'It's like you're the most important person in the world'

Jul 29, 2021

Border collie puppy Tuxedo has a manner of making every member of his Shepparton family feel like they are his favourite, according to his owner.

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Tuxedo — or Tux as he is known affectionately by his family — lives with Shepparton couple Deanne Nobbs and Dallas Wooster, as well as Brodie Wooster, 17, and Riley Wooster, 10.

A tri-coloured border collie, Tuxedo got his name because when he is older he will have a white mane, looking a little like a tuxedo.

The family got Tux when he was eight weeks old.

As a small puppy, he came to the house in a washing basket.

Now 18 weeks old, Tux has easily outgrown his first little bed.

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After the family got him from a breeder in Bacchus Marsh, Tux would sleep inside next to Deanne and Dallas’s bed.

Now he is a little older, he sleeps in his own kennel outside.

The basket is now used to hold the many toys the lively pup enjoys playing with.

His favourites are a pink pig and a turkey — both rubber animals with a squeaker inside.

A banana, a donut and a piece of pizza soft toys are also high on his list of favourites.

“He particularly likes anything that squeaks,” Deanne said.

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Tux is not the first dog the family has owned.

Deanne said they used to have a staffy, but when she died of old age they decided to wait “until the whole family was ready” for another dog.

She said they decided to wait until Riley was 10, as active dogs such as border collies were better suited to families with older children.

“There is a lot of responsibility in looking after, walking and training a dog,” Deanne said.

“They may look cute, but they are a lot of responsibility.

“I wouldn’t advise anyone to get a border collie unless they are prepared to put in the work.”

Deanne said Tux was taken for two walks a day as he was an active dog that lived in town.

“If you are going to have a collie, you have to exercise them,” Deanne said.

Tux is already a big puppy. Deanne estimates he is about a third of the size of an adult border collie and weighs about 14 kg.

With the family's backyard muddy with water, Tux has been enjoying lots of walks and visits to the park.

“He loves to walk around the lake now that he is fully vaccinated,” Deanne said.

“His favourite thing is to go on walks and meet other dogs.”

Tux hasn’t quite mastered the art of playing with a ball yet, according to Riley.

“He doesn’t bring it back,” he said.

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Deanne said having a dog was good for Riley, as his older brother was often off doing his own thing.

“It’s nice for him to have a dog for companionship,” Deanne said.

At home, Tux likes spending time with the family and has even developed a little trick where, if he is outside, he will put his paw up like it is injured and the family let him in.

“He no longer has the sore paw when he is inside,” Deanne said with a laugh.

Deanne said the family had a lot of love for Tux.

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“I think everybody (the family members) thinks Tux thinks they’re his favourite,” she said.

“He gets a lot of love.

“He’s always happy to see us. First thing in the morning when you let him inside, or if you have been out, he rushes up.

“It’s like you’re the most important person in the world.”

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● Riley Wooster, 10, wrote this poem about his dog Tux.

Tux

A puppy called Tux roams my place,

Acting adorable with his beautiful face.