Family pet happy to be back living a dog's life

Damon, Rachael and Cole Bellamy with adopted dog John-Boy. Photo / Gisborne Herald

He used to be homeless, chronically overweight and could only understand commands in Mandarin.

John-Boy the labrador-cross was also grieving the loss of his owner, 84-year-old Fong Wong who was forced to give up his pet when he moved into a resthome.

Wong didn't want his beloved pooch put down, so gave the SPCA cash to care for him until a suitable family adopted him.

But living at the SPCA was a contrast to the life of "pure pamper" he was used to.

"He had his own double bed, his own big screen TV and lived off cream cakes," says John-Boy's new owner Rachael Bellamy.

But two months after being adopted, he's lost 40kg and is finally living "a dog's life".

"He has his blanket and his piece of carpet and he is only fed dog food," said Rachael.

At the Bellamy household John-Boy works as a guard dog instead of watching TV.

"We used to get burgled so we went to the SPCA looking for a big dog that would protect us," said Rachael.

"John-Boy is perfect. He's very loyal but people are now wary of coming in the gate."

In the two months since John-Boy was adopted, he has also learned English commands. "He's a very clever dog. He makes our family so proud."