INTERNATIONAL DOG DAY IS OBSERVED ANNUALLY ON 26 AUGUST TO HONOUR DOGS OF ALL SHAPES, SIZES, AGES AND BREEDS, WHILE ENCOURAGING ADOPTION FOR THOSE WHO HAVE YET TO FIND A FAMILY AND HOME.
At any given moment, there are thousands of lovable dogs in animal shelters across Australia who are waiting for a new home and a second chance at life.
Lynn and Eddy Roper opened their home and their hearts when they welcomed a rescue dog, Piper, at GemLife Pacific Paradise over a year ago.
“Piper is a Maltese with a hint of Dachshund. She’s got a little longer body than an average Maltese, along with Dachshund legs,” said Lynn.
“We adopted her from the Sunshine Coast Animal Refuge when she was just nine weeks old. Piper was one of nine puppies who were brought to the refuge when they were just a week old because their mum became very sick and couldn’t care for them.”
The Sunshine Coast Animal Refuge (Sippy Creek Animal Refuge Society Inc or SCARS) is an independent, non-profit, charitable organisation which provides temporary refuge for abandoned, abused, stray and unwanted cats and dogs, while looking for new homes for them.
Lynn commended SCARS for doing an amazing job bringing up all nine healthy puppies who became so popular in the community that the organisation had over 50 applicants eager to adopt them.
“Eddy and I were one of the lucky ones who were chosen for adoption. We had a choice of five pups when we visited the animal refuge and all their names started with the letter P – there was Piper, Pablo, Peach, etcetera. They were all so adorable and we couldn’t choose. And just like that, Piper came over and picked us,” Lynn recalls fondly.
“We liked her name and it suited her, so we kept it.”
Since settling into GemLife Pacific Paradise, Piper has been enjoying her new home and looks forward to her daily 4pm date with a dashing Dachshund, Rollie, in the resort’s off-leash dog park.
“She waits all day to meet up with Rollie – they are in love with each other,” chuckled Lynn.
“The two of them roll and tumble around together in the lovely dog park until they drop!”
Besides her puppy romance, Piper is an active canine who loves playing with her toys and has brought so much joy and companionship to her proud human parents.
“She is lucky to have us, and we are extremely lucky to have her.”
Help save a dog’s life by adopting a pet from a shelter or local rescue group. Go to www.rspca.org.au/adopt-pet to search for animal shelters and rescue groups near you.