Love story: Teddy needed love, and I knew I could give it to him

Despite being an Olympic torchbearer, Duke of Edinburgh Award winner and activist for people with disabilities, Judith Geppert's capabilities have often been questioned. But she's never felt judged by her dogs, and especially Teddy, who loved her until his dying days.

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I had lost my dog Tyson who was with me for seven years, and I needed a companion with four legs to love.

In 2016, I found a rescue dog called Rusty, an Irish Wolfhound cross, on the RSPCA NSW website. He was too far away for me to travel to, so they brought him down to me.

Steve Coleman [CEO at RSPCA NSW] has worked closely with me when being matched with all my rescue dogs.

I didn't know what to expect before meeting Rusty, I'd never chosen a dog online before. 

I was excited, but apprehensive about how he would act toward me. I have cerebral palsy and use a wheelchair. 

He didn't like me at first — he was scared of my wheelchair and refused to come near me.

But I loved him the moment I saw him.

Once he got used to me, he was fine.

I changed his name to Teddy as he looked like a big teddy bear. 

Getting to know one another

Teddy underwent training, which allowed him to live as a companion dog in a care facility with me.

It took a couple of months for him to get used to me and my daily routine.

I have support people coming and going to attend to my needs. He got to know who was coming and at what time, so he too would be waiting for them.

Teddy knew they were there to help me.

He had lots of little quirks, and unusual ones.

If anybody wanted to touch him, he would look at me as if asking for my permission to go to them.

Teddy accepted that I couldn't give him cuddles, I couldn't give him treats and I found it difficult to pat him. But between us we worked out that I could cuddle and pat him with my left foot.

Difficult at first because I think he had been abused and would cower in the corner when I first tried to put my foot on him.

He soon worked out that we were a pair, and he knew what I needed him to do.

And as for treats, I was unable to hold them, so I would use my voice and talked gently to him. He would always react and gave me a lick.

Teddy saw me for me

Teddy gave me a feeling that I was no longer alone, and I had a friend that depended on me and he needed my companionship.

It gave me a great deal of satisfaction knowing this.

I have done many things in my life, only to be dismissed by people and society as being unable to function without a carer.

My love for Teddy was more than just having a pet.

Being an older rescue dog, he needed love, comfort and understanding, just as much as a puppy, if not more.

I knew I could give this to him.

He had the best home I could provide. Just knowing this enriched my life.

A comfort for one another

I have been unwell and in pain over the past two years. This meant I couldn't sleep.

Teddy would sit on his bed and watch me. A couple of times during the night, he would come over, put his head on my pillow and give me a comforting lick on the chin.

To have him by my side when I was having an especially bad night, I knew I had to get through it for him.

Teddy was also struggling with pain. Every month I had to have the vet around to give pain-killing injections.

I think these challenges, coupled with our companionship bond, brought us even closer together.

No-one like Teddy

The pain got too much for Teddy in the end, and the kindest thing I could do for him was to give him peace, as I knew what he was going through.

Losing him was one of the hardest things to happen to me.

I miss him every day. I felt so lonely and he left a void in my life.

My love for Teddy meant everything to me and I still get upset.

I have another beautiful dog now, but nothing can bring Teddy back.