Named Ben, he quickly became a valued member of the family, but the Tasman couple never expected the large canine would also prove to be a gentle and doting surrogate dad to abandoned ducklings.
"He is a very unique and caring dog, and seeing his interspecies friendship and love with is so ducklings has been quite special," shares Julie, 35, who first noticed Ben's unexpected skills in 2021 when she and Jake took in a paradise duckling, later named Teddy Zoom Zoom.
Over the years, senior orchard supervisor Jake has found several struggling ducks at work and brought them home to Julie, an IT project manager.
"Teddy was this little paradise duck we found all alone in the orchard one Halloween evening," recalls Julie, who has developed a reputation locally for her ability to nurse ducks back to health.
"Ben is naturally very curious with new things and right from the start he would sit by Teddy's cage. Then as he got older and we let him out of the cage, they would run around together.
We were very careful and cautious because when they started playing, Teddy was the size of Ben's paw, but watching them we could rings y and s it in of their which cute' see they were really playing.
Bu hikaye New Zealand Woman's Weekly dergisinin August 21, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye New Zealand Woman's Weekly dergisinin August 21, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Sharks, camera, action! STEVE & RILEY'S OCEAN TALES
The daring dad has inspired his girl to dive in and join his underwater crusade
Jude's trailblazers 'SECRETS TO OUR SUCCESS'
The United Nations began celebrating International Women's Day in 1975. The 50th anniversary is a chance to reflect on how far women have come and have yet to go
Cheesecake with a TWIST
A popular herb and some strawberry jam takes this sweet treat to a new level of deliciousness! Seconds, anyone?
Marvellous Miriam 'I'M MORE THAN A FUNNY LITTLE LADY'
The honorary Kiwi tells why she feels so at home on our shores
Top of their game HALBERG'S GOOD SPORTS
It was a chance for New Zealand's sporting elite to pat each other on the back
Bye-bye, Weatherfield! CORO STARS' SHOCK EXIT
Veteran actor Helen Worth (who plays Gail Rodwell) bowed out after an incredible 50 years on the cobbles - now more of the show's popular residents are saying goodbye to the Street. It's ta-ra to...
Why William needs PUTTING FAMILY FIRST
Whisking his princess away to Mystique was just the tonic
Straight from the heart MIKE'S URGENT MESSAGE
After his brother's shock death, the real estate mogul is prioritising his health
Letting the past go PETA'S HEALING MOMENT
The fabulous foodie shares how her mother's apology changed everything
It's showtime! MOMENT OF TRUTH
As ever, nothing has gone smoothly for the duchess
