As is often the case, Seeing Eye Dogs Australia's canine
midwife couldn't stay for the official function. Virginia Scully
was out on the road delivering the next prize litter of dogs
to assist the vision impaired and was unable to attend the official
handover of a custom-fitted 'puppy-mobile' last Wednesday.
Garry and Warren Smith Mazda in Mulgrave supplied the utility,
which will make Ms Scully's job easier. The `puppy mobile' is
fitted with the essentials for a medical emergency: a whelping
box to transport mums in labour, a special cage for puppies
and room for medical equipment.
Ms Scully travels 1000 kilometres per week in her own car
- an unsuitably cramped hatchback - to visit expectant mother
dogs and newborn puppies in Victoria. The hatch, which had mechanical
problems, could barely fit in medical equipment and 1.5-square-metre
whelping boxes for mother dogs to "nest" in. Often,
Ms Scully would have to "borrow and beg" to find a
van to carry the essential items.
In medical emergencies, the small car barely had room to transport
mum and her puppies. She said SEDA's puppies were healthier
when born at home rather than at a central location, but it
meant her job was "incredibly mobile". "The advent
of the new car is such a fantastic thing. I don't like having
to drive cars which don't get me there on time. "From the
beginning, we've made certain our dogs were going to get the
very best. This was the one thing we've been lacking so far."
Although many people were curious about her job, Ms Scully
didn't understand why. "I find it bizarre anyone's that
interested ... I believe I have the best job in the world. I
play with pups all day, but they are pups for a purpose."
SEDA is looking for puppy carers in the Dandenong area. Phone
for details on 93816400 |
