Rocky & Co. Pet Care

05/09/2026

Looking at this gloomy, rainy Sunday, I couldn't help thinking about Friday and how much fun we all had out with the dogs that morning.

It was windy enough to make the temperature feel much warmer, but actually turned out to be a perfect morning for walking. The wind didn't seem to bother us or the dogs, who had a blast in different parts of North Canterbury.

While I took Indiana and Kane, the Rottweilers, through Tūhaitara Park in Woodend, the rest of the A Team had groups out at Pines Beach, Mandeville and the Kaiapoi Red Zone. And yes, I am calling them the A Team because I'm allowed to be proud of my own team. 😆 I'm especially proud of how much they genuinely care about the dogs we look after.

We finished another busy week back at Rocky & Co. with some yummy brownies from Urban Revival in Silverstream and a good catch-up before everyone disappeared for the weekend. Part Friday treat, part team meeting and part pep talk, as we went over the next few weeks and made sure everyone was ready for Uncle Alex's very well-deserved four-week holiday.

I'll be temporarily without my right-hand handler, which will certainly feel a little strange after working alongside Alex for so many years. But sitting around the table with the girls on Friday, talking through everything, I felt pretty good about it.

We know our dogs, we know our routines, everyone knows their responsibilities, and I have a team around me who care about doing the job properly.

We'll miss Uncle Alex, of course — but the girls and I have got this. ❤️🐾

04/09/2026

September is Responsible Dog Ownership Month, which I didn't actually know until I came across a post about it today, but it got me thinking about what responsible dog ownership means to me.

I've had dogs since I was eight years old and, after more than a decade working with them professionally, I think a lot of it comes down to understanding and accepting the dog you actually have.

Of course we need to keep them healthy, safe, exercised and loved, but we also need to understand that dogs are individuals. What works for one won't necessarily work for another, and their needs will change throughout their lives.

Some will love daycare and being around other dogs, while others are happier having their own space. Some need a good run, while others need help learning to slow down and switch off. Even the things we want for them, like walking off lead, aren't necessarily right for every dog.

I think being responsible also means paying attention to all of that and being willing to adapt.

We spend so much time teaching dogs how to live in our world, but we also need to learn how to understand theirs. ❤️🐾

04/09/2026

Meet Lulu, our newest guest, who's here for her Overnight Trial. ❤️

Lulu arrived this morning so she could spend the whole day with us, meet the daycare pups and have plenty of time to get used to the house and everything that goes on around here before we see how she settles tonight.

She's an older Labrador and, although she's a little bigger than our usual guests, at her age I'm mostly interested in seeing how comfortable she is here. She's already hard of hearing and not quite as steady on her back legs anymore, so I've been watching how she gets around the property and, of course, how she feels about sharing her space with a bunch of little dogs. 😂

So far, Lulu has been absolutely lovely with them and seems quite happy just pottering around and being part of the group. ❤️

Tonight, once the daycare pups have gone home and everything quietens down, we'll see how she settles into our normal evening routine and, hopefully, she'll decide that this isn't such a bad place to come for her holidays after all. 🥰🐾

03/09/2026

Spring has definitely arrived in North Canterbury! ☀️🌸

Thursday gave us sunshine, warmer temperatures and the perfect excuse to make the most of some of our favourite walking spots.

The Crazy Busy crew headed out first thing in the morning for their off-leash adventure while it was still nice and cool, then we slowed things down a little with the littlies, enjoying the bush, beach and stream before the day got too warm.

Different dogs, different walks, different pace... but plenty of fresh air and happy pups all around. ❤️🐾

Not a bad way to spend a Thursday!

03/09/2026

Yes!
It's beach day for these pups!

Thanks for giving them an amazing time at the beach today, Rosemary & Janelle!

02/09/2026

After a long winter hiatus, we are so thrilled to have this little girl back with us! ❤️

We've known Lexi for nearly 10 years — all the way back to when we were still based in Christchurch and Rocky & Co. wasn't even called Rocky & Co. yet! 🥹

She's been part of our story for a long, long time.

And now that winter is finally on its way out, that familiar little Chihuahua face is back at kindy. 🌼🐾

Welcome back, Lexi. We've missed you, little girl! ❤️

02/09/2026

Our Wednesday crew 😍

01/09/2026

31/08/2026

31/08/2026

🎂 Happy 3rd Birthday, Buckley! 🥳🐾

Buckley turned three last Saturday, so today we celebrated properly at kindy — with a birthday cake specially baked for him by Uncle Alex. ❤️

We've known Buckley since he was just a young lad, full of excitement, energy and enthusiasm for absolutely EVERYTHING. 😂

Over time, he learned to settle around us and his friends, and his walks progressed too. He started with leaded walks while we got to know him, and for more than a year now he's been enjoying his off-leash adventures with the crew.

He's grown into such a sweet boy — cuddly, happy, playful and always ready for some fun.

And today? He thoroughly enjoyed being the birthday boy, eating big chunks of his cake while I handed out considerably smaller pieces to his friends. 😂🎂

Birthday-boy privileges, Buckley. You earned them. ❤️

Happy 3rd Birthday, gorgeous boy!