Jemma Arbon and her daughter Amelia with shih-tzus Jake and Lily who came to Pakenham from the UK. 72652.Picture: Meagan Rogers
By Stephanie Kenez
SHIH-TZUS Jake and Lily have been through two big changes in their short lives.
The dogs moved to Australia from England four years ago and a year later their owners, Jemma and Mat Arbon, decided to start a family.
English-born Jemma met her Australian husband Mat in England and they lived there for seven years.
When they decided to move to Australia they didn’t consider leaving the two dogs behind, despite it costing $3000 to bring them over.
“They were our first pets as a couple and they were like our babies,” Jemma said.
“My mother has two shih-tzus as well and so we probably could have left them behind with her, but we didn’t even consider it.”
While the decision was easily made, the process of actually getting them here wasn’t quite so smooth.
“They had to do a medical examination and that was sort of like their passport I guess,” she said.
The medical exam had to be passed to say that the dogs didn’t carry any diseases such as rabies that could contaminate Australian animals.
“Jake’s medical didn’t go through the first time, he had to have the blood test twice so it was a bit touch and go there for a bit.”
Once they were given the all-clear they flew to Australia and spent 30 days in quarantine.
“They flew with Qantas which was funny because we flew with the cheapest airline we could find,” Jemma said.
The dogs arrived in Australia before their owners so they could be collected straight away.
“My husband actually flew over before me so he was able to go and visit them.”
Both dogs have adjusted well to life in Pakenham and enjoy the benefits of the better weather.
“They love the sun, they lie in the sun and think that’s great and they get to go for walks more because of the better weather,” she said.
“But there’s not as many places to walk them here. In England all the parks were dog parks whereas here it’s a bit more restricted.”
They have also continued to be relatively inexpensive companions.
“Lily is six and she’s quite healthy. Jake’s eight and he’s had a few minor issues but nothing very expensive,” Jemma said.
“They are getting a bit older now though and I don’t know what the future will bring.”
Another change they have had to get used to is the addition of the couple’s daughter, Amelia.
“They got used to her as a baby but now she’s a toddler they are getting terrorised by her a bit.”
“She chases after them but they’re fine with her,” Jemma said.
Jemma said that overall the dogs had adjusted well to the changes in their lives, and their personalities had remained the same.
“Jake loves rolling on his tummy and Lily is obsessed with balls … she has to have a ball in her mouth nearly all the time.”
While the dogs are still special to the couple, Jemma said their relationship with them had changed.
“They’re still important and we still want to give them a good life but with having children, your priorities shift.”
“We used to take them to family dos, but not so much anymore,” she said.
