Tara and Anthony

OWNER NAME  Tara and Anthony

LIVES  Barrow

FAMILY NAMES AND AGES

Ben aged 20, Billy aged 17, Rio aged 15, Ty aged 9, Whitney aged 7, Sam aged 3 years old.

DOGS  Tyson,  a Staffy aged 7, Milly, a Pitbull aged 2 ½, Envy,  a Pitbull aged 14 months, Munch, Envys’ brother aged 14 months

DID YOU HAVE DOGS WHILST GROWING UP?

Yes, (Anthony) we had Boxers whilst growing up, later on Lurchers and Terriers.  I like working dogs.  All soft as a brush in the house but once out they want to do the job.

Yes, (Tara) we had Rough Collies, Border Collies, Doberman and Labradors.  We had Bluey who was a mix breed who got knocked over by a bus, the bus carried on without stopping! It was awful. 

WHY DID YOU GET A DOG?

(Tara) My son brought Tyson home.  He was 7 weeks old.

(Ant) Ben brought me Envy as a present.

We decided to keep her. From day one she was brilliant with the kids.  Unfortunately Ben got put away and his dogs (Pitbulls) were taken away.  We were determined to save them and not have them put down because of their breed!

DID EVERYBODY IN THE FAMILY WANT A DOG?

Yes all animal mad.  They carried on to keep them.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD YOUR DOGS?

Since being pups they have been in the family.

WHERE DID THEY COME FROM ?

A local breeder.

WAS ANY OF YOUR DOGS A RESCUE?

We saved them.  Not rescue.  They were my sons so they were in the family and we took them on.  When Ben comes back he cannot have them back due to the law.  They are now in our name. 

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

I think it is unnecessary.  It has been jumped on by the media.  I think Pitbulls have been demonized.  Until twenty years ago we had not heard of Pitbulls.  In this country Staffy and Bull Dog breeds are registered by the kennel club so they are recognized.  Pitbulls are not recognized here.  I think the dangerous dog legislation is a farce. I believe that there should be a dog register for any breed if an incident happens so it can be called on if any other situation arises.

IS HAVING A DOG HOW YOU IMAGINED IT TO BE?

I don’t know.  I can’t remember what I imagined.  I just treat them like the kids.  I have them in the same routine as the kids.

HAVE YOU HAD DOGS BEFORE?

I had two Collies then the Doberman, Rudd also knocked over by a car on Abbey Road.  He ran all the way home.  I cried my eyes out! Luckily he was insured!  He later on got water on the brain.  We could not be sure if he would turn on the kids.  It was not necessary to put him to sleep so we rehomed him to a couple without kids.

WHAT ISSUES (IF ANY) HAVE YOU HAD WITH YOUR DOGS?

Possessiveness.  They fight over the toys and bones.

HOW DID YOU CORRECT THEM?

Put them in the naughty room which is the kitchen, if they start.  We keep them separate when playing with the toys or eating bones too.

DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER PETS?

Fish.  We did have hamsters but they died and we are not replacing them.

HOW DOES THE DOG SPEND HER/HIS DAY?

Out first thing in the morning before the kids get out of bed.  By 8 they are back and then we sort the kids out.  Then when the kids are at school they are out.  Might take them in the afternoon again. After tea they go out again.  Maybe to the Dock Museum.  Before bed they get a last walk.  They are in and out of the back yard and the living room in-between.  They get fed when the kids get their tea.  They go to bed when we do.  There is only Tyson (who is ill) who sleeps downstairs.

WHO GENERALLY WALKS THE DOG?

Mainly me and Anthony.  The kids will at the weekend.  A neighbour Jordan walks Tyson often.

WHAT IS THEIR FAVOURITE ACTIVITY?

Run Free.

WHERE DOES THEY SLEEP? 

In the beds with the kids or us. Except Tyson because he sleeps downstairs as he has bowl cancer and is not well.

                                                                                 

WHO IS THE DOG MOSTLY FRIENDLY WITH IN THE HOUSE?

Milly is more for me and Whitney, she is a girly dog. Tyson is for me and the kids.  Munch will go with anybody.  He loves his cuddles.  Envy is definitely Anthony’s.  I cannot get near Anthony for the Envy.  They all love cuddles though.

WHAT TIME DOES THEY SPEND IN THE HOME WITH FAMILY MEMBERS?

 Us during the day

TELL ME A FUNNY INCIDENT INVOLVING YOUR DOG

Bathing Tyson is a nightmare!  He jumps out of the bath and soaks me and the shower head goes everywhere.  By the time I get the towels to tackle him everywhere is soaked!

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

They have rules as soon as they come in the door, you have to stick to them.  Not changing your technique half way down the line.  They need to know where they stand.  Plenty of training.  Let them have the run of the house so they are familiar with where everything is and not worried about what is what.  Feed them at the same time as everybody else or else put them outside.