Last updated: 28 Oct, 2020
Published on: 5 May, 2015
Phoenix: A happy tail to make your heart soar
It’s hard to imagine that the light in those beautiful brown eyes came so close to being extinguished. This gorgeous girl was taken to the vet to be destroyed - very nearly joining the 1 in 4 homeless dogs killed every day in Australia.
Fortunately, the vet took pity on those big brown eyes and contacted Forever Friends Animal Rescue. Pretty soon, Phoenix was in foster care, and despite some very serious complications after her desexing operation, her luck was changing.
Phoenix was listed on the PetRescue website to give her the best chance of finding a new family to love. And in just a matter of days, she was starting a new life in her forever home.
She was spotted by Steven, a country boy who’d grown up with dogs, moved to Melbourne, and longed for a furry companion.
“From the very first moment I saw those big, beautiful, liquid brown eyes gazing back at me from the pages of the PetRescue website, I knew she was the one,” says Steven.
“I was convinced adoption was the way to go, and my colleagues recommended the PetRescue website,” recalls Steven. “So I jumped online to PetRescue.com.au and spent a whole two months searching.
“I was on there every day, looking at lots of different dogs. I came across Phoenix’s profile and just fell in love. It was the look in her eyes. She’s got the most beautiful big brown eyes.
“A few hours later I submitted my application, and I got a phone call to arrange a meet and greet a couple of days later.
“I met Phoenix on my birthday last year, so it worked out perfectly! I spent at least an hour with her, and I knew from the beginning we were meant to hang out together. We got along like a house on fire, it just felt right,” smiles Steven.
Once the adoption formalities were completed, it didn’t take long for Phoenix to cement her place in Steven’s heart and his home.
“She was at home straight from the beginning, she just fitted right in. It’s quite literally the best decision I’ve ever made,” says Steven.
“She is just so lovely natured. After all the pain she’s been through, she’s the most adorable and good-natured dog. The joy she brings every day is just incredible. And she’s so smart, she learned to sit in about two and a half minutes.
“I wake up in the morning and she’s an inch from my face, tail wagging. She gets me up every morning to take her for a walk.
“I started off trying to get her to sleep on her bed. She’s very clever though. She waits until she thinks I’m asleep before jumping up on my bed. Then she’ll jump back on her bed before I get up!
“I was a bit unsure about having a kelpie in a suburban home, being a working dog. But I’m so glad I didn’t let that stop me. She gets me out of bed and out and about each day. She even comes into the office with me.
“She loves to meet and greet all my clients. A lot of them don’t recall my name, but they all ask me about Phoenix,” laughs Steven.
True to her name, Phoenix has survived a rough start and embraced her new life as a treasured furry companion. Thanks to the vet, Forever Friends and all supporters of PetRescue, this beautiful brown-eyed girl got the fresh start every homeless pet deserves.
You can help Phoenix help more homeless pets, and create a future where every pet in need gets a second chance in life.