TWO German backpackers have forged an unlikely bond in an Aussie working dog and are doing everything in their power to continue it on the other side of the globe.
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Anja Koedding and Marcel Schmager have travelled around Australia since August last year and have found seasonal work.
The couple met one-year-old New Zealand Huntaway Kelpie Digger on their first day on a sheep farm in Orange and were immediately drawn to the dog’s affectionate personality.
Digger came to the property as a working dog but didn’t to life on the farm and preferred to play with the farmer’s children.
As he was unable to assist on the farm and there were smaller dogs around, Digger had to stay on a chain 24 hours a day.
The German couple fell in love with Digger and, not wanting to see him on a chain all day, offered to take the dog off the farmer’s hands.
In doing so, they changed the course of the young dog’s life.
“We saw him and it was like first love,” Ms Koedding said.
“We wanted to see if Digger wanted to drive with us in the car. We opened the door, he jumped into the car and [it was as though] he said ‘yep, that’s my place!’.”
Digger has become a travel companion to the couple and has joined them on many adventures, including a recent trip to the Blue Mountains.
Mr Schmager said Digger was far better suited to life as a family pet than herding sheep on a farm.
“He was afraid of the sheep and didn’t want to work,” he said.
“He wanted to come to us, cuddle and play.”
The couple will return home to Germany in June and, given the deep attachment the dog has formed to the pair, they plan to take him with them.
They are now working seven days a week on a farm in Mudgee to cover the costs of an airfare to fly Digger to Germany.
They have also set up a GoFundMe page to assist with the associated expenses.
Ms Koedding said the couple hoped to raise enough money to cover the costs.
“We hope that he has a better life,” she said.
“I think everything we gave him, whether it was in Australia or Germany, was more than just being a working dog.
We saw [Digger] and it was like first love.
- Anja Koedding
According to JetPets, the estimated price for an international flight from Sydney to Germany for a dog is $4,700.
The price, which varies based on factors such as the destination and the size of the dog, does not include customs clearance fees and formalities on arrival in Germany, which is estimated to be at least another $1000.
Pet Insurance Australia spokesperson Nadia Crighton said taking any pet or animal across international borders required careful planning.
“If you are an Australia pet owner travelling overseas with your pet, it’s advisable to call your pet insurance company when planning your travels to check what your policy covers,” Ms Crighton said.
“You may well find your pet is only covered for some vet expenses and only for a limited period of time.
“You’ll likely need pet insurance locally offered in the country you travel in, if staying for an extended time – if so, taking your pets vet history with you will surely help.”
Ms Koedding said the couple’s families were ready to welcome Digger to Germany with open arms.
“We showed [Digger] to my mum and she said ‘Yeah, you have to bring him!’,” she said.
“She’s already bought a toy for him to play with.
“They’re really excited. We send videos and pictures and [my mum] says ‘oh my God, this dog is happy with you’.”
Mr Schmager said Digger had developed a strong attachment to the couple and the three had a special bond.
“He has a much better life now, it means a lot to us to take him with us,” he said.
“If we can’t take him, I don’t know what to do.”
Visit www.gofundme.com/diggers-new-life-in-germany to make a donation to get Digger to Germany.
