In association with our good friends a DogHQ each month we meet Shore people who's four-legged family members add a great deal of joy to their lives. Our very own dog-lover Aidan Bennett (he has two doggies of his own he spoils – Olive a Cocker Spaniel and Maisie a French Bulldog) has been given the task of putting this feature together on a monthly basis in 2017. This month he talks with Sarah Cross about Lewis her Staffy X.
AIDAN BENNETT: How long has Lewis been part of your life?
SARAH CROSS: Lewis has been a much loved member of our family for four years.
AB: What made you decide to get a this breed?
SC: We were looking to adopt an SPCA dog and weren’t fussy on the breed. We decided a larger dog would be best for our family as we had both had great experience with bigger dogs growing up and knew the love they would contribute to our family. He was the first dog we looked at and we both fell completely in love straight away.
AB: Is he your first dog, if not tell us about your other dogs?
SC: My partner and I have been together for nine years and he is the first pet we have had together. We both had family dogs growing up. Between us we have been a part of families with Labradors, Rottweilers, King Charles Cavaliers and a Maltese – a very big range in sizes!
AB: Do you have any other pets?
SC: No other pets.
AB: What do you love about Lewis?
SC: His beautifully sweet nature, his patient and caring way with children, and his love of cuddles from anyone and everyone. He is very social dog and a people pleaser. We also love his excited side smile he does when he sees you after a day at school (Dog HQ).
AB: Does he have any bad habits?
SC: He has a very particular morning routine. This isn’t a bad thing however as a major part of this routine involves at least ten minutes of cuddle time regardless of what you have going. He makes his way onto the bed and forces you to cuddle him before you can leave.
AB: What are his favourite things to do?
SC: His three favourite things are cuddling with anyone who will give him some love, going to ‘school’ (Dog HQ) and playing with his besties; namely his girlfriend Angel the Husky and his brother Drama the Bulldog (who comes around for playdates every now and then), and going out for ‘sniffs’ (walks) and finding the biggest stick he can possibly carry.
AB: How long has he been going to DogHQ and does he love it?
SC: Lew has been going to Dog HQ since he was a puppy and can’t get enough of it. He went to Glenfield for the first three years, then moved to Albany when we moved house recently?
AB: Does he love the beach and swimming?
SC: He loves the beach because of all of the different smells and things to pee on. He is however terrified of water. He isn’t a risk taker in the slightest and doesn’t quite know what to make of the ocean.
AB: Any words of wisdom for other dog owners or prospective dog owners?
SC: Make sure you are going to have time for your new family member as you would any other. But if you are ready - take the plunge! Adopting Lewis was the best decision of our lives!
