Chloe Warburton first got Indy when she was 21 and living with her parents in Shepparton, conspiring with her mother to get a new dog.
“We went to Bendigo one day to the RSPCA there,” she said.
“We saw this beautiful little boy, he was three months old at the time and had been picked up off the streets.”
It was a good thing, too, as it was revealed to them after they signed the adoption forms that Indy was due to be euthanised the very next day.
This was back in 2008, when there were very different laws surrounding animal shelters.
“It was very lucky,” Ms Warburton said.
“I look back, and I think, oh my god, what if this amazing dog never came into my life?”
Ms Warburton’s dad was less than enthused when he discovered that his wife and daughter had secretly introduced a new family member.
However, after a week of anticipation as they waited for Indy’s desexing in Bendigo, he folded and admitted his excitement for the new pawed pal.
“Now they’re best mates,” Ms Warburton said.
“It’s a classic story, dads that didn’t want dogs.”
As a puppy, Indy was a “whirlwind”.
He seemed to target Ms Warburton’s mum’s possessions.
One time, she went out to her garden only to find Indy had somehow sucked all of the juices out of her tomatoes while leaving the outer skin untouched.
A year after, at 22, Ms Warburton moved out and took Indy with her.
He then settled down into a “reasonably calm dog”.
“He was the first dog that was my responsibility,” she said.
“You learn a lot about being a responsible pet owner and doing the right thing by them, which is so important for young people.”
Fifteen years later, Indy has mellowed out. Into a stubborn old man.
“These days, I try not to leave him alone too long; he just sleeps all day but gets a bit anxious if we’re not home at our usual times,” Ms Warburton said.
“I feel really lucky I got to work from home for two years during COVID. It meant spending a lot of time with Indy during his older years.
“I still work from home a couple of days a week, which is great to keep an eye on him.
“Some people might think it’s overkill because he’s just a dog, but he’s a living creature that I have a responsibility for.
“When you get a dog, you are their whole world, so you have to respect that, and they give so much back to you for it.”
Now at 36, living in Kialla, Miss Warburton is still just as “nuts” about her old buddy as ever.
Miss Warburton said he was deaf as a doornail now, but he could hear a chip packet open from the other side of the house.
“The frequency must be just right,” she said.
“There’s not much that sets him off any more, he just wants to know where you are and be around you.
“He loves people, probably prefers people to dogs these days.”
Ms Warburton had a shout-out for the Shepparton Veterinary Clinic, who has always spoiled Indy.
He has had his share of health scares over the years, but still occasionally winds back the clock and gets the “zoomies”.
Over the years, Miss Warburton and Indy have reached a true understanding of each other’s habits, routines and schedules.
Miss Warburton said she was lucky because her childhood dog lived until about 12 or 13 as well, meaning she has always had a dog throughout her life.
Throughout all sorts of changes and ups and downs, Ms Warburton has always been able to count on Indy to stick by her side and keep her constant company.
“I look back through all the stuff we’ve been through together, he’s always been there,” she said.
“He has been a ripper of a dog, we’ve been on so many adventures together.
“Now that he’s in his twilight years, he’s slowed down a lot, but still hearing the tapping of his paws on the wood floors every day is so comforting.
“He is so loved and such an amazing part of my life.
“Dogs are just the best, I’ll talk to anyone about my dog.
“I’ve been so lucky to have an amazing companion all these years.“