Larbellah Dog Grooming

22/10/2026

Appointment available 27th October 12pm
Appointment taken now

20/10/2026

09/10/2026

This is something that has been weighing heavily on my heart lately.

We are hearing of more and more Golden Retrievers being rehomed because a family is expecting a baby, or because their new baby has arrived and they are worried they simply won’t have enough time for their dog, or the dog is too boisterous.

I understand. A new baby changes everything. Your routines change, you are exhausted, your priorities shift and suddenly there is a tiny person who needs you around the clock.

But I also want families to know something… It doesn’t have to mean saying goodbye to your dog.

If you have spent the time raising, training and socialising your Golden Retriever, you have already given them the foundations they need to adapt to this huge change in their family.

Things will be different. Your dog may not get the same amount of attention they once did. Walks may need to change. Some days you might barely have time to sit down, let alone throw a ball! And that’s OK.

Your Golden doesn’t need you to be perfect. They need consistency, kindness, appropriate boundaries and to continue feeling like they are part of the family.

There are also wonderful professionals and resources available to help families prepare their dogs before the baby arrives and navigate those first few months together. Don’t wait until you’re struggling - reach out for help early.

And please remember that your Golden has no idea why their world has suddenly changed.
They don’t understand that the baby is the reason you are tired or that you don’t have as much time for them. They just know that their family is changing.

With preparation, patience and support, your dog can learn to accept this new little person as part of their family too. And watching a child grow up alongside a Golden Retriever can be incredibly special. 🥰

I’m not writing this to judge anyone who has had to make the heartbreaking decision to rehome. Sometimes circumstances genuinely mean that rehoming is the safest and kindest option.

But if you’re expecting a baby and wondering whether you can manage both….. Please don’t make the decision in a moment of exhaustion or overwhelm.

Talk to someone. Get some help. Consider a dog walker, or a trainer. Put a plan in place.

Your Golden Retriever has been part of your family for years.

With the right preparation and support, your new baby and your Golden may have many wonderful years growing up together. 💛🐶👶

09/10/2026

THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED TO AVI

Avi is a beloved 15-month-old Golden Retriever from Werribee, Victoria, who was devastatingly torn away from his family.

In August 2026, Avi’s owners left him in the care of a pet minder while they travelled overseas for a month, placing their trust in the person they had chosen to care for their dog.

They also reportedly paid $1,500 upfront for his care during their absence, fully trusting the minder with Avi under an agreement that he would be cared for and returned to them when they came home.

But that is not what happened

While Avi’s owners were overseas, Avi was taken to a veterinary clinic and presented as a stray on August 18.

His microchip details were reportedly not up to date, meaning his connection to his family was not established.

A dog who had a family and owners who loved him sadly entered the shelter system instead.

After the standard stray hold was completed, Avi was adopted into a new home sometime between 31 August and 13 September.

His owners and Avi were now completely separated, with no known way for them to be reunited.

Regardless of the circumstances that led to this point, the heartbreaking reality is that Avi is separated from the family who love him. His owners miss him dearly and have paid a devastating price for what happened.

Avi was not a stray. He was not without owners. He had a family who loved him, who were waiting to bring him home and who still miss him every single day.

We are sharing this appeal for them because we want to find Avi, and we are appealing directly to his new owners.

Avi’s family understands that you love him and may already be attached to this beautiful boy. They know you have no blame in this situation and that you welcomed him into your home in good faith, believing he needed one.

But they are asking you, from the bottom of their hearts, to please reach out.

Avi’s owners are offering $2,000 for his return but more than anything, they are just asking for a conversation.

If you know where Avi is, or if you are Avi’s new adopters, we kindly ask that you contact Pawsafe who will mediate the situation.

Whatever the eventual solution may be, two families have been affected by what happened here, and so has a dog who never should have been caught in the middle.

We truly sympathise with everyone involved in this situation, including Avi’s adopters, who welcomed him into their home with nothing but good intentions. No one is to blame for what has happened except the cruel and selfish person whose actions set this heartbreaking situation in motion. But we have a responsibility to do what we believe is right for Avi, and we believe he deserves the chance to go back home.

Please share this appeal. We just want the best possible outcome for Avi and for everyone involved in this deeply unfair situation.

08/10/2026

07/10/2026

We are on our way to Melbourne Royal!

Everything has been squeezed into the van.

A dozen JRT onboard❤️

07/10/2026

A slower start to the week in the Tamar Valley.

From Monday to Wednesday, our Garden Menu moves inside the restaurant. A lighter, à la carte offering made for a leisurely lunch, with a glass or bottle alongside.

The Garden Menu
Monday to Wednesday, 11am–3.30pm
Served inside the restaurant
Bookings and walk-ins welcome

Reserve a table via the link in bio, or simply drop in.

23/09/2026