Modern Fur-milies

It’s a dog’s world and we’re just living in it. Nearly 40 per cent of Australian households own a dog and more people than ever are opting for fur babies over children. To celebrate International Dog Day, we asked five fur-milies to tell us what makes having a dog so pawsome

- Alley Pascoe

JANA, 48 + BANJO, 4, BOSTON T E R R I E R

“Having Banjo in my life has made me a much happier person. He’s become more important than things I used to worry about. When I picked him up from a breeder four years ago, he was waiting for me out the front of the house wearing a bow tie and a collar – because he’s a Boston terrier, the ‘American Gentleman’. He is true to his breed; he can be reserved with people but is really boisterous at the park with other dogs, which is a little bit like me. They do say dogs take after their owners … that’s why he’s wearing a Christian Dior neck scarf! When people see Banjo, there’s always a smile on their face. He imparts joy to the world just by walking down the street.”

VALERIE, 36 + ODESSA, 14 MONTHS, BORZOI (RUSSIAN WOLFHOUND)