Jenn: We had border collies beforehand, and we loved them very much but we decided we wanted to try a kelpie as a good farm dog to have. Then I wanted to get another dog as well, not as a worker but as an inside companion. Then we saw on Facebook advertising Maltese shih tzu puppies ... and she was beautiful, she came over and gave me a lick on the cheek and I knew she was the one.
How would you describe their personalities?
Molly, because she’s littler, submits to Max but he will back off if she lets out a little ‘Ouch — you’re hurting me!’ He’s very boisterous but a great listener — under instruction, he’ll do as he’s told. And Molly’s the same but under me I’m a little bit of a pushover so she’ll try and use her innocence and cuteness to be mischievous.
Have they had any funny moments together?
Sometimes if I haven’t been able to get out and walk Molly, Brett will take them both on the quad bike down to the back of the farm. And then halfway back he’ll put Molly and Max down, and Molly will trail behind and start yelping and barking because she gets all jealous that he’s beating her! She’s such a little girly girl. She’ll try to tell him off and he’s like ‘Nup — you don’t bother me’.
Do they sleep together?
We spoil Max. He has his own raised bed outside the front door and if it gets a bit cold Brett will put hay bales around as wind-breakers. And he’s got an electric blanket that I turn on in the winter! Molly has two beds inside so she gets to choose, and quite often she’ll be naughty and when we fall asleep she’ll come in and jump onto our bed.
What would you do without them?
My babies! They are our family, without them, it would be like we’re missing a part. I just love them to bits.
Words: Caitlin Cassidy
Pictures: Jamie Salter
