10/01/2022
This was an unknown heartbreaking sit for us due to the owners having to relocate back to Australia. We enjoy handing back the owners pets at the end of the sit but this time we had to train Chilli to go into a crate and then he was off to kennels before his long drawn out quarantine.
Those of you that know us will understand that we took up pet sitting as we don't like to see these pets go into kennels. Pets are most definitely happier with a stranger in their own home environment, and this has been proven again and again with us, so, for us having to say our farewells to Chilli by seeing him transported off in a crate was heartbreaking, so much so that I don't mind saying that tears were plentiful.
Let me introduce you to this adorable guy. Chilli is a 3-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback. Although he's old enough to be classed as an adult (in dog years) he still plays and acts like an overgrown puppy.
Lots of people will say that Rhodesian Ridgebacks were once used to hunt lions. Unfortunately, it's not completely true, if you read into how they were used you'll see that they were actually used on a lion hunt but only to distract the lion before the hunter took a shot. They were used because they are well suited in hot conditions and they're strong...I mean really strong, imagine a greyhound on steroids, not as fast as a greyhound but quick and agile.
I know as a sitter of many pets that I shouldn't have a favourite but if I had a gun to my head and I was forced to choose one then it would have to be this fella. Not that I wouldn't choose any of the other adorable pets that we have previously sat for but there is one deciding factor that swings the balance for me.
Chilli is loyal to his owner and the proxy owner (me) but that is not the chosen factor as many other dogs that we have sat for are loyal and protective of us.
Chilli and I had a very strong bond. I knew what he wanted and he the same for me, but that is still not the chosen factor as I have lots of strong bonds with many of our previous pets.
Chilli is a very attractive dog but we have looked after some better-looking pets than him.
The deciding factor of my choice is quite simply that Chilli would respect my downtime and not bother me to pay him any surplus attention. He was content with taking himself into the garden to explore and sniff out the strange smells. He was also happy to lay down in our presence, resting but keeping an eye on any activity.
Chilli was a true pleasure to look after and I'm so glad that the owners are now reunited with him. He's a very human-social dog and it must’ve been horrible for him throughout the obligatory quarantine.
The owners have already invited us to see him if we were ever to visit Australia.
