Paw Printz Dog Grooming by Gabriele Frenkel

13/08/2026

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06/07/2026

Very true 👍

06/07/2026

03/06/2026

In an instant, Claudia’s stable world was shattered. 💔

Thirty-two years ago, Claudia moved to Australia from Mexico for love. She and her husband built a beautiful life together. They married, had two wonderful sons, and Claudia was embraced by her husband’s family.

Until suddenly, she was fighting to keep her head above water.

Claudia never imagined the person she trusted most in the world would betray her. But just like that, everything changed. She was left carrying the weight of it all alone — caring for her two sons and her two beloved dogs while trying to hold her life together.

When life is stable, it’s easy to take everyday things for granted. Paying bills on time. Filling the fridge for the week ahead. Knowing there’s enough to get by. We rarely realise how fragile that security can be until it disappears.

Claudia did everything she could to keep pushing forward. She stretched every dollar, put her family first. But eventually, the pressure became too much to carry alone.

“You never think you’re going to end up in this place. I never imagined it,” she shared. “I actually was living life very comfortably. And it’s really hard not being able to provide for your loved ones.”

Claudia had built a career as a photographer, but as technology advanced, work became limited. Determined to adapt, she retrained in bookkeeping, but a steady job has remained out of reach. Her hearing challenges also add another barrier to employment.

“I don’t know if it’s my age or what it is, but I just haven’t been able to get a job in the last year,” she said. “I get interviews, I’ve had one or two jobs, but it’s so unpredictable. It’s been very tough.”

Despite everything, Claudia is incredibly proud of her sons who are now out in the world chasing their dreams. Her eldest serves in the army, and her youngest is studying criminology in Queensland, hoping to become a detective.

The divorce meant losing not only her partner, but the family and community Claudia had built in Australia. And now with her sons gone, she is alone for the first time in her life.

“My only companions are my two dogs,” she said. “I adore them. They give me great company. Yeah, I’d be crazy without them. Oh God, I couldn’t imagine a life without them actually.”

Bella and Jessie have been by her side through it all.

Bella, thirteen-years-old, is calm and gentle, always ready for a cuddle. Cheeky Jessie on the other hand is twelve-years-young, still acting like a mischievous puppy who loves to be the centre of attention. They’re more than just pets - they are Claudia’s family, her comfort, her world.

But caring for two senior dogs comes at a cost.

Living on a disability pension, Claudia has been forced to withdraw from her superannuation and borrow money just to cover essentials.

“I do need help,” Claudia told us through tears. “I love them so I don’t want to get rid of them. They’re my life, my only companions.”

Already relying on food support for herself, the cost of feeding her dogs became overwhelming. But the alternative - surrendering them - was never an option.

So when she found Pets Of The Homeless, everything changed.

“They need good, nutritious food, which I was not able to afford,” Claudia said. “I came to you, and I just couldn’t believe it. It was the best quality food, I’ve been incredibly grateful for the support. Without it, I don’t think the dogs would be as healthy.”

For the past year, Claudia has been receiving our pet food support, along with assistance for vet care and vaccinations. It’s saving her around $200 each month - money she can now put towards keeping a roof over their heads.

“I would like to give you a big thank you from my heart. It means a lot to me and I imagine everybody that is getting your help.” She said, “They’re my life, they mean everything to me.”

Right now, as the cost of living continues to rise, people and their beloved pets, like Claudia, Bella and Jessie are at real risk of going without.

That’s why we’ve launched our Virtual Pet Food Drive, and we urgently need your help.

By filling your virtual cart today with nutritious pet food, you can make an immediate difference. Your tax-deductible gift will help feed hungry pets across Victoria, ensuring we can reach those who need it most this winter.

But we can’t do it without you. 🤝

Please give now and help keep best friends together: https://petsofthehomeless.au/FillHungryBellies

Proudly supported by The Petstock Foundation, Petstock.

Image description: A woman sits on a park bench between two curly-haired black dogs, smiling at the camera. Beside her is an orange Pets Of The Homeless tote bag filled with pet food and toys.

25/05/2026

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06/04/2026

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01/04/2026

HAPPY
EASTER
💜💐🐣🐇

31/03/2026

This leaks out.
It rarely shows up the way people expect.

Dogs don’t always limp or stumble.
They don’t always whimper.
They often just keep going and going.

But that discomfort and pain ? It doesn’t just disappear.

It leaks out and permeates in many ways. Tension, irritability, reactivity, behaviour that suddenly seems “out of character”.

Something as “small” as overgrown nails can change how a dog stands, walks, moves and balances.
Every single step can increase pressure up through the nail, into the foot.

Behaviour is where you’ll usually see this issue.
Not in a limp.

Pain drives behaviour.

24/03/2026

It's too soon.
It’s a really common occurrence with newly adopted dogs.

Congratulations on your new dog.
I know you really want to take them to the beach, the pet store and your local café, but can I ask for a few minutes so I can explain just what your dog has gone through, and why you need to take the next few weeks slow.

Your new dog has had their whole world turned upside down.
They don't know you.
They don't know if they can actually trust you.
They don't know if they’re with you for an hour or forever.
They may have been in various scary places.
Other houses, rescues, the pound and likely ALL of these in the past few days or weeks.

Your dog has stress hormones surging through their system, they are STRESSED, they need to decompress, they need stability in their environment and from you.
They need time with you, your family and their new environment.

They need to know that the tree outside the lounge window may rustle against the house and that's OK.
They need to know that those normal creaky noises in your house are OK and that at 3.45 the neighbours bang their door shut.
They need to know when it rains that tapping sound is OK.
They need to know that when the front door opens, they won't be moved somewhere else, again.

They need to trust that YOU are safe even when you have had a bad day, you will still give them food, a safe bed and that they can close their eyes around you.

You know what your good intentions are with your new dog, your dog however has no idea what's happening. All they know is that everything has changed and it is scary.

They don’t need other new environments yet. Take it slow.
Dogs that have just been adopted need time. There is no need to rush out the next day and take them to all the places you want to go with them.
They need the opposite.

Let them decompress, let them inspect a new area of your house or yard every day or two. Walk them up and down outside your house for a few days (and only there), let them sniff, and sniff some more.
Let them p*e freely in your yard. All of this may be boring for you, but not for your dog. They need to know what is happening around them and they learn that through their nose, eyes and ears.
They need this.
They need to learn to TRUST you.

The long walks at the busy park can wait, the café will still be there in a few weeks and you can visit the pet shop alone until they’re ready.

Your bond together is the most important thing to concentrate on right now.
You will never regret taking it slow and it can save your dog and yourself from making the very same mistakes that can lead to people rehoming in the first place.

All the very best with your new dog.