Move over Clifford the Big Red Dog -weighing a whopping 40 kilos and still only a puppy, Neo the Great Dane cross was ready to find love.
The one-year-0ld gentle giant was surrendered to us back in September last year. Neo's previous owners had struggled to deal with a dog of his size and, while they loved him, they knew Neo wasn't the right fit for their family (quite literally).
Thankfully, Neo was moving on to BIGGER and better things, finding a new family in Lorraine and Steve from Holden Hill.
A match made in heaven for Neo and his new family
Lorraine and Steve share a passion for big dogs. Steve has previously owned Rottweilers, while Lorraine had German Shepherds.
With the couple missing the sound of puppy pitter-pattered footsteps down their hallway, it was time to fill a giant dog-sized hole in their lives.
Tipping the scale at 40 kilos, Neo would prove to be a perfect fit for the family. A goofy looking photo of a proud Neo on the adoption page of RSPCA SA's website was all it took to seal the deal.
According to Lorraine, meeting Neo for the first time confirmed their intuition – he was the one for them!
With the adoption paperwork completed, it was time to head home – Neo eagerly jumped in the car ready to start life with his new family.
Even animals can get nervous on their first day
Like a lot of newly adopted animals, Neo was initially a little apprehensive about his new surroundings. With his tail between his legs and his ears pinned back, Neo cautiously explored his surroundings.
Slowly but surely his confidence grew. Within no time he was scoffing down a meal prepared by his new mum - he was home.
Lorraine and Steve could tell straight away that, while he was big and playful, Neo also had a very kind and gentle nature. It was clear that his previous owners had trained him well.
He would quietly sit by the door if he wanted to go outside, sit when asked, had great recall and would be very gentle when taking food from their hands.
A true puppy at heart!
Despite being the size of a small pony, Neo was still a young dog. His puppy moments would keep Lorraine and Steve on their feet.
Like many dogs, Neo loved to dig holes and his new garden soon resembled a moonscape. As you can see in the photo below, he had also perfected his 'begging' face for use when good smelling food was around.
Being a young, active dog, Neo looks forward to his daily walks. Walking is a big part of their lifestyle, so Lorraine and Steve worked hard to train Neo and teach him how to be well-behaved while on walks. It took some time to get him used to his leash and harness, and he would also be a little bit too excited when meeting people out and about.
But with perseverance, Steve's daily 8km walks with Neo have become easier, more relaxed and enjoyable for both of them.
Neo is a lovable, yet well-trained, goofball!
Lorraine and Steve have seen Neo's personality blossom. Each day they're discovering new mannerisms and quirks that make him even more lovable.
Neo adores swimming and is in his element playing in water when the family spends time at their shack on the Murray River. Despite his size and weight, he is a lap dog at heart and loves nothing more than to curl up on his owner's lap for a good cuddle.
He has taken to training so well that he can now play fetch without bowling people over.
"We wouldn't be without him and I'd like to think Neo feels the same," shares Lorraine.
If you're considering opening your heart and home to a lovable character like Neo, head over here to see all our animals
currently available to adopt.
