IT WAS a teary reunion for Mount Gambier resident Kareena Aspinall and her beloved dog Bootlace over the weekend as the pair were reunited after seven months apart.
Finding herself homeless in Adelaide late last year, Ms Aspinall had to make the quick move to Mount Gambier to be closer to family.
However, finding a rental property that allowed pets at such short notice proved to be difficult and after years together, Ms Aspinall had to make the move alone.
“It was horrible having to leave him behind, I’ve had him since he was born – it makes me cry just thinking about him,” she said.
Thankfully, due to the kind nature of Mount Barker couple Chris and Ray Moore, Bootlace was given a temporary home with a foster family in the Adelaide Hills.
The duo runs the Paws and People – Living Ruff or Doing it Tough in SA organisation.
“It was so lovely of them to look after Bootlace, it was nice to know that he was being loved and cared for – I can’t thank them enough,” Ms Aspinall said.
Initially opening a small breed dog rescue, the generous couple saw the need to extend their business to help owners and their pets to be reunited.
“Many of our customers had found themselves homeless and often had to surrender their dogs to a shelter as they didn’t have any other option,” Ms Moore said.
“I thought to myself, wouldn’t it be nice if these dogs could stay with a family that know and love them – so then began our short-term boarding for urgent care.
“It was all about keeping pets and people together.”
At 13 years old and with a large lump on his back that is slowly growing, Bootlace is nearing the end of his life and is in need of extra love and attention from his closest friend Ms Aspinall.
“Kareena misses Bootlace terribly and just talking about him makes her cry,” Ms Moore said.
“She has experienced some real hardships throughout her life, as an Aboriginal woman she has seen the personal impacts of the stolen generation on her family and has had a short book published that tells her story and what the government saying sorry meant to her.
“Aboriginals have a spiritual connection with animals and without him there, she is suffering terribly.”
Hoping to help Ms Aspinall find a place for the two to live together in Mount Gambier, Ms Moore contacted real estate agents throughout the Blue Lake city and placed an advertisement in The Border Watch seeking assistance.
Although they had no success in finding a place that would allow pets, one generous woman gratefully offered to foster Bootlace in Mount Gambier so the two could be closer.
Recently saying goodbye to her elderly dog after years together, Leanne Dunn wanted to help Ms Aspinall and Bootlace spend some more time together.
“I couldn’t bare being separated from my pets – especially when they are at that age,” Ms Dunn said.
“I recently lost my dog and when I saw the advert in the paper I got in contact with Chris straight away.”
On Sunday, Bootlace made the trip down to Mount Gambier with Chris and Ray and finally Ms Aspinall was reunited with her best friend.
“I didn’t know Leanne at all before this, it was very out of the blue for her to offer to take care of Bootlace – there are some good spirited people out there,” Ms Aspinall said.
Living in the same city, Ms Aspinall will now be able to spend some quality time together with Bootlace and take him for regular walks throughout the area.
However, with the help of Chris and Ray, she is still searching for a house in Mount Gambier for the two to live in together.
“Bootlace is a very calm dog with a beautiful nature, everyone who meet him falls in love,” Ms Moore said.
“I’m hoping there will be someone out there that will have a place for Kareena to rent with Bootlace before he passes away.”
Contact Ms Moore on 0408 188 040 for more information or if you can help with a rental property for Ms Aspinall and Bootlace.
