RSPCA Million Paws Walk 2013

The 18th annual RSPCA Million Paws Walk will be held across Australia on Sunday 19 May. Whether you have pets or you just want to have a fun day out, you’re invited to join the walk with thousands of animal lovers and their furry friends. This year the RSPCA needs your help to raise over $497,000 to help support all areas of their work across Victoria including animal shelters, Inspectorate, clinics and adoption centres.

They’re excited to announce if you register to walk on 19 May or fundraise online, you could win a new Mitsubishi Mirage valued at over $16,000. It’s all thanks to their friends at Eastside Mitsubishi.

There is a walk for everyone with 17 different walk locations across Victoria. So slip on your walking shoes, get as many of your friends involved as possible, and come and enjoy a great day out!

Explore the Million Paws Walk website to purchase tickets, check out our fabulous merchandise and start fundraising.

Website: www.millionpawswalk.com.au

Dog's Life Jan/Feb Issue

Dog's Life Nov/ Dec Issue

Paws for a Cause Walk

Paws for a Cause Dog Walk

Sunday 20 November 2011
Nortons Park, Nortons Lane, 
Wantirna South, Victoria
Melway Ref 72A2

Registration opens at 10.00am

Walk commences at 11.00am

Competitions judged and awarded at 1.00pm

Whether you're young, old, with dog or without… if you love animals and want to help support your local community, then we need you to join us for the annual Bridges Connecting Communities Paws for a Cause dog walk at Nortons Park, Wantirna South on Sunday 20 November 2011. It’s just around the corner on and we are getting ready to have a fantastic, energetic day of healthy fun.  Registration is open from 10.00am and the walk kicks off at 11.00am from Nortons Park, Nortons Lane, Wantirna South.    Walkers will follow the trail around Nortons Park and Shepherds Bush stopping at check points along the way to go into the draw to win fantastic prizes. After walking up an appetite, a scrumptious sausage sizzle and cool refreshing drink will be available, face painting for the kids and family entertainment!  Competitions for the best dressed dog, cutest puppy, dog and owner lookalike, and the oldest timer will be awarded and judged at 1.00pm by local celebrities. There are many prizes to be won, including EastLink vouchers. Santa will be paying us a special visit on the day for your dog to have his Christmas photos taken.   Receive a FREE Doggy show bag when you register early by the 10th of November online at www.bridgescc.com.au So come along, join the fun and support the programs and services of Bridges Connecting Communities.    Registration Register early by 10 November 2011 to receive a FREE Doggy Show Bag! Registration opens at 10.00am on the day Registration is $5.00 per adult Kids under 16 years of age are FREE. If you would like to register early and receive a free doggy show bag please visit www.bridgescc.com.au, email paws@bridgescc.com, or phone 9729 9499. All funds raised will benefit the community programs and services run by Bridges Connecting Communities and this event is proudly supported by ConnectEast, the owners and operators of EastLink, and Linking Melbourne Authority.

The Boathouse & Maribyrnong River Trail

7 The Blvd

Moonee Ponds 3039

ph (03) 9375 2456

Perched on the banks of the Maribyrnong River is The Boathouse; a haven for dog lovers and those who love the great outdoors.  

'The Boathouse is a collaboration between Gary Mehigan judge and co-host of Channel Ten’s hugely successful MasterChef series and partner Steve Bogdani with a vision to share life’s simple pleasures done really well.

The Boathouse is dog-friendly in the sense that it caters for dogs by providing an area to leash them, but they are not permitted in the actual alfresco area. We usually have the dogs right at our feet, so even though we sat on the seats right near the leashed area, I would've felt more comfortable if they were right with us as per our normal cafe experiences. Many people always approach our dogs wanting to meet them and as responsible pet owners, we want to facilitate that meeting so the dogs (or humans in some cases!) socialise appropriately. I found myself continually leaving the table, weaving under the balcony and to the leash area for this. When they weren't meeting and greeting new humans and dogs, the girls were happy rummaging through the sticks and leaves ;)

Gypsy's lead is attached to a long wire which she can move up and down on right in front of our table.

We met one lovely reader of our blog who approached the dogs and she was as excited to meet the dogs as they were to meet her ;) It is always lovely to meet people who appreciate our blog. We love sharing dog-friendly places with families with dogs and importantly, we feel a strong passion for spreading awareness about animal welfare issues also. 

Back to the Boathouse brunch.....

River Run Breakfast

Breakfast Pizza

Brunch at the Boathouse finishes at 11:30am on Sunday, so don't sleep in then venture out for a 'Lazy Sunday' brunch, expecting to be served eggs later in the day here! It is not unlike us to be venturing to brunch closer to 'lunch' on Sundays, so fortunately we made an earlier start on this particular day, and were able to be served eggs in the form of poached on the 'Breakfast Pizza' and scrambled on the 'River Run Breakfast' plate ;)

After brunch, we ventured along the Maribyrnong River Trail near the Boathouse. We walked a lovely circuit along both sides of the river, alongside many other dogs ;) Gypsy loved springing like a rabbit in and out of the river reeds along the bank and Poppet of course, was walking close by us on the pathway ;) 

If you don't like leaving your dogs leashed up, opt for a take away coffee @ The Boathouse and enjoy the river trail with your dog. Alternatively, we did see others leave The Boathouse with fresh muffins to eat on their bench seats overlooking the river ;) 

The Boathouse is pinned. We followed the Maribyrnong River up to Riverside Park where there is a walking bridge to cross to the other side. We then followed the River all the way up to Raleigh Rd.

100th Post! Four-Legged Fun in Fitzroy!

Our 100th post will feature Fitzroy, the cultural hub of Melbourne. The thing we love about Fitzroy is that it is unpretentious and people and dogs from all walks of life feel welcome and happy here. It's where the bohemians roam free and the trendsetters find what's trendy. We love visiting Fitzroy with our dogs and meeting a diverse group of locals and visitors who gather here for the same reasons we do no doubt. It makes them happy ;)

The girls exploring Brunswick St, Fitzroy

When you get a chance, follow this link and check out the awesome street view panoramic style photograph (apologies to our creative photography friends for lack of lingo!) of Brunswick St. You can scroll across to view the street (click on odd/ even to change sides of the road). It is so realistic!

http://www.brunswickstreet.com.au/

Madame Sousou

231 Brunswick St

Fitzroy

ph 9417 0400

http://www.madamesousou.com.au/

Brunch is at the oh-so-Frenchy Madame Sousou. We love the European flavour of this place, the chairs in the alfresco area neatly placed side by side, facing outwards. With light rain, there was a good covering and both humans and dogs stayed dry whilst enjoying the people and pug watching ;) The girls may have sampled the double smoked bacon and delighted in meeting the many passers-by!

Perfect coffee looking out at trams passing by - wonderful Melbourne!

European style seating 

Oh! Is that Latte for me?!

Spanish Omelette

Sousou Breakfast

Sampling the double smoked bacon...nom nom nom!

Rose St Market

http://www.rosestmarket.com.au/

After brunch, we decide to roam Brunswick St, we are stopped along the way by children, a nan and the gorgeous man affectionately known as the 'market man' who sits on the corner of Brunswick and Rose St and encourages pedestrians to wander up to Rose St Markets. We did just that, admiring the street art along the way. The markets are a mix or indoors and outdoors so your dog(s) would only be able to visit the stalls in the courtyard area. 

Check out the awesome street art in Rose St!

Rose St Market, as featured on Coxy's Big Break

A taste of the artist stalls at Rose St Markets

When we returned to Brunswick St, the girls again said hello to the 'Market Man' who then quickly went inside the store 'Rich' and returned with liver treats for the girls! The girls in Rich were incredibly down to earth and loved the dogs stopping in for a quick hello and pat. Then we were off on our way again. 

Brunswick St is the perfect place to roam with your dogs, especially on a wet day when the park is not an option. The girls had fun meeting new people and dogs and just love getting out in new environments in general. Think from a dog's perspective ~ how many new smells and sights there would be in Fitzroy! There are always new musicans, shops and people popping up everywhere on Brunswick St!

Saffron on the Hill

 To end our 100th Post, it wouldn't be right not to mention our favourite family on the Hill. Saffron on the Hill kicks off an online auction tonight to raise money and 100% of the funds raised will go straight towards food, care, vet treatment and rehabilitation of their rescue dogs. Poppet, along with most of her family are leading happy lives filled with love and freedom thanks to Saffron on the Hill. Their lives are a far cry from their previous ones of breeding machines in horrible living conditions. Head on over to their online auction now and support a great cause!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Saffron-on-the-Hill/205155356184048

Alternatively, have you checked out their amazing collars, harnesses and leads?! You will find the current ribbon range on Saffron on the Hill's Facebook page too ;)

We hope our blog inspires you to continue to lead a really full and enriching life with your dog.  We look forward to blogging more of dog-friendly Melbourne! Don't forget to share with your friends in Melbourne and head on over to our Facebook page and 'Like' us to keep updated on new posts!

Queens Park ~ Moonee Ponds

Cnr Mt Alexander Road and Kellaway Avenue, Moonee Ponds

This park is centred around a large lake, which the dogs loved walking around. Since visiting the park & looking it up, we have read that the Moonee Valley Council prohibits dogs from being within 15 metres of any children’s playground, public barbeque, shared path or exercise equipment area. Therefore we would encourage you to check if this applies to the lakeside paths. We were not the only dogs there! It may only apply to off-leash dogs, but the council website was not specific. Considering there were dog bowls underneath water bubblers, we are confused!

Gypsy & Poppet met up with their friend Jessie. 

Here is Jessie checking out the ducks!

Look! Ducks! Gypsy was very excited!

Jessie and Poppet hanging out at Queens Park!

Sisters walking and hugging at the same time!

Dog water bowl for after our adventurous walk ;)

Oliver's Garden Cafe

03 9372 0438

We stopped into Oliver's Garden Cafe for a lovely brunch. 

The cafe is fully licensed, serving breakfast and lunch 

from 8:30AM – 4:30PM Monday to Friday,  and 9AM-4PM Saturday and Sunday. 

 Mushroom Salad 

Bruschetta Breakfast

A bruschetta with a twist! Pesto, avocado & tomato. Yum!

Moroccan Breakfast

Baked eggs with tomato, chorizo, chickpeas & falafel