Sandi’s first owner was not allowed dogs in his upstairs flat and he had no backyard, so he kept her in a van in a car park. Concerned she would be stolen, he locked the doors and windows. He worked long hours and sometimes Sandi wouldn’t be let out for days. He couldn’t be bothered refilling her water bowl daily or ever removing her faeces. She had been kept in these conditions for two months in mid-summer.
When I first saw Sandi, she was sitting on the seat gazing out the closed window. She was 3-4 months old and a pretty puppy with a golden coat and beautiful black eyes highlighted like Cleopatra’s.
When I got the door open, acrid fumes from her urine filled my nostrils and made me gasp. The puppy rushed over to a shallow puddle and lapped thirstily at the dirty water.
Lots of people had seen Sandi in the two months of her incarceration, but one lady actually did something. She picked up the phone and rang the SPCA. Because she cared, and because she acted, this is Sandi’s life today….
(by Kaye Vezey, Inspector)
If you had asked me 10 month’s ago whether I was a dog person or a cat person, I could only have responded, a dog person, but a cat owner.
Ask me now & I will get all bouncy & yappy, paw at my laptop for photographs & make little yelping, woofy noise’s as I show you my DOG!
Obviously sick of hearing my “Can we have dog, pleeease!” whining, my partner, Jasmin (not a dog person) was introduced too Sandi & very quickly I was introduced to Sandi as well, little cherub I thought. Jasmin thought home wrecker & defiler of carpet’s, cat’s & gardens.
With a huge amount of help & support from Kaye of the Bay of Islands SPCA, Sandi arrived home with everything she needed, a wee house, duvet, Snoopy bowls, collar & some food. Initially she was with us for a two week trial, just to make sure we were not dreaming & really could happily look after a dog.
Jasmin expected no more than two days and confessed later that if Sandi proved to be destructive or incontinent then the trial would be over.
Expectations of “doggy” problem’s, hair everywhere, smells, chewed furniture, chewed cats etc have proved totally unfounded, Sandi has made our home a happier & funnier place & given our social lifes a new twist. Much to my dismay Jasmin has declared that if anything should happen to “us” then she is keeping the dog.
Another unknown for us was Sandi’s breeding, as a pup we speculated that she was a Bull Terrier cross which is now confirmed. As a life time fan of Staffie’s I’m happy to say that she has exactly the same adorable traits, not the menace commonly assumed but a loyal, eager to please pet.
Despite a hard start in life, Sandi is trusting, playful & obedient, she loves to play with other dogs & her favorite movie is “Man throw’s stick 3D”. Her energy when out is boundless & the big, happy grin she wear’s is very infectious.
Training is ongoing so every play session & walk has a bit of obedience thrown in to ensure Sandi knows what is expected of her. At home she is a cute couch potato & warm arm rest.
Adopting Sandi has been very rewarding, I just wish we had more space so I could adopt some more dogs & help the SPCA in their noble work.
By Mark Oliver
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