|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 Our search for a pet friendly rental is over - much to our relief! Luckily enough, we popped into a local real estate agent last weekend by chance - after having a look at two extremely small but expensive pet friendly properties (by that stage, we thought these were the only two in Sydney). The realtor asked what we were after, we checked out the terrace Monday night, were approved Wednesday, and move in next Saturday. Wooden floorboards, a nice backyard, close to the rescue home Doggie Rescue at Drummoyne and plenty of parks in the community should tide Dora and us over for the next 12 months or so. We are sure that the cranky old Labrador next door should provide plenty of entertainment and challenge for the Top Dog over the next few months. Anyway, tonight Aunty Rosie and I headed over to the Moore Park Supacentre to buy some new furniture for our pad, and Rosie surpassed herself (much more so than the apricot dress she brought for Dora earlier in the year). We didn't end up buying with any furniture (or anything else we actually needed)..BUT At Rosie's insistence we now have a new home away from home for the Boss Mutt Dora that you can check out in the blog photo - a really pretty neon pink kid's tent (which took me much longer than it should have to erect). I am starting to get worried about what our darling dog will think about us when she arrives for the weekend Friday night. Stay tuned!
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
The good news: The Boss Mutt Dora looks to be coming to live with us full-time at the end of November (yippee) when Mum heads overseas for a few months (miss Mum)!
The bad news: we are in process of trying to find a pet friendly apartment or house in Sydney so Dora is comfy (which is hard given demand for rentals in Sydney right now!).
My unit is being rented out right now (it is pet friendly - shucks), so we are looking at getting a 12 month lease as a temporary fix, so having been through the hoops, thought I might share some hints for others in the same situation and a draft doggy resume we are using for Dora (Mum pulled this together some time back).
Hints for finding pet friendly rentals:
Raise the subject of pets in person with the owner/ manager if possible. Presenting information about yourself and your pet in a face-to-face meeting will have a better impact than if it is raised over the telephone or by email.
Prepare and have handy a complete resume on your pet which includes all medical records, obedience school certificates and written references from past landlords, neighbours, obedience schools and veterinarians.
Offer to sign a pet agreement to clearly define behaviour appropriate to the rental premises.
Pets are not permitted to be kept in many Strata Title properties because of specific Body Corporate By-laws. Check the By-laws of the Body Corporate in your Strata Title development to identify any special conditions for pets.
Encourage the owner/manager to meet your well-groomed, well-behaved pet to demonstrate it is responsibly cared for and obedient.
Create a resume for you and your pet(s) which includes documents as proof of de-sexing, current medical records including vaccinations and proof of regular veterinary visits and any obedience school documents. And some cute photos too!
Include in the resume written references from previous landlord's neighbours, obedience class instructors and veterinarians.
Offer to jointly develop and sign a pet agreement with your landlord which covers all likely situations which may arise and actions to be taken in the event that problems or issues arise with your pet.
Offer to bring your pet to meet the property owner/manager to demonstrate it is well behaved and cared-for. Further demonstrate you are a responsible pet owner by explaining that:
you provide appropriate levels of exercise and attention to your pet at all times;
you do not let your pet roam the streets;
you make suitable arrangements to care for your pet if you are away on business or holidays;
you always keep control of your dog in public places, and
you hygienically clean up after your pet at all times.
We contacted a few local real estate agents in the areas we were looking by email (letting them know what price per month, duration, size etc.) but most importantly that we needed a pet friendly place.
We included a a resume for Dora with text along the following lines and a couple of her cutest photos (OK, that wasn't hard), which were accepted well by the agents (ie: we got responses and weren't rejected outright!):
DORA'S RESUME
PERSONAL DETAILS
Name: Dora
Family Name: Do Dog
Other Given Names: Fish, Fisherman
DOB: 01/01/03
Breed: Shi Tzu/Terrier cross
Description: Black & white
Name of Father:
Father’s Occupation:
Father’s Number:
Name of Mother:
Mother’s Occupation:
Mother’s Number:
GOAL:
For my Mum and Dad to find homes that will let me stay with them. Half of the week I stay with Dad and then with Mum for the rest of the time. Sometimes I even stay with my Grandmother, so you won’t even notice I am there!
WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT ME:
Happy!
Please see my photographs. 
HAPPY AND CHEEKY DO DOG! Healthy!
I got my last annual vaccinations at Sydney Vet Hospital in January 2007. It didn’t even hurt. Mum gives me heartworm and flea treatments monthly and I get a tablet for gastrointestinal worms every 3 months. Mum or Dad takes me for walks everyday because that keeps me healthy as well.
I also have a microchip - literally on my shoulder - but that’s so that I can get back to my family if I ever got lost, not because I have an attitude problem.
Quiet!
I’m naturally quiet. Mum and Dad still have not heard me bark properly yet so they think I’m mute but that’s not true. I just like to communicate with my eyes. 
NO MORE DODGY DOG CLOTHES, OK DAD! Intelligent!
Ask me and I will show you.
Clean!
I never leave food in my bowl and I like to eat slowly. It’s so much more lady like.
For those in a similar predicament - good luck with your search and let us know how you go!
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
 Dora Do Dog gives me regular instructions on what I need to do before we go to eat out at pet friendly cafes and restaurants: Always call ahead or ask first to make sure the establishment allows dogs at their outdoor tables. Oh, and make sure they have outdoor tables and book one first! Make sure you give me enough opportunity to ensure my regularities of the day are out of the way before we arrive.
Its OK to leash me, and keep me from socializing with other diners or employees, unless welcomed. Dora understands that even dog lovers aren’t overly keen on being slobbered on whilst eating their dinner!
She doesn't mind be kept close to us over dinner, and by leashing her to the chair, and in making sure she isn't in people’s way and is under control. She promises not jump up on people or onto the restaurant’s furniture.
She makes sure I bring her some BYO doggy supplies – a water bottle and some treats to keep her well nourished too! Beef Vindaloo and beer isn't really on her dietary radar!
Enjoy!
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
 Wanting to escape the recent APEC drama in Sydney over the long weekend, and wanting to take Dora Do Dog with us, we booked into the pet friendly Pine Lodge the week prior through Bygone Beautys at Leura in the Blue Mountains.
After a traffic jam up to the Blue Mountains, that would do Sydney peak hour proud, we arrived to pick up the keys to the lodge. Check-in was at the Bygone Beauty's tearoom in Leura, which serves up tea and scones with some great antiques throughout their shop.
A short-drive back to Wentworth Falls, we found the cottage which is on shared grounds with to other cottages.
I agree wholeheartedly with their description from the website:
"Bygone Beautys Regal range features the Pine Lodge retreat, a cedar federation inspired country house set in 5 acres of gardens in the Blue Mountains.
Pine Lodge is part of our Regal Range and is located in Wentworth Falls, 95kms from Sydney. The cottage is an elegant cedar country house of federation origin. Set amidst five acres of beautiful gardens (shared by other Bygone Beautys Cottages). The garden is of exhibition quality. Pine Lodge has off street parking. Accommodates ten people, the master bedroom has a 4 poster bed & ensuite shower, 1 Queen & 1 double bedroom, double sofa bed in the reading room and two chesterfields in the lounge room. Pine Lodge is centrally heated and also has a slow combustion burning log fire. There is a television and DVD/CD player, sound system with CD player in the loungeroom. The bathroom has a separate shower, and single spa bath. The traditional elegant dining room seats ten people. The kitchen is fully equipped with dishwasher and microwave oven. Pine Lodge has laundry facilities. "
Nice touches were the flowers, chocolates and breakfast set with a handwritten welcome note to the guests - plus the bone for Dora Do Dog who loved the place.
It wasn't cheap but you got what you paid for. A really great place to stay for a few days with your family and your furry mate, not the far from Sydney - with Katoomba, Leura, the Three Sisters and Blackheath witin easy reach.
Top work Bygone Beautys - we'll be back!
http://www.bygonebeautys.com.au/accommodation.asp
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
 Dora is a spoilt girl and proud of it.
She wears lots of clothes, which her human family buys for her on a pretty regular basis.
I would have to say sometimes she isn't real keen on our taste, but we like her to be warm in winter.
We fancy red, so she has plenty of red jackets and singlets, pink singlet and a black and white DIVA outfit in diamontes (Mum hates it, so we gave it to Hef, and he hates it now too!).
Mum has got a lot of jackets for her too, including a blue and gray number which is pretty cute. 
Rosie purchased a pink dress for her at the Rocks Markets in Sydney, which after fashioning it once or twice has been relegated to the closet for special occasions only.
In summer, Dora prefers to go as nature intended, since she has a whole lot of fur which we don't have. The boys like her more that way too!
We bought some doggy sunglasses, which after a while she got used to, and she now scares people on a pretty regular basis when she looks out of the car window with them on - this pretty (for a doggy) furry head with big black shades on. At least her eyes are protected, and she likes them.
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
 Out shopping last week at Balmain with my better half Rosie and Dora Do Dog, and popped into my favourite Sydney restaurant - Indian Palace on Darling Street. Having lived in the Inner City and Inner West of Sydney for years, I know this restaurant and the owner Narinda Rahal very well.
Many a cracking time has been had here for birthday celebrations (upstairs in their private party rooms with Sydney city and park views for 20-120 guests - I only had 30 or so and we had a great night with the banquet menu), introducing my Kiwi mate Dave to his first curry and my girlfriend to the best of Balmain tucker.
Competition is certainly tough in trendy Balmain - many a great eatery to be found.
Indian Palace is a stand out because it has survived in this market for over 20 years, the food is authentic and tasty (having lived in London for a few years and survived on quite a few curries, this is by far the most authentic Indian dig I have found in Sydney), the service is very friendly and efficient, a new wine list compliments the curries and the lively atmosphere is enhanced by the murals featuring the Taj Mahal and parading elephants!
Our regular sit-down and take-away favs include chicken tikka ($11.90) and barrah kabab ($16.90) for starters; lamb moghulai korma ($17.90), butter chicken ($18.90) and Brinjal Alu (baby eggplant and potatoes) for mains, with garlic nann and rice.
Portions are sizable and we usually end up grabbing a doggy bag (excuse the pun)!
Banquets starting at $28.90 per person (minimum 4 people) are still great value.
As I mentioned earlier, the wine list has been revamped recently and includes some really good Australian and Kiwi drops at decent prices. BYO is available as well if you want to bring your own Grange!
Bringing Dora the Do Dog along proved no problem. Indian Palace has around eight outdoor tables and portable heaters to keep you warm during those coolish Sydney evenings. There are many dogs and owners in Balmain - so as you would expect, Dora was made to feel very welcome. She had a few tidbits (nothing hot and spicy!) and looked pretty pleased with it all, and she got lots of pats from her fans as well.
Would suggest you make a booking and let them know you are bringing a "special" date and you that you need an outdoor table - Indian Palace gets busy - and the outdoor settings are particularly popular in summer. 235 Darling St
Balmain NSW 2041
Phone (02) 9818 3272 Indian Palace - website
Indian Palace - menu
Indian Palace - location
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
 My friend Chris recently asked me if we could add some views on what breeds are best for children.
Some people consider that toy breeds are best for kids, but in my experience some toy breeds can be dangerous to kids, since they tend to nip when frightened, and because of their similar size some view small children as threats, and discipline them in a similar way to a littermate.
Large sized breeds may also be threatening to kids due to their sheer size - I am 190 cm and can be intimidated by big dogs at times, so I can't fathom how children can't be a tad scared, nothwithstanding the dog may be docile and loving.
The best dog breeds for children are inherently gentle and loving. They have lots of patience and love children.
Gentle breeds include the Golden Retriever, Labradors, Bassets, and Beagles - and I reckon these should be considered for families with kids.
Then again, that it my opinion, and I am sure other members with have different views.
Remember that even the gentlest and most loving of dogs can sometimes do the unexpected. Parental supervision is a MUST while small children interact with dogs, however best the dog breed may be for children.
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
