Big dog = big love

 ”Scout spends a lot of time inside with us, and all her size does is take up most of the space on the lounge!”

Scout and the Hopgoods were just meant to be. When Kate and her husband searched ‘dog adoption’ online and found PetRescue, little did they know it would lead them to the love of their life, Scout. 

The family had recently lost their German Shepherd, Devil, to old age but weren’t quite ready for a new furry friend. They took their time to grieve, and when they were ready, they started their adoption search on PetRescue.com.au.

The couple, along with their two daughters (aged 19 and 13), originally put in an application for Scout’s sister, but she’d just been adopted, so they received a call from Happy Tails Animal Rescue Inc about meeting Scout instead.

“Scout’s picture was so sad! She obviously did not want her photo taken, and she looked resigned - she stole our hearts right away, and we knew we had to meet her.”

As a very active family, they had a few things in mind when looking for their new furry friend. They wanted a dog who would go on adventures with them and be part of the family at all times. Both Kate and her husband were able to find a compromise with each other between wanting a big dog, a rescue dog and a puppy so their youngest daughter could experience it all. 

"We loved the site - the ability to search within a radius in Queensland that was convenient to us, the ability to look at ages and knowing the backstories of the dogs was so valuable. It was also really helpful to know which dogs needed/suited older kid environments - it made the search for our girl so easy."

One of the best things about adding Scout to the family is seeing how their hard work and patience to build a trusting bond with her is now paying off. It took her eight months to find her voice, and although it still takes some time to warm up to strangers, she’s all love and play when it comes to her own family!

Kate said:

“Scout is a different girl. She has become the heart of our family. She seems to know when we need rest and when we need some encouragement to move, and then she uses that big bark to make us get up.”

Once Scout found her confidence, they quickly realised her favourite place to be is the local dog park. Kate and the family thought it might be time to get her a friend for companionship. This is when they found Storm, via DRU Animal Rescue. 

Introducing pets can be tricky, especially for those dogs that require a little extra patience. In Scout and Storm’s case, they had a very long play date that started in the dog park and ended in the family’s backyard, and the rest is history!

Now a bonded pair, Scout and Storm’s favourite things to do include wrestling, playing tug-of-war and playing hide and seek (Storm is much smaller, and she darts into places Scout can’t fit!)

“No one is ever alone because our dogs are here. They are hilarious, loving, annoying, and just add comfort to the everyday routine,” said Kate.

One thing the family would like future adopters to know is that a large size just means more love. Their beloved Scout spends a lot of time inside with them and their teenage daughter. She just loves cuddles and being the centre of attention!

“Scout is over 40kgs, and she needs and seeks constant reassurance that she is ok. She is such a loveable baby. She still sits in our laps when she gets the chance.” 

They also have some tips for anyone considering bringing a second pet into the family home. The first thing to do is think about the needs of your current pet; they should be the main focus. In Scout’s case, they thought she might not be comfortable with a mature dog, so opted to look for a younger and socially confident dog, which turned out to be Storm. 

“We could not love them more. The dogs have just added a whole different element to our family dynamic.” 

“We were so lucky to find her.”

Check out the adventures of Scout and Storm here.

Scout is one of the lucky ones who had a profile on PetRescue, where her new family found her. But can you imagine if they had never met?

Right now, over 9,000 pets, just like Scout, 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 to welcome a furry friend (or two!) into your home? Start your search today!