Dede - the travelling dog - Poodle X Maltese

Deliah, her Mum and I joined many other dogs at Gasworks Park last weekend. Melbourne is a dog friendly city and Gasworks Park is an ideal place to see just how dog-friendly it is.

At 11am Sunday morning large dogs race around while their owners stand and talk.
There are smaller dogs at that time, too, but the big dogs bound over most of the open space while the smaller dogs potter around the edges.

It never ceases to surprise me how so many dogs can enjoy each other’s company without any agro. If there is any agro it usually between dogs that are still on their lease. Do those dogs need to prove something? A sort of “I know I’m tethered but I can still beat you!” I can only guess but it does appear to change their attitude to their doggy mates.

Waiting to be served.


The indoor/outdoor cafe

Gas works Park is a park of sculptures for other statues check HERE

There are many off-leash parks and reserves and Melbourne. To find one near you and let your dog enjoy the freedom of these wonderful spaces - check with your local council or on the Internet.

Out walking in St Kilda

These two photos are of a couple of things that caught my camera’s eye as I walked during the lovely long summer evenings.

The first one is definitely someone’s whimsy. It is in Alma Park. I thought it was drinking trough. One of those old fashioned ones. Unlikely, as there is no tap near and there is not enough rain for the skies to take on the job of filling it. The other curious thing about it, is the little padlocked section. The dog cut-out is cute and it is this you see as you stroll around the park.

It is unlikely that The Dog Bar is in use but it adds something to a walk along St Kilda Beach.
Wacky, strange and amusing things can be few and far between. It’s good to see some around. If you want to contribute something please do. We need a good grin from time to time.

Guide Dog statues and Maltese Terrier

When I was out and about photographing the statues of dogs around Melbourne (Check out these blogs CLICK HERE and HERE) I began to notice the statues of dogs used for collecting money for Guide Dogs. They come in all sorts of sizes and conditions but essentially they are all the same.

This one, in my local supermarket, is in good condition. As you can see it has many uses and is serving a useful hitching post to this friendly Maltese Terrier.


I would be interested to know how successful they are as money boxes for the guide dogs. It is my opinion that they fade into the background and need to be painted bright noticeable colours.

The one above is a little shabby and sits in the entrance isle of a very busy supermarket. He or she tends to disappear into the wall.

They do reflect the image of the most usual breed of guide dogs – golden Labradors. I believe the first guides dogs were Labradors and there are many in training at the moment . There one learning these important skills in my blogs Dogs at the Lavender Harvest Festival CLICK HERE

If anyone knows how successful they are as collection boxes do let me know.

Dog sculptures, Gasworks Park -Melbourne

Not with out Chomley

This group, cast in bronze by Ann Ross in 1991, is at the Richardson Street entrance to Gasworks Park in Port Melbourne.

There are two sculptures here - a sort of set piece. The man has a dog standing on his back and another dog with his tail stuck jauntily in air, facing the other way.

My take on this is that it is the same dog both times. However the man and dog are heading in a different direction from the single dog.

The dogs are great, the sort of dogs with those perky tails that wag at any moment.

Man Dog, Boat by Henry Smith 1995

The sculpture is made out of fiberglass, wood stainless steel and aluminum and all painted a yellow-ochre. It sits on top of a pole that looks like a weathered wooden lamppost. It's positioned on the traffic island at the corner of Graham and Pickles Street, outside Gasworks Park, Port Melbourne.

The man appears to be rowing away from the sea in an east-west direction. It is a strange statue because it is above your sight-line if you are driving past.

It’s the dog I love – poised in the bow peering ahead and ready to jump when they get to wherever they are going.

Larry La Trobe - dog sculpture, Melbourne

I have been talking about the dogs that are out and about in Melbourne and beyond so I thought it was time to feature some statues of dogs that can be found around the city.

The first one is:-

Larry La Trobe

He stands at the corner of Swanson and Collins Street. He is about 70cms high and was cast in bronze by Pamela Irving in 1992.

We are looking at the second Larry La Trobe here, as the first Larry went walk-about in 1995. There was a public out cry but he was never found and neither did he find his way home.

A year later he was recast and has remained on the corner ever since.

He is cuddled by children and gets light kisses on his noise for good luck. Weary tourists and locals take a rest on him and he is always posing for a photo.

Why the name Larry La Trobe? I haven’t been able to find that out.