Puppy love helps Kearney prepare for Manly clash
BY BRAD FORREST
10/07/2008 11:01:00 AM
BRETT Kearney's injured ankle was given an unusual but rigorous fitness test in advance of Saturday night's big game against Manly: sprinting and stepping around Toyota Stadium chasing after a two-month-old Guide Dog pup.
Kearney, who returns for the home clash after six weeks sidelined with injury, has just taken possession of the pup, Digger, and with girlfriend Ashley Buncher, will raise it for a year for the Guide Dogs Association.
Jenny Hall, the Sharks community relations co-ordinator, said Kearney now carried a big responsibility at their Sutherland Shire home.
"Brett and Ashley are now responsible for feeding, grooming, house-training and walking Digger, as well as ensuring he develops the necessary basic obedience and social skills, as well as routine visits to the vet,'' she said.
Digger will be taken on outings so he will learn to feel comfortable in a wide range of environments - even on the sidelines watching coach Ricky Stuart put his "master'' and the team through their paces.
Kearney said he'd loved dogs since he was a youngster, before he and his teammates tried to catch up with the white Labrador in an impromptu sprint at training.
"We're really enjoying having the little fella as our new housemate,'' Kearney said. "I've told Ricky that Digger will help me out under the high-balls at training, so there's no need for him to stress anymore. But it will be fun looking after Digger and watching him grow up, with the knowledge that we are also doing something to contribute to the lives of people with vision impairment.''
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