Taragh and Tyler

OWNER NAMES  Bernie and Rebecca

LIVES  Barrow

FAMILY NAMES AND AGES Shelby 18, James 14

DOGS Taragh 1 year, Tyler 7 months both Yorkshire Terriers

 DID YOU HAVE DOGS WHILST GROWING UP?

(Bernie) We had 4 dogs, 2 Jack Russell Terriers, Sandy and Bruce, for most of my childhood. Bruce was timid but Sandy boisterous. Later on we had a Border Collie called Glitter. He knew exactly what time we finished school and would jump the wall and wait for us.  We had him for about 5 yrs. Then we got a Labrador cross also called Bruce who lived until he was 5.  He ended up being poisoned.  Brandy a Yorkie came along when I was about 15.  He was my baby. He would get up on the table and let me comb him and would wait there until I told him he was handsome. We also got Whisky, another Yorkie too but he caught pneumonia after being caught in the rain.

(Rebecca) No. I was very scared of dogs. There used to be a big dog at the top of the hill that would wait for me and chase me. 

(Shelby) Trixie and Farrell. Trixie was a Pomeranian, Farrell was a Yorkshire Terrier. Trixie was like a bundle of joy who bounced about the place.  Farrell was a more like a lap dog, he would come near for heat. 

WHY DID YOU GET A DOG?

(Bernie) Trixie was meant to be an anniversary present but I ended getting her myself.  I wanted the kids to have a dog growing up. 

DID EVERYBODY IN THE FAMILY WANT A DOG?

Yes. Shelby was not happy at first as no one could go near as she was my dog.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD YOUR DOGS?

Taragh about 10 months, Tyler 4 months

WHERE DID HE/SHE COME FROM

Bought her from an advert on Seek and Sell. Tyler from Cumbria Dogs and Studs.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT SPECIFIC BREEDS THAT ARE TARGETED AS DANGEROUS?

(Rebecca) I do not think it is the dog but the owners.  Although I would be the first to move away if I saw a Staffy off the lead.  I do not agree with these specific breed tests.

(Bernie) I truly believe it is the owner and not the breed.  If you were in a household where dogs run riot they....riot.

IS HAVING A DOG HOW YOU IMAGINED IT TO BE?

(Bernie) Each dog is different. When you are a kid you don’t have the hassle of training. 

(Rebecca) I work 60 hrs a week, so the dogs keep Bernie company.

HAVE YOU HAD DOGS BEFORE?

When Trixie was about 4. My mam came home to Ireland and bought Keira, I ended up looking after Keira.  My partner fell in love with Farrell, when she was with my mam buying keira.  Farrell was very possessive.  Unfortunately they soon died, Farrell died about 2.  I came down one morning and he was in his bed. He looked like he had died from a seizure.  Trixie was 7, she had developed a heart murmur and died in my arms. 

Before Trixie died Shelby had Rebel given on her 13 birthday from her Nan. Rebel was a Short Bearded Terrier.  He was absolutely adorable and loved cuddles. He was not keen on men though.

Then there was Xena, James found her at the back of an empty house. She was Rottweiler Cross Border Collie, she had beautiful markings.  She was only a few weeks old. 

Dakota, she was born next door.  Next door dogs were outdoor dogs. We think Rebel got in next door and mated with them.  It was a very cold winter and we advised the neighbour to bring them in as they were freezing to death. We forcibly took Dakota off them when the other pups died. She was a little shit. She was into everything. Dakota and Xena did not get on so we had Rebel and Xena outside. One night about 6 months after getting her.  Rebecca went outside for a fag.  A dog went past me and into the house.  We shooed him out but he stayed nearby so eventually we let him because it was so cold.  In the morning we let him out to find his owner. Vinnie never left.

Then we made the decision to move back to the UK. Dakota and Vinnie were re-homed together.  Rebel and Xena were rehomed via the shelter and Pets At Home. 

(Rebecca) When I was 17 just before going to Ireland I had Murphy the Akita.  He was meant to come over to Ireland with me but my dad ended up keeping him.  He still lives there now!

WHAT ISSUES (IF ANY) HAVE YOU HAD WITH YOUR DOG/S?

Taragh was completely house trained until Tyler came along and she forgot.  Now Tyler is trained she still does not like to go out.

HOW DID YOU CORRECT THEM?

Keeping up on them. Take them out at every opportunity.

DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER PETS?

(James) Two Hamsters, brown one is called Speedy, white one Terence.  The dogs do not really notice them. 

(Rebecca) They get on quite well with my sisters dog.  It is great socialisation for them.

HOW DOES THE DOG SPEND HER/HIS DAY?

(Bernie) Tyler constantly plays, Taragh looks for any opportunity to go to bed. Tyler has a mad 5 mins at midnight, sprinting around the house.

(Rebecca) We get up and they have brekkie, play, take a walk to the park. Bernie will take Taragh to work to put the old lady to bed.  They eat little and often as they graze all day. They go to bed when we go to bed.  They snuggle up with us watching tv. Taragh is more needy, Tyler not too much.

WHO GENERALLY WALKS THE DOG?

(Rebecca) Depends on our work hours, if it is one of us we will take them up town, if we are together then we will go to the park. The kids often walk Murphy for my dad .

WHAT IS THEIR FAVOURITE ACTIVITY?

(Bernie) Taragh loves a bath.  Likes being warm.  Tyler will do anything where he can chew and play. Cardboard, flip flop...you name it!

WHERE DOES HE/SHE SLEEP? 

They do have a pen.  If it is cold they sleep on our bed.

WHAT TIME DOES HE/SHE SPEND IN THE HOME WITH FAMILY MEMBERS?

 Us during the day

TELL ME A FUNNY INCIDENT INVOLVING YOUR DOG

Took them both to the beach, we let them off the lead and Tyler ran for the sea, she followed him, we were worried. She was loving it, she came out dripping and cold.

On the Piel island ferry boat Yaragh yapping her head off at the water.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A NEW DOG OWNER/OR PEOPLE THINKING OF HAVING A DOG?

(Rebecca) Do it.  It costs nothing to walk them.  As a dog walker you meet people and get out and about. Although going back to Staffys I think that has what happened with them is they have became a status symbol for some people which is not right.

(Bernie) You have no business to get one unless you put in the commitment.