Last updated: 22 Jul, 2019
Published on: 27 Apr, 2018
Timid rescue pup becomes Chief Pastry Taster!
Timid rescue pup becomes Chief Pastry Taster!
After waiting a whole year in foster care, Willow finally found the perfect match - her very own pastry chef!
"We found her profile at PetRescue.com.au and fell in love with her,” recalled Andrea, a 35-year-old pastry chef from Germany. “My family always had rescue dogs and cats. I believe that every animal should have a safe and loving home. Adopting a pet is a small way to help. I love animals and having a furry friend is one of the greatest things that can happen!
“My partner recommended a bull terrier because they are robust and have a kind and loyal personality. I had no experience with that breed, but started my research and found Willow (bull terrier x Staffy) on PetRescue,” Andrea said. “Willow had a sad look on her boofhead, which grabbed my heart straight away! We knew we wanted to meet her.”
Aware that Willow had a tough past, Andrea and Lee were told that she was quite nervous and anxious, but that didn’t put them off. They were willing to give her a chance and knew they had love to give.
Willow takes her job very seriously.
“We drove from Elwood to Bendigo to meet Willow and her amazing foster carers, Rikki and Crystal from Furever Friends Bendigo,” recalled Andrea. It's a five-hour round trip, which Andrea and Lee drove twice! They were determined to give this gorgeous girl a chance.
“Our first visit was very conservative and quiet. I remember Willow hiding in her crate. She came out when her foster brother and sister came to get treats from us, and then snuck back in!” Andrea said.
This first trip made Andrea and Lee wonder whether Willow would be at all comfortable with them. So they decided to visit her again and give it another try.
“The second visit went well. We were able to take Willow for a short walk and get to know her a bit better," said Andrea.
Willow was then brought down to Elwood by her foster carers for a third (and final) meeting, and this one proved to be a winner!
"Willow walked into our flat and immediately made herself at home on the couch. Everybody was really stoked and her foster carers were happy to let us adopt Willow.
"She was still very anxious to begin with, hiding in her crate or pacing the flat, not wanting to venture into the outside world. So we kept the house quiet and gave her lots of treats and pats.
“One day, I found Willow hiding under the kitchen table, observing me quietly while I was busy. I thought that maybe food would be the way to a terrified dogs heart, so I started baking. And Willow started taste testing!”
Andrea was baking pupcakes, doggy cookies and other delicious treats for her new friend. And pretty soon, other pet owners were interested in Willow’s treats too!
The team behind the treats.
“That’s how Willow’s Pantry was born,” Andrea said. “We sell our dog biscuits at the markets and collect money for rescue organisations, with Willow being responsible for quality control and taste testing!” Andrea laughed.
Looking through the Willow’s Pantry website and Facebook page, you can definitely tell that this gorgeous dog was such an inspiration for Andrea. Her beautiful face features in may photos and you would never guess that she was once such a timid and anxious dog. Time, patience and some delicious treats have certainly turned her life around.
Life for this pastry chef from Germany has changed for the better too. “Life as an immigrant can be lonely, but now I’m able to spend my days with my good girl Willow. Adopting her, and everything that followed, made me feel that I found my place and purpose.”
Nowadays, when Willow isn’t busy eating her delicious treats, she loves to play outside, chase the tennis ball and visit the beach. Willow has come out of her shell and is playful and confident. “She is a very experienced food stealer,” Andrea laughed.