Pudgie the pooch from Palm Beach celebrates milestone birthday

They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks – but Pudgie the rescue dog can teach us a thing or two about reaching the ripe old age of 147. FULL STORY

Graeme and Alex Molineux with Pudgie. Picture: John Gass

They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks – but Pudgie the rescue dog can teach us a thing or two about reaching the ripe old age of 147 (in dog years).

The Blue Heeler cross Koolie is about to celebrate her milestone 21st birthday on February 3.

Owner Alex Molineux said Pudgie’s had her fair share of close calls – but the old dog isn’t done yet.

“We got her in about 2009 from Victoria Dog Rescue in Melbourne,” Mrs Molineux said.

“You could just tell she had been abused – you couldn’t get her to go through doorways, if you put your hand up to her she’d cower and she was half the weight that she is now.”

Pudgie is gearing up to turn 21 in human years. Picture: John Gass

Mrs Molineux said Pudgie was so food obsessed she would steal sandwiches from the kitchen bench “glad wrap and all”, and even swallowed a whole wrapped Christmas cake.

“One Christmas Eve, we came home and I had a Christmas cake all wrapped up in tin foil,” Mrs Molineux said.

“We’re looking at her, thinking, ‘what’s wrong with her stomach? She’d eaten 300 grams of fruitcake – and one sultana can kill some dogs.

“We took her down to emergency and they had to pump her stomach, so she’s been through the wars.”

More recently Pudgie the Palm Beach resident had an even closer call when part of a toy she swallowed became lodged between her stomach and intestine.

At a whopping 19 in human years Pudgie had emergency surgery involving vets having to “split open” her chest to her groin.

Pudgie with her early birthday cupcake. Picture: John Gass

Mrs Molineux said $8000 later, Pudgie trotted out like nothing had even happened.

“She’s a real fighter,” Mrs Molineux said.

“You take her for walks, and still all she wants is food. She says hello to people, but only to see if they have food. But she’s gorgeous. We have a couch and we have a blanket on it, and she knows she’s not allowed up there if the blankets not on the couch – she’s a really good dog.”

And the secret to keeping a dog around for so long? Mrs Molineux said: “Treat it like a child.”

Pudgie will be celebrating her big birthday bash with dog-friendly cupcakes, family and a birthday song or two.