Leave and Retrieve

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Leave and Retrieve

Dog walking services in Melbourne

23/03/2026

HAPPY SECOND BIRTHDAY MAXI
Two years ago, this little fire cracker joined our lives, and she's been Defying Gravity ever since ! Her kennel name Fernfall Defying Gravity couldn't be more spot on.

Even when life tries to pull her down with health hurdles, Maxi just keeps "flying." Her resilience is her super power, she handles every challenge with a waggy body and a heart full of gold . She truly is the bravest girl we know.

Whether she is practising her expert golden sitting skills or making a new best friend ( human , dog or anything in between), she is 100% pure joy.

Maxi you and your big brother Bodhi are the absolute heartbeat of our home and the soul behind Leave and Retrieve. We would be lost without your constant love and muddy paws.

Happy 2nd Birthday to our resilient life loving girl.

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28/02/2026

When Maxi refuses to get back in the car with me because she'd rather stay with Hannah,one of the trainers from Thrive Canine.... I realise I've chosen well.

Connection like this isn't built with force. It's built with trust and kindness.

Force free training builds connections so strong the dogs dont want the sessions to end.

This is the kind of relationship I strive to develop with every dog in my care.

10/02/2026

A small thank you to Bodhi and Maxi and all our host dogs across the Leave And Retrieve team.

This trip to Phillip Island is my way of thanking my 2 golden sitters.

Our host dogs genuinely love what they do, welcoming guests, sharing their space and making everyone feel like they are part of the family.

Just as importantly we make sure they are given proper breaks too. Time away from minding, time to decompress and time that's just for them.

Balance matters. Rest is part of good care for dogs who love their job as much as ours do.
🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾

28/01/2026

Maxi and Bagel our tiny toy cavoodle guest playing so sweetly.

Soft mouths, gentle licking, taking turns and little pauses, with Maxi instinctively adapting her play to suit a much smaller dog.

Maxi truly relishes her role as a golden sitter i think she was born for this.

16/01/2026

I made a mistake of sitting down after a long day of dog walks. A quick rest before our afternoon walk turned into a full couch take over. Surrounded by 5 sleeping dogs. One imprisoned me while snoring on my golden glitter covered leggings.
Honestly I wouldn't change a thing. (Okay maybe the leggings)
My black.pants were a brave choice anyway.

13/01/2026

Beautiful Dreamers.
Arnie chose the best bed in the house. Maxi obliged by giving up her bed and lying on the floor boards next to her guest.
The mark of a thoughtful hostess.

12/01/2026

Two golden oldies. Sonja nearly 103 years young and Bondi nearly 11.
Proof that love has no age limit.💞

11/01/2026

Tiny piece of paper. Big Lesson.

Maxi and Luna had a gentle game of tug today. Face to face, tails wagging, no tension at all. Luna won and was very pleased with herself. Maxi being a good sport didn't mind at all.

This is what healthy play looks like, loose bodies, mutual engagement, no guarding, no pressure just trust and fun.

Little moments like these tell me everything about how safe and comfortable dogs feel here.

07/01/2026

This is why I do what I do.

No perfect lighting. No staged moment.
Just dogs who feel safe enough to let go.

Luna (our sensitive guest puppy), asleep on Bodhi my "reactive " boy, with Maxi snuggled in close beside her.

Trust isn't built through control or correction. It's built through understanding patience,and giving dogs the space to he who they are.

These quiet moments matter the most. 🩷

29/12/2025

The Calm After the Pawstorm.

This morning started with
Maxi and Luna wrestling on the bed....while I was still trying to sleep.
Bodhi very politely but loudly voicing his opinion from the end of the bed.
Barry the grey deciding my head was an appropriate place to sit.
Then all four dogs very convincingly telling me breakfast was overdue.

Fast forward a few hours and this is the result.

Bodhi snoozing peacefully on his bed,
Barry stretched out like he owns the couch,
And Maxi and Luna sharing a dog bed side by side.

Dogs fed, separately, breakfast served on licki matts for a calm satisfying start to the day.
Everyone's needs met and and contented dogs are totally relaxed

24/12/2025

Merry Christmas from all of us at Leave and Retrieve.

Simba, Rusty, Harriet and Cookie send golden wishes to you all.

23/12/2025

🎄Christmas Eve is a special time in our home. 🎄

Today Bodhi turns 12.

Bodhi is our fourth golden retriever and the one who has taught us more than any other dog.

As a young dog Bodhi was attacked by another dog. This changed how he viewed the world. He became fearful and as a result reactive. He needed understanding not correction.

With the help of highly qualified professionals using data proven science based methods, Bodhi has learnt to feel safe again.
We focus on gentle, positive reinforcement methods and appropriate medication where needed.
Most importantly we aim to always set him up for success rather than putting him into situations where he is overwhelmed.

Today Bodhi lives a full and happy life in a way that suits him. He may not be the dog that wants to run offlead with others, but with thoughtful introductions and when trust is allowed to grow, Bodhi reacts gently and enjoys the company of other dogs. He forms quiet respectful relationships.
The bond he shared with Bailey and now with Maxi is very special. He is calm and loving and adores people especially the little ones.

Bodhi is the heart behind Leave And Retrieve's force free philosophy. He reminds us daily that progress comes from compassion, evidence based training methods and listening to what each individual dog is telling us .

Happy 12th Birthday beautiful boy thank you for trusting us and helping shape the way we care for every dog that we walk or comes through our doors.

Address

Melbourne, VIC
3204

Telephone

+61413940768

Website

http://instagram.com/leaveandretrieve

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