ZENFULdog of the Month: Skeeter

Welcome to a very special edition of ZENFULdog of the Month for May 2026 featuring Skeeter and his incredible adoptive mom, Jane. Their bond reminds us how healing, joy, and resilience can come on four paws. Skeeter’s special relationship with Jane sets a beautiful example of the restorative powers of canine companionship and the ZENFULdog Training community.

May is Lupus Awareness Month, with World Lupus Day observed on May 10. When Jane was diagnosed with lupus in 2014, she faced years of pain, mobility challenges, and the uphill battle of finding proper care. At first, she kept her diagnosis quiet, not wanting it to define her or make her a victim. Today, Jane proudly owns her illness because she is not a victim, she is a warrior. She finds that raising awareness helps others feel less alone and discover their own fighting spirit, just like she has! Jane continues to model her incredible strength by never giving up or giving in to lupus. 

Chronic illness is not easy to live with, and flare-ups will always come, but Jane has learned the power of her spirit. Adopting Skeeter helped her get up, get out, and fight back. After four years of using a walker 90% of the time, she now rarely uses one at all and credits much of that to her remarkable bond with Skeeter and the encouragement and engagement of the ZENFULdog community! 

Meet Skeeter, the Australian cattle dog who turned Jane’s fight with lupus into a story of movement, laughter, and unstoppable spirit. 

Skeeter

Birthday: October 31, 2021

Age: 4 and a half

Skeeter’s Family Life: Skeeter came into Jane’s life when he was just three months old. He was the last of the breeder’s first litter. Nobody else wanted Skeeter because of his larger size. All the smaller heelers were chosen first, but Jane felt destined to adopt Skeeter. He was hiding in the corner, giving her side glances that spoke to her and made her feel they shared the same courageous will of an underdog. Her underdog was always meant for her. 

At first, since Skeeter didn’t approach her, Jane decided not to force the connection and was leaving without a dog. She also worried that, after years of managing lupus and caring only for smaller dogs, she might not be able to handle a large dog again as she had in the past. But her husband, Albert, went back in and scooped Skeeter up! He never barked, he just kept giving them his sweet side glances and happily licked Jane’s face as soon as she held him. He has not stopped showing her that love ever since. Skeeter got Jane up and moving every day, and three months later, Jane was able to retire her walker! 

Jane and Skeeter: Skeeter is Jane’s best friend. He stays by her side, even throughout every flare-up, offering his energy and love. Their bond has been strong since day one, and they conquer every day, and every hurdle together, one step at a time. 

Albert & Skeeter (Skeeter’s human dad): Skeeter will rarely go to Albert unless he has a treat. He loves his dad, but he is a one-person dog and definitely a mama’s boy. 

Skeeter’s fur-brothers: Jane and Albert also have two Boston bullies at home, Stanley and Baxter. Skeeter is protective of them and they all play together beautifully, it is unreal how well they get along. 

Skeeter with Baxter an Stanley

Skeeter’s Personality According to Jane: Skeeter does not live up to the reputation of most heelers, he is not wild or crazy! He helps her get out of bed whether she wants to or not, and when she has moments when she cannot move, he will not leave her side. Skeeter is not a high-maintenance or demanding dog, he is very well-behaved, almost like a self-trained dog. 

Jane Tells us What is Truly Unique about Skeeter: Jane says Skeeter owns an intelligence that blows her mind. The way he cares for and dotes on her shows every day how much he was meant to be her dog. He is basically like a support dog designed for Jane. Skeeter is welcome at many restaurants with Jane, even indoors at some spots, because of his impeccable manners. Skeeter is with Jane basically 90% of the time…even in the bathroom! 

Jane Tells us About Skeeter’s Favourite Activities: Skeeter loves playing and catching a frisbee and his herding ball. He goes nuts for it but only if Jane joins in. She has to kick the ball and he keeps bringing it back. If Albert tries, Skeeter just follows Jane around as she gardens instead. 

Jane Tells us How Skeeter Unwinds after a Full Day of Activities: After a full day of play, Skeeter sleeps on his little bed until Jane is in her lounger chair. Then he gets up, lays on Jane until he is too warm, but stays beside her chair, always close. 

Skeeter’s Favourite Treats According to Jane: Skeeter’s palate is as unique as his personality. He loves vegetables and lots of different fruit…even tangerines. He also loves wieners, which Jane brings to ZENFULdog classes as training treats. When she feels up to it, Jane makes Skeeter homemade duck and liver treats; otherwise, she buys them. Skeeter is just as happy with some celery or cucumber bites. If Jane eats it, Skeeter will eat it.

If Skeeter had a Human Voice, Jane thinks he would sound like: Jane thinks Skeeter would simply sound like the unique goofy weirdo he is! She says they are just a pair of weirdos, and honestly, those are the best souls! 

Skeeter’s Training

Before joining ZENFULdog Training, Skeeter had already helped Jane regain her mobility. Then came their first puppy class with Kendra, who invited them to join the hiking and walking club. Jane and Skeeter fell in love with hiking and canicross. Kendra always helped them, and everyone else, realize what they were actually capable of doing! When Skeeter is around Kendra, and Kether, he becomes a fireball. He absolutely adores them! 

Jane and Skeeter tried the Fitness Class but Skeeter wasn’t in love with it, but when this duo was introduced to Parkour, it was instant love! Parkour keeps Skeeter in shape and busy, and he loves it. He even lets Jane throw some fitness exercises into the mix. 

Jane never imagined in a million years that she could run again but with Kendra’s encouragement and Skeeter’s enthusiasm, she does. The consistent movement during canicross reduced her pain and boosted her confidence. “I’m always trotting at the back of the pack,” Jane laughs, “but we’re moving and we enjoy every moment of it!” 

Jane credits Kendra as one of the key motivators behind her ability to own her illness instead of letting it own her, helping her embody positivity and share it with others. ZENFULdog Training gave both Jane and Skeeter the focus they needed to keep improving through training, cani-trails, and community support. 

Skeeter’s Biggest Training Challenge According to Jane: Skeeter did not have many training challenges to overcome, but he definitely feared small spaces. He refused to go through the tunnel in class.

Skeeter's Biggest Successes/Improvements through Training: True to Jane’s fighting spirit, she set up a tunnel in her backyard and practiced with Skeeter one step at a time until he built the confidence to go through it. Like all challenges they face, they tackle them together, one baby step at a time, and conquer them!

After a long four-year road to diagnosis with a significant loss of mobility, flare-ups, and pain, Jane is a role model to others living with chronic illness. She lives every day with a fighting spirit with the help of her amazing companion, Skeeter. Her progress even inspired her rheumatologist to start running with her own dog after seeing the transformation Skeeter brought to Jane’s life. 

Kendra adds: “Skeeter, our incredible cattle dog, and his guardian, Jane, are truly one of my favourite “wild” teams. They are all spirit, fun, inspiration, and kindness.

Jane brings such a positive presence wherever she goes. She is always ready with a word of encouragement for others, whether in class or out on the trails. That kind of energy lifts everyone around her.

I’ve had the absolute pleasure of watching Skeeter grow up from just 6 months old into the dog he is today. He’s now a dog I can rely on in programs to help balance energy while still keeping things fun and engaging. He shines in Parkour, confidently demonstrating more advanced skills, and he has this incredible ability to look out for smaller dogs during hikes and canicross runs.

Their free spirits bring an energy boost to every session, and their partnership is something really special: natural, connected, and full of trust.

No matter the weather, they show up ready for a challenge, reminding us that nothing is too tough when you can laugh, play, and move with your dog.

Jane and Skeeter are absolute badasses and we’re so lucky to have them in our community.”

Jane adds: Jane encourages anyone considering a heeler to do their research first. Skeeter’s temperament is exceptional, but many heelers are rehomed because new pet-parents underestimate their energy. She hopes sharing their story helps more dogs find the right homes. 

A heartfelt “Thank You!” to Jane for providing fantastic, inspiring content for this feature! At ZENFULdog, we celebrate stories like Jane and Skeeter’s where love, movement, and resilience lead the way, so don’t forget to share this blog to raise awareness for lupus in May! 

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