Mutts on the Move

24/08/2024

Yesterday we lost a beautiful soul. Taken far too young, Lil fought bravely but was unable to overcome the cancer that took her. She and her sister Tess, have been walking with the pack since 2017. We had many adventures together and she was never ready to leave the park to go home.
Our love goes out to Julie, Sean and Tess.
Lil, Mondays will not be the same without you.
Rest in Peace (2015 - 2024)
🐾🌈💔

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22/08/2024

This needs to be shared everywhere 🚨
If all dog owners did this then there would be less dog fights, less fearful dogs, less reactive dogs, less stress on dogs AND humans, less people walking their dogs off leash when/ where they shouldn’t - everyone would be thriving ✨

21/08/2024

Always photogenic 🥰
Poppy love ❤️

20/08/2024

Nothing quite like a judgemental dachie 😄.
Gracie, Queen of side eye

16/08/2024

When bad news breaks your heart but your other charges soothe your soul 💔❤️

15/08/2024

When you have to nip into the shops to get something and everyone just waits patiently outside.

12/08/2024

Monday's made with a felicitation of frenchies.
Ms Sassypants, Mr McJudgy Face and Barbie 😄

11/08/2024

Fun at the park 🥰

09/08/2024

Paddi and Winnie

08/08/2024

Post walk cuddles

07/08/2024

Other people: It must be so much fun walking dogs for a living 😍 you must be so good at it

Me:

06/08/2024

We saved the best till last today. What perfect weather

05/08/2024

Nothing like a mid walk nap 😅

04/08/2024

Long Read:

Last month I had an article included in the inaugural Zine published by LOOP Art and Photo Space.
The Zine sold out so I'd like to re-print it here for you.

ANGUS

It struck me the other day as I was remembering the many dogs I’ve shared my life with, that searching the internet for a prospective dog to adopt is rather like online dating. You find a site, fill in the search criteria you feel is relevant to the future success of your relationship, press enter, and come up with nothing because it’s far too restrictive and nothing matches. You end up broadening the search from teacup to monster and end up with many potential matches (in itself very sad) whether they are appropriate or not.
The first photograph of Angus I set my eyes on had me falling head over heels with this scruffy black and white stray with a huge grin. A bit like Tramp in the Disney film Lady and The Tramp.
There was a limited back story, but I did know that he was busted out of the Mildura Pound where he was languishing on Death Row at the age of around 18 months. He was now in Woodend and looking for his forever home, which of course, was going to be with me!
A date was set for a meet and greet. (this was 16 years ago, so no formal checks were done) and I bundled my old girl, Kia, into the Ute and off we went. I had no idea what I was getting myself into.
I had a full on Oh.My.God. moment when I first saw him. He was, indeed, black and white and there was no denying that he was scruffy, but his coat was dull and dry, he was as skinny as a rake, stank to high heaven and was bouncing off the walls of the pen like he was on speed.
Our first walk was a drag up the road and back with me hanging on for grim death and I narrowly missed a spray when his bowels exploded on the pavement, honestly how could I take him home?
But I did, with all the windows down trying not to gag from the stench. My old girl was not impressed.
However, that first memorable journey was the start of a long and perfect relationship, for all 3 of us.
He and Kia became inseparable, causing all kinds of mischief and nearly sending me insane. They’d go on adventures without me, a clear reason why he ended up in the pound, and would return home filthy, happy, and sometimes covered in leeches!
We travelled to Outback Queensland several times for work, where he won the hearts of all who met him. Swam in dams and rivers and camped in the middle of nowhere – the Back of Bourke to be exact!
With Kia in her dotage, he watched over her and kept guard in her final hours, never leaving her side. Taking to his kennel for a week after she crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
Self appointing himself as Master Meeter and Greeter of all dogs when I started my own business as a Professional Dogwalker, he came everywhere with me, enjoying hours and hours of adventures. He was in his element.
As the years crept by and the black in his fur began to turn grey, he became a star of a short film and a tv commercial. He was a consummate professional and was humble with his newly found fame.
We welcomed several new dogs into the household, but he was most dedicated to the tiny, rescued puppy that found her way into our arms from a particularly unpleasant situation. Taking her under his scruffy wing he taught her that life wasn’t all that scary and there were people and dogs out there that were friendly, fun, and caring.
The devil also taught her to chase the postie…but we won’t dwell on that!
When he broke his leg at the age of 13, following an altercation with one of our younger dogs over a freaking Cheezel, I knew we were going to be on borrowed time, and when we had to make the hard to decision to amputate 12 months later after he developed osteosarcoma, it was a no brainer.
Facing the challenge head on he was hopping up and down the front steps 2 days after coming home from hospital, he even came out with me to join the walking pack again. It was like he was relieved to be free of the useless leg he’d been living with.
I knew there were some nodules in his lungs so the possibility of the cancer having spread were very real, but we chose to embrace life with everything we had.
We met other tripod dogs, and shared stories. This really helped me to focus on the good things in his life rather than get emotionally bogged down with the knowledge his time with me was now finite.
When he went off his food and opted to stay in bed, I knew we were at the end. He’d bounce back for a couple of days then fall heavily in a heap. He struggled to do the things he always loved, and he would look at me with such understanding and knowing on his face.
Our cats sat with him, and our 17-year-old Dowager Duchess pug cross lay with him. His protégé pup was quiet.
I watched him fade away with such overwhelming grief but knew that he’d had a life many dogs can only dream about.
The day he crossed the Rainbow Bridge was so painful for me but a perfect, and thankful release for him. Free from pain forever and remembered with so much love by so many.
Rest in Peace sweet boy: Angus 2007 - 2021

01/08/2024

Hello Everyone,

I have finally found a venue to run our Scentwork courses and have dates for our first series.

The dates are Sunday, September 1st, 8th and 15th, from 2pm to 5pm at Olinda Scout Hall in Olinda, which is situated in the grounds of the Olinda Football and Netball Club off The Georgian Rd.

Plenty of parking available.

Our first course will be run by Angela Hervey-Tennyson who is a Certified Nosework Instructor and runs K9 Nose Fun

https://www.facebook.com/K9NoseFun

Cost
$150 for the 3-day course.

Each dog needs to work with minimal distraction, so your dog MUST be able to relax quietly away from you, either crated well away from the working area, or kept in your car until required. You may bring a friend or family member to help with this if needed. If you have any concerns about this, please contact me.

Book now

These courses fill quickly. Numbers strictly limited to a maximum of 6 dogs.

Please email or DM to book or if you need more info.

If you are unable to attend this time around or miss out on a place, we will be running more courses later in the year and into next year.

Further information about what to bring, how to pay, etc, will be forwarded to you once your place has been confirmed.

Looking forward to hearing from you and having fun sniffing out treats.

K9 Nose Work® is the FUN new sport for you and your dog. It's not work, though. It's FUN!
K9 Nos

01/08/2024

Did someone say treats?

31/07/2024

Early morning adventures with Gracie and Archie

31/07/2024

Hanging with his besties

30/07/2024

Gracie was very proud of her achievements today

29/07/2024

The Monday Movers

26/07/2024

This is becoming a bit of an obsession 😆

25/07/2024

Bad boi in pink

24/07/2024

Poor Tess always looks like a black hole 😆.
Another photo op for Winston, Scotty, Tess, Lil, Milly and Missy

23/07/2024

Gracie and Archie posing Mutts on the Move style

17/07/2024

This gorgeous little poodle is Hiccup. When I started walking his brother and sister 2 years ago, he had been diagnosed with a significant heart murmer and was not expected to live to his 4th birthday. That milestone has come and gone, and he's now fit enough to join the crew 💜

15/07/2024

When you avail yourself of the facilities so often when you go to the park, that your dog starts to ask you if you need to do a wee...🤣

11/07/2024

Cheeny joined Benny and all his best friends on Tuesday.
We'll miss you little man, say Hi to everyone for us 😢🐾🐾🌈

11/07/2024

Hermione came incognito today