March• 2018 | 15BROUGHT TO YOU BYhouseofpets.innovations.com.au
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trying to tell us that she still had the
watch and wanted to return it.
Now, whenever we visit our home
town, we make sure we visit the pet
mongoose as well.A Ray of Sunshine
N. MITCHELL
My daughter, Fiona, and her family
had a beautiful nine-year-old golden
retriever, Sunny. Fiona’s in-laws lived
in New Zealand and every time the
family went over to visit them, we got
to mind the dog. Fiona would also
leave her bronze Landcruiser at our
place, parked right where Sunny could
see it, for as long as the dog could
check that the car was still there,
which he did regularly, he was happy.
Sunny knew from past experience
that if the car was there, the family
would come back. Each time they
did, I jokingly told them not to bother
picking up Sunny because he was a
joy to have around.
He was beautiful with the family,
and when an unexpected baby came
along – 17 years after her older sister –
Sunny was lovely and gentle with her.
In April 2017 we learnt that the
family was relocating to New
Zealand, and knowing the bond
that existed between them and
Sunny I knew they would want to
take him. But with limited finances
they found it too expensive to take
their much-loved dog.
So we adopted him.
Their car, yet to be sold, was parkedat our side gate and Sunny kept watch
over it, checking on it each day before
going for a walk. I think it was his
security blanket. Then, a few months
later, when the car was finally sold,
poor Sunny had to adjust to losing yet
another part of his family.
With the car gone, Sunny
discovered that cats visit the area and
this has held his interest (though not
as much as the car!). We’ve had a few
hiccups, behaviour-wise, but Sunny
has now settled in very well and is
far better trained than any of our
previous dogs.
Sunny is lovely company and
has been a beautiful addition to
our family.