Marrickville has a pretty special place in our history, and over the years we’ve had the pleasure of getting to know plenty of local dogs and their families.
One of the best parts of the job is learning what makes every dog tick. Some want to run, some want to explore and some are mostly interested in locating the nearest dirty puddle.
That’s what dog walking and doggy day care are about for us. Getting dogs out of the house, giving them the exercise and stimulation they need and letting them enjoy some time with their doggy mates.
Our dog walking and doggy daycare in Marrickville has introduced us to plenty of characters along the way. Here are three local dogs who definitely keep things interesting.
Harry: happiest with room to explore
Harry is six years old and, officially, a Jack Russell. Although there’s a little more going on under the bonnet.
Kelpie, boxer, dalmatian and rottweiler are all somewhere in the mix, giving Harry a combination that is very much his own.
Harry usually joins us for group walks, but when Mum has a particularly long day at work, he’ll spend some extra time with us through our doggy day care service too.
Over time, we’ve learnt that Harry is at his happiest when he has room around him. He prefers open spaces where he doesn’t feel boxed in, so we prioritise off-lead parks where he can wander, explore and enjoy himself at his own pace.
Luckily, Harry also has excellent recall. It means he can enjoy that freedom while we can still keep a close eye on him and call him back whenever we need to.
It’s one of the reasons getting to know each dog individually matters so much. The perfect outing for one pup isn’t necessarily the perfect outing for another. For Harry, a great day means plenty of space, interesting things to explore and the freedom to do his thing.
His mix of regular dog walking in Marrickville and the occasional day care session also gives Mum some flexibility when work gets busy, while Harry gets a much better deal than spending a long day waiting at home.
Lori: eight years of walks and plenty of quirks
Lori is a nine-year-old Lagotto who has been part of our Marrickville walks for a very long time.
In fact, we’ve been taking Lori out three times a week for the past eight years, which has given us plenty of time to get to know his many quirks.
Food left unattended? Lori considers that an invitation. A bird flying overhead? Interesting. A bird’s shadow moving across the ground? Apparently even better.
He can happily chase a bird’s shadow for what feels like days, and after eight years of walks we’ve learnt to expect the unexpected.
Lori loves heading out with his doggy mates and has also been known to leave the occasional smelly “thank you” in the back of the van after a particularly good outing. We’ll take that as a five-star review.
Both of Lori’s parents work full-time, so his three weekly walks are an important part of his routine. Rather than spending the whole day at home, he gets out for a playful group walk where he can exercise, socialise and investigate whatever has caught his attention that day.
By the time he gets home, he’s had his adventure and can settle back in for a much calmer afternoon.
That routine is one of the things we love about regular group dog walks. After a while, the dogs know exactly what’s happening. They know the van, they know our team and they know there are friends and an adventure waiting on the other side of the front door.
For Lori, it’s been part of his week for nearly his entire life.
Billy: belly rubs, puddles and the front seat
Billy is a six-year-old golden retriever who first joined us when he was just six months old.
That means we’ve watched him grow from a puppy into the very lovable dog he is today.
Billy joins us two to four days a week while Mum and Dad, who are both high school teachers, are at work. His walks break up the day and give him something much more interesting to do than waiting around for everyone to come home.
Billy’s requirements for a good day are fairly straightforward: play, belly rubs and, whenever possible, a dirty puddle to roll in.
Preferably a very dirty one.
Like any golden retriever who knows his worth, Billy is also partial to a premium transport experience. Given half a chance, he’ll happily claim the front seat of the van for himself.
After his group walk, Billy heads home having stretched his legs, caught up with his doggy mates and hopefully received the appropriate number of belly rubs. Then it’s time for a nap while he waits for Mum and Dad to come home.
For his family, regular dog walking in Marrickville means Billy gets activity and company during the working day. For Billy, we’re fairly sure it’s all about his friends, the puddles and his ongoing campaign for permanent front-seat status.
Keeping Marrickville tails wagging
We’ve been keeping tails wagging since 2014, and dogs like Harry, Lori and Billy are a big part of why we still love doing what we do.
Some dogs need a regular outing while their parents are at work. Others need a little extra exercise to burn off some energy, while some simply love getting out with their best friends a few times each week.
And because every dog is different, getting to know their personality is all part of it. Harry likes his open spaces. Lori has spent eight years keeping us entertained with his quirks. Billy would like us to formally recognise the front seat as his.
If you’re looking for dog walking in Marrickville, take a look at our group dog walking service to learn more about how our outings work.
For longer workdays or pups that need some extra activity, our doggy day care gives them even more time for exercise, play and company while you get on with your day.
You can also learn more about our dog walking and doggy daycare services in Marrickville, or take a look at the surrounding areas we service across Sydney’s Inner West.
Harry, Lori and Billy might all have very different ideas about the perfect day out, but they’ve got one thing in common – they know exactly when it’s time for their next adventure.