Gypsy's 1st Birthday ;-)

Gypsy just loves the festive season! 

Christmas AND her 1st birthday (30/12)!

Gypsy didn't quite understand she could eat a cheerio. 

She just ran around with it in her mouth ;-)

She also celebrated her cousin Dizzy's 10th birthday (29/12)! As her holiday season comes to a close, she is enjoying every last minute with extended family. 

Gypsy's birthday cake was a hit with both family dogs. Her two other cousins Violet and Rocco were given 'doggy bags'....literally!

Here is the recipe for the cake, should you wish to spoil your dog ;-)

GYPSY'S PUP-FRIENDLY CAKE ;-)

Preheat oven to 180'C (or 350'F for our friends in the U.S.)

2 cups of white flour

2 tsp of baking powder

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup vegetable oil

2 cups of shredded carrots

2 tsp of vanilla

2/3 cup honey

2 eggs

Mix dry ingredients then add wet ingredients. It is that easy! Pour into a round baking tin and bake for 40 minutes.

After cooling, top cake with low fat cottage cheese. Use liver treats and carob to decorate top. Place biscuit bones around the outside of the cake - We just used peanut butter to secure but you could also try cream cheese.

Diesel LOVED the birthday cake. Gypsy is more fussy, we had to break it all up for her - she is a lazy eater! Dizzy however was happy to scoff it in a few bites and then polish off Gypsy's leftovers!

Gluten-free Brownies for the humans! ;-)

We would like to wish all our blogging friends a very Happy New Year. Gypsy will resume her usual blog of introducing Melbourne events, dog-friendly cafes, bars and parks/beaches in 2012 ;-)

Christmas is......spending time with family

Gypsy is enjoying her holiday. While her blog is a source of information for dog lovers who like to take their dogs with them in and around Melbourne, it is also a blog to highlight the beautiful Gypsy, who inspires us, makes us laugh and shows us as much love as we offer her!

If you are not a dog lover yourself, it may be hard to comprehend how people can become so consumed by their four-legged companions. To people like us, they are part of the family and a source of great company. They are loyal and intuitive. Cheeky and entertaining. You will never feel alone with a dog in your life. Though greetings may not always be cliche at home (often we can come home to Gypsy with her head dipped, tail between the legs which communicates 'I didn't like the colours of that decorative cushion you bought Mum so I destroyed it'........ but nevertheless, they are mostly just so excited and thrilled to be in your presence. To have your time and love.

Gypsy's blog is a lovely way to share with family, friends, new dog owners, other dog bloggers, dog lovers and adventurous souls in Melbourne how Gypsy has enhanced our lives. And how we can enhance hers, by including her in our busy lives. She has many interactions with dogs and people each week, from controlled socialisation at her new local dog park to cafe stops, urban dog walks etc She even experienced her first Carols by Candlelight in the park this year! If Gypsy can be included in our outings, she will be!

This time of year is all about family. Christmas is a very important time for us to spend with our loved ones, including the four-legged members! It is not about where we are, but who we are with. Later this week we will also celebrate her 1st birthday! Another excuse to have fun with the family, and be all together. Gypsy doesn't mind being the reason, she loves being surrounded by a loving, committed and extended family.

It is our hope those considering bringing a dog into their lives understand the commitment and time it involves in training and caring for a dog. We have spent much time with Gypsy, and early in 2012 she will join a new behaviour training course for re-inforcement. We see this as an investment into all the good times we will spend with her! She is an intelligent and beautiful dog. We can't use the catchphrase 'she is only human', but dogs alike do make mistakes, or get resentful when you do have to leave them etc. It has been a learning curve understanding her needs and providing her with enough stimulus while we are at work ~ and timing her walks and interactions with dogs/ people to ensure she is a happy dog. 

Gypsy will return to blogging about her adventures in Melbourne soon. For now, she is enjoying the most important thing in her world. Her family.

Blessings to everyone for a safe, happy and healthy festive season!

Gypsy & Co ;-)

Christmas is.....giving & receiving presents ;-)

Gypsy's quality control.....'Mmmm I am just checking we all got the same amount of treats'......

We have all been as naughty as each other right?

Fat Stockings = Very Spoilt dogs!

Did you take anything out of my stocking Gypsy? 

Hmmmm just checking.....

Gypsy and her Christmas bone ~ destroyed within minutes. 

'Oh how I love raw hide' she says! 

Gypsy and her cousin Dizzy open their presents....

Christmas is....my Aunty's Gingerbread House ;-)

These are a few of my favourite things....mmm...gingerbread, freckles, marshmallow....yum!

My Aunty is very clever huh? She makes the best treats!

Roofing made out of m&ms and the gutter....freckles!

The Day Before Christmas ~ feat. Gypsy & Dizzy

                 The Day Before Christmas

'Tis the day before Christmas, and all through the house
The puppies are squeaking an old rubber mouse.
The wreath which had merrily hung on the door
Is scattered in pieces all over the floor.

The stockings that hung in a neat little row,

Now boast a hole in each one of the toes.

The tree was subjected to bright-eyed whims,

And now, although splendid, it's missing some limbs.

I catch them and hold them, be good I insist.

They lick me, then run off to see what they've missed.

And now as I watch them, the thought comes to me,

That theirs is the spirit that Christmas should be.

Should Children and Puppies yet show us the way,

And teach us the joy that should come with this day?

Could they bring the message that's written above,

And tell us that, most of all, Christmas is love! "

Anon

2012 Calendar

Gypsy was given her very own calendar for 2012, 

with a special illustration of her at the top!

Gypsy checking out her picture!

Gypsy is grateful for her friends and their talents! 

Look! We both have an eye missing! ;-)

2012 is going to be a fantastic year!

Gypsy ;-) xx

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy

This is Gypsy performing the 'Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy' with an early Christmas present prop her new 'Ho Ho Ho' bone from one of her little friends!

Christmas is coming & Gypsy is so excited!

A beautiful day for the park.....

Dog Parks are a great way to meet other dog owners and their companions.  Educate yourself on your responsibilities as a dog owner and ensure your dog is always supervised to provide a safe environment for all involved. 

Get to know other dog owners and their dogs before letting your dog off-lead. We visited many dog forums which offered some great advice about dog parks. We encourage other dog owners to do the same, when making a decision of which parks to visit and how to initiate their dog into socialising. 

Gypsy regularly attends her dog park and if she knows the dogs well, enjoys some off-leash time with them. Listed below are a few dog-friendly parks around Melbourne. If you attend a great dog park, please let Gypsy know by commenting below!

Albert Park Lake

Albert Rd/ Queens Rd Albert Park 3206

Albert Park Lake Reserve is managed by Parks Victoria, even though it is located in the City of Port Phillip. While the reserve is primarily an on-leash park, there is a good amount of space set aside for exercising your dog off a leash.

                   Clayton Reserve - North Melbourne

Gracie St, North Melbourne 3051

This dog park is fenced and close by is The Lost Dog's Home, so you will always find a pooch or two or three in the park!

                             Fairbairn Park - Ascot Vale

20 Woods St,  Ascot Vale 3032

A big park, not fenced - but lots of dogs enjoy this park as it is not near busy roads.

                                       

Yarra Bend Park

Yarra Bend Rd Fairfield 3078 

North of Richmond, Yarra Bend Park offers a picturesque location to get back to nature. Yarra Bend Park is set on over 223 hectares of natural bushland, close to the heart of the city. 

Fawkner ParkPunt Road & Commercial Road Prahan 3181  

There is an off-lead area for dogs here. The parkland is gently sloping to flat, with grassed, irregularly shaped, open fields edged by tree-lined pathways.

Yarraville Gardens Whitehall Street Yarraville 3013 

Off-leash on the bottom cricket oval and on-leash throughout the gardens and pathways.

Newport ParkDouglas Pde Newport 3015  

A great park that also has a skate park if you are attending with the whole family and have some adventurous children on 4 wheels!

# Love you Molly

Gypsy sends her prayers and thoughts and hugs to the one and only Molly Meldrum. The 'Music Guru' of Australia, based in Melbourne, is critically ill in hospital after a fall at his home. 

He broke several ribs, punctured a lung and cracked the back of his head which led to bleeding on his brain and was put into an induced coma before being taken to The Alfred hospital, Melbourne.

He underwent surgery late last night to relieve pressure on his brain and remains in a critical condition.

Tributes and prayers have flooded in from all around the country and world. His brother commented that Molly is rarely overwhelmed, but this show of love would most certainly overwhelm him! 

Molly is a dog lover, calling his companion dogs over the years the same (fabulous!) name 'Ziggy'. 

While we are pouring love to our Molly, we are going to mention another Molly who needs someone's love and care. This is Molly from The Lost Dog's Home (Campaspe). She is looking for a new 'forever' home.

Miss Molly is a Labrador cross breed. Full of energy and a great thirst for life, Molly will keep you entertained for hours on end. Molly loves to play and run and needs an owner who can give her lots to do. Twice daily walks/runs, obedience training and plenty of toys are essential if Molly is not to become bored and destructive.  She will also require a home with a roomy back yard and secure high fences to help keep her safe and happy.  Currently carrying a little extra weight around her middle Molly needs to be placed on to a light diet to help her loose some weight, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Labradors are well known for their zest for life and make loyal companions.

Molly Meldrum visited The Lost Dog's Home during the Christmas season of 2006 when one of his beloved Ziggy's disappeared from his home in Richmond. 

Christmas in 2006 had a happy, positive outcome for Molly and Ziggy. We are hoping and praying Molly and Ziggy 4 are reunited again very soon and Molly returns to full health after some much needed rest.

Gypsy ringing Ziggy to check how Molly is going.....

Blessings,

Gypsy ;-) xx