A 71-year-old Gosnells resident who broke her hip last year was able to keep her very boisterous dog Ray, thanks to local volunteers from Pets of Older Persons (POOPS).
Maureen Jennings had no intention of owning another pet after her last one died until she met Ray, a rescue Ridgeback Staffy whose battery never runs out.
When she first got Ray about three years ago Ms Jennings was told he had a sock eating fetish that had already resulted in surgery twice.
However, when Ms Jennings had the accident, she spent five days in the hospital and was told by her transitional care nurse that POOPS could help her find a volunteer to help her with Ray and other house chores.
“After leaving the hospital, Ray decided to give me the silent treatment for about a week,” she said.
“He was very strange, perhaps it had something to do from his previous abandonment, but I won him back.”
After that, Ms Jennings arranged a meeting with volunteers’ Jim and Beth Wright who offered to take care of Ray and fell in love with his unique personality.
“I think they love him as much as he loves them,” she said.
“There is a great rapport there and they have been exceptionally kind to me and Ray.”
Mrs Wright said they both started volunteering for POOPS in 2011, after volunteering at an animal rescue centre for five years.
“We didn’t have a dog of our own, so this was a great opportunity to give back to the community and help the elderly,” she said.
“You build up a great relationship with the dog as well as giving companionship to the owners.”
Volunteers are always needed across different suburbs, for more information visit poopswa.org.au/ or call 1300 1100 92.
