Community opens heart to animals

By Sarah Schwager
THE community has once against rallied around Cranbourne’s furry friends, finding loving homes for two local dogs.
After the News reported that Blind Bight resident Jeremy Finch’s dog was killed by a snake last month, offers of new dogs flooded in and Mr Finch’s family welcomed a puppy into their home.
However, two other dogs were still in need of homes.
Within two days of an article being published about Mr Finch’s new dog, the News had found homes for 12-month-old Jack Russell Kubuki and eight-year-old Corgi cross fox terrier Suzie.
Their owners were over the moon.
Suzie’s previous owner Verna Knowles from Cranbourne was desperately trying to find a caring home for her dog as she prepared to set off around Australia in a caravan.
Ms Knowles rescued Suzie from an animal shelter after she had been abused by her previous owners, and was very particular about her new home.
After a number of calls from potential owners, Ms Knowles decided Suzie would be best suited to live with Dianne Lansdown, who lives in a cosy home in Pakenham with a cat and a dog.
Ms Lansdown hoped Suzie would be a good friend for her little seven-year-old dog, which she also rescued from a shelter.
“I love animals. I couldn’t bear to have anything happen to that dog,” Ms Lansdown said.
She will take Suzie permanently and said the dog would be well suited to the quiet house, with all her animals allowed to sleep inside.
Cranbourne resident Kristine Tune also offered her 12-month-old purebred black and white Jack Russell, named Kubuki, to Mr Finch’s family.
She said the dog was great with kids but unfortunately her 18-year-old son was no longer in a position to care for it.
Ms Tune said she just wanted to give the dog a good home and would consider offers from the community to house the dog.
Joanne Politis from Cranbourne and her family decided to make little Kubuki a part of their family.
She, her husband and their kids, with another baby soon on the way, welcomed Kubuki last week, and the dog is now an important part of the family.
Kubuki will be a friend for Ms Politis’s other 12-month-old Jack Russell.