By Emma Sun
Victoria and Troy Schepisi with their pets Molly and Boris. 74409
ANIMAL lover Victoria Schepisi is encouraging those buying someone a pet for Christmas to consider getting it from the nearest animal shelter.
Victoria owns two dogs with her husband Troy – a four-year-old Bull Mastiff cross called Molly and a two-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback cross called Boris.
She and Troy got the pair from the RSPCA when they were puppies, and said it was the best thing they ever did.
“We’ve had them since they were 12-weeks-old and they’ve just been the best dogs – they’re not purebreds by any means but they’ve certainly given us a lot of joy.”
The two pooches are very much pampered by their owners, who give them everything they require.
“Now they spend their days running around the paddocks outside and keeping each other company. They sleep inside in their own little bedroom and have beds and kennels outside,” Victoria said.
“We try to pamper them as much as we can, we take them on lots of walks and give them lots of bones and toys to play with and chew on.”
The two dogs reciprocate Victoria and Troy’s affections and spend plenty of time cuddling with their owners.
“Before they go into their bedroom, they’re always on the couch for a cuddle before bed. We love their companionship – they’re really just part of the family,” she said.
“We don’t have children at the moment so we really treat them as our kids and it’s nice to go home and see them every night after work.”
The canines have their own little quirks and interests.
“Molly is just a garbage guts – she eats anything. She’s drunk olive oil before, gotten into the cupboard and she likes eating cardboard shoeboxes and toilet paper rolls,” Victoria said.
“Boris is just obsessed with Molly, she’s his best friend and he won’t go anywhere without her and he can do high-fives. He likes playing with the frisbee but Molly, not so much. She likes watching him play while she’s chewing on a bone.”
Victoria said despite their appearances, the two were wonderful dogs and she couldn’t have hoped for better pets.
“Boris wasn’t adopted because he didn’t form a proper ridge. The two of them are not the prettiest of dogs, but we love them and we’re happy that we’ve rescued them.”
She encouraged everyone to consider going to the RSPCA to get their next dog, cat, bird, or even horse.
“There are fantastic dogs, they’re our best friends and we’re happy to spend Christmas with them,” she said.
“A lot of people do get dogs for Christmas and we just urge them to get them from the animal shelters because they will give you just as much love as a purebred will give you.”
