Zeus arrived at Cameron Park a few months ago, after several failed attempts at rehoming, and an extended stay with Dog Rescue Newcastle.
“He was an escape artist,” says Dog Rescue Newcastle volunteer Bec Lee.
“He’s jumped many fences at previous homes that we didn’t think was possible for a 9-year-old dog to do,” says Bec, as Zeus shuffled and snuffled in the background, an intriguing new cooking smell from the kitchen floating through the air.
Zeus’ arrival would be the work of Lauren Abbott, lifestyle coordinator at the home.
“The joy that he has brought here, the companionship that he gives, has been incredible,” says Lauren, “he’s really changed a lot of lives of those here.”
One of those is Anne, who would lose her husband George late last year, leaving her grieving and alone. It was almost as if Zeus sort her out.
“He just ran up to her and started licking her,” says Lauren.
“It was the first time we’d seen her smile in a long time.”
“He’s gorgeous, he’s such a lovely dog,” says Anne, Zeus alongside listening to our conversation.
“He is good company for lots of people. I like his comedy act with the chairs; he goes and sits in them just like a human being,” she tells me, and to prove the point, Zeus takes a seat in a nearby chair just as we finish chatting.
Another who would benefit from the power of Zeus would be Millie, who would barely move from her room before his arrival.
“She comes out of her room all the time now,” says Lauren, “she takes him for walks, he’s her best friend.”
Millie leans in conspiratorially as we chat. “He sleeps in my room,” she confesses.
“He does, he’s got his bed in my room, and he sleeps in there. Oh, he snores sometimes, but he hasn’t woken me up yet,” she replies.
“Well,” I note, “he’s never complained about your snoring.”
The four-legged namesake of the Greek deity is now seemingly king of Cameron Park – complete with a cortege of loyal subjects.
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But one suspects Zeus is happy to be a mere mortal, sharing his autumnal years with fellow mortals.
“He’s always there, even if the other residents are tired or in bed asleep, he’s always ready for a chat and a walk. He gives me a feeling of comfort,” one of the residents said.
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