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News Hound Ady & Flo www.sunlive.co.nz |
Are these people completely crazy? I know some of us canines are clever, but driving a car? Who in their right mind would let the mutt loose with the family wagon? Well apparently it's going to happen this week, on national TV.
On December 10, a Beardie Cross from SPCA – is set to make the ambitious attempt to drive a car, live on New Zealand television.
Mini wanted to help SPCA change some common misconceptions about rescue dogs so they decided, with the help of animal trainer Mark Vette and team, to teach three SPCA dogs to drive a Mini Countryman to showcase just how intelligent rescue dogs are. The training has taken place over eight weeks with the dogs set to do their official test drive on Campbell Live.
'Driving a car actively demonstrates to potential rescue dog adopters that you can teach old dogs new tricks. The dogs have achieved amazing things in eight short weeks of training, which really shows with the right environment just how much potential all dogs from the SPCA have as family pets,” says Christine Kalin, SPCA Auckland CEO.
The project began just two months ago when three rescue dogs; Monty, Porter and Ginny were selected. They were rehoused and began the doggy driver training process.
'This is a fun campaign but we hope it will seriously encourage people to consider SPCA dogs for pets, we want this campaign to raise SPCA awareness and drive adoptions. The Mini Countryman has been modified to suit operation by paws and will be reverted and available for sale after the campaign.”
New Zealanders can find out more about the dogs by visiting drivingdogs.co.nz where they can meet Monty, Porter and Ginny online, watch videos of the training, and find out about their local SPCA and how they can adopt.
'Ultimately the aim is that an SPCA rescue dog will become top of mind and top choice for people thinking of adopting a pet,” says Kalin. 'We've seen many people rewarded by the gratefulness of an SPCA rescue dog after adoption and we hope all New Zealanders consider the SPCA as an adoption option.”
Meanwhile, I'm chasing the keys to the old man's boat. At least then when I see trouble coming and want to bail, the water will be a soft option.
Can't wait to tell Ady, she's been wanting to get her mitts on the sunlive news van for ages, now there'll be no stopping her. We may have to re-write a few road rules to cater for dog drivers.
- Top of the T-bone has right of way.
- Signal intentions when stopping at lamp posts.
Advice to all you drivers out there: Get out of the way, bitch behind the wheel.