Pluto is one of my many other rescue animals that I adopted. He was first discovered by family on a Facebook post from The Dogs Trust, a dog adoption shelter, and we just had to have him. He was posted towards the end of 2023. He was only a few months old at the time, maybe four or six, and he really was just a cutie pie.

It was decided that we were adopting him, and my mother was on the phone to The Dogs Trust the next day. On December 7th 2023, Pluto was dropped off by a sweet lady by the name of Leigh. He was so shy and introverted, and I couldn’t believe how small and sweet he was. I wanted nothing more than to pick him up and cuddle him to no extent. We were told that he was picked up from one of the townships nearby, Diepsloot specifically, and that information alone tugged on my heart strings even more, knowing that this innocent little soul was wandering around without a home.

I showed him around and sat with him for a while when he first arrived, because I could imagine that it was a lot for him to take in, and his personality seemed to be reserved, obviously because he didn’t understand where he was or why he was here.

I took him to my room after a while and let him lay on my bed and had a little nap with him. I will never forget his first day coming home. It was a special day for me, and for him too I imagine.

He was so unsure of his surroundings and even of me, and it’s such a blessing to have been the one to comfort him and show him that he is safe and will be happy with us.

His name was thought up by my mother. I’m not sure how she came up with it, but it really suits him and his funny personality. He’s always had long legs and now as a full grown dog they’re even longer. I think my mom looked at the size of his ears and somehow thought of “Pluto.” He also has really large and flappy ears. I love the name Pluto.

The more Pluto got used to us and our home, the more confident and bold he got. He was quite a naughty puppy growing up, always taking things out of the trash, taking shoes (mostly mine), destroying everything in sight. He was a little menace. He also caused trouble within his first week or so being here. When it came nighttime, he wanted to come inside, but in summer all the dogs slept outside. Pluto was so desperate to come in, that he was crying and crying so much, that eventually I got out of bed to see what he wanted, and he had managed to get himself stuck in our bars by the lounge. We had to put cooking oil on him so he could wiggle himself out more easily. That is just one of many stories about him. We laugh about it now, but at the time it was a worrying situation.

Watching him grow up has been one of the most amazing things to experience. Unfortunately, I did miss a few months of it and was in and out of the country a lot because I was still yachting, but when I was home, he was always so delighted to see me and made it a fun time for me. He has grown up to be the tallest dog we have, and the best natured, kind and happy soul. He is still as funny as he was when he was a puppy, but I can say that I am happy that he is over his shoe chewing days. He still takes chances and tries to steal food off the counter when he can, and most times he is successful because he has such long legs.

He is also somehow the most well behaved at the park. I can let him off the leash and he never runs too far away and is always happy and friendly towards other dogs. I feel bad for not taking him in a long time, as I only recently had my car fixed up.

His bond with the other dogs at home is also wonderful. He adores my old dog, Shadow, who struggles with arthritis, and Pluto is always running up to him and kissing his face. I tell Pluto that that’s his uncle Shadow. It’s very sweet to witness. Even sweeter when you know that Shadow is not generally the best with new/other dogs, but he loves Pluto as well, even if he struggles to show it. Pluto has also learnt a few things from Shadow, the main one, to run up to the main fence of our garden and bark at all the strangers going by, which he has become really good at. Even though Pluto would not hurt a fly, we are grateful that he at least looks scary enough to those who don’t know him.

He is a happy, grateful dog with so much spunk and gratitude in him. Two and a half years after adopting him I still look back at his first days. It’s sad how quickly our animals grow up but it’s also really amazing to watch and help them grow. I am glad we could give another dog a loving home and give him a second chance at life. I love him to bits and pieces, and he holds a very special place in my heart, just like the rest of my animals do.