https://www.facebook.com/456336598203438/

Dibley Pet Services +

Home
Australia
Orange, NSW
Dibley Pet Services +

Whether you need pet-sitting, home visits, dog walking or holiday care, we guarantee your fur babies
(26)

25/08/2024

Thallon had a lovely camp area next to its beautiful silo

The small town also has lovely art work.

21/08/2024

We saw and patted lots of doggies in our travels.

First met Shadow (a very handsome Standard Dachshund) at the Pilliga Bore Bath. He had wrapped himself around a table leg waiting for his owner so I unwrapped him 🙂. We then bumped into him at Burren Junction and a third time at Wee Waa Bakery 😋.

This Boxer went to work at the shop in Wee Waa. I don't think they will ever get robbed 😆.

Then there were 2 Dachshunds that greeted us at the Moree Showground when we checked in 🐶🐶

Barney was an 8 month Airedale we met at Boomi. He's a little bit naughty and extremely energetic. Very friendly but ball obsessed. His elderly owners spent a lot of time walking him or playing fetch. They looked exhausted 😬

We met Charlie at Goodoga Bore Baths. Charlie is 13 yo and comes from Tassie. He's still very alert and enjoyed the attention 🥰

Other travellers had warned us about the strays in town coming over to the Goodoga campsites. They seemed shy but friendly, although sad they weren't properly loved.

18/08/2024

Mungindi.

As the thermal pool was shut, we followed the Sculpture Trail around the town which features

" ... 10 raw and rustic sculptures by award-winning artist Tony ‘Nicko’ McMillan, who tragically died at 54 years of age. It delivers a new perspective on art and nature.

He was a gentle giant with sparkling eyes and a huge heart luminescent with love.

You always found him in his shed, where his agile hands turned trash into treasure.

His friendly voice rumbled with joy when he talked about the found objects in his enormous scrap heap collection. “I bring them back to life with a new purpose. I give them a second chance.”

To celebrate a rich life lived with honour, generosity and grace, his widow Katherine McMillan donated Nicko’s remaining sculptures to the Mungindi community - the town he loved intensely and with enduring loyalty..."

Each sculpture is accompanied by interpretative signage. Below are exerpts:

Insta-Frame/Info Board

The first stop on the Mungindi Sculpture Trail is the Insta-Frame/Info Board.

1. Kangaroo - Don't Shoot

"...No matter where you were standing, the bloody thing was looking at you.”

2. Antman - Reuse, Repair, Rebuild

The inspiration for these recycled assemblage sculptures came from Nicko growing up as the third youngest of 11 children.

“I’ve been recycling all my life,” he’d laugh. It was a tough but happy childhood in Mungindi.

In those early years, Nicko had a cold relationship with his father and gravitated towards his mother who was caring, resourceful and creative.

Antman, created from old motorbike and car parts, is a tribute to Nicko’s friendship with longtime local greenkeeper Paul Jarnett.

3. Turkey - A Changing Landscape

While working in the local shearing sheds, he used what he found to make wooden furniture.

Later, when sheep left the local landscape, he became a builder and found a new wealth of found objects that inspired his journey into sculpture.

Pianos moved for building renovations found their way into artworks like this Turkey.

4. Razorback - Against the Odds

Razorback, created out of army surplus pieces, was made for Bryon as a family joke.

5. Penguin - Overcoming Obstacles

Nicko completed grade 10 but could not read or write.

Unable to read instruction manuals, he could still fix anything because he could feel how it worked. “It just comes to me as a picture, and I know where the pieces go.”

This award-winning Penguin was almost a Ned Kelly sculpture.

6. Red & Blue Brolgas - No Expense Spared

The brolgas came from parts of a Mercedes Benz that crashed in Mungindi.

Nicko’s son Tony Jnr was hoping to rebuild the Mercedes for himself before he discovered the bonnet had become part of the new sculpture.

Tony Jnr ended up helping in the process and these brolgas hold a special place in his heart as he remembers a time working by his father’s side.

7. Chinaman - Art Takes Time

Mungindi, like so many regional towns had a rich history of Chinese migrants creating market gardens to supply the region with fresh produce.

8. Pterodactyl - Café & Commissions

For a time, Nicko’s sculptures had an outlet in a local café generating sales and commissions.

Perched on top of the fridge, the Pterodactyl’s wings would flap whenever the door was opened making it look real.

9. Black Cockatoo - Winning Wildlife

Like seeing shapes in the clouds, Nicko saw the potential in discarded junk, transforming it into a new life.

“I will see a piece that looks like a bird’s beak and just start building from there.”

10. Turtle -The Gift of Hope

The McMillan family always planned to build a museum in Mungindi to showcase Nicko’s sculptures and to preserve the pieces of local history they had unearthed over the years.

Unfortunately, Nicko passed away at 54 years of age before realising those dreams.

Nicko created the piece when Katherine asked for an umbrella stand.

In his endearing and genuine approach to life, Nicko used the request to create a sculpture that has brought joy to so many and also held quite a few umbrellas.

Nicko’s legacy is one of hope. That no matter where we live, we can all find our way to build something from nothing.

14/08/2024

Artisan Bore Baths trip - at last...

Pilliga: great to be soaking in warm water after sub-zero temps the previous night 🥶, there was camping there also.

Burren Junction: day visit, had a nice chat to care-taker, should have brought our floating ring.

Moree: lucky we've been to the Aquatic Centre on a previous trip, spent 3 hours at Moree Hospital to get antibiotics for Richard's toe - no more bore baths for him 😞.

Boomi: camped next to pool. Shame they had a mineral burst that morning which made the water look dirty 😞, but more mineral means better health benefits 🤔. Jumped between hot thermal pool and cooler swimming pool, suppose to be good for you. It better be, there was a bit of discomfort involved... Fun though 🙂

Mungindi: shut that afternoon, went on Sculpture Trail instead 😃

St George: Lovely complex, thermal pool only 0.9 m deep, clean and clear.

Goodoga: camping at bore, packed with caravans, really hot water but perfect for night bathing when it isn't packed.

Lightning Ridge: Really hot bath. Great amenities.

Walgett: not as hot as Goodoga (my favourite) or Lightning Ridge.

All the travellers we met were so friendly. We had a lovely time chatting.

The bore baths are meant to be relaxing. Not sure if it was the age factor, as most were elderly and sedately sat in the pool, but I was swimming, getting in and out and walking around. I just couldn't sit still too long. Maybe it's called bore baths as you are meant to sit and be bored 🥱 🤣.

Richard says everyone is soaking their sins away and I'm paddling around collecting them all 😂

I did have an enjoyable time, although much better if Richard could also get in. Next time... 🤞

11/08/2024

Apart from pet-minding, we love camping. So we had a couple of weeks…

The Pilliga

We camped at Sculptures in the Scrub in Timmallallie National Park (pre-booking required). We had a frost that night and Murphy's door-lock froze - as did our fingers and toes the next morning 🥶. But thankfully they had clean BBQs and we were able to defrost... 😆

The walk around the sculptures was lovely. Some flowering plants; spring would be beautiful, summer heat would be stifling though.

The fire tower at Salt Caves had amazing 360 degree views: Warrumbungle National Park right around to Mount Kaputar in the distance. And half-way up there you can get mobile reception 🙂.

07/08/2024

Miss Frida has a very cute patch over her eye and she trys to get away with most things. She loves disturbing LOLs in his sleep, harassing him and jumping all over him. Around the neighbourhood she insists on walking and sniffing wherever she wants. Sometimes it’s a battle of the wills, but she is just adorable (and she knows it 😍)

04/08/2024

Snow in Orange.

So they predicted snow to 600m. Pigs bum! It was just freezing 🥶. But there was snow on Mount Canobolas at 1400m.

So we took Olaf up there, Murphy was half packed for our Artesian Bores trip.

We thought the gates would be shut to stop people driving up in 2wd on iced roads. We were wrong - and what an experience that was! Going up we watched one car slide it's way around in a U-turn, and another stuck on the side of the road - at least it was his side!

Going down, the 4wd infront slowly slid onto the wrong side of the road then into the ditch! A case of "Ambition exceeded Ability”. But the dumbest one was a 4wd coming up towing a ladened trailer!!! Lucky we were descending as the 6 vehicles stuck behind it was being followed by another dozen!!! And I’d hate to be collected if the trailer jack-knifed on the way down 🥶. The road was icy and temperature was -3 degrees.

Thank goodness we always read our car manuals after purchase - and Richard knew what he was doing. Olaf was locked in first gear with hill descent on, Richard took the right lines but we still had some hairy moments. Can see why Council lock the gates!!

It was pretty up there, but we will walk up next time - even if the gates are open!

31/07/2024

LOLs is so laid back - and definitely Lots of Loves. He loves the lounge, any of the dog beds and particularly a warm lap.

His preference is to be inside so he thinks doing his business quickly means he can turn around and go back, NOW! 😄. There's no pausing when his nose is pointed for home.

On an energetic morning he loves playing with toys. He is such a darling dog and does love everyone so is everybody's best friend 🥰.

We love looking after him 🐶.

27/07/2024

Highlights in Canberra (apart from minding 3 cute pups 🐶🐶🐶)

Catching up with friends & family - Ted & Geoff, Aunty Shirley & cousin David, Richard's other cousin - Richard, Karleen (& Honey 🐶), Jane & Hamish, Kathy 🥰

Bonsai Garden in Arboretum

Quilts Exhibition in National Gallery

Behind the Lines Cartoons at Old parliament House

Pop Culture Curiosities at National Film & Sound Archives

Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize at National Archives of Australia

Mount Painter Lookout (and meeting a Mini Groodle who looked like a long legged version of LOLs 🐶 😆)

Cycling 😊

We went home via Sydney. Dad has been unwell but he was in good spirits when we were there. And I caught up with Michelle. We laughed a lot 🥰

24/07/2024

Kudu (Schipperke) has always been the anxious type so he doesn’t welcome us with open paws, excitement and joy - unlike LOLs and Frida who treat you like long lost friends 😆😍. Kudu is always unsure at first - he is torn between wanting to say hi and holding back.

But Kudu is super special. He really does love affection and often pushes his siblings out for a cuddle of a morning or when you come home 🥰. He pats your leg and gives you a longing look - maybe he's just wanting more food 🤣. Kudu does like his food 😋 and his squeaky toys. And we really love regaining his trust each time we mind him 🥰.

We were able to clip his nails and vacuum him after a good brushing to remove loose hair 🤣. He is such a handsome boy and has stolen my heart. Earning his trust has been such a big achievement. Thank you Kudu ❤️

19/07/2024

Minding Kudu, LOLs and Frida is always challenging and interesting and of course enjoyable and fun.

They are cute little critters but sometimes their social skills with dogs can be embarrassing. But a stern warning to 'behave' before approaching has worked wonders and (after asking owners) they have met Bailey, Stanley, Sandy, Indigo, Belle, a gorgeous Labrador pup and 2 lovely Border Collies 🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶.

Walks around the neighbourhood is often slow as they love sniffing.

But we do enjoy watching TV on the couch with them. They are very affectionate and all love attention 🥰.

16/07/2024

Canberra's Fire and Ice, Winter in the City, 2024

We were about 5 to 7 meters away from the performers sometimes and we could feel the heat!

These people were amazing.

14/07/2024

Canberra's Fire and Ice, Winter in the City.

Fabulous Fire Performances.

09/07/2024

I try to get a photo of Richard every decade at Panorama House overlooking Thirroul.

1994, 2004, 2018 (better late than never 🙂) and 2024.

30 years on and I'm still the best thing that's happened to him 🤣.

He really is my better half and I'm so lucky he loves me 🥰 (although I'm sure he could choke me at times 😆).

06/07/2024

Holly & Ginger live in a beautiful area and we are the luckiest pet-sitters 🤗

Kiama Blowhole
Geriatric Tennis 🥰
Rock ledge north of Chinamans Beach
Erowal Bay
The Falls Waterfall
McKenzies Lookout
Upper Shoalhaven River
Danjera Dam (overflow)
Hylands Lookout at sunset
Sanctuary Point
Granite Waterfall
George Boyd Lookout
Huskisson
Coolendel Lookout
Illaroo Lookout
Fire Trails
Basin View
And Gracie, the very loyal, 14 yo, adorable, happy English Staffy 😍

03/07/2024

Winter Solstice 2024

So Richard watched the naked crowd jump into the Derwent River in Tasmania for the Winter Solstice.

He thought he'd give it a try at Hell Hole Trail Waterfall 🥶. He didn’t stay in long 🤣

I had to remain dry to take a photo 😃

It was a lovely afternoon of rock scrambling along the creek to get to the bottom of these 2 beautiful waterfalls.

Met super friendly but hyper-active Mia along the way 🐶.

30/06/2024

It is always a pleasure to mind Ginger & Holly. They are renowned in the area and they love taking us for walks 🐶🐶. They have many admirers and consistently seek out pats from strangers. We could easily set up a Pat and Photo Booth 😊🥰

25/06/2024

Best Friends…

So Murphy is broken down outside Cheryl and Steve’s, honestly that was just so fortunate for us - and thank goodness we didn’t park in their driveway!!!

You know you have a BFF when things go to pot.

We were only meant to stay for lunch but we didn't leave until one lunch, one dinner and 2 nights later.

In the meantime, Cheryl lends us her car to go see my parents for dinner. The last time she gave me her car was about 20 years ago - she had morning sickness with Jared and I drove Annie to her mum’s. Annie now has a boyfriend and Jared is taller than me!

I was still in a pickle as I had no way to get to Ted & Geoff’s Wedding. Cheryl had commitments and couldn’t accompany me, so I borrowed Steve’s car - and Steve 🤣. We had a lovely time at the wedding, the group we sat with were fun and it was interesting to see the reaction when I introduced Steve as my best friend’s husband 🥰😂.

Thanks CB & Steve, we look forward to more funny & memorable occasions together 😎🤪❤️

22/06/2024

Murphy the Money Pit!

So we decided to take Murphy on our trip to mind Holly & Ginger at Huskisson. Well, we love Murphy, he’s the absolute fun car, but sometimes he creates so much mayhem and angst and racks up some decent bills that it would be easier, cheaper and less stressful to get our own dog and stay home. But then,where would the fun be in that?!? 🤣

Murphy had to get his front axle seal replaced (again), this time we are hoping the double lip seal will work. So we needed to do 1000km before his 1 month checkup.

Then just before leaving, his battery died. That was ok, we had it 7 years 🫠.

So the plan was we head to Sydney (to see my parents), Sutton Forest (for Ted & Geoff’s Wedding), then Husky to mind Ginger and Holly.

Thank goodness we didn’t fuel up but drove to Cheryl’s for catch-up and lunch - because Murphy wouldn’t re-start 😵‍💫. Immediate use of NRMA membership was costly but it was diagnosed that the starter motor was to blame (which Richard had suspected). We couldn’t source a part immediately and didn’t know of any mechanics in the area - at 4pm on Friday I didn’t like our chances of getting Murphy towed to a workshop anyway . Thankfully our friend’s son is now a mechanic. The next morning he was able to source the correct part and install it by the afternoon. Thanks Aaron, you are a life-saver 🙏.

So Richard didn’t get to the wedding but Murphy is now back on track and we’ve had lots of fun (well, maybe not when we couldn’t get traction in the mud and the sun was going down, that was a bit stressful…😳)

So we are looking forward to more Murph adventures, not mis-adventures 🤣.

19/06/2024

Smart, Funny, Talented and sooooo Artistic.

Cheryl (and Steve) have visited us at many of our pet-sits, so it was a wonderful surprise when Cheryl made this beautiful plate for us. OMG, I was so thrilled 🥰 !!

Now Cheryl has painted many items and made several plates & bowls for us before, but this really is now my most cherished possession 🤗.

Their 2 Cavoodles - Benji & Miffy - star in the centre of the plate 😍. Our beloved German Shepherd, Shep, is featured also ❤️. Then Cheryl has included the dogs they have met while staying with us - there is Holly & Ginger (beautiful, blonde Border Collies), Millie (the Golden Retriever), Yogi & Lulu (the Dachshunds), Max (the Bearded Collie) & Archie (the Boxer). Even though Cheryl hasn't met these dogs, there's a Cattle Dog who looks like Cobber and 2 Labradors who could be Monty & Bella and a Maltese that looks like little Bella. I reckon there's even Percy. Just need to mind a Dalmation now 😊.

Thank you so much, Cheryl. I cherish our friendship and love you guys to the moon and back. You are the best XX

10/06/2024

Gracie had been unwell so she was staying with Richard’s sister, Cathy, in Melbourne. We decided to pop down there and ended up staying a couple of weeks 😊.

So despite everyone getting sick (poor Gracie has been in and out of hospital) it was a great having family time. Gracie had some lovely people sharing her ward but it was so much better when she came home. Hospitals aren’t good for well people because then we got sick 🤧😭.

Illnesses aside, we had a lovely time with Gracie, Cathy & Bob, and of course the 2 little furry kids - Baxter and Najella 🐶🐶. They are curious creatures when the groceries arrive and very, very cute 🥰. We just love Dachshunds…. Doesn’t everyone ?!? 😍 Baxter just wanted cuddles. And he also goes to Hydro-therapy after his back op - Jelli just goes there for treats 🤣

Emma & Shea came over with the twins, Matilda & Aoife. They were very happy bubs and even Great Uncle Richard got a nurse 😊.

We really enjoyed our extended time with Cathy & Bob and being with Gracie. Bob is the Thermomix King and made some delicious meals. Cathy loves bagging out her favourite sister-in-law and I think Gracie just loves having us around 🤣. Thanks for having us guys 🥰

04/06/2024

Housesitting at Palm Beach, Qld.

We were able to catch up with so many people before and during our stay at Palm Beach. Sadly our plans to continue north to Gladstone after to see our lovely friends Doreen, Sandy & Russell, Judy & Gavin, Janelle & Tracy, Katherine & Gary, Steve & Kathy were postponed 😕. But we will catch up another time 😊

We do love catching up with our friends while travelling ☺️

Marie & Keith were our neighbours in Narromine. Keith hasn't changed in the last 29 years!

And Anne hasn't changed since highschool!

Gary and Ying visited us the day before they left for Europe! Great they are in Brisbane so we don’t have to go to Newman to see them 🙂

Bron, Marco and Jordy booked a weekend on the Gold Coast to see us! We minded Boo & Rani in 2018. They make us feel like part of their family 🥰!

It was great to see the new renovations at Caroline's vet practice, and so pleased her and Scott were able to come stay with us for a night. We found a nice vegetarian place for dinner. Didn’t realise vegetarian could taste so good, my attempts certainly don’t 😝😃.

Gabrielle was the most popular girl in my highschool. Of course she's too nice and humble to admit it. I'm so stoked that we are still friends - she had lots to choose from 🙂. We laughed until we cried. Thanks Gabby 🥰

Was great seeing Petra & Steve at Burleigh. We have been asked back to mind their house again next year 🤗.

We are so lucky to have fabulous friends 🥰

01/06/2024

Housesitting at Palm Beach, Qld.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.

What a fabulous day!

We had gone to the afternoon Lorikeet Feeding a few days previous. There were so many birds - and bird poo 😆. So we were really pleased we didn't go to the 8 am feeding as you'd be walking around covered in bird poo all day 😆.

The Pelican and Eel feeding - OMG, the eels were HUGE!!!

The Free-flight Bird Show was so fun to watch we went to both shows 🙂. One juvenile red-tailed black cockatoo was testing the boundaries - and took a bit of coaxing to return to the handler. Cheeky thing 😂.

They have a fabulous Wildlife Hospital here. Many Lorikeets being brought in with Lorikeet Paralysis Syndrome (LPS) ☹️.

I've never visited a place where all the animals were so relaxed, happy and contented. Apart from the Tasmanian Devil who was pacing alot ☹️, maybe he can't sit still (I can relate to that 😆).

It was a full and fantastic day out. And the Koalas were sooooo cute 🥰

27/05/2024

Housesitting at Palm Beach, Qld.

Artwork and Animals 🤗.

23/05/2024

Housesitting at Palm Beach, Qld.

We had a great time in this beautiful area. So much to see and do. I think we saw and did most of it 🙂.

Sunrise overlooking Mt Warning.
Beautiful Beaches and lookouts.
Hinze Dam Tour.

Just to name a few 😃

20/05/2024

Housesitting at Palm Beach, Qld.

Waterfalls:

We had precipitation almost every day for a month, so we figured the waterfalls would be pumping.

At Springbrook there was Twin Falls and Purling Falls. You could walk behind Twin Falls and you could admire Purling Falls from the suspension bridge below.

But Coomera Circuit had the best waterfalls and cascades we have come across. It was a long slog (about 18km), made harder when the rain started pelting down. There were several creek crossings which involved rock hopping. Falling in the creek was ok, I was already saturated and atleast I didn't break bones - there was a ton of water flowing past.

And trudging along a muddy path with the rain bouncing off the umbrella was somehow meditative - well that's what I told myself. We hiked 6.5 hours!

It really was beautiful, despite the leeches... 😬.

17/05/2024

Housesitting at Palm Beach, Qld.

Surfing Culture.

Lucky to be here when the Gold Coast Surfing Pro was on. Interesting even though waves weren't great. Really nice atmosphere. Fun 😀

13/05/2024

Housesitting at Palm Beach, QLD:

The Gold Coast Dub Club Show.

Would love to travel around in a Kombi Van…
Especially if it could go off-road…
Scoobie would enjoy it too… 🥰

10/05/2024

AWLQ (Animal Welfare League Queensland) had their Open Day at their Coombabah Shelter. It was a fun and informative day.

The dogs looked a bit sad in their runs but some had pending adoptions 🥰. The cat shelter was so busy we didn’t wait (a young couple were taking a cat in a cat box back to their car). I loooved the Guinea Pigs. They look so robust and snuggly, wish I had one as a kid 😊. There was even a Koala up a tree the Gold Coast seems to be the Koala Capital 😍.

Lots of info which I have attached regarding poisonous plants, cat herbs, poison prevention and help with senior owners of pets. Hope it’s of use to somebody 🙂

04/05/2024

ANZAC Day on the Gold Coast.

Lighting of Thrower Bridge.

Dawn Service at Currumbin Beach:
Very moving, sombre and reflective.

March and Service at Tweed Heads:
We can never be grateful enough.

Currumbin RSL:
Wreaths also remembering those who suffered mentally and emotionally.

Surfers Paradise ANZAC Memorial.

Lest We Forget.

Address

Orange, NSW
2800

Telephone

+61457043613

Website

facebook.com

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Dibley Pet Services + posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Dibley Pet Services +:

Videos

Canberra's Fire and Ice, Winter in the City, 2024 We were about 5 to 7 meters away from the performers sometimes and we could feel the heat! These people were amazing.

Canberra's Fire and Ice, Winter in the City, 2024 The Videos

Video of Max 🐕 There’s lots of friendly doggies about. At 16, Max is too old to play but sometimes he has enough energy to bounce and bark - that is when our hearts sing 🥰

So Happy. We could never teach these fellas not to jump on us, we love their joyous greeting… And being massaged by their cute little paws 🥰 Glad these guys don’t pee with excitement 🤣🐶🐶🐶😳🤣.

Housesitting in Paradise…. Part 5 A video of Jet, the most adorable pup on the Sunshine Coast ❤️❤️❤️

A video of Rip… Beth & John are so boisterous and sometimes little Rip just needs time out. Lucky for us as we just love giving this cute fellow a nurse 🥰

And a short video of Lionel. We can watch him play all day 😀 He loves Jack Russells, as do we 🥰 He's played with Ruby & Lulu, then there was Buddy and now 6 month old Rusty. They always play beautifully 😊

Dolly and Scoobie love running in the backyard. But they were over the moon playing chasing when Tiger came over. Dolly (Black Cavoodle) is 11, Scoobie (White Cavoodle) is 3 and Tiger (Toy Poodle) is just a pup at about 6 months. But they all played so beautifully and it was such a joy to watch 🥰

We hadn't seen our friends since they got their Jack Russell puppies! Lulu and Ruby are 18months and Lionel just loved them 🥰. They ran around in the backyard for over an hour non-stop. Such happy puppies 😍. Lionel was so in love with Lulu, they were such a joy to watch 😊. He slept very soundly that night 😴

If Scooby & Dolly gives us this greeting when we visit, we can only imagine the welcome their family got when they returned 😄😆🥰 ! Dogs are just so openly loving, we are sooooo lucky to have others to mind and love whilst we don't have our own 🐕🐕😍. Very fortunate indeed ☺️♥️