Help us get Kage and Thor home to Oz
Donation protected
2020 and the COVD-19 situation has been tough on a lot of people and it has affected all of us one way or another. For Dog Trainer Jonathan Appleby, it is breaking his heart. In October last year, Jonathan moved to the USA to pursue his dreams and passion for training dogs and becoming a decoy through a dog training institution in Seattle. When COVID hit early this year, Jonathan had briefly returned to Australia to dutifully attend a Military course; the world went into lock down and Jonathan couldn't return to the US. Here's the heartbreaking bit, Kage and Thor, Jonathan's beloved dogs are still in the US, waiting for Jonathan to return to them.
Jonathan can't get back into the US to get Kage and Thor himself so the only option is to organise transport for them. As most of you would be aware however, the world is pretty much still in lock down and international flights are extremely limited. So to bring them home is going to be convoluted and difficult (USA to New Zealand, to Australia) and not to mention crazy expensive. This is why we are asking for your help to bring Kage and Thor home to Australia, home to Jonathan.
Why should you help I hear you ask? Let me tell you a little bit more about Jonathan and his loyal mates Kage and Thor...
Kage has been Jonathan's right hand for 5 years now. If any of you have been lucky enough to meet these guys you could attest to the amazing bond that the two of them have! It really is something special and something that I know many dog trainers envy. Jonathan and Kage have travelled together, made friends and have grown together. Through their bond, Kage has helped Jonathan to better understand dogs, people, animals and our place in nature.
Thor is quite a special dog. Just before Jonathan and Kage were set to trek off on their American adventure, Jonathan met some people that were struggling with their German Shepherd, Thor. Jonathan (being the generous soul that he is) offered to foster him until they were able to find a more suitable home for him. When the time came for the US adventure, Thor's owners were not able to re-home him and so Jonathan again very generously took him on. And so the three of them set off together.
Unfortunately because Jonathan couldn't get back to finish his work, he lost his employment. Kage and Thor have been in care since Jonathan left the US, but this is no longer a viable option. The boys have been in care since March and we all know how unbelievably costly that can be! Kage is a well rounded dog with an amazing ability to adapt, but the goofy Thor has some problems. We fear that if we can't get him home, he won't be able to be re-homed. It's likely he will end up in a shelter and will be euthanized because of his challenging behaviour. He needs Jonathan.
Jonathan has served his country through working in the Military in Australia and abroad over 10 years. Travelling to the US to immerse himself in the working dog training world was a way to change his lifestyle and follow a new career path. In Jonathan's words "from Platoon Commander to Pooch Commander". Jonathan's first instincts are to help others. Let's help him. Help him get his mates back here to continue to follow his calling.
I will leave you with this, while I'm sitting here writing this, I look over and see my best mate lying in front of the fireplace. I walk over and give him a pat because when I start to think about how I would feel if he was stuck on the other side of the world, I can't bear it. Could you?
Every little bit helps. I know that COVID has hit some people really hard, but even if you can't afford to donate, please consider giving this a share, or urge others you know that can help. Let's get Kage and Thor back here to Australia. Back to Jonathan.
Jonathan can't get back into the US to get Kage and Thor himself so the only option is to organise transport for them. As most of you would be aware however, the world is pretty much still in lock down and international flights are extremely limited. So to bring them home is going to be convoluted and difficult (USA to New Zealand, to Australia) and not to mention crazy expensive. This is why we are asking for your help to bring Kage and Thor home to Australia, home to Jonathan.
Why should you help I hear you ask? Let me tell you a little bit more about Jonathan and his loyal mates Kage and Thor...
Kage has been Jonathan's right hand for 5 years now. If any of you have been lucky enough to meet these guys you could attest to the amazing bond that the two of them have! It really is something special and something that I know many dog trainers envy. Jonathan and Kage have travelled together, made friends and have grown together. Through their bond, Kage has helped Jonathan to better understand dogs, people, animals and our place in nature.
Thor is quite a special dog. Just before Jonathan and Kage were set to trek off on their American adventure, Jonathan met some people that were struggling with their German Shepherd, Thor. Jonathan (being the generous soul that he is) offered to foster him until they were able to find a more suitable home for him. When the time came for the US adventure, Thor's owners were not able to re-home him and so Jonathan again very generously took him on. And so the three of them set off together.
Unfortunately because Jonathan couldn't get back to finish his work, he lost his employment. Kage and Thor have been in care since Jonathan left the US, but this is no longer a viable option. The boys have been in care since March and we all know how unbelievably costly that can be! Kage is a well rounded dog with an amazing ability to adapt, but the goofy Thor has some problems. We fear that if we can't get him home, he won't be able to be re-homed. It's likely he will end up in a shelter and will be euthanized because of his challenging behaviour. He needs Jonathan.
Jonathan has served his country through working in the Military in Australia and abroad over 10 years. Travelling to the US to immerse himself in the working dog training world was a way to change his lifestyle and follow a new career path. In Jonathan's words "from Platoon Commander to Pooch Commander". Jonathan's first instincts are to help others. Let's help him. Help him get his mates back here to continue to follow his calling.
I will leave you with this, while I'm sitting here writing this, I look over and see my best mate lying in front of the fireplace. I walk over and give him a pat because when I start to think about how I would feel if he was stuck on the other side of the world, I can't bear it. Could you?
Every little bit helps. I know that COVID has hit some people really hard, but even if you can't afford to donate, please consider giving this a share, or urge others you know that can help. Let's get Kage and Thor back here to Australia. Back to Jonathan.
Organizer
Jonathan Appleby
Organizer
Melbourne VIC
