We are heading up (virtually) to Whangarei to meet Spencer and his family - two parents, two kids aged 5 and 7, Spencer and his frenemy, Flash the cat.
How did you come into each other’s lives?
We adopted him from the SPCA after my beloved first dog died and I couldn’t handle working from home in a dog-less house. Spencer and his brother and sister had been dumped on the side of the road when a few weeks old.
How did you decide on his name?
My son, who was 4 at the time, wanted to call him Bruiser. I overruled because I couldn’t imagine using that name in public. He suggested Exspencer, which has become Spencer over time.
What is Spencer like?
He’s never grown out of his mad puppy stage. He’s very high energy and excited about everything but also very cuddly and happy to curl up next to us while we watch tv or hang out.
What makes him the goodest boy?
He’s super attentive and always follows us around, checking on us. He’s gentle with the kids and manages to judge their rough and tumble with him really well. He defends us from such mortal threats as the kereru flying in the garden and the supermarket delivery truck
What is Spencer's Favourite walk?
Any walk ever. We usually do a 5km loop from home up to the cemetery and back because there are nice views for the human of Mt Manaia and not too much discarded KFC to resist for Spencer (that’s a major problem on our other route).
Does Spencer have a favourite toy?
He has a teddy he keeps in his crate. It used to have stuffing…
What is his favourite thing to do?
Cuddle.
Where does he sleep?
He tries to sleep in our beds but is usually redirected to his crate in my room.
What is his most loved noms?
Toast crusts, cheese, pasta.
Has Spencer had any transgressions?
We used to live next to a park and he would constantly jump the wall to dance around with other dogs. I lost count of the number of times people took him to the local vet thinking he was a stray, despite collar etc. fortunately we have moved and now he’s not such an escape artist. Once he popped through the hedge to chat to the neighbours in their garden.
What are Spencer's biggest lols?
When you aren’t looking he will sidle up beside you and force his head into your hand/under your arm to demand a pat, or reach up to pull down your hand.
How did you come into each other’s lives?
We adopted him from the SPCA after my beloved first dog died and I couldn’t handle working from home in a dog-less house. Spencer and his brother and sister had been dumped on the side of the road when a few weeks old.
How did you decide on his name?
My son, who was 4 at the time, wanted to call him Bruiser. I overruled because I couldn’t imagine using that name in public. He suggested Exspencer, which has become Spencer over time.
What is Spencer like?
He’s never grown out of his mad puppy stage. He’s very high energy and excited about everything but also very cuddly and happy to curl up next to us while we watch tv or hang out.
What makes him the goodest boy?
He’s super attentive and always follows us around, checking on us. He’s gentle with the kids and manages to judge their rough and tumble with him really well. He defends us from such mortal threats as the kereru flying in the garden and the supermarket delivery truck
What is Spencer's Favourite walk?
Any walk ever. We usually do a 5km loop from home up to the cemetery and back because there are nice views for the human of Mt Manaia and not too much discarded KFC to resist for Spencer (that’s a major problem on our other route).
Does Spencer have a favourite toy?
He has a teddy he keeps in his crate. It used to have stuffing…
What is his favourite thing to do?
Cuddle.
Where does he sleep?
He tries to sleep in our beds but is usually redirected to his crate in my room.
What is his most loved noms?
Toast crusts, cheese, pasta.
Has Spencer had any transgressions?
We used to live next to a park and he would constantly jump the wall to dance around with other dogs. I lost count of the number of times people took him to the local vet thinking he was a stray, despite collar etc. fortunately we have moved and now he’s not such an escape artist. Once he popped through the hedge to chat to the neighbours in their garden.
What are Spencer's biggest lols?
When you aren’t looking he will sidle up beside you and force his head into your hand/under your arm to demand a pat, or reach up to pull down your hand.