How did you and Dave first meet, and what drew you to each other?

My husband had never had a dog and we decided to get our first puppy after we built our house. The only thing he requested was we get a male dog and call him Dave! He even got a collar made with the name Dave before we had even chosen a dog. Having worked for an animal rescue overseas, I only wanted to get a rescue dog. I also didn't want a big dog and I didn't want to travel too far to get him. With a young child and one on the way, we decided a puppy would be better. I trawled the pet rescue website and kept coming back to the same puppy. In the end we travelled to Port Augusta and brought home our Rottweiler X Weimaraner and called him Dave!

What ridiculous nicknames do you have for him, and how did he earn them?

As a younger dog, he was always called Dave. Now he is older he often gets the more formal name of David! He can be stinky sometimes and we often use the popular phrase from Schitt’s Creek - 'Ew David'

How would you describe his personality?

He is the sweetest boy. He has had children around him his whole life (I had my second child 6 months after we brought him home). Sometimes the kids got knocked over when he was a bit excited but it was always followed by laughter and 'oh Dave!'
His best friend is our Ginger cat Leo, who annoys him endlessly and Dave never complains, they cuddle up together for nap times and at night. He loves a cuddle and everyone who meets him loves him back. His cancer diagnosis had affected so many of our friends and family.
In his younger days he could be quite naughty though! He has pulled curtain rails out of the wall, pulled a screen door off the rail and got it stuck around his head, destroyed shoes, managed to get out and find himself new dog friends to play with (thankfully he is microchipped!), got into a wet coal bucket (coals came out of a wood-oven) and then covered the house in wet dog coal water. I could go on and on!

What does he love to do the most?

He loves a caravan holiday! Going on walks, treats and just being around people, he hates being alone.

If he could tell us something about you, what would he say?

I hope he has felt and knows the love we have for him.

What's everyday life like with your boy by your side?

These days it's much slower. He can't manage the long walks anymore so we take him to the park with the kids or the dog park where he can sit and rest when needed. I enjoy cooking and he will lie right in the middle of the kitchen so I have to step over him, I love him being near me though. If one of us goes to another room, he will follow, just to be near someone. He likes to lie in the late afternoon sun that comes through the windows.

What lessons about life or yourself have you learned from Dave?

We just love our darling boy David. I have had dogs in my life since I was a child and I am so happy my family are experiencing the joy of having a dog. They are never with us long enough and we are nearing heartbreak, however knowing the joy and having the memories will guide us through.