BFFs Tilly and Teddy’s happy ending 💚💚

When Kim and her family relocated from South Africa a few years ago, they knew they had to bring their rescue dogs with them.

Kim had always grown up with pets and couldn’t imagine life without them - she’d had to wait five months for her dogs to be able to move to Australia, which she says was the most challenging time of her life. 

Sadly they lost both of their older dogs within months of each other and weren’t quite sure if they were ready to open their hearts again. That is, until Kim's son set his eyes on little Tilly’s PetRescue profile, who was in the care of Anything is Pawsible Rescue:

“She was tiny and timid but sweet and pretty, with one brown and one blue eye. I wasn't ready for a new puppy, but somehow I was ready for her.”

Soon after enquiring about her, Kim and her family were ecstatic to learn that Tilly was all theirs! They made the exciting road trip to pick her up from the good folks at Anything is Pawsible, and the rest is history.

Twice the love

A year after welcoming Tilly into their home, the family decided to welcome another furry friend into their lives. They quickly jumped back onto PetRescue, where they came across adorable girl, Teddy (via Southern Ark Downs Rescue). The family didn't hesitate to drive all the way to Queensland to pick up their new furry family member. A month later, they were at the dog park and came across a doggo who looked very similar to Teddy - who turned out to be her brother, who'd also made the journey interstate!

“I love the PetRescue profiles; they have a lot of specific details. The girls were puppies and they were cute and they needed a home. It was really about them needing a home and us finding that they were dogs we could look after, care for, and enjoy.”

Kim had pictured having big dogs but had no specific criteria about what kind of dog she wanted - as long as they were a rescue she could open her heart to. She feels like the girls have completed her home. 

“I’ll never go without a dog or a cat. I like having two, but I’d have more if I could - I’d have a dozen! I don’t really have a criteria for the pets I adopt. It’s like having a baby, you get what you get, and you fall in love with them. I just wanted two dogs. I just adopt them because I like them, and they need a home.”

Settling in and becoming besties!

Teddy was very affectionate and cuddly with Tilly from the start - but the feeling wasn’t mutual! Tilly was nervous and didn’t appreciate Teddy trying to share her bed. 

“Eventually, we had to teach Teddy that she had to have her own bed. I also adopted Teddy when she was pretty young, and she was looking to Tilly to be her mum - but I’m her mum now! She kind of gave up on Tilly, but she’s about to turn one, and now they’re both adults and respect each other’s space and play nicely together.

Their personalities have now really come out. Tilly’s timid and always has been and likes her own space, but she has become much more loving and affectionate. At one point, I was worried she didn’t like me; I wasn’t used to such an independent dog! So she’s relaxed more, and in the two years we’ve had her, she’s settled in much more. And Teddy is just bossy, and she wants attention, and she’s busy. They’re both very gentle dogs; they love people, other dogs, and they’re very sweet, loving dogs. Their personalities haven’t necessarily changed; they’ve just evolved. They’re still what we got when we first adopted them.” 

Now that Tilly and Teddy are BFFs, there are so many activities they enjoy doing together! 

“They run around a lot together, we take them to the dog park twice a day, and they go completely mad! You can definitely have rescue working dogs in the city as long as you're prepared to give them plenty of exercise. They run together, chase each other, and play hide and seek - they’re both very clever and play cleverly together! Tilly loves the ball, but Teddy doesn’t - so she’ll grab the ball so she chases her! They also love playing basketball with my son. They’re very sweet together.”

Kim adores having twice the love with two furry friends! She says to anyone considering welcoming a second pet into their home: 

“I think it’s excellent companionship and it really doesn’t mean double the work. In some ways, it’s more work, and in others, it’s less. You feel a little less guilty when you go out because they’ve got a companion, just don’t overthink it! If you have a pet and you’re kind, and you’re looking after them, you’ll be okay with another one.”

Tilly and Teddy are two of the lucky ones who had a profile on PetRescue, where their new family found them. But can you imagine if they had never met?

Right now, over 9,000 pets, just like Tilly and Teddy, need your help to find a home.  

PetRescue’s adoption platform gives homeless pets the best chance to find a home. No matter where a pet might find themselves homeless in Australia, your gift gives them a place on PetRescue. Shining a light on the love they have to give and creating the connection for a new family to find them.

Because of you, PetRescue can continue to be freely available, connecting more homeless pets and more families.

Ready for twice the love? Meet some bonded besties looking for love here.

Are you welcoming a new doggo into your home? Here are some tips.