New life for retired dogs

Toni Bingley of the Carterton Crier kindly did a piece on RWD in the June 2018 issue.

When I saw the name ‘retired working dogs’, I imagined elderly,

arthritic heading-dogs, curled on a bed in the lounge, waiting until

heaven called them home. Instead, I arrived at a local foster home to

meet Jimmy, a joyful, obedient, affectionate dog and Jake, a sweet,

gentle-hearted shy-guy, both with many years ahead of them.

Fundraiser and website developer Karen Cox and local fosterer Iris

Christopher, told me that many working dogs don’t make the grade

for farm-life – too soft, not noisy or hard enough – but having gone

through working-dog training they make wonderful family dogs.

It started in 2012 with vet nurse Natalie in Pahiatua and

Todd, a 12-year-old working dog a farmer had brought in to be

euthanased. Natalie realised Todd’s potential, saw a gap and started

retiredworkingdogs.org.nz.

Now a registered trust, they have hundreds of dogs fostered and

adopted all over New Zealand. Todd lived to the age of 17.

“The youngest dog handed in was 10 weeks old. This isn’t just

about old retired dogs,” Karen said.

“Working dogs have amazing brains and are very family-oriented.

They easily adapt to living in a family home rather than a kennel.

They’re looking to bond. These dogs are bred to be the ultimate team

workers and family life suits them well.”

Retiredworkingdogs.org.nz hold many fundraising events, the

biggest, most recent being The Big Rail Trail Dog Walk. They sell

calendars, have had a fashion show and are always on the lookout

for fundraising ideas.

Fosterers are always needed. All food and vet care is covered for

fosterers. All you need is a big section and lots of love. Or, you could

adopt yourself an amazing, trained dog who comes when you call,

de-sexed, vaccinated and registered, for an adoption fee of $200.

Toni Bingley

Thanks Toni!