This bundle of energy was welcomed into my life last Sunday and this whole week we have gotten to know each other. He is a farmboi from a registered breeder outside of Ballarat, Victoria and out of the whole litter, he was the one who couldn’t stop licking my face and with my soft spot for mohawks, just felt like he was the one.
I named him Kiwi and he’s an 8 week old Red Heeler or also called an Australian Cattle Dog. He loves straw and his chicken (see gallery below) I chose his name because its a nice one I can call out well if he runs into a forest and sound like a bird, a nod at my New Zealand heritage and because he is brown like a Kiwi (Did you think I was going to start avoiding puns?)
It has only been a month since Kiro passed away, and while I expected myself to take a lot longer until I get another dog. I got reminded of Kiro’s attitude to upset things, he would take a nap and then be all right, and like the stubborn old dog he was, it was another reminder of his chill dog style. I have a few months spare to focus on his training, I’m taking a break from the big fetish community book writing project for a bit so I can get back into its final polishing stages refreshed, and before I start uni later this year part-time. It was an opportunity to mother hen this little one.
The two have such different personalities, The old boof was a gentle giant, only ever interested in his family and what he can see under the gate, not even toys could distract his chill mood. However, this boy is my FarmBoi and I’m his girl. Looking out for each other from big noises and nosey kookaburras in the backyard and of course helping him build a big stick and toy collection. With always wanting to sleep in the same bed.
Over the years I have helped train and teach many of my friends dogs and been looking forward to the day I get to train my own. It’s only been the first week and he already responds to his name well from opposite ends of the property and very toilet trained.
He is already mostly learnt the sit command and returns toys to my feet most of the time, growing and putting on weight well and has gotten used to wearing a harness most of the time. He is getting used to my pet birds (good training to not chase wildlife) and his heeler instinct to nip is subsiding. Already spent time getting used to sitting in a kayak and next week will start practicing with napping and using tents.
He has his first camping trip near Nagambie planned for late February. Got training school and possible assistance dog training so he can help me out at least to grab things off the floor. He’s shows already to be a loyal guard dog on the lookout for me, and as a transwomen and the risks that demographic have for assault or worse, he will help keep me safe when out exploring.
He’s also been so well toilet trained that he gets to sleep on the bed with me most nights! And as a wheelchair user I have a challenging job ahead but I’m glad I have my NDIS supports to help out too. He has a life of adventure ahead!.
Ashley Kahurangi 