Written by Megan Panton
Photography by Chasing Light Photography
I started working at an amazing company in Airport Industria, in Cape Town, at the beginning of 2023. As we all know, the first few months go by fast as one finds their feet and settles into a new position.
One morning, on our way to work, Wayne (my boyfriend and MuttMix business partner) mentioned that there was a dog at the property next to my work. Naturally, being a dog lover, I looked out for this dog that had caught Wayne’s eye. And, oh my goodness, what a beautiful dog he was. He wasn’t very friendly at first, and we started giving him some meat and food as he looked on the skinnier side. This boy was hungry!
Fast forward two months, our daily routine included feeding this gorgeous boy in the morning and evening through the gate. One morning, I noticed he didn’t look so good, and my heart broke. He allowed me to touch him and give love through the gate, and I realised all he wanted was cuddles and love. We got him a deworming tablet and I started making home-cooked meals for him that we would put over his pellets. Even dogs like a hearty, meaty, warm meal in winter!
We made contact with the people who “owned” him and found out about his history and circumstances.
This boy’s name is Shadow. His original owners emigrated and couldn’t take him with them (we later discovered that a breed test is required for mixed-breed dogs in order for them to emigrate with their families). Shadow was given to this gentleman, who really tried his best. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the financial means to give Shadow everything he needed, but he cared so much, and you could see the level of trust between them.
Wayne and I vowed to feed Shadow each and every day and do what we could for him – and indirectly assist the gentleman and his family. At this point in our life, we lived in a flat which wasn’t pet-friendly. We worked on gaining Shadow’s trust, and he got used to the routine of us feeding him daily. We introduced brushing, as his hair was long and matted when we were able to enter the property. We gave him flea treatment and as much love as we could.
Our circumstances changed in January 2025, and we moved to a place where we could bring Shadow home.
On the 3rd of January 2025, we fetched our boy. He went straight to the groomers and had all his hair shaved (he ended up looking like a Llama) and was ready for his vet appointment the next day.
He adjusted instantaneously to his new home and the abundance of love, appreciation and acceptance that he showed was breathtaking.
Saturday, the 4th of January 2025, we took Shadow to the vet because we wanted him to have a full check-up as we had some concerns about lumps, and we had him vaccinated and dewormed. Turns out the lumps were a cause for concern. His surgery was booked for the following Monday.
Shadow had a total of 14 grass seeds removed from his body. The property he’d stayed at had a lot of long grass which he’d lie in, and the grass seeds attached to him and buried into the matts in his hair. (The grass seeds grow into their skin and migrate through their muscles and grow into their organs.) The amount of pain and discomfort Shadow must have been in broke our hearts. His surgery was a success and he was on the road to recovery (looking a bit like Frankenstein). Two months later, he underwent further surgery – he needed to have a problem tooth removed, which was discovered to have shattered in the gum.
BUT, Shadow has shown resilience and strength. We’re so incredibly proud to be his pet parents.
Shadow goes with us on every single holiday we go on, and we’re so blessed to have this amazing boy as part of our family.
Curiosity got the better of us, and we ordered a Canine DNA test kit on the MuttMix website.
Shortly after doing the test, while we were waiting for his results, I saw that MuttMix was going to close down; we contacted Dominique as there was a possibility of us continuing with MuttMix.
We had an online meeting with her to discuss the company, etc., and we decided that we needed to continue with this amazing and unique company.
Two weeks later, Shadow’s results were received, and his results were amazing!
Shadow’s MuttMix Results:
44% Siberian Husky
25% Saint Bernard
17% Miniature Poodle
14% Alaskan Malamute
The MuttMix results helped us understand Shadow a lot better.
He has the personality and intelligence of a Siberian Husky – and the thick double coat (high grooming needs).
He has the gentle, loving nature of a Saint Bernard, as well as the eagerness to please. His patience and tolerance we believe is also from the Saint Bernard gene.
He’s adaptable and playful, like the Miniature Poodle (and hates his paws getting wet in the grass).
At times, Shadow can be rather stubborn, just like the Alaskan Malamute.
Shadow was the missing piece we didn’t know we needed and he’s an amazing and unique boy with an amazing character. We love seeing him experience life and new adventures – it gives us all a happiness that one cannot explain.
Our aim for MuttMix is to allow pet owners of mixed breed dogs to discover their dogs’ unique traits and understand their needs better. The allergy test aspect will also assist with providing a better understanding for other dogs and owners, whereby allergies can be better managed. Most importantly, we hope to assist with the DNA testing for families that wish to emigrate, so that their fur babies don’t get left behind. Because Shadow was our inspiration for MuttMix, we’ll be working on a very special programme which we hope we can get up and running soon. More info will be posted on our social media and website as soon as everything’s in place.
Shadow is an amazing part of our lives, and he’s spoilt beyond belief. Welcome to your forever home, baby boy!
“Dogs have a funny way of finding the people who need them, and filling an emptiness we didn’t know we had.” (Thom Jones)
