If you have seen a woman with a pram full of fur walking around Shellharbour and Barrack Heights, it was probably Rhonda.
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She uses the pram for two elderly dogs that she’s taken into her care, so they don’t miss out on daily walks with all of her other “kids”.
Mrs Callaghan and her husband Kevin are the only ones in the state to rescue and rehome Cavaliers for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club of NSW.
Mrs Callaghan said while there are a lot of sad cases as to how the dogs end up in her care, “circumstances change”.
“Sometimes it’s because of a death … one man [was deployed] in Afghanistan, [the owners are] not always in dire straights,” she said.
“A few have been sent to us from the RSPCA which have come from puppy farms.”
However people have come from as far as Port Macquarie and Wagga Wagga to adopt a pet from Rhonda’s care.
There are paintings and china figurines of these small, energetic dogs with fluffy ears all about the Callaghan’s house, and living versions running about their feet.
“I remember the first one I went to pick up,” she said.
“It was in 1982. I went up to Valhalla Kennels, no micro-chipping in those days, and he was found wandering.
“His name was Prince and I rehomed him to a lady that worked at Franklins [supermarket] at Shellharbour Square.”
Some dogs stay with them for three months, others longer, until they can find the most suited home.
The oldest dog they’ve taken in was 14-years-old while the youngest was 11-weeks.
Mrs Callaghan wanted to remind people that puppies need care and urged those considering getting one to think carefully about whether they could devote enough time to a new friend.
Cavaliers are dogs that belong with people and shouldn’t be left alone or houses outside according to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club. They “thrive” on human contact.
“Cavaliers are now among the most popular companion dogs, being suited to many situations: for families, for the elderly, in the city and the country,” reads their website.
For more information on Cavaliers or how you can adopt a dog, visit: www.cavalierclubnsw.com