It’s been a big month at Pooches HQ!

It’s been a big month at Pooches HQ since Series 4 finished it’s broadcast on Channel 10. Can you believe it has been and gone?  There’s still plenty going on though at Pooches HQ, which I’m pretty excited about.

Let’s start with the opening of the Second Chance Animal Rescue Community Hospital, which I was lucky enough to cut the ribbon for, along with the amazing Founder of SCAR Marisa Debattista and the Mayor of Hume City Council, Councillor Carly Moore on September 19th.  Since becoming an Ambassador for SCAR in October last year, I can’t tell you how much they have achieved, and I am so proud to be part of it and lend my support to such a great cause.

This amazing new hospital means that people who could not normally afford to get their pets the veterinary care they need, will now be able to do so.  Plus, not only will they continue their work to place the dogs that come into their care into caring foster homes to help keep their stress levels down as much as possible, the new hospital has some awesome new rooms for cats that need care and are looking for their forever home.   Each room is painted with their own theme and the cats looked so happy with their new surrounds I’m not sure they’ll actually want to move on!  Except for more cuddles of course.

There’s so much I could say about this hospital and why the work of SCAR and the thousands of other hard working animal rescue groups across Australia is so important and needs your help.

For now, let’s just start with those of you who live in Melbourne and are free on Saturday October 12th.   SCAR is running their first ever ball and it is being held at the Melbourne Zoo.  I’ll be MC’ing and you’ll get to have cocktails and canapes with the Giraffes. I mean seriously…how great is that?    Plus a 3 course meal and drinks, not to mention dressing up in some finery.  You can get a special Pooches at Play discount, but you do need to book ASAP….like now!   Check out the details here.

As for our other activities. From tomorrow, my cheeky sidekick and canine co-star Dynamite Darcy and I will be on stage at the Melbourne Leisurefest talking all things pet-friendly travel. Well, I’ll be talking and Darcy will just be running around saying hi and giving kisses to everyone, so do come on down if you can.

We’ll be there Thursday to Sunday on the Paw Patch and ready to answer any questions you might have about traveling with your pooch, or any dog behaviour and training questions in general.   All the details for the event are here.

I’m also super pumped, but also super sleep deprived, as whilst this has all been going on I’ve also been busy writing my first book. Of course, it’s all about dogs and it is going to be the ONLY book you’ll need to have on your coffee table (or ideally by your bedside which means you’ll read it!) as a dog owner.   It’s still a bit of a secret, but let’s just say even writing four series of our TV show, I have learnt so much about the important stuff we all need to know as dog owners that even I didn’t know!

If you haven’t yet signed up to keep up to date with our news, please do.  I won’t be spamming you, just sending you some articles from time to time to help keep you and your pooch happy and healthy.   You can receive my free Pet-friendly Travel Guide as well, but you do need to check your junk mail box as it needs you to not only to sign up, but to confirm it as well in an email.

If you have any problems or are still waiting for your travel guide, then simply contact me HERE and let me know.  I’d love to hear from you, any thoughts on articles or topics you want to know about.  And if you missed Series 4, Channel 10 do plan on broadcasting it again, but it wouldn’t do any harm if you dropped them an email to let them know that you’d like to see us on air again soon!    Maybe even ask to see us on a week night when you’re at home, and not a weekend, when you’re out walking your dog! 🙂

Till next time, Lara

About the Author: Lara Shannon is co-Host of Pooches at Play and has completed a Certificate III in Dog Behaviour & Training with the National Dog Trainers Federation. Lara also runs her own dog training, minding and walking business in Melbourne’s Bayside area.