A tale of two puppies
Meet our two school dogs, Archie and Turi. Both are Australian Cobberdogs, selected intentionally for their nature and genetics. Cobberdogs are gentle, playful, easy to train and intuitive about the physical and emotional state of the humans around them. They also have low-shedding coats which make them suitable for anyone allergic to dog hair.
Archie arrived at the College in September 2020. Turi joined our family in November 2021.
Turi’s mum is Archie’s half-sister, and both dogs came to us from a Cobberdog breeder in Queensland. The breeder carefully chose each dog for us based on their temperament, rather than gender or colour, knowing they would become wellbeing dogs at Pymble.
Aside from being gentle, loving souls, Archie and Turi have distinct personalities as the following ‘conversation’ reveals.
Q. Archie, it’s no secret you’re a compulsive hugger. Bit unusual for a dog, isn’t it?
Archie: I just can’t help myself. When I see my favourite two-legged friends, suddenly my front paws are reaching towards their shoulders and I’m standing on my hind legs nuzzling in for that cuddle. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy and, just quietly, I think the humans love it, too.
Q. Yes, your hugs are very special but sometimes you choose awkward moments…
Archie: You’re talking about when Dr H is speaking in Chapel, aren’t you? My bad. I’ll try to stay in my pew next time but, hey, no promises.
Q. Aside from going to Chapel on special occasions, how do you both spend your days?
Archie: I’m glad you asked because I take my job as a school dog very seriously. I spend time in the Junior School, visiting classrooms, going to Kindness Club and snuggling up to students who need a little extra TLC. I’m actually very good at that. Quite often I’m invited to Compass Time with different groups. Assemblies, carnivals, fundraisers, enrolments events, staff days, musicals…you name it, I’m there. Another one of my favourite places to hang is our Boarding Houses – our Boarders sure know how to make a puppy feel loved.
Turi: I’m also delighted you asked because in addition to sniffing out, ahem, culinary opportunities around the campus, I have a busy schedule of attending College events, spending time in the new Health and Wellbeing Centre and at Vision Valley. My other favourite gigs are cheering on students before and after examinations and station duty in the morning, where I model great uniform with my hair tied-up nicely.
Q. What do the girls love about seeing you in class and at their special events?
Archie: Aside from our humungous eyelashes, which they all comment on, I like to think we have a calming effect.
Turi: I don’t like to brag, but I have been told the girls just melt when they see us. They’re so adorable like that.
Q. How did you both get your names?
Turi: It is a great honour for me to be named after the amazingly courageous ultra-marathon runner, Turia Pitt.
Archie: I’m super-chuffed that I was named by the students. Each girl had the chance to nominate a name, then we shortlisted the most popular and asked the girls to vote again. Funny to think I could have been called Popsicle, Princess Leah or Marshmallow but for democracy.
Q. Archie, how did you feel when Turi came along as our second school dog?
Archie: Turi who? LOL, just kidding. Honestly, the more the merrier for me and we are biologically related, after all. Recently, we were both at an Orientation Day to welcome new students. It was a big day, and we were both exhausted from being patted by many little hands but, somehow, we found the energy to do zoomies around Gloucester Lawn. I don’t know what was so funny but everyone just stopped what they were doing to watch and laugh.
Anyway, it’s not like Turi has a café named after her…
Q. So Turi, no café in your name, yet, but I hear you have a great affinity with food?
Turi: You’re referring to the ‘incident’ with the painter’s hamburger, right? It’s okay, Mrs Alexander bought him another one. Sure, she and Mr Raymond have dubbed me Miss Bin Chicken for my obsession with leftovers, but I have since obtained my Canine Good Citizen Award so that I am well behaved both at home and out in public.
Archie: Ha ha, Turi should just go to Dr Hadwen’s office like I do for treats. She’s such a soft touch. By the way, I too have achieved my Canine Good Citizen Award, so I am one highly trained pup with all the requisite social and obedience skills you would expect from a school dog.
Editor’s note: We hope you’ve enjoyed a giggle from this insight into our beautiful school dogs. Archie and Turi certainly bring a great deal of joy into our lives, and we love them dearly as very special members of our wonderfully diverse and unique Pymble family.