Police Commissioner Grant Stevens and his beloved pets join forces for good

Top cop Grant Stevens has paraded his personal paw patrol – and some celebrity canines are joining them for a very good cause.

When it comes to his dogs, you might expect top cop Grant Stevens would opt for a powerful, majestic or obedient breed: german shepherds, rottweilers or dobermans spring to mind.

Instead, Mr Stevens and his family have two beloved pet mini dachshunds, and it must be said – they’re very cute.

Mr Stevens, Gracie and Zoe have joined with the Advertiser to create a special edition 2022 Power Pets calendar, which features SA’s movers and shakers, to raise money to support sick kids.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens with his dogs Gracie and Zoe. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens gives his dogs Gracie and Zoe a cuddle. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Twelve of the special edition calendars will be auctioned by Marc du Plessis, who has donated his time. The winning bidder will also receive a Christmas card from the police commissioner, who explained his family had labradors until recently.

“When our last lab passed away after 17 years, my wife, Emma, said we were going to get a mini dachshund,” he said.

“I put my foot down and said, ‘no!’ It was shortly after that ‘Gracie’ the mini dachshund arrived three years ago.

“I was then firm in my refusal to get another one to keep Gracie company and, as a result ‘Zoe’ joined our family almost 12 months ago.”

He said he has grown to love his loyal and affectionate canine companions.

“As much as I resisted the choice of dog, I could not imagine our home without them,” he said.

“They are always pleased to see you when you get home and you can’t get past the fact that they just look funny running on the beach.

“They are also highly trained to do whatever they want, whenever they want.”

Kristy Forrest with her son Anthony, 2, who is being treated for hepatoblastoma (a liver cancer). The family have valued the support they have received from Ronald McDonald House during little Anthony’s treatment. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Funds raised by the calendars will help kids like two-year-old Anthony McCallum and his mum, Kristy Forrest, who have lived at Ronald McDonald Houses in Adelaide and Sydney since Anthony was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a liver cancer, in January.

He received chemotherapy and a liver transplant, which his body rejected three times, before being diagnosed with epilepsy in August.

Ms Forrest, from Naracoorte, said the house has been a place to call home: “If these guys weren’t around, there would be a lot of families that would be struggling severely. I’m really grateful for everything they’ve done.”

Head of fundraising Samantha Sturm said the charity had been hit hard by Covid.

“Since 2020, we’ve had to cancel or postpone the majority of our large-scale fundraising events, including our gala ball and the Ride for Sick Kids,” she said.

“Initiatives such as this calendar will go some way to helping cover the shortfall.”

Click here to go to the du Plessis website to register for this special private auction.

Originally published as Police Commissioner Grant Stevens and his beloved pets join forces for good