Beautiful Chloe (now renamed Jac!) Labrador, 2 years This lovely girl came into the shelter last week. She was rehomed via Trade Me last Thursday and on Friday was found wandering. The old owner was unable to contact the new owners and they did not call looking for her. I had a lovely family with a young boy come in last week looking specifically for a lab. They were smitten with this girl and she ticks all the boxes. She is great with their 5 year old, and likes licking his ears! They have a place in the Sounds and a boat, so she will be heading off on holiday with them soon - what a lucky girl :-) Picture right Beautiful Chloe (now renamed Jac!) Labrador, 2 years

Feedback on a dog called DD which was a rehome from the Wellington Shelter "Hi, we absolutely love having Deedee and can't imagine life without her now. We send her to Club Fido on Fridays which she loves and always comes home completely knackered. The photo is of her in her favourite place (in front of the fire) Thanks again for all your help. Cheers Naomi"

"Some great news to start the week off. After 13 days on the run, Missy was found safe and well, although very skinny, on Saturday night. Missy got spooked when a cannon went off on Waitangi day and ran away from her owner. She travelled from Oriental Bay to Newtown. We had 2 sightings of her last weekend but she is so scared and timid that no one can catch her. We've had the trap out this week but no luck. We then got another sighting on Friday, 11 days after she went missing. She was seen going through the tunnel under the airport - so now she was on the Miramar peninsula.Her owners, who have been out looking for her every night (even camping overnight), managed to get a sighting in the Seatoun area on Saturday. He saw her and called out and she went to run, but once she got a visual on him her owner just said "come on Missy, in the car" and with that she charged towards them and leapt into the car! She has a nasty rash from sleeping in wandering dew, has lost around 3 1/2 kg but aside from that she is great. Apparently all she has done is sleep since she got home. We were all so relieved to hear the good news, being dog owners ourselves its your worst nightmare. Thanks for all the messages of support, the owners were so grateful :-)"

"Beautiful Basil was relinquished last weekend. We placed an advert on petsonthenet.co.nz and within a few hours his new Mum had seen his pics and fallen in love. Now the fun part, Basil is at the Wellington shelter new Mum lives in Waiuku (Franklin). So, luckily, on of our Directors, Barry, was in Wellington this week so we got Basil all booked on as excess baggage and off he went..... He's gone to live on a huge lifestyle block and has another Wolfhound cross as his new brother :-)"

A much-loved waterfront identity stays remembered by keeping “on the books” in Wellington. Every year the Museum of Wellington City and Sea “register” their statue of ‘Paddy the Wanderer, the stray Airedale dog who roamed the docks in the 1980s and became a Wellington identity.

The small ginger and brown dog became familiar sight on the waterfront and was cared for by workers, who took it in turns to my his annual dog licence until he died in 1939, aged 13. Last week Paddy received his new tag from Wellington City Council animal control officer Kate Baoumgren with students from Roseneath School there to see the ceremony.

Museum marketing co-coordinator Chris Hamilton says they started tagging their statue about four years ago. “The workers on the waterfront used to pay for his registration, and we thought we would keep the tradition going for modern times. "It’s a nice gesture to keep the memory of him alive. Paddy was believed to have been originally called Dash, the pet of a girl whose rather was a seaman. He became familiar with the wharves on family trips. When the girl died of pneumonia in 1928 the dog took to wandering the wharves, perhaps in search of his lost playmate.

He featured in newspaper articles, taxi drivers took him for rides, he went on sea voyages as far as Austral1a, and even flew in the cockpit of a Biplane. On his death a fleet of black taxis formed a funeral cortege from the wharves to the council yards for cremation. There is a drinking fountain dedicated to Paddy, made from Cornish granite from London's original Waterloo Bridge. It is located against tin Academy of Fine Arts building at Queens Wharf.

ON THE BOOKS: Animal Control Officer K ate Baoumgren, with dogs Bosco and Ellie, gives the statue of Paddy the Wanderer his dog licence at the Museum of Wellington City and sea, with Roseneath School year 3 and 4 puplies Will Saunders, Medea Gulow with Frog the dog, Sierra Connel (standing), and Leo Kelly, who came down to watch the annual tradition.
Story Courtesy: Andrew Bonallack - City Life Cook Strait News

"Taurus came into our Wellington shelter a short while ago from another pound. He was an unclaimed stray and was due to be put down. Those who know me know I have a bit of a soft spot for the Rotti's! So, Taurus has been advertised for a wee while now. He's such a big boy and finding the right home wasn't going to be too easy. I had a number of enquiries but no one stood out. Then I was contacted by a family from Tauranga. The dad is a police Sergeant and has been looking for a dog for a while now. He saw Taurus and had to know more. After numerous phone conversations and emails it seemed like they could offer Taurus the perfect home. Luckily, Barry,one of our Directors was down in Wellington and was flying back up to Auckland. So we gave Taurus a bath, packed his bags and sent him on his way up to Auckland. His new Dad was there to meet him at the other end and it seems like all is going well. Dad is going to send us some more pics soon once the big fella has fully settled in :-)"

Platform escape: Benny, back where he started his adventure, the Waterloo station platform - only this time he's on his lead.

Commuters on the 7.48am train to Wellington last Thursday pretty much just went back to their thoughts and newspapers when a particularly diminutive passenger ambled on board at Waterloo.

But the "small, friendly, well- behaved and a little bit smelly" jack russel/terrier cross registered with one passenger, who just wants to be known as Frank.

"Everybody sits there and does nothing until the doors close," Frank says. "And things got even dumber when we stopped at Woburn and there was a train on the other side which could have taken the dog back."

A "Tranz Metro customer service representative in charge of tickets" appeared relieved Frank was dealing with the situation but commented dogs were not allowed on trains.

"I suggested she have a word with the dog." Frank says he took the dog up and down the carriages in case it had got separated from its owner.

But no-one claimed him and the dog "really enjoyed the ride" into the capital perched on the seat next to his rescuer. Frank handed him in at the Wellington railway office.

Later in the day, Sue and Terry Blackett of Rossiter Ave get a phone call. "Do you still own a dog called Benny? "Yeah, well he's here with us at Moa Point [pound]." Mr Blackett tells us he probably shouldn't have been that surprised. The former pound pup is a bit of an escape artist from the property.

On one occasion when the couple were driving home, content that Benny would be waiting for them at the back doorstep, as usual, they came around a corner and saw a complete stranger walking down the street with Benny on a lead. Turned out he'd been rescued wandering up a firebreak. It's just as well the Blacketts had an identification chip inserted under the skin of Benny's neck.

Benny had never been to the station. But he's very familiar with the route to the adjacent Waterloo shops from his walks on a lead. Mr Blackett shrugged off the $76 pound fee. "What do you do? He's part of the family."

- Hutt News
Story by SIMON EDWARDS
www.huttnews.co.nz

Every year we draw (at random) 3 lucky dogs whose owners have paid their registration fees before the 1st July due date. We put together a gift basket with all sorts of toys, treats, bedding etc (for the dogs) and then arrange to meet up with the dogs, and their owners, to dish out all the goodies. This is just the start of the Wellington selection; we still have a selection of yumminess to arrive from Butch petfoods. No the dog is not part of the prize. he is there only for show

I wonder who the lucky winners will be.......... follow up pics to come soon.......

Winners in the Early Bird Registration draw for 2010 in Wellington City have been presented with their prizes by Local Staff. To be in the draw owners had to register their dogs before 31 July. Each prize winner has received a basket of goodies for their dogs and themselves from DSS Animal Management and Butch Pet Foods. This annual promotion aims to encourage and reinforce the positive aspects of Responsible Dog Ownership. On the right Kate with Ella the Labrador owned by Fiona of Wadestown Below left Vicki with Ringo the Spoodle owned by Jill of Hataitai Below right Vicki with Tonka the Dogue de Bordeaux owned by Timothy of Tawa

Its that time of year again, were all dogs must be registrated and Paddy is no exception. You can read the story about Paddy half way down this page from a previous years registration, but below is more background about Paddy from the Museum of Wellington Website. Paddy the Wanderer "Paddy was a ginger and brown Airedale terrier who became a waterfront identity in Wellington in the 1930s. It is believed he was originally called Dash, the pet of a girl whose father was a seaman, and became familiar with the wharves on family trips to meet the father's ships. When the little girl died of pneumonia in 1928 Paddy (as he became known) took to wandering the wharves, perhaps in search of his lost playmate.  He was a familiar sight on the wharves in the 1930s and began to feature in newspaper articles. He was loved and cared for by the watersiders and harbour board workers, seamen and taxi drivers; these groups taking it in turn to pay his annual dog licence. The taxi drivers took him for 'ides all over the city, and up country as well, and he made sea voyages to New Zealand's coastal ports and to Australia.

He was said to have good sea legs and 'a really keen nose for impending storms'. In December 1935 he even made a flight in a gipsy moth biplane and apparently enjoyed the experience of flying in an open cockpit. When he was about 13 years old Paddy showed signs of old age and refused to travel far - he was usually to be found on the Tally Clerks' stand inside the Queen's Wharf gates. 'When his health deteriorated he was given a sickbed in a shed on the wharves and attended by a vet, with people calling to see him and enquiring about his welfare. Paddy died on 17 July 1939 and obituary notices were placed in the local papers. A fleet of black taxis accompanied by a traffic officer formed a funeral cortege to carry his coffin from Queen's Wharf to the city council yards for cremation. One of his best friends on the wharves was quoted as saying 'I'd give a month's pay to have Paddy back. I've had dogs but never one with the brains that Paddy had His memory is recalled by a drinking fountain on the wall of the building on the opposite side of Queen's Wharf gates to the museum. The memorial features a brass plaque with a good likeness of him and includes 2 drinking bowls for dogs. Built in 1945 using stones taken from Waterloo Bridge in London, it was paid for with funds raised by the many friends of Paddy the Wanderer."

Take one LARGE Sheep		Wellington Animal Control and the Wellington SPCA have received numerous calls over the last few months about a “rogue sheep” living in the Kiwi Point Quarry at Ngauranga Gorge. The sheep didn’t appear to be in any distress, quite the opposite in fact, he was frequently sighted sunning himself on the hillside without a care in the world. Unfortunately though, his fleece was starting to take over – he was becoming Wellingtons own “Shrek the Sheep” as described by the Dominion Post. Originally his options were limited – we realised catching him would be difficult, we’re all fit (ish) but catching a sheep in an area this size would be tricky. Our remaining option was by no means the desired one, but for his own welfare he may have to be shot. Thankfully the SPCA managed to get a volunteer with his pack of dogs to help out! With the help of the dogs the sheep came down from the hills, you’d think with a bulky fleece like that he’d be hindered in some way, but no, he sidestepped us amateurs with ease! Luckily, Aaron the sheep wrangler was hot on his heels – the dogs did their thing and the sheep was subdued. The sheep was taken to a shearing shed and an impressive fleece was clipped from him. He is now going to live out at the HUHA Animal Sanctuary in Kaitoke - http://www.huha.org.nz/. Here he will be able to enjoy the rest of his days without that cumbersome fleece holding him back.
MINUS all the wool
EQUALs

Wellington recently held dog owner education classes for Wellington dog owners. These classes are offered Free by DSS once a year in each of our company's districts.

The classes were a great success again, but unfortunately the weather let us down a little. However it did not dampen the enthusiasm of our teaching staff and the participants.

We are looking forward to our next free classes towards the end of 2010.

Another big win for the Wellington office adoptions. Poppy is our second dog rehomed to Aviation Security. She has now graduated as a fully fledged Detector Dog. Poppy will be now protecting our borders.

Wellington staff received a call for help from Wellington Airport recently. A dog was sighted on the runway and in conjunction with Aviation Security and Airport Fire Service Animal Management staff went looking for this dog. After numerous sightings and extensive searching the dog could not be found. The dog has lived for another day, lets hope it doesn't come back to take on the Boeings again.

Seventy years ago, friends of Paddy the Wanderer and hundreds of grieving Wellingtonians watched as a traffic officer led the funeral cortege of 12 black taxis escorting the ginger and brown Airedale terrier's coffin to the city crematorium. "I'd give a month's pay to have Paddy back," said one of the mourners. "I've had dogs, but never one with the brains Paddy had." Paddy was the stray who in the 1930s captured Wellingtonians' hearts, particularly watersiders, seamen and taxi drivers, with whom he shared his travels and adventures. He was awarded the freedom of the city in 1935. His life is remembered by the drinking fountain on Queens Wharf, opposite the Museum of Wellington City & Sea. Erected in 1945, the memorial was paid for by Paddy's many friends and includes stones from London's Waterloo Bridge, bombed during World War II. A brass plaque, considered a good likeness of Paddy, is mounted above the drinking fountain, with two drinking bowls for dogs at ground level. A lifesize statue of Paddy stands on level one in the Museum of Wellington City & Sea.Each year, as near to the anniversary of his death (July 17, 1939) as possible, the museum renews the registration of its Paddy with a Wellington City Council animal control officer in attendance for the ceremony. This is part of the museum's ongoing commitment to keep Paddy's memory alive.

Photo courtesy Museum of Wellington City & Sea Senior animal control officer Vicki affixes the 2009 registration tag to the Museum of Wellington City & Sea's lifesize statue of Paddy the Wanderer.

During the year, children can have Paddy-inspired birthday parties at the museum. They feature a personal appearance from him. Anyone unable to attend can always give Paddy's statue a friendly pat. They may also receive an appreciative bark, generated by an overhead sensor. In 2007 Wellington honoured Paddy with a second parade. The occasion marked the launch of Paddy the Wanderer, the biography by Dianne Haworth. Paddy spent his adolescence as the beloved pet of Elsie Glasgow, with whom he went to the wharves when she and her mother met the ships bringing Elsie's father home. His three-and-a-half-year-old mistress died from pneumonia in 1928 and in his grief Paddy took to roaming the wharves, never belonging to another again, despite attempts to resettle him at his original home and with others. He stowed away to Australia, sailed around the New Zealand coast, rode the Wellington trams, and enjoyed being the first dog in the country to fly in an aeroplane. Paddy was known by the honorary title of assistant watchman during his later years. When his health began to deteriorate, he spent much of his time sitting in his favourite place, the tally clerk's office or standing on Queens Wharf, where friends from all over the city visited him. Story by Christopher Moor, Courtsey of "The Wellingtonian"

Iggle Piggle came to us as the result of a complaint. He wasn’t content to stay in his own paddock, he wanted to go and dig up the freshly planted trees in the neighbouring paddock. As you can imagine the owner of the trees was none too amused to find Piggle rooting up his new saplings, so he had to be removed.

So in the back of the van he went, he appeared to quite enjoy his trip, gazing contently out the back window. He stayed with us at the Wellington Shelter for a couple of weeks, and to put it bluntly, was spoilt rotten. Not only did the staff being in all their scraps, but he also got the leftover fruit, veg & bread from local supermarkets & greengrocers.

But now what to do with him? He couldn’t stay with us as we just don’t have the long term set up for a pig. So we rung around a bit, and turns out our friends over at Horowhenua Animal Control have the perfect paddock just ready for him. So off he went to Levin, happy as Larry on the back of the trailer.

Iggle made it to Levin, however, his lovely paddock wasn’t quite up to his expectations. So now he is more of a free range pig, and when the weather gets a bit chilly he goes and knocks/butts the door to the office and is allowed in to relax next to the heater.

They do have to be a bit vigilant and may have to turn him every once in a while, don’t want him to get too well done on one side now do we?

Spike is an OAP and his previous owner declined to come and collect him when he ended up coming to visit us at the pound. His 7 days had passed….. what to do now? Spike was in pretty bad condition when he came to us, so a trip to the vet was the first thing in order. The vet confirmed that Spike is in his more senior years (probably around 10 years old) and that apart from a few pressure sores from sleeping on hard ground, some fairly grotty looking ears and a wee bit of arthritis, this old fella is in pretty good nick. Spike was also fairly stinky, we assume from being an outdoor dog, so courtesy of our good friends at Paws in the City Spike was in store for some 5 star treatment. Spike had to endure the torture of a good brush, a hydro bath and to top it all off an agonising massage (his favourite bit apparently). Now he’s like a different dog. It’s as if he has a new lease of life! He looks (and smells) great and has a bit more of a spring in his step. And to top it all off a lovely couple and their son who came in to look at him over the weekend have decided he’s the dog for them, so he’s off to his new home, where we’re hoping he’ll be thoroughly spoilt.

Spike arriving back from his 5 star treatment and looking Gooood

A call came into our Wellington office from a worried dog owner asking for help. They had been walking their elderly German shepherd on a track in Wellington's town belt the evening before when the dog went down the bank and didn’t return.

After looking that evening and the next day they couldn’t find the dog and decided to call for help.

Team Leader Damian and Senior ACO Vicki went up there to look with the owners. They went down the bank where the dog was last seen and proceeded down the hill a couple of hundred metres in rough ground.

They found the dog on a ledge unable to move so they had to carry him up the rugged terrain back to its owners.

The dog was then taken to the vet. Considering the dog’s age and the fact that it was exposed to the elements for a night and day it seems to be okay.

The new DSS Animal Management call centre was only operational for a few days when it had the chance to show the benefits of covering more than one district.

Michelle, a concerned member of the public, found a dog wandering the streets of downtown Wellington one evening. She decided to do the responsible thing and call dog control.

Michelle who is from Auckland was only in the Wellington area for one day and did not know the city council phone number or Animal Management's local number. Michelle had used Animal Management’s services previously when she was in Manukau and had the Auckland number in her mobile phone.

It was only it was only a few days of the call centre becoming operational 24/7 when she called the number and contacted the Animal Management call centre.

The staff at the call centre took the call and were able to quickly dispatch the Animal Control Officer on duty in Wellington.

The call was taken at 10pm and in 30 minutes the officer was there to take care of the dog. The dog was picked up from the shelter the next day.

A big win for the Wellington office adoptions. Tia was handed over to us as an unwanted dog. She was timid for a few days then came out of her shell and showed all the qualities required by Aviation Security to be a trainee Explosive Detector Dog. Tia has recently graduated as a fully fledged Detector Dog. The photos show her proud moment.