ISO 9001:2000Reg No: 1244AUTUMN NEWSLETTERAUTUMN NEWSLETTER

YEAR 21 No. 1, 2007

Marmalade came home – 11 years later!Marmalade, a cat owned and loved by Kerry Strauss of East Brunswick, went missing 11 years ago. Thanks to our National Pet Register we were able to return him to his astonished owner in February. (see story page 4)

Annual

Supporter

Survey Results

Inside!

Annual

Supporter

Survey Results

Inside!

Photo: Courtesy The Herald & Weekly Times Photographic Collection.

CONTACT INFORMATIONIncorporating:The Western Suburbs Cat ShelterThe National Pet RegisterAnimal Management Services2 Gracie StreetNorth Melbourne Vic 3051Phone: (03) 9329 2755 Fax: (03) 9326 5293website: dogshome.comemail: info@dogshome.com

PATRONSDaryl Cotton, Daryl Somers AOM, Julie Somers, Marty FieldsChairman: Dr Andrew Tribe Managing Director: Dr Graeme Smith

STRAY ANIMALSMonday – Thursday:10.00a.m. to 6.15p.m.Friday:10.00a.m. to 4.45p.m.Saturday/Sunday:9.00a.m. to 12.30p.m.

ANIMAL ADOPTIONSMonday – Friday:10.00a.m. to 4.45p.m.Saturday/Sunday:9.00a.m. to 12.30p.m.Closed Public Holidays

ANDORRA BOARDING KENNELSAND CATTERY9702 8322920 Thompsons Road Cranbourne (Melway: 128 K8)

SOUTH EASTERN POUND SERVICES9702 8055920 Thompsons Road Cranbourne (Melway: 128 K8)Impounded dogs and cats may beviewed from 10am – 12pm and 4pm – 6pm (Monday – Friday) 10am – 1pm (Saturday/Sunday)Closed Public Holidays

THE LOST DOGS HOME ATWINGECARRIBEE ANIMAL SHELTERPhone: (02) 4868 1520Fax: (02) 4868 1534 Resource Recovery CentreBerrima RoadMoss Vale NSW 2577Monday – Friday: 10.00a.m. to 4p.m.Saturday/Sunday: 10.00a.m. to 12m

VETERINARY CLINIC9329 2755 for appointment.The Clinic is open to the public asfollowsMonday – Thursday:10.00a.m. to 6.15p.m.Friday:10.00a.m. to 4.45p.m.Saturday/Sunday:9.00a.m. to 12.30p.m.Closed on Public Holidays

Thank you to all who generously gaveto our Christmas Appeal – it was one ofour most successful appeals ever,raising over $500,000.

Concerned about the sheer numbers ofdogs and cats being admitted to theHome over the Summer months, weappealed to supporters for help. Weknew that to care for those lost,abandoned or neglected animals,required more of our resources than atother times of the year.

During Summer we admitted 2,783dogs, 2,909 cats and over 100 otheranimals, above what we hadanticipated and some of which were inneed of immediate and ongoingveterinary care to treat variousconditions like dehydration, skinconditions, heat stress, heartworm andother parasitic infections.

The call to our supporters did not go unheard – the response wasoverwhelming and as a result we wereable to provide the very best care to allthe animals who desperately needed us.

Thousands of Messages of Hope for theanimals were also displayed at theHome. These caring and often

inspirational messages meant so muchto our staff during the busy Christmasperiod.

To all of you who supported ourChristmas Appeal, a sincere andresounding thank you from everyone atthe Home.

Below: A few of the many thousandMessages of Hope, displayed atReception.

A very merry Christmas indeed!

Our second Annual Charity Golf Daywas held on Monday 5th February atGreenacres Golf Club, East Kew.

The Golf Day is a great opportunity forour corporate friends to enjoy a relaxedand fun day and to meet othersupporters and staff.

Despite the sweltering 38 degree day, 12corporate teams played the 18-holes,with the team from Donovan’sRestaurant winning.

Over $10,000 was raised from the day –a wonderful result – and that moneywill go towards providing the bestpossible care for the thousands ofanimals that come to us each and every year.

On behalf of everyone at the Home, wewould like to extend our thanks to thegenerous sponsors and participantswho supported the event.

The Lost Dogs’ Home Charity Golf Daywill he held again in 2008 in March. Ifyou would like to register your interestin the event, please emailinfo@dogshome.com.

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Putt–ing their support behind the Home

These measures are: Reduce (usage),Re-Use and Recycle.

They have already been rigorouslyapplied to obvious items such as cans,paper, cardboard, milk cartons, plasticand the like.

Paper saving strategies are also alreadyin place in our Administrative, IT,Fundraising and Clinic areas.

Formalised and routine staff trainingsessions on water and energyconserving strategies for their work arealready being planned, and taking placeas a supplement to other trainingsessions. These will cover suggestions asto how staff members can apply them intheir own homes if they wish.

Right now it seems that it would makesense to offer bonuses that wouldencourage our staff to use publictransport, bicycles, or smaller capacityenergy powered vehicles such as motorscooters, diesel, electric or hybrid carsor – if petrol driven – vehicles with lessthan 1.5 litre capacity.

Our Vehicle FleetWe are presently considering thepracticability, and suitability ofmatching more closely our vehicles totheir function and what effects thiscould have upon the adaptability andversatility of the individual componentsof our fleet.

ElectricityOne simple method that we arecurrently considering to reduce ourcarbon emissions at the Home is topurchase a percentage of our electricityas ‘Green Power’ i.e. renewable energyproduced from clean, renewable sourcessuch as solar, wind, water and biomass.

Heating and CoolingRight now, as a component of ourfacilities maintenance schedule, we arechecking, with a view to upgrading, theinsulation of our main buildings, and inweatherproofing all doors and windows.

We are also investigating thepracticability and costs of graduallyreplacing our refrigerated airconditioning with ducted evaporative airconditioning supplemented with ceilingfans.

Solar heating hot water systems are theway of the future along with solaraugmented room heating systems bothof which are planned for new facilitiessuch as the Sick and Injured Stray Dogand Cat complex. Automated lightswitches in all office areas would alsoreduce electricity use (and bills!).

The 21st Century “3 Rs”The Home is planning several buildingprojects, all of which will certainlyfeature all possible and practical built-inenergy and water saving measures.

Like every enterprise that uses energyand water to do its job, we facechallenges that can no longer beignored.

We feel that we must face up to thosechallenges without delay. Everyonemust. Such conservation measures arecalled for right across our entirecommunity.

For our part, we must seek ways toreduce our use of energy and waterresources without compromising thequality of our work.

Accordingly I am commissioningimmediate professional detailed auditsof the Home’s present usage of energyand water.

When the results are to hand they willgive us a clearer indication of themeasures we must take, and theirobvious priorities in our overall plan.

Meanwhile we are thinking about themore obvious ways to conserve energyand water so that we may be preparedto act on them quickly.

Water ConservationTo conserve water we are alreadycollecting rainwater from building roofsto store in water tanks, but only at afraction of the volume that could becaptured and used on site as we alsohave the capacity to include a large watertank under our lawn area.

With the installation of the necessarypumps the collected water could be usedfor such purposes as toilet flushing,washing blankets and towels, cleaningpens, washing vehicles, cleaning sealedsurfaces and watering our gardens.

We could use high pressure/low volumewater cleaners for most of these tasks. Along with that it would be wise to institute regular water-fixturesmaintenance. This would eliminate, or atleast reduce to a minimum, leakages andother water wasting faults

We are already looking at the feasibilityof treating and recycling water to cleanour animal pens and vehicles. A new“grey water” system could serve ourwashing machines and front lawn. Weare even investigating the feasibility ofmethane-production from collectedanimal faeces.

DR SMITH’S COLUMNS

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My family and I enjoy spending time in the outdoors and want to do as much aspossible to preserve the environment and to reduce CO2 admissions.

continued on page 4

It could involve using 4 cylinder enginesfor most of our vehicles, plus 1-2 largercapacity vehicles for floats, stocktrailers, etc and 4 WD vehicles onlywhen and if they are needed in certaincountry areas such as to service ourexisting Bendigo Animal ManagementServices contract.

We will fully investigate the costs andbenefits of using diesel fuel as againstpetrol or LPG, and the energy savingpotential of any hybrid vehicles thatcome on to the market so that our overall carbon emissions into the atmosphere can be reducedconsiderably.

In addition to this we are investigatingso-called Carbon Trading schemesthrough which we can offset our carbonemissions by financially supportingprojects such as mass tree plantings. Allliving plants remove carbon dioxidefrom the atmosphere (and store it in theplants’ structure as carbon) so not onlywill our carbon emissions be offset butthere will also be positive, long-term andsustainable effects for our environment.

Finally we will encourage all of our staffto come up with their original idea forenergy and water conservation. Weintend to do this by paying bonuses forany that prove to be effective, genuineand original. This we believe will sparkfurther creative thinking along the rightlines as regards our 3Rs approach.

I invite any readers of my column toconsider our ideas and apply themwhere appropriate to their ownbusinesses and homes. And of course Iwould welcome any suggestions theymight make to help us in our own waterand energy programmes.

Strong challenges are already looming.They will certainly become moredemanding in the almost immediatefuture. We should not meet them withfaint hearts but with the creative energyneeded to tackle them. We should alsomeet them together.

My daughter Marie is very angry that our generation is wrecking the worldthrough global warming. Hopefully if weall work together we can turn it around.

Dr Graeme SmithManaging Director.

Marmalade came in latefor breakfast!

Cats are well known for staying outlater than they should, but we reckonthat Marmalade, a member of theStrauss family in East Brunswick, takesthe prize as the longest absentee of thiscentury.

That’s not hard to figure, since he hasbeen absent from his home for all of itand then some. Eleven years in fact!

He was found straying in Werribee,then brought to the Home, where ourmicrochip scanner revealed his

microchip number and our NationalPet Register held his owner’s EastBrunswick address and contact details.

To say that Kerry Strauss was surprisedto receive a call from us is perhapssomething of an understatement.

When we last spoke to her to see howthings were going, she told us thatMarmalade was settling down well.

He had recognised and was pleased togreet his feline childhood friendAllegra again but wasn’t too pleasedabout a couple of interlopers Teapotand Little Meow, who had takenresidence in his absence. The clawswere out, and territorial claims neededto be renegotiated!

Kerry said that Marmalade hadobviously been loved and well caredfor in his “lost years” and, through theHerald-Sun story that reported thisincident, offered to return him to thosewho had cared for him for over adecade.

No-one contacted her to take up theoffer and it is unlikely that Marmaladehimself will undertake yet anotherodyssey at his age.

4

Ziggy is a great little dog well-loved byhis famous owner Molly Meldrum. Soyou can imagine Molly’s distress whenhis mate went missing one evening,escaping through the open garagedoor.

Collected from Richmond by ouranimal ambulance, Ziggy spent therest of the night safe at The Lost Dogs’Home, whilst a frantic Molly searchedhis local area.

An alert staff member recognised thelittle fellow the next morning, afterseeing Molly’s plea for his return onChannel Seven’s ‘Sunrise’ programme.

Shelter Manager, Sue Conroy made thephone call to Molly and gave him thehappy news about Ziggy. Molly arrivedat the Home a short time later and ateary reunion between the twoensued.

Ziggy returns!

It is highly unlikely that his celebrityDad will need to worry again. Ziggy isnow listed on our National PetRegister. That means he can be readilyidentified and rescued quickly if hewanders off in future.

Ziggy now joins the ranks of one ofthe 9000 animals we reunited withtheir owners last year through theNational Pet Register.

continued from page 3

“What I like is walking the dogs,meeting new mates, learning aboutanxiety and how to beat it, having agood time and a laugh.”

Members of the Pound Dog Group, runthrough Orygen Youth Health, haveonce again started visiting the Home towalk dogs.

Comprising youths suffering socialphobias and other anxiety disorders,the group visits the Home each weekand takes dogs out for exercise andsocialisation. There is often real joy andspontaneity for the young people inconnecting with and handling the dogs.

The dogs certainly revel in the attentionshown to them and make full use oftheir handler’s time – belly rubs,scratches behind the ears, treats andkind words abound.

It would be fair to say that thiswonderful initiative benefits the dogsjust as much as the participants.

Since we first published news of theprogram in a 2004 issue of thenewsletter, many supporters contactedus with their thoughts and stories onjust how much their animals mean tothem and how important theircompanionship and love is.

Does your pet makeyou smile?Our Supporter Survey, mailed inOctober last year, asked the question“Does your pet make you smile?” Theoverall response to the survey wasmagnificent (see centre page spreadfor results), and we were unsurprisedwhen the majority of people indicatedthat their beloved pet or pets makethem smile.

Some respondents took the time towrite about just how their pet or petsenrich their lives.

“I don’t know what I’d do without mycats, who give my family so muchpleasure (in sickness and health).”

“Our pets bring such joy and happinessinto our home – they are suchwonderful companions.”

Orygen Youth Health at The Lost Dogs’ Home

“We were honoured a few Christmasesago when asked by extended family toplease bring our dogs along for thecelebrations. Our two boys gaveeveryone a chuckle when they arriveddressed in Santa hats and draped intinsel!”

“I have three beautiful little dogs – theyare a big part of my life and make mylife what it is – happy!”

“My cat is always willing to ‘converse’with me; I’ll talk to her and she’llanswer. I never get lonely with heraround.”

“I find you meet and talk to peoplewhen you walk your dogs and wouldrecommend pet ownership to theisolated in the community as it bringssocial interaction into your life.”

My two dogs and two cats all share mybed at night. We all fight for a spot. Iwouldn’t change my life for anythingand I’m very lucky to have suchbeautiful pets.”

Practitioners within medical and healthfields have recognised the healthbenefits pets have on humans for sometime now and it seems like so many ofyou out there, along with us, agree!

5

The services that weremost important to youwere:

1 Shelter and adoption services for unclaimed dogs and cats

2 Vet clinic

3 24/7 Animal Ambulance service that rescues lost, injured and stray animals and brings them back to the Home for treatment and care

You agreed that the bestways we can have animpact on responsiblepet ownership are:

1 School programs to educate children about looking after pets

2 Running the National Pet Register and making sure that lost pets are reunited with their owners as soon as possible

3 Providing information to all pet owners about how best to care for their pet

Desexing:

Desexing is one of the best waysto reduce the amount of un-wanted puppies and kittensbeing brought to the Home.84% of you who replied tothe survey agree and havedesexed your dog or cat.

Microchipping:

At the Home, every dog or catthat is brought into us is scannedfor a microchip in the hope thatthey can be returned to theirworried owner. It was

encouraging to see that92% of the supporterswho responded to oursurvey have micro-chipped their pets.

25%Compulsorydesexing of

pets before sale(except for

breeding purposes)

17Bannin& cat sa

pet sh

16%Compulsory pet licences

Statements

that

willhelp ac

25Help you

lone

23Are goyour h19%

Teach kids responsibilty

17%A pets’ life as

important as a humans’

9%

7%

Are better

company

than people

Caringfor

pets is easy

The im

portance of

The Lost Dogs’ HomSupporter’s Survey

At the Home, we love hearing your thoughts on our work with lost,stray, injured and unwanted animals. Our annual Supporter’s Survey is afantastic opportunity for us to find out what you think about animal

welfare issues and what you think we should be doing to help.

Bringing Happiness:

26% of you agree that your petmakes you smile at least oncea day.

Companionship:17% of you agree

that your pet shows concern

when you aresick or sad.

Adoption:

It is wonderful to know a lot of you have experienced firsthand what it means to adopt anunwanted, stray or neglectedanimal. 44% of our supporterscurrently have a pet that wasfound as a stray or adoptedfrom a shelter, including TheLost Dogs’ Home.

National Pet Register:

It was wonderful to see thatsome of you have experiencedthe joy and relief of beingreunited with your pet throughour National Pet Register. It isequally encouraging to knowthat some of you have beenable to reunite other petowners with their dog or catbecause of this service.

We were delighted to know thatso many of you have registeredyour pets with the NPR. This free and national serviceis the easiest and best way to

ensure that, if your belovedpet was ever to go missing,they are returned to youquickly and safely.

24%Compulsory

microchippingof pets before

sale

18%Testing newowners on re-sponsible pet

ownership7%ng dogales inhops

chieve the Home’smission

5%u when ely

3%od for

health

f pets

me Annualy 2006 Results...

Readers write

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“It’s just a dog. You’ll get another one”.

Do people realise how shocking thissounds? These words do not supportone in a time of emotional upheaval,but rather cause further heartbreak atthe coldness of the words.

I am never sure whether to be angry ator sad for the person who makes such acomment. Have they not experiencedthe love, happiness, joy and warmththat a four-legged ‘girl’ or ‘boy’ gives? Ifthey have, did such giving go over theirheads?

The death of a special little or large‘person’ breaks one’s heart in no otherway that life dishes out.

The death of a parent, spouse, child,friend or family member is completelyshattering and at times filled with “whatif’s”, wonderful memories, extremesadness and every other emotion. Weare allowed the time to grieve and aresupported by family and friends to helpus cope with the extremity of the pain.

When a pet dies, some people make thecomment “It’s just a dog”; others feelsad on the day for you. Those of us whounderstand the emotions of such lossgrieve with the person and try to helpthem work through the pain, no matterhow long it takes.

My husband and I lost one of our‘daughters’ in 2006. Sarsha had hadthree major operations and was back atthe specialist for a procedure to seewhat was causing further discomfort. Iwas to pick her up at 5pm. At 1.30pmthe telephone rang and the specialistsaid: “I’m so sorry but Sarsha haspassed away”.

I admit to being hysterical, gutwrenched, devastated, angry with him,disbelieving and yet anxious to get tomy little girl to bring her home.

Although we love all of our girls andboys equally, Sarsha had that little extrasomething. She was a ‘dot’ of a little

person – a small purebred Shih Tzu.Spoilt? Oh, yes. Disobedient? Well, shewould say, “No, I simply do what youwant me to do in my own time”!Character – combination of a big heartand a beautiful nature. Loved? With apassion. She shared her home with herlittle (as in younger, not as in size)

sister, Miss Brodie and two brothers(cats), Dudley and Beau.

All these months on, do we still grieve?Yes. Do we still cry when we pass hergrave? Yes. Do we delight in the singlerose when it opens on her graveside?Yes. Do we still talk to and about her?Yes. Do we miss her? Oh, yes, yes, yes.

Although Georgia (our puppy) hastaken a different place in our hearts,Sarsha has a part that will forever behers.

I’m not sure that I believe in Heaven,but I do hope with all of my body andsoul that there truly is a Rainbow Bridgewhere all pets wait for their ‘parents’.That is my life’s wish.

Those who have had the trueexperience of sharing life with a four-legged ‘child’ will understand what I amsaying. It’s NOT just a dog. It is a speciallove affair.

By Dianne Baxter.

A big thank you to all the lovelyhumans who helped me find a home.

I have learnt to sit at the kerb beforecrossing the road and look for traffic.They say I am very good because Idon’t move until I’m told to come,unless I see a dog or another dog, thenthey make me sit until they go away.All I want to do is play. I don’t thinkit’s very fair.

I have put on at least two kilos! I amsuch a good boy. I go for two walks aday, sometimes three! I have a largeyard to run around in, but no-one toplay with. Humans are not the same.

I am being very good at not chasingbicycles. I have a made a Heeler friend.His name is Max and we go walkingtogether three times a week. Theynever let me off the lead unless I’m inan area with a fence and gate.

I have been to the beach. I don’t likewaves at all. I barked at them but theydidn’t go away.

I’m still scared of some strangers.People come to visit and I get scaredthey will take me away. My humanssay that this is my home now and thatthey love me. I really love them.

Lots of love, Shah.

SHAH’S NEW LIFEBelow is an excerpt from Shah’s story – a Saluki who is enjoying a new life after being rescued.

We receive correspondence from supporters that deeply touch us – this is just one of those letters:

IT’S NOT JUST A DOG!

Sarsha’s photo appeared in last year’sSpring Picture Gallery.

9

In 2004, my then 20 year old son,Daniel, went to the Home to find a newfriend. As Daniel said, he went not tochoose a friend but to be chosen. Theone who chose him was a blackWhippet cross who became known asMinion and was Daniel’s constantcompanion.

The two could be seen in his hometown together either running orexercising in the nearby park. Minionwas also happy curled up on a chairbeside Daniel, and although she hadher own bed, she would often sneakinto his on a cold night.

Sadly, in June last year, Daniel died.Minion has come to live with uspermanently and of course, sheattended his funeral. She steals myfood, doesn’t listen to a word I say and

I am always cleaning up after her.Minion is gutsy and a real comic, awonderful reminder of my son.

I often walk all three of our dogs in apark near The Lost Dogs' Home andstop and chat with other doggy people.Many say they adopted their dogs fromthe Home and I tell them that Minioncame from there too. It is like belongingto a very special club.

Minion was the one thing that Danieltreasured above all else and I see it as aprivilege and an honour to look afterher until she is ready to join Danielagain at the Rainbow Bridge.

I want to thank you, especially forgiving Daniel the opportunity to findsuch a wonderful friend.

From Karen Ivory

In January I had a look on your web site for kittens for adoption as my fiance and I are avid cat lovers. As I waslooking, I spotted the most gorgeous kitten I had ever seen.

We fell in love with Maiya the instant we met her at the shelter. She has been a perfect kitten, although wethought she was quiet and shy she’s now come out of her shell. For the first 3 days Maiya purred and purred.We have taken her to a friend’s house for a visit and she loves it. She loves mischief and playing. Best of all sheplays by herself quiet contentedly so we have never worried about her when we are at work.

As you can see from the photo, Maiya is very much loved in our home. We just wanted to say ‘Thank you’ andlet your know she is a very happy kitten. From Laurene and Stefan

DANIEL AND MINION

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Autumn Pic

Reggie is a much loved member of the Galleafamily and can understand Maltese andEnglish. Owner Grazio describes him as “myvery good friend,” and told us “Mygrandchildren like to hold Reggie and hereturns their love.”

Beautiful Cara suffered a snake bite prior toChristmas and owner Rebecca says it was avery stressful time. “Two months on, she’sputting weight on and becoming her old self.To see my best friend happy again makes my day.”

Steve has been keeping us updated with hisnew Shepherd pup, Jessie. Handed in to hislocal vet clinic, along with her brothers andsisters, Jessie has brought a lot of love andhappiness into Steve’s life. Here Jessie is at13 weeks (and her ears have always stood uplike that!).

Denise sent us a photo of her cat Rastus,who, Denise says, “is a beautiful cat – but weare the servants!” Rastus is curled up in herfavourite sleeping spot, her cat igloo.

Roxy (Kelpie x Staffy) and Khan (Staffy) spent Christmas in Phillip Island, enjoying manywalks, runs on the beach and swimming. Their owner Brooke mentioned that both dogs gotChristmas stockings with their names in gold lettering!

Joan Marie sent in this great photo of Pushkin – he’s taken for walks around the garden inhis harness (“we couldn’t let him out as it would be the end of the wildlife”). He has manyplaces to play inside, is the boss of the house and is completely spoiled, but he deserves it.

“I’m forever talking about Cauchi.” saysBarbara. Cauchi is 19 years old this yearand Barbara doesn’t like leaving her alonefor very long these days. This photo taken afew years ago shows Cauchi, enjoying asunny day.

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Five year old Bronte lives with theAnderson’s and he follows his ownereverywhere about the house. Each week thedelivery from the supermarket arrives andBronte hops in and out of the boxes. He alsolikes sleeping in the sunniest patch of thecat enclosure.

Isaac (above) and Remus are part of theAgnew family – although they are theoddest-looking couple, the two get alongvery well. Remus has invented a clever gameof “Steal the toy and catch me if you can”!The Agnews get so much pleasure fromwatching them play together.

“I couldn’t imagine life without Roxie (right)and Sumo (left),” writes Caroline, “they givelove and affection so unconditionally and tosee their excitement when I return homefrom work just makes my day. I’m sure you’llthink they’re as beautiful as we do.”

In memory of Snooks, who passed away aged 16. “Snooks was absolutely wonderful and gotme through some very rough times.” Wrote John, who also said that he considered Snooks tobe his very best mate.

Trickie lived with the Windows and sadlypassed away in January, at 131/2 years. Whenshe was brought home at 6 months old ownerGay said the only thing she had going for herwas her sweet little face; she had long legs,long tail, small head and the most beautifulsoft long ears. She soon grew into her bodyand make herself at home. Trickie was muchloved and enjoyed a great life with the family.

Elle adopted Eddie from the Home a year ago. “He has grown into the most beautiful, happyand faithful dog and loves to play with all his toys. He’s a very much-loved family member andwanted you to know he has brought us so much joy. I love him.”

Mrs Koper was ‘adopted’ by Orphan Anniewho fell from a tree on their property. Anniewas very sick, dehydrated, couldn’t walk andwas brown from flea dirt and being outside.After plenty of TLC Orphan Annie is theKoper’s “indoor girl; demanding but verygentle.” And much loved too.

ture Gallery

11

By Kelly Ryan

A one-eyed widow has adopted a one-eyed dog fouryears after the death of her one-eyed husband.

Retired ballerina Laurel Lawton, 90, wanted theperfect mate to fill the hole in her life after the lossof husband Lloyd.

And she’s found it in Little Pie, an injured straywho had to have an eye removed at The Lost Dogs'Home last week.

“We’re Melbourne’s one-eyed monster family,” MrsLawton jokes.

Mrs Lawton, who founded Ballet Victoria anddanced as Laurel Martyn lost sight in her right eyeyears ago.

Her late husband had been forced to have an eyeremoved because of disease a few years before that.

So when Mrs Lawton asked The Lost Dogs' Home tofind her a mate, she had no idea how perfect shewould be.

“I wanted an older dog who’d be a companion,” shesaid.

“They matched me with Little Pie, who is six, andwho has lost sight in the same eye.”

Mrs Lawton and niece Helen Adam joked that LittlePie could be the late Llyod Lawton reincarnated.

“Except Lloyd was six foot four and not quite ashairy,” Ms Adam said.

On her first venture into Mrs Lawton’s back yard,the tenacious terrier caught and killed a rat.

Image courtesy ‘The Herald & Weekly Times’

Photographic Collection’

Story courtesy ‘The Herald & Weekly Times’

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What has two eyes, tutus and chews shoes?