Happy ending for abandoned pups

NEW HOME: Sue Darling (left) and Wim Julicher with their new puppies, Jack and Sophie, which were found abandoned on a grass verge in rural Martinborough. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Two abandoned puppies found dumped in a cardboard box on the side of a Martinborough road have found a new home at an award winning vineyard.

Sue Darling and Wim Julicher of Julicher Estate, in Martinborough, "fell in love" with the puppies instantly, offering them a new life with 50 acres to roam.

The couple picked up their new pets, Jack and Sophie, from South Wairarapa Mayor Adrienne Staples Featherston property on Tuesday.

The puppies had been discovered in a cardboard box on a grass verge of a rural Martinborough road about two weeks ago by a woman out walking.

The woman had heard the puppies' cries coming from the box, which had its lid clamped shut.

She handed the puppies over to South Wairarapa District Council, and Mrs Staples had taken them home to care for until a new home could be found.

Mrs Staples said the puppies had been in "pretty poor condition" but had each gained over a kilogram in weight since being handed in.

She said they were "lovely friendly pups which I'm sure will be wonderful companions for Wim and Sue".

Ms Darling said the puppies - thought to be about eight weeks old - were "just delightful".

Mr Julicher and Ms Darling found out on Tuesday they had won a gold medal for their Pinot Noir at the Air New Zealand Wine Awards.

However, Ms Darling said she had been more excited about the puppies than the medal.

"These puppies have had the upper hand. It's been so wonderful introducing them into their new home. The gold medal has faded into the background."

The couple's last vineyard dog had died three years ago and Ms Darling had not long started thinking it might be time to get another one.

Last week she had visited The Q's Zoo to see what dogs they had up for adoption, but as there were too many to pick from so she had left empty handed to think it over.

She returned home to an email telling her of the two puppies in need of a home.

"It was such a coincidence. It was meant to be," said Ms Darling, who was initially looking for only one dog.

"The least we could do was keep them together because they had been through a really bad start," she said.

"It's wonderful to have the two of them together - they're playing together all the time."

Ms Darling said although the dogs had been abandoned and neglected, it was clear they had not been abused.

"They're not mistrusting towards people, they love people. As soon as they see you they rush up for cuddles."

Since the couple's last dog had died the rabbit population on the vineyard had increased three-fold.

When the puppies were fully grown they would be handy for hunting rabbits, who were always digging holes among the vineyards and eating vegetables from Ms Darling's garden.

She said the pups were "placid, easy going and unafraid - all good signs for a nice adult dog".

After the Times-Age printed the story of the found puppies last week South Wairarapa Veterinary Services had donated puppy food, worming pills and flea treatments.

"People hate to hear of animals mistreated and it's nice for them to know they [the two puppies] have found a good home."