Yvonne gives home to 'odd couple'
GATTON woman Yvonne Schmaling and her partner Michael O'Rourke had discussed getting a new dog for while.
So when she told him she had found their new companion - and the dog came complete with a goat - Michael was not fazed.
The pair, who live on 11 acres at Spring Creek near Gatton, saw an article in the Queensland Times about an unlikely duo surrendered to the RSPCA Wacol's Animal Care Campus.
On the first night at the shelter, Mizzy the dog and Bullseye the goat were separated and started climbing the walls - Bullseye bleated all night and Mizzy howled uncontrollably.
RSPCA Queensland spokesman Michael Beatty said the pair had to be rehomed together for their welfare, as to separate them would be too heartbreaking.
The plea was heard by Ms Schmaling and Mr O'Rourke, who picked up their new pets from the shelter at the weekend.
Ms Schmaling said their new companions were very happy, and spent all their time together.
"Bullseye thinks he's a dog - he runs around like a loony, playing and jumping around up on the boxes we've put in the paddocks for them - he's very hyper," Ms Schmaling said yesterday.
"At the moment they are sleeping together in a shed in separate beds but the dog has claimed the bigger bed of course - she's in charge.
"We thought a goat would be a good idea to keep the grass down, and we have four quarter-acre paddocks so we'll just keep rotating them when the grass gets low. They've both got the loveliest natures ever."
Ms Schmaling said the pair also enjoyed teasing each other.
"Mizzy gets a bit bossy with her food when Bullseye goes over to try and take it off her and tease her a bit," she said.
"Mizzy just lets off a low growl and Bullseye runs off with his tail in the air - it's all a bit of fun."
RSPCA spokesman Michael Beatty said it was tremendous to have the animals rehomed together and said he knew they would be happy with their new masters.
