cinnamon and black and drove him to Sydney.
He has been a total reflection of a total reflection of his owner and friends, as he is growing into a stroppy, wildfire, respectful, member of the pack… both domestic and public.
Totally long-legged for his breed, he thinks he is a larger dog with the appropriate bark and gruff! I must say that raising any dog is a challenge and this one is much the same with all the trappings. Barking at TV animal channels is dos favourite, and we cannot watch a “animal” planet program without him going crazy at the screen. When we leave him alone , we must put “Animal Planet” on the TV to entertain him while we are away…..(I’m not sure how this saves us from electricity bills, but it works). He is very independent in “dog park” situations, he tends to preserve his social up bringing and do what he wants to do and …..then… engage with other ramparts. Long in legs, he hardly represents the typical ” King Charles – Cocker Spaniel” but has everything ut the papers to prove it. He is scratching at me now for “dinars” and now he is in my lap on the computer helping me make mistakes, smelling of chocolate! What a wonderful boy, licking (at appropriate times) to reply affection, stealing warm spots in the bet in Sydney wintertime, and alerting me of diversions from my professional paths with growling and recalcitrant actions of my own. He is (like all dawgs) a true individual and is loved and admired by all socially.
