Konatsu, or Konnie as she is now known is a very special girl. We were fortunate to be able to assist in her rescue, not only to a new life, but also a new country. Due to the amazing efforts of a group of dedicated dog lovers in Japan, Konnie was given the opportunity to live the life that she deserved. She was one of over 100 dogs that this dedicated group nurtured, loved and founds new homes for. It is a wonderful, inspiring story that you can read at their web site here -(NB - you do NOT have to download the Japanese translator - just cancel when the box appears) but be prepared to maybe shed a tear or two! When you think about the enormity of the task that the "Save The Ex-Event Dog" group set themselves with Konnie - it is mind boggling. Remember we're talking about re-homing a dog who didn't understand a word of English, was full of heart worm and had a complaint called "Cherry Eye" and who had been grossly neglected and mis-treated. The temperament of this girl is just outstanding - she took it all in her stride - the tests, vaccinations etc., prior to the flight, the long trip to Australia and a month in quarrantine in Sydney, with only one visit a week allowed - and among people who you couldn't understand! The group did try and teach her a few basic commands in English, accompanied by hand signals before she left, but I think Konnie has proved what I have always suspected - dogs are MUCH smarter than us!
But please read what Barb, Konnies new 'mum' has to say.
"After months of organising by June and the ladies in Japan, Konnie's arrival in Oz was finally imminent. We had had lots of ups and downs with the whole procedure, not least being that the original Dane to be sent out died of bloat, not long after the quarrantine requirements were started. The day after Konnie's arrival, I rang AQIS in Sydney. The lady was helpful but gave me a horror story about how aggressive Konnie was and how she wouldn't have her anywhere near children etc.. Talk about panic!! But, again, with help from June and the lovely Sydney co-ordinator for rescue, Marie Jennison, Konnie's true nature showed through. I drove to Sydney to pick Konnie up and she was excited, exuberant and couldn't wait to get into the car. From the minute we met she has been the right dog for our family. She really only understood the signal for 'sit', which the Japanese trainer had had the foresight to teach her, but it didn't take long for her to pick up the rest. She never showed any sign of aggression to any of us, and responded well to the 'tone' of being told off. She had heartworm, Cherry eye and had to be de-sexed, so needed a fair bit of veterinary treatment. The vet, on first contact with her went "Oh No!!!", but by the end of the heartworm treatment he was as taken with her as the rest of us. She touches everyone in some sort of way. Konnie is, despite her background, an amazingly happy girl. Her favourite thing is to run flat out, through the long grass ('long' being over her head), she loves to come when I go riding my horse and she has learnt (mostly?) NOT to run at the cats! She used to knock the feet out from under us with monotonous regulularity, but somehow along the way she has learned that it's not always the best thing to do. She walks beside me always and gets upset when my hands are in my pockets and she can't touch them. She is a SPECIAL DOG!!!"
Barb Rimene. |
