The Moodie Davitt Report is proud to introduce a new series of columns, Duty Free Unleashed, in association with Tito’s Handmade Vodka. In this regular fun feature we aim to discover more about pet-sonalities and the industry figures who own them, their back stories, traits and habits.
In this edition, we feature Dügme, a lovable dog rescued by well-known industry filmmaker and blogger Peter Marshall in Istanbul.
Name: Dügme (Turkish for button).
Breed: God knows. A genuine hi-breed. Definitely some retriever in there somewhere.
How old (the dog, not you)? Two and a half (we think).
How did you meet? Visited a dog shelter in Atasehir on the Asian side of Istanbul.
Love at first sight? We looked at over 200 dogs that day. She was one of the last, attached to a kennel with three metres of rope. She just looked right through us, rolled over and we knew.
Always dinner time? Click above to see Dügme prepare for her next meal
Quirky habits (definitely not yours)? Likes walking into lamp posts, mostly because her nose is to the ground all the time as she is wholly focused on finding food.
Funniest and/or nicest moment? There is not one ounce of nastiness in her body. She is a very gentle soul – even after clearly being treated in such a bad way by previous owners. She gives up her bed willingly to our rescue cat, Boo. They are the best of friends and inseparable.
Favourite trick? And treat? Never notifies us when or where she is going to pee. I’m Mrs Mop in the mornings! She also raises her right paw and plants it on my leg whenever I’m eating. She only removes it when given food. And then she repeats, and repeats… Favourite treat? Smoked salmon.
Social media account (Dügme not you)? Not yet, she doesn’t court attention.
If Dügme could talk what would be her first words? “I’m happy”, but more likely “Food!” She is bi-lingual and answers to both English and Turkish.
Anything else we should know about Dügme? She brings joy to all that meet her. She is such an extraordinary and gentle soul.
Peter Marshall is a filmmaker and founder of influential travel retail blog www.trunblocked.com. Click on the link for more.
*If you would like to feature (with your pet) in a forthcoming edition of this regular column, please contact Dermot Davitt at Dermot@MoodieDavittReport.com or Martin Moodie at Martin@MoodieDavittReport.com
**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.
*** The Moodie Davitt Report is creating a digital artwork of every pet featured to be shared with every industry pet owner who participates. The image above (and others in the series) was created by pets and equine artist Sami Moodie.
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.
