By Jessica Micallef
Doof the dog is thought to be part great dane and part bull terrier – but he is definitely all heart.
Doof’s owner, Tania Smith, found him at a pound, discovering that his previous owner, a pig hunter, had mistreated him.
Ms Smith said Doof was in need of some tender loving care.
“I don’t know what they did … he was in a horrible state and still was when I paid $355 for him,” she said. “He was skin and bone, he was 19 kilograms.”
Once in the care of Ms Smith and partner Steve Smith in Kyneton, Doof started to show signs of leg problems.
“It probably took a month and then we saw the movement,” she said. “Within another month, it was really bad.
“I thought it was heredity but it had nothing to do with it. It had to do with the fact he had broken his legs and no one had fixed them. So when he gained weight, that pressure of the extra weight gain was re-breaking them.”
Ms Smith said Doof’s past had clearly traumatised him to the point where he was cautious about meeting people.
“It took a month before he let Steve touch him,” she said. “He’s clearly been beaten.
“He’s a really happy and really good-natured dog in all other instances apart from this fear.”
Doof has had surgery on his right front leg, but his front left leg also needs an operation.
“The vet says it’s weakening and [is] the next priority,” Ms Smith said.
She has started a GoFundMe page to help pay for Doof’s surgery, which would cost about $5000. She has also organised a new and used horse gear market for Saturday, June 22, at the Kyneton Showgrounds, with all money raised going to Doof’s fund.
“We’ve done so many sausage sizzles, meet and greets,” she said.
“We’ve done all sorts of things. The money all goes to him.”
To donate: bit.ly/2KGioNy. To follow Doof’s progress: bit.ly/2X6hD73.
