Border collie pup Alfie has certainly made his mark on the Kreeck family.
From playing in water to tearing up jackets — and barking at cats — Alfie is a ball of energy, but the puppy love is strong.
Alfie came from a farm in Tallygaroopna and entered Shana Kreeck’s home at eight weeks old, but his family will always be close by.
“A friend of mine has his brother and her brother has his sister, so they will all have a play together,” Mrs Kreeck said.
Mrs Kreeck has had a border collie in the past, and couldn’t wait to get her next one, as the energetic, clever breed is a joy to have around.
“We knew we wanted another dog,” she said.
“We just love him.”
However, Alfie himself loves water more than anything — chasing the hose, eating entire ice blocks and exploring the pool, a trait Mrs Kreeck’s 12-year-old son Carter has had firsthand experience with.
“There was one time when I was in the pool with Alfie and he kept jumping on my head,” Carter said.
Jumping, nipping and barking are Alfie’s favourite hobbies, but the family cats, Breakfast and Tiggy, are not as fond of his habits.
“Breakfast and Tiggy fight-play with Alfie,” Carter said.
“They’re all very curious.
“The three of them will sometimes just sit and watch each other, and they’ll have a little swipe and Alfie might have a little bark, but they’re good.”
To practise playing with others and to help him bark a little less, Alfie will be attending puppy school next month.
“We are looking forward to the not nipping,” Mrs Kreeck said.
More exciting, however, is that he will get his third puppy vaccination soon, so his social life will become richer.
“I take him to cross-fit, and the kids there love him so much that they cried when he couldn’t come last week,” Mrs Kreeck said.
“But I’ve really only taken him in the car to places like the gym, Dad’s office and to school pick-up.
“We hope to take him to one of the dog parks.”
In future, Alfie will be treated not only to dog parks, but family holidays.
“We want to bring him in the caravan and we definitely would like to take him to the beach,” Mrs Kreeck said.
“We are happy to take him on all the trips with us.”