Owners keep eye on pets’ worries
Watch the video interview at nzherald.co.nz Kathy White has always owned a rescue dog. Two years ago, when her beloved German shepherd Molly died, she and her husband got Brian.
Brian is a Labrador-huntaway cross just over 4 years old. “He was moved around a bit as far as I can tell, so he has a lot of anxiety in the car.”
But Brian has come a long way in his two years with White and now accompanies her to work.
White works for Fiona Paul, who doesn’t mind her home turning into a doggy daycare. Paul, who owns Newfoundland Daisy, said the dogs kept each other company during the day with their owners nearby.
“The fact she can work with me at home and have all the dogs here together has been great for him because he doesn’t need to be separated from her now.”
White said 15-month-old Daisy didn’t have any separation anxiety issues and was lucky enough to spend most of her time with her owners.
Paul and husband Gregor chose the Newfoundland breed because they knew she would be working from home.
“They are very sociable. We wouldn’t have got a dog like her if I was going out to work each day.”
First-time dog owner Penelope Robinson has 2-year-old schnoodle Oscar, who can get slightly anxious when left alone. But “he’s just always so happy to see you . . . it’s hard to be down”. and under 8 years old.
The study had been given ethics approval from the university, she said.