‘Tis the season for family and friends

Hi Everyone

I hope you enjoy spending time with your family and friends in the next few weeks. That’s what the season is all about, I think.

Polly (far right) enjoying a rawhide Christmas cracker, with friends Ruby, Fred and Decca.

Whenever I have eaten, I like to have a little lie down and a snooze on my bed inside where it’s cool, particularly on these warm summer days when it is very humid. I’m guessing you’ll feel the same need after delicious BBQs and Christmas celebrations.

Polly’s afternoon snooze

I hope you are able to enjoy some rest, too, during the holidays Thank you for your support of the SPCA this year, and take care over the summer.

Love from Polly x

One Year On...

Gosh, it’s a year now since my Warkworth “experience” in November 2008, and what a year it has been!

From the time I was found I have been rescued, had major surgery, I’ve been rehabilitated by the incredible SPCA staff, had lessons in obedience and was rehomed to a new family in February.

I have adapted to living with my canine siblings, I’m even getting used to the cats and I now enjoy eating. I love walking and playing and swimming, and I bark at other dogs if they get too close to my family and our house.

So, all in all, I’ve adapted to life as a regular dog and I’m loving it.

Canon bones are still a favourite of Polly's

I thought you might like to see a shot of me enjoying a bone earlier this week. Yum, yum, yum, I say.

Love from Polly xx

Super Summer’s on the Way

Hi Everyone

It’s wonderful to know that daylight saving and long summer days are just around the corner. I love summer and swimming.

While I don’t swim at beaches at the moment, there is a local pond where I enjoy splashing around. I was there last weekend with my fur family members and we had a great time. My energy levels are excellent, so I can run and run and run, and still not get tired!

Playing with other dogs is fabulous and as I don’t fear any of them, I just have a ball jumping and diving and chasing and splashing.

I hope you all have a lovely summer, and I look forward to keeping in touch.

Remember to Slip, Slop, Slap and Cover Up in that sun.

Love,

Polly xx

Stars in Her Eyes

There were certainly stars in my eyes in early July. You see, TV host Simon Barnett, SPCA Inspector Sue Baudet and I were filmed for a special SPCA television programme.

I spent an hour and half with Simon and Sue in the Auckland Domain while the filming took place. They were delightful and patient, and gave me lots of praise and treats. I was completely star struck.

It was a bit tricky sitting still and not getting into mischief every time the camera was rolling, but I was very good. Some tourists even stopped to watch the action.

At one point, I was sure the sound man was carrying a microphone boom covered with a fluffy treat specially for me. So, the next time I was sitting quietly between Simon and Sue and the sound man held the fluffy thing near us, I quickly and quietly stepped forward and pulled at the fluffy treat, taking it with me back to my place on the grass. Everyone was laughing at my cheekiness. I wasn’t to know that it was a microphone protector and not really a treat for me.

I must be coming up one year old soon, and I’m looking forward to celebrating with a big bone, like this:

And then I’ll probably have a big snooze in the winter sun, like this:

I hope all’s well with you, as it is with me.

Love from Polly xx

Roll out the Red Carpet ... Polly Goes to Hollywood

Did you know that Hollywood for dogs is called Doggywood?  Well, it is.  I’ve even got a photo to prove it...

A few Sundays ago, I went to Purina’s ‘Bark in the Park’ event at Waiatarua Reserve in Auckland.  I had a wonderful few hours there, sniffing lots of other dogs, wearing a bandana given to me by a lovely lady, munching on treats, watching an awesome agility show and having this photo taken with my family.  That’s me in the middle of the shot, with Fred and Decca the guide dog stud, and our mum.

After the excitement of the event, we went for a swim at a nearby pond, and I played in the surrounding mud with lots of other pups.  What a great day – getting all wet and mucky with a crowd of new friends!  My brothers and I were so exhausted when we returned to our car, that we slept for five hours without stirring.

Mum was able to get lots of jobs done at home while we snoozed, so everyone was happy by day’s end.  Mum even gave us a shampoo and a massage, and then a rub down with a special new brush that she has bought to remove the fluff from our undercoats.   By bedtime, we were all clean and shiny and ready for sleep.  Now that the evenings are cooler, I snuggle up closely to Decca and Fred on our blankets.  We sleep soundly and dream sweet thoughts until the morning, when we enjoy delicious breakfast and a new day of adventures begins. Oh, this is the life, I say.

Love from Polly xx

Polly Bottom?

(Barbara is one of our Canine Team at the Auckland SPCA Village and she played 'Foster Mum' to Polly during her recovery period. Polly writes letters to her from time to time.)

Dear Barbara

I visited Richard Jerram at VSG this morning and he's very pleased with my progress. He thinks I look very well and he admired my glossy coat. He calls me Polly Bottom, which isn't really dignified for a princess like me, is it? I talked back to him a bit, but he didn't mind. I'm only 18.5 kgs, but Richard thinks I look fine for my size.

I've not been in touch recently because I've been lying low. My left hind hip area had been very sore, so Richard put me on painkillers and complete rest for two weeks. He was worried that, as I was only walking on three legs and not using that hind leg at all, there may be longterm issues with that sore hip, but all is now well again.

Keeping still-ish for two weeks was OK. Mum had a short stint in hospital herself followed by 10 days of bed rest, so she and I recouperated together in her room. As long as I know where she is, I'm a happy girl. Mum has bought me a beanbag to sleep on, which is really comfy and supports my joints.

Life is good. I'm eating Tux, steak and cooked chicken, and getting back into walking. Decca and Fred are great company, and those jolly cats need a good chase from time to time, I reckon.

I hope all is well with you and the other animal darlings in your tender care.

Love from Polly xx

A comment

Here's a comment from one of Polly's fans...

"Well done SPCA and well done to the fantastic new owner Polly has. What a great outcome all round and how lucky is Polly to have such a wonderful life now. The latest update was an absolute joy to read.

I was one of those who made a donation at the time Polly's plight came to light and it's sooooo good to learn that her life has come full circle now. It sounds like she couldn't wish for anything more.

So again, to all concerned, well done on a brilliant outcome. I LOVE good news stories like this one. Chris"