Hungarian Vizsla Cub of NSW Rescue Parade

Keira, Max, Nala, Jemma and Chilli with their owners
Photo by K. Orzeszko

On Easter Sunday, at our Championship Show, we gathered together some of our rescue stars – the dogs and their owners. We wanted to salute these dogs and owners – for the success they have achieved. We’re very grateful to the ‘mums & dads’ of these dogs for taking the time to come and share their special Vizslas with us all.

So, between dog and bitch classes we gave the show ring to our Rescue dogs. Of our last six rescues, only Michelle and her Vizsla, Lany, were unable to join us, due to distance and circumstance. But we know they were there in spirit. We reminded ourselves of all the dogs' original circumstances, then heard from their owners how these dogs have fulfilled the promise of their breed heritage as perfect companions.

"Max" and "Keira"
Max and Keira’s family came from Canberra to show off their lovely dogs. John is proof that Vizslas are like chocolates – impossible to have only one! After successfully adopting Max, his family also asked to adopt Keira when she was featured in our newsletter.

Max started life as ‘Ike’ and became ‘Michael’ when in foster care after being rescued from Newcastle RSPCA. He had been surrendered at age fifteen months by his owner who found him too much trouble. Michael contracted pneumonia following his de-sexing at the shelter and was really quite sick for a time. But whilst in her care, he remained responsive to Ruth and social with both her animals and human family.

Keira was surrendered at age six by her owner who was moving interstate. He also left his deaf Dalmation at the shelter without telling the staff of her disability. Keira had no major problems – she was not keen to walk on a lead or come when called, but got on well with other dogs, cats, people and kids. Max quickly adopted his new house and the family! He’s a big boy – 30kg – but can be small enough to sit on laps or big enough to frighten the life out of you as he thunders past in the park!

Keira is petite in contrast to Max, but has equally assumed ‘control’ of the house! John says - ‘Keira is a sweet, gentle dog, who tries to please humans at all times. Within two days of being brought home, Keira had located every tennis ball around our house, and placed them in a pile near our back door. So we figured that she might be good at fetching balls. We soon found that playing ball 24 hours a day is not enough for Keira, who, without fail brings the ball back to be thrown again. Keira and Max are good pals. Keira has certainly provided companionship and been a steadying influence for Max, and I think Max has filled the place left by Keira's Dalmatian friend.’

In their new home, both dogs have passed Advanced level obedience classes and Keira is now only too keen to walk on a lead and she now comes when called, something Max does in his own sweet time.’

"Nala"
Nala was found wandering by a lovely lady who could not keep her. She is probably our oldest rescue to date. When her owner was located she said ‘I don’t really want her, it was such a relief not to have her here.’ We were horrified!! Poor Nala was probably aged about eight years, had already once been dumped at Blacktown Pound after having had a litter about six and a half years previously, and she had a few lumps and bumps. But she was a typically sweet and compliant Vizsla, also well behaved with other dogs, cats and people. She won some hearts on her way through the rescue process.

Nala’s new owners thinks she is their perfect dog. Amanda’s obvious emotion and pride in Nala at the parade moved many of us present to tears. She said this of her lovely old dog. ‘Since coming to our family, Nala has given us all her love and we have given her all of ours. She is a very special dog and makes us laugh with her funny ways, especially sitting in the horse trough at every available opportunity. Her favourite saying is "woo woo woo", her best friend is Spot the Jack Russell and her favourite food is anything!!!! We can't imagine not having her in our lives and we are just so glad we were able to rescue her. She's getting old now but we know for sure that her last few years are ones filled with love, happiness and food!!!!’

Nala was seen later in the day making good use of Amanda’s lap, and taking in all that was happening at the show.

"Jemma"
Jemma (then called Stella) was straying when impounded at a high school. S he had a piece of chain padlocked to her neck, was pretty but thin and had no idea how to walk on a lead. She also had some problems – she developed some urinary incontinence after de-sexing, which discouraged one or two potential new owners. Fortunately, it was just a response to her surgery and passed. Her great temperament and social ability with cats led her to her new home where she became ‘Jemma’. She was another who was simply in need of the right person and the right new home.

Carol told us - ‘I knew as soon as Jemma walked through the front door that she would stay. She took about 5 minutes to "fit" into our lifestyle. She is a very friendly, active and sociable companion and loves to swim and retrieve her favourite objects, tennis balls. I breed Abyssinian cats and Jemma has proved to be a fantastic playmate to the kittens. All the adult cats like her as well and she is very good with them - in fact, she doesn't have a mean bone in her body!’

"Chilli"
Chilli was our most recent rescue. He was unwanted in his home. His owners were unable to find time for him since the arrival of a baby, and under-exercised and ignored, he became destructive and stressed. When his owner threatened to turn him out on the street, he was considered to be at risk and after negotiation with the owner, he was taken into foster care.

Martin told us that Chilli is brave, loyal and always willing to please. ‘He’s beautiful, handsome, assertive, strong and stands up for himself. He also attracts attention wherever he goes. He’s fitted perfectly into our house and talks to us with a ‘roo-roo-roo’. It seems he also has a talent for gardening and his new family has re-arranged their garden to suit his new design! ‘We are so happy with him – he is our perfect dog!’

And so seems that all of these dogs - including Lany – have become ‘perfect dogs’ in the right homes. They just needed the right home and the right humans!. Sadly, they didn’t get this in their first home, and in some cases, maybe not in the second either.

But thanks to their wonderful new owners these dogs get to live the lives they deserve. It is also due in part to those who contribute generously to the Club’s breed rescue program both financially and in practical ways. Thank you.

And to those owners and dogs – we salute you!!

"Max" and "Keira" Max and Keira’s family came from Canberra to show off their lovely dogs. John is proof that Vizslas are like chocolates – impossible to have only one! After successfully adopting Max, his family also asked to adopt Keira when she was featured in our newsletter.

"Max" and "Keira"
Max and Keira’s family came from Canberra to show off their lovely dogs. John is proof that Vizslas are like chocolates – impossible to have only one! After successfully adopting Max, his family also asked to adopt Keira when she was featured in our newsletter.