Want to talk about your pet subject?*If you would like to feature (with your pet) in a forthcoming edition of this regular column, please contact Colleen Morgan at Colleen@MoodieDavittReport.com |
The Moodie Davitt Report is delighted to bring you the latest edition in our Pet-sonality Profile column, in association with Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
In this regular fun feature, we discover more about travel retail pet-sonalities, their back stories, traits and habits, as well as offering some insights into their owners. Each pet-sonality is also painted digitally by pets and equine artist Sami Moodie.
In this edition, we meet Essential Communications* Founder and Managing Director Rowena (Row) Holland and Rey, a lively three-year-old whose mission is to keep her on her toes.
Name: Rey.
Breed: Border Collie (75%), Kelpie (12.5%), Parsons Terrier (12.5%).
How old is Rey? He’s three years old.
How did you meet? Actually, my son Alex bought Rey during the COVID lockdown in 2020 at a ridiculous price. It turned out to be a bit of a scam because Alex later found the internet photo he had responded to (of typical fluffy Border Collie pups) on a Colorado website from five years ago.
Rey turned up on the back of a pick-up truck. He was tiny, filthy dirty and short haired. We just had to take him; we couldn’t not.
Love at first sight? Absolutely. Rey was so tiny that he fitted into the palm of my hand. When we took him to the vet for his first jabs, they were convinced he was a Jack Russell terrier.
I knew he had Border Collie in him because of his solid black and white markings and ridiculously long legs and big paws. Plus, we’ve had a Border Collie before, who we sadly lost in 2019. We had a DNA test done to confirm that Rey wasn’t a Jack Russell and discovered he’s just a bit of a mix with a 100% Border Collie brain. He’s crazy but very intelligent, with huge ears.
Alex named him after the Rey character in Star Wars, who is female, but there you go.
It hasn’t all been plain sailing by any means. Rey’s Border Collie brain means he has a tendency to chase things and we’ve worked hard to stop him running after joggers, cyclists and anything else that moves, including vehicles. We have to keep distraction toys to hand at all times as he still has his moments.
Quirky habits? He likes to sit on my shoulders when I’m on the sofa. He also likes to read notice boards when we’re out on a walk. But, most of all, he likes to run up and down the garden fence hoping that the fox who lives next door will come out and play. He even takes treats out to the garden to try and tempt the fox with. It works; we’ve lost many a chew, bone, ball and sock to family Fox.
Funniest and/or nicest moment? Oh, he makes us laugh every day. He’s not too sure about children and his defence position tends to be barking, so we’ve worked hard on improving that. He is now best buddies with my friend Georgia’s four-year-old; so sweet.
Favourite trick? And treat? Being in the middle, between my legs when we are walking. But he loves to sit with me as well. Rey’s quite well trained; at least until something more interesting distracts him. That can be anything really, but he particularly likes squirrels. We’ve started doing agility classes. He’s brilliant. Sara (who takes the classes) says the owner needs the training.
Rey is a real fusspot when it comes to food, but he does love chicken and cheese (in moderation) and yogurt.
Social media account? Oh yes: @reythecrazycolliecross
If Rey could talk what would his first words be? ‘Where’s the ball! Throw it NOW please’… again, and again and again.
Favourite airport/airline: Rey hasn’t travelled overseas yet. We’ve managed one stop on the local tram but I’m afraid aircraft are a way off yet. But we have been to Devon and Snowdonia on walking breaks which he loves.
Anything else we should know? Yes. Rey lives with Turnip who is almost 14 years old and has to put up with him every day. She would be very put out to think he is getting all the publicity.
My daughter Tilly’s Cockapoo Harley is also a regular visitor and has many sleepovers here. She leads Rey astray by guiding him into the muddiest puddles she can find. I believe it’s payback for having to stay with him.
*As reported, Global event, retail and creative specialist The Bluedog Group acquired travel retail public relations agency Essential Communications earlier this year. 
Click here for our introductory story on the Duty Free Unleashed partnership with Tito’s Handmade Vodka. The independent vodka brand from Austin, Texas has had a close connection with the welfare of dogs since its founding by Bert ‘Tito’ Beveridge in 1997.
The company has always been committed to rescuing and protecting the animals that have come into the lives of its people, and has even created a programme, Vodka for Dog People, to help that come to life.
Note: Through this new column, Tito’s Handmade Vodka and The Moodie Davitt Report are partnering to promote the work of brokenbiscuits.org, a disabled animal charity. As the world’s first disabled animal centre, its work includes:
- Providing equipment to families
- Offering homes to paraplegic, deaf, blind and disabled animals
- An education programme of visiting schools and universities
- Working alongside rescue centre, rehabbers and veterinary professionals
- Caring for stray and surrendered disabled animals
To support the work of Broken Biscuits, you can donate via this link or find out more via the youtube channel.
Previously on Pet-sonality Profile
Meet Duke and Lindsay Hitzeroth
Meet Barry Geoghegan, Milly and Jess
Meet Julio Cesar Magaña Ortiz and Hope
Meet Pauline Prescott’s Daisy and Digger
Meet Jeff Bond and his four-legged friends
Meet Bronwyn Clementson and Harvey
Meet Sinéad El Sibai and Guinness
Meet Alex Thompson and Chester
Meet Jilly Brocklebank and Sadie
Maitreyi Karanth’s Shaggy (and Demi) dog story
