Kiwi has a tough time when around larger dogs but this husky gets along with Kiwi swimmingly!
Kiwi the Red Heeler and Didge the Husky x Dingo, have now known each other for a few months but now get time to roam across the property, regularly swapping treats, fights and taking turns in the paddling pool each. haha.
Their friendship is blossoming and I’m looking forward to more adventures together. Here’s some more photos of them getting along: Enjoy!
A year ago today, I got my lil’ farmboi. He’s not so little anymore. Kiwi is now a 30kg tank 😂 Enjoy some photos of him growing up into the loyal companion that’s like velcro to my side.
May
Over 14 kilos of velociraptor, he has truly become part of the family, he can read a room and know when to be calm and quiet when were exhausted at the end of the day but he’s smart enough to tell you when he wants attention. We even need to keep the keys out of reach to his treat cabinet as he’s learnt how to unlock it himself.
With the hopes that I wont be going back into hospital much more, im hoping soon to help him find a way to outlet his herding instincts and let him try herding some farm animals (there is a service in melbourne for this)
I’m currently getting him to learn how to jump for targets, pull items on command, and extend his endurance for sled dog pulling the wheelchair for rural bike paths to explore in the future together.
April
I did get to be home for a few weeks between hospital visits in late April and got back into training him with basic jumping, agility concepts and improving his sled dog training skills.
March
During March my health deteriorated and I had a lot of support from my friends to help take care of him while I was in and out of hospital. His training went on hold but we were complimented that he was months ahead for his age.
At this time too he was gaining more than a kilo a week!
February
Fully Vaccinated and attended his first puppy training class. Was well ahead of the class with already mastering call and hand signals for sit, heel, stand up and fistbump
January
He was 2.4kg when I got him at 8 weeks old, born on December 1st. Little did we know what we were getting ourselves into and was a real mother with a newborn situation taking care of him. But within the first week, he knew his name, knew when we were calling him and was successfully house trained within the first few weeks
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!.
Over a month ago my dear Husky Kiro passed away, I didn’t think I would reach this point so soon, but it kind of happened naturally after discussing with some dear friends that I was ready for another dog in my life and how it would fit in. And the opportunity arose that I couldn’t pass up.
I would love to introduce you all to Kiwi, I picked him up from a breeder at a farm just outside of Ballarat, Victoria. He is an 8 week old Red Heeler (Australian Cattle Dog) and quite the adorable face licker.
He is bred and built for the Australian climate and will be my loyal companion as I explore the outback and wilderness over the years.
The trans community are one of the most at risk groups for assault or worse, a loyal working dog like this will help keep me safe on the campsite and wherever I go exploring.
Kiro taught me a lot about myself and rekindled my childhood love of the outdoors. While they are both, very different dogs, Kiwi has a big life of adventure ahead of him
Heelers are quite an intense breed and quite a challenge to train. I may be a wheelchair user but there should be no reason why I cannot.
I’m lucky that I have NDIS supporting my disability, an awesome support worker and services helping me take this opportunity to improve my own fitness as well as having a loving companion like this again in my life. Without this, it wouldn’t have been possible.
Keep an eye on my Instagram @AdaptiveExplorer to see regular photos of
his training and exploring life alongside me 🙂
Ashley Kahurangi 