Good Dogs
Tell us about your new book, Good Dogs.
This book is a light-hearted insight about owning a dog and giving them their best life. It includes tips and advice on the joys of dog ownership, and features some of our rescue stories and the families who have adopted from us.
What inspired you to write Good Dogs?
We were approached by publishing company Allen & Unwin to write a book about our experiences rescuing dogs. The book developed from there giving us the opportunity to share advice on what sort of dog is right for you, bringing your dog home, sleep and feeding, plus how to keep your dog happy and healthy, interspersed with real case studies.
Can you share your key advice for being a responsible and happy dog owner?
A key piece of advice that we tell everyone who adopts from us is ‘rules and boundaries from day one’. When a pup or dog knows what they are allowed and not allowed to do they feel more comfortable and relaxed as they know what is expected from them. Also remember everyone has an off day!
What is one of your favourite or most memorable rescue stories to date?
One unforgettable rescue involved a call about a dog in poor condition, living in the bush, likely with pups. We met the concerned caller and discovered a chewed-through rope tied to a tree, indicating the dog had been abandoned.
We had stopped on our way to pick up sausage rolls hoping to entice the dog, and it worked. The thin, scared dog slowly approached us and we managed to slip a lead on her. Exhausted, and in terrible condition it was hard to tell if she was pregnant or had pups. After searching for over 2 hours on a steep hillside covered in thick bush, Gavin miraculously found six pups in a hollowed-out tree. With lots of TLC, all survived and they all found amazing, loving homes. One of the pups appeared on the cover of Junction's July 2023 issue.
Good Dogs is available now from bookstores nationwide with all profits made from sales going back to the sanctuary to help with their ongoing rescues.