When Moira began puppy caring 10 years ago, she joined Seeing Eye Dogs with a lot of dog experience in breeding, showing and training Dobermans.
When it looked like it was time to downsize, she didn’t want to commit to another dog. Raising a puppy for a year felt like a perfect solution.
Coming from the competitive environment of dog showing, Moira appreciates the camaraderie of her fellow volunteers; “Everyone wants everyone else and their dogs to succeed. People help each other out. They are on the same page and in it for the same outcome.”
Her mother had keratoconus and was legally blind, which was another great reason to continue to raise puppies.
Moira raised her first five puppies whilst working as a principal of a primary school.
Farrow arrived a few days after Moira was approved as a carer and had her first day in primary school the next day. “There’s no downside to pups at school. The staff loved it, the students loved it, everyone loved it.”
Since retiring, Moira raised Natasha who joined her as a young puppy in 2020 and has remained in Moira’s care as a breeding dog. For Moira, caring for Natasha is even more special as she is the daughter of her fourth puppy Jessie.
Moira also volunteers in the role of puppy nanny, providing enrichment and training to the puppies in the puppy centre, and the mother dogs.
Through these roles, she’s also got to meet other volunteers and enjoy a chat whilst working together.
“The community side of things is great; I’ve met lots of wonderful people.”
Moira has enjoyed meeting new people, including fellow puppy carer Susan who has become a close friend after the pair discovered they were neighbours.
One of the first pieces of advice Moira received was from Senior Puppy Development Trainer Mark Jackman “Make sure you have fun with this puppy.” Advice which to this day has stuck in Moira’s mind.
“There is a lot of hard work involved but the joy and benefits far outweigh any disadvantages.” she says.
Her dogs have also been to important and interesting places.
Former PM Julia Gillard AC was a fan of Farrow. She invited Moira and Farrow to events like the conferring of her honorary doctorate at Victoria University.
Natasha also accompanied Moira to Government House when she was awarded the Public Service Medal for her services to education.
Now retired, her breeder caring also gives her the freedom to travel. “I plan my travel around her. I was in Ireland when one litter was born, and Spain the other.”