Former Home And Away actor opens up about how adopting a rescue dog changed his life
Former Home And Away star Ryan Kwanten’s rescue dog Dutch has changed his life. Whether he’s working on a movie or working beside his screen father, Sean Bean. He’s there and “more human than human”.
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While his seven-year tenure as Jason Stackhouse on HBO’s True Blood turned him into an international star, it was as lifeguard Vinnie Paterson on Home And Away which gave Ryan Kwanten his first taste of stardom.
Fast-forward 18 years of LA living and this Aussie expat is at the top of his game, starring in big screen flicks opposite the likes of Anthony Hopkins and currently taking the lead role as a corrupt cop in drama series The Oath (season one out now on DVD).
However, whether the Hollywood hot commodity is working on a movie or acting opposite his current screen father, Sean Bean, for the past year-plus there has been a constant companion by his side: rescue dog, Dutch.
“He’s with me constantly,” the 43-year-old said.
“He gets taken everywhere with us, including when I’m working, beit Canada, or Puerto Rico when I shot “The Oath” there. He’s more human than human.”
Adopting the Australian cattle dog mix (“the ‘mix’ is still a mystery!” he said) in April 2018 with longtime girlfriend, Ashley Sisino, after losing their previous dog the year before, Ryan knew he wanted to offer a home to one of the countless rescue dogs, rather than looking for a pedigree pooch.
“There are so many neglected animals that we wanted to help give one of those in need a chance at a happy life,” Kwanten said.
“With Dutch, it turned out that he had been returned several times for all manner of reasons. In fact, the owner of the animal shelter was a little apprehensive because of his history but we were insistent.
“We went outside to meet him and to say he was excited is an understatement.
“He jumped, cried, peed and made it very clear that he was ready to go.
“If there is such a thing as love at first sight, this was it.
“He was so excited he almost choked himself on the first walk. It was almost like he knew it was his last walk at the shelter. We adopted him that day.”
Rejected by his original owner and returned to the rescue shelter several times, Kwanten knew he was potentially Dutch’s last chance at a happy life.
“Knowing his story, we wanted to make up for all the love lost,” he said.
“Every plan that we make is made with him in mind. We want everything we can to give him the best life possible.”
For the former Summer Bay lifeguard, this means everything from running through the LA desert and swimming in the ocean, to rumbling in the backyard and grabbing a beer at his local pub.
In short, Dutch is a bona fide member of the Kwanten clan.
“I call him my boy,” he said.
“I’ve never had a child – at some point, I’m sure it’s going to happen – but this is the first edition to the family.
“It’s quite amazing to have to think about somebody else.
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“There is something about having a dog where you know that they won’t live anywhere near as long as we will.
“So that realisation makes you squeeze in as much life as you can into those moments and hopefully years.
“It’s especially true with rescue dogs. There are so many animals out there that need a forever family.
“Whether they have been found, or surrendered, the animals are scared and deserve to be loved.”
Clearly the experience of adopting Dutch has had a profound impact on the actor, so it Is understandable when we talk about future pooches in his life, he is a real advocate for the ‘adopt don’t shop’ approach.
“Would I adopt another rescue dog? F**k yeah!” he said.
Originally published as Former Home And Away actor opens up about how adopting a rescue dog changed his life