How inheriting a dog named Jeffrey changed a young woman's life

The Advertiser

a day ago

Voice of Real Australia is a regular newsletter from the local news teams of the ACM network, which stretches into every state and territory. Today's is written by Bega District News journalist Jimmy Parker.
When Cami Hartnett discovered an ink-smudged letter on her late best friend's kitchen counter, the simple but powerful request of four words reshaped her future.
"Take care of Jeffrey," it read.
In that sombre moment, she made a promise.
Months earlier, Cami's best friend Dan discovered an abandoned cardboard box on the side of the road in Blacktown.
However, the contents inside weren't the usual items destined for the landfill. They were breathing.
"Jeffrey had a couple of little mates inside the box, but they didn't survive. It was just Jeffrey, a six-week-old, Bull Arab cross," Cami recalled.
"Jeffrey brought Dan so much joy for the six months he was there, and that's probably what kept him going.
"But then, one day, I couldn't get on to Dan for a couple of days. So I went over there, and unfortunately, I found Dan with Jeffrey lying on him.
"I had never heard a dog cry, ever. But Jeffrey was blubbering, and tears were coming from his eyes."
Grief-stricken, lost, trembling and sobbing, both the then eight-month-old puppy and Cami became inseparable.
Together, the pair tried to navigate a world that suddenly felt "emptier and darker" than it previously did.
"I bundled up this tiny little thing. I didn't know how to support him through it, and I didn't know how to deal with this situation," Cami said.
"At the time, I was a disaster, and I think he needed a lot more support than I could give."
Cami had always envisioned a career surrounded by animals, this admiration evident in the tattooed reminders on her skin.
"I was always obsessed with animals from as far back as I can remember," she said.
"I always wanted to be a vet, but my brain didn't function well at school, so the ATAR wasn't going to be high enough."
After high school, Cami took a gap year and went to Africa.
She joined a tiger and lion conservation park that had a captive breeding program where she helped release big cats back into game reserves.
"The park also took on a lot of lions and tigers that people had taken on as pets, due to a really bad exotic animal trade, and [many] had ended up eating family members or hurting family members," Cami said.
When she returned to Australia, she studied zoology, animal management and vet nursing.
But it was that note on the kitchen bench and Jeffrey that inspired her to establish "Trail Sniffers Dog Behaviour and Training" to help others navigate, train and advocate for dogs.
During Jeffrey's adolescent years, Cami said he began to get antsy, reactive, and had some negative experiences with other dogs.
Reactive canines might appear aggressive when, in reality, it was an overreaction rooted in distress, from fear, excitement, or frustration.
Cami stressed that reactive dogs were not bad; they were just misunderstood pups.
"I had no idea what this was," Cami said.
"I knew I had to learn. I owed it to Dan, Jeffrey, and myself to be the best guardian I could be.
"I'd seen dogs at the vet being aggressive because they're in pain, so I reached out to Ian Shivers from Bondi Behaviourist. He's a dog guru. He taught me everything.
"I never thought about the 'why' behind a dog's behaviour, I just thought it was happening and you've got to stop it, when realistically, Jeffrey was triggered by incredible trauma that would affect anyone."
Cami said she learnt that it wasn't about changing Jeffrey's behaviour, but supporting him, and helping him feel safe.
"Once I started chatting with Ian, I decided that's what I wanted to do, help other people understand their dogs," she said with a smile.
Based in Merimbula, Trail Sniffers offered virtual behaviour and training services, making behaviour and training support accessible from anywhere in the world.
Suitable to dogs of all ages, from puppies to seniors, Trail Sniffers aimed to help pet parents address common "problem" behavioural issues, understand body language, and how to better meet their needs.
Support is available for those who may be distressed. Phone Lifeline 13 11 14; Men's Referral Service 1300 776 491; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800; beyondblue 1300 224 636; 1800-RESPECT 1800 737 732 or 13YARN 13 92 76.
Voice of Real Australia is a regular newsletter from the local news teams of the ACM network, which stretches into every state and territory. Today's is written by Bega District News journalist Jimmy Parker.
When Cami Hartnett discovered an ink-smudged letter on her late best friend's kitchen counter, the simple but powerful request of four words reshaped her future.
"Take care of Jeffrey," it read.
In that sombre moment, she made a promise.
Months earlier, Cami's best friend Dan discovered an abandoned cardboard box on the side of the road in Blacktown.
However, the contents inside weren't the usual items destined for the landfill. They were breathing.
"Jeffrey had a couple of little mates inside the box, but they didn't survive. It was just Jeffrey, a six-week-old, Bull Arab cross," Cami recalled.
"Jeffrey brought Dan so much joy for the six months he was there, and that's probably what kept him going.
"But then, one day, I couldn't get on to Dan for a couple of days. So I went over there, and unfortunately, I found Dan with Jeffrey lying on him.
"I had never heard a dog cry, ever. But Jeffrey was blubbering, and tears were coming from his eyes."
Grief-stricken, lost, trembling and sobbing, both the then eight-month-old puppy and Cami became inseparable.
Together, the pair tried to navigate a world that suddenly felt "emptier and darker" than it previously did.
"I bundled up this tiny little thing. I didn't know how to support him through it, and I didn't know how to deal with this situation," Cami said.
"At the time, I was a disaster, and I think he needed a lot more support than I could give."
Cami had always envisioned a career surrounded by animals, this admiration evident in the tattooed reminders on her skin.
"I was always obsessed with animals from as far back as I can remember," she said.
"I always wanted to be a vet, but my brain didn't function well at school, so the ATAR wasn't going to be high enough."
After high school, Cami took a gap year and went to Africa.
She joined a tiger and lion conservation park that had a captive breeding program where she helped release big cats back into game reserves.
"The park also took on a lot of lions and tigers that people had taken on as pets, due to a really bad exotic animal trade, and [many] had ended up eating family members or hurting family members," Cami said.
When she returned to Australia, she studied zoology, animal management and vet nursing.
But it was that note on the kitchen bench and Jeffrey that inspired her to establish "Trail Sniffers Dog Behaviour and Training" to help others navigate, train and advocate for dogs.
During Jeffrey's adolescent years, Cami said he began to get antsy, reactive, and had some negative experiences with other dogs.
Reactive canines might appear aggressive when, in reality, it was an overreaction rooted in distress, from fear, excitement, or frustration.
Cami stressed that reactive dogs were not bad; they were just misunderstood pups.
"I had no idea what this was," Cami said.
"I knew I had to learn. I owed it to Dan, Jeffrey, and myself to be the best guardian I could be.
"I'd seen dogs at the vet being aggressive because they're in pain, so I reached out to Ian Shivers from Bondi Behaviourist. He's a dog guru. He taught me everything.
"I never thought about the 'why' behind a dog's behaviour, I just thought it was happening and you've got to stop it, when realistically, Jeffrey was triggered by incredible trauma that would affect anyone."
Cami said she learnt that it wasn't about changing Jeffrey's behaviour, but supporting him, and helping him feel safe.
"Once I started chatting with Ian, I decided that's what I wanted to do, help other people understand their dogs," she said with a smile.
Based in Merimbula, Trail Sniffers offered virtual behaviour and training services, making behaviour and training support accessible from anywhere in the world.
Suitable to dogs of all ages, from puppies to seniors, Trail Sniffers aimed to help pet parents address common "problem" behavioural issues, understand body language, and how to better meet their needs.
Support is available for those who may be distressed. Phone Lifeline 13 11 14; Men's Referral Service 1300 776 491; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800; beyondblue 1300 224 636; 1800-RESPECT 1800 737 732 or 13YARN 13 92 76.
Voice of Real Australia is a regular newsletter from the local news teams of the ACM network, which stretches into every state and territory. Today's is written by Bega District News journalist Jimmy Parker.
When Cami Hartnett discovered an ink-smudged letter on her late best friend's kitchen counter, the simple but powerful request of four words reshaped her future.
"Take care of Jeffrey," it read.
In that sombre moment, she made a promise.
Months earlier, Cami's best friend Dan discovered an abandoned cardboard box on the side of the road in Blacktown.
However, the contents inside weren't the usual items destined for the landfill. They were breathing.
"Jeffrey had a couple of little mates inside the box, but they didn't survive. It was just Jeffrey, a six-week-old, Bull Arab cross," Cami recalled.
"Jeffrey brought Dan so much joy for the six months he was there, and that's probably what kept him going.
"But then, one day, I couldn't get on to Dan for a couple of days. So I went over there, and unfortunately, I found Dan with Jeffrey lying on him.
"I had never heard a dog cry, ever. But Jeffrey was blubbering, and tears were coming from his eyes."
Grief-stricken, lost, trembling and sobbing, both the then eight-month-old puppy and Cami became inseparable.
Together, the pair tried to navigate a world that suddenly felt "emptier and darker" than it previously did.
"I bundled up this tiny little thing. I didn't know how to support him through it, and I didn't know how to deal with this situation," Cami said.
"At the time, I was a disaster, and I think he needed a lot more support than I could give."
Cami had always envisioned a career surrounded by animals, this admiration evident in the tattooed reminders on her skin.
"I was always obsessed with animals from as far back as I can remember," she said.
"I always wanted to be a vet, but my brain didn't function well at school, so the ATAR wasn't going to be high enough."
After high school, Cami took a gap year and went to Africa.
She joined a tiger and lion conservation park that had a captive breeding program where she helped release big cats back into game reserves.
"The park also took on a lot of lions and tigers that people had taken on as pets, due to a really bad exotic animal trade, and [many] had ended up eating family members or hurting family members," Cami said.
When she returned to Australia, she studied zoology, animal management and vet nursing.
But it was that note on the kitchen bench and Jeffrey that inspired her to establish "Trail Sniffers Dog Behaviour and Training" to help others navigate, train and advocate for dogs.
During Jeffrey's adolescent years, Cami said he began to get antsy, reactive, and had some negative experiences with other dogs.
Reactive canines might appear aggressive when, in reality, it was an overreaction rooted in distress, from fear, excitement, or frustration.
Cami stressed that reactive dogs were not bad; they were just misunderstood pups.
"I had no idea what this was," Cami said.
"I knew I had to learn. I owed it to Dan, Jeffrey, and myself to be the best guardian I could be.
"I'd seen dogs at the vet being aggressive because they're in pain, so I reached out to Ian Shivers from Bondi Behaviourist. He's a dog guru. He taught me everything.
"I never thought about the 'why' behind a dog's behaviour, I just thought it was happening and you've got to stop it, when realistically, Jeffrey was triggered by incredible trauma that would affect anyone."
Cami said she learnt that it wasn't about changing Jeffrey's behaviour, but supporting him, and helping him feel safe.
"Once I started chatting with Ian, I decided that's what I wanted to do, help other people understand their dogs," she said with a smile.
Based in Merimbula, Trail Sniffers offered virtual behaviour and training services, making behaviour and training support accessible from anywhere in the world.
Suitable to dogs of all ages, from puppies to seniors, Trail Sniffers aimed to help pet parents address common "problem" behavioural issues, understand body language, and how to better meet their needs.
Support is available for those who may be distressed. Phone Lifeline 13 11 14; Men's Referral Service 1300 776 491; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800; beyondblue 1300 224 636; 1800-RESPECT 1800 737 732 or 13YARN 13 92 76.
Voice of Real Australia is a regular newsletter from the local news teams of the ACM network, which stretches into every state and territory. Today's is written by Bega District News journalist Jimmy Parker.
When Cami Hartnett discovered an ink-smudged letter on her late best friend's kitchen counter, the simple but powerful request of four words reshaped her future.
"Take care of Jeffrey," it read.
In that sombre moment, she made a promise.
Months earlier, Cami's best friend Dan discovered an abandoned cardboard box on the side of the road in Blacktown.
However, the contents inside weren't the usual items destined for the landfill. They were breathing.
"Jeffrey had a couple of little mates inside the box, but they didn't survive. It was just Jeffrey, a six-week-old, Bull Arab cross," Cami recalled.
"Jeffrey brought Dan so much joy for the six months he was there, and that's probably what kept him going.
"But then, one day, I couldn't get on to Dan for a couple of days. So I went over there, and unfortunately, I found Dan with Jeffrey lying on him.
"I had never heard a dog cry, ever. But Jeffrey was blubbering, and tears were coming from his eyes."
Grief-stricken, lost, trembling and sobbing, both the then eight-month-old puppy and Cami became inseparable.
Together, the pair tried to navigate a world that suddenly felt "emptier and darker" than it previously did.
"I bundled up this tiny little thing. I didn't know how to support him through it, and I didn't know how to deal with this situation," Cami said.
"At the time, I was a disaster, and I think he needed a lot more support than I could give."
Cami had always envisioned a career surrounded by animals, this admiration evident in the tattooed reminders on her skin.
"I was always obsessed with animals from as far back as I can remember," she said.
"I always wanted to be a vet, but my brain didn't function well at school, so the ATAR wasn't going to be high enough."
After high school, Cami took a gap year and went to Africa.
She joined a tiger and lion conservation park that had a captive breeding program where she helped release big cats back into game reserves.
"The park also took on a lot of lions and tigers that people had taken on as pets, due to a really bad exotic animal trade, and [many] had ended up eating family members or hurting family members," Cami said.
When she returned to Australia, she studied zoology, animal management and vet nursing.
But it was that note on the kitchen bench and Jeffrey that inspired her to establish "Trail Sniffers Dog Behaviour and Training" to help others navigate, train and advocate for dogs.
During Jeffrey's adolescent years, Cami said he began to get antsy, reactive, and had some negative experiences with other dogs.
Reactive canines might appear aggressive when, in reality, it was an overreaction rooted in distress, from fear, excitement, or frustration.
Cami stressed that reactive dogs were not bad; they were just misunderstood pups.
"I had no idea what this was," Cami said.
"I knew I had to learn. I owed it to Dan, Jeffrey, and myself to be the best guardian I could be.
"I'd seen dogs at the vet being aggressive because they're in pain, so I reached out to Ian Shivers from Bondi Behaviourist. He's a dog guru. He taught me everything.
"I never thought about the 'why' behind a dog's behaviour, I just thought it was happening and you've got to stop it, when realistically, Jeffrey was triggered by incredible trauma that would affect anyone."
Cami said she learnt that it wasn't about changing Jeffrey's behaviour, but supporting him, and helping him feel safe.
"Once I started chatting with Ian, I decided that's what I wanted to do, help other people understand their dogs," she said with a smile.
Based in Merimbula, Trail Sniffers offered virtual behaviour and training services, making behaviour and training support accessible from anywhere in the world.
Suitable to dogs of all ages, from puppies to seniors, Trail Sniffers aimed to help pet parents address common "problem" behavioural issues, understand body language, and how to better meet their needs.
Support is available for those who may be distressed. Phone Lifeline 13 11 14; Men's Referral Service 1300 776 491; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800; beyondblue 1300 224 636; 1800-RESPECT 1800 737 732 or 13YARN 13 92 76.