I love animals - it's what makes my heart sing. I will walk past a baby to pat a dog. It's in my DNA, and fortunately I've been able to combine my work (as a sustainabilty consultant and educator) with my love of animals. You see I'm one of lucky one's who get to work from home year in year out. 

We are privledged to live on 22 acres in Warrandyte, with horses and kangaroos grazing, birds singing and flowers blooming. It really is heaven on earth - and the animals we care for (and their owners) think it is too.

We lost out beloved spoodle Tucker who was 17 in early 2021. Six month later we welcomed Bailey a very sweet and fun loving Bordoodle (Border Collie Poodle Cross). Despite his size and his zest for life, he is amazing with small and or timid dogs - he seems to know how to make them feel safe and comfortable in our home.

For years we've had a number of regular visitors. They love us and we love them. The animals arrive and immediately make themselves at home, wether that's seeing what's new in the toy box or racing out to the deck to immediately take guard of their holiday home.

Our animal visitors become part of the family. Walks, toys, conversations, treats and cuddles are everyday norms. Brushing and baths can be provided if required. Giving meditation and special meals are also not a problem. We ensure our animals are safe 24/7, so only vaccinated, well behaved pets are welcome. 

Best of all - they get to do as they would at home. If they sleep on the bed, no problems. If they want to sit by my feet by day and on the lounge at night - also no problem.

A typical day starts with a walk in the yard, snacks and cuddles. Whilst my husband heads to work, I head to my home office where the animals usually hang with me. They usually take another walk in the yard at lunch then sleep again in the afternoon. 

When my husband comes home, that's walk time (usually 30 - 60 minutes), followed by dinner, more cuddles and bed time where ever it pleases our guests. 

Weekends and holidays may include a drive in the car to the river or a nearby off lead secure park, but generally speaking all walks are on lead only unless we are familiar with them and know they are 100% safe in an off lead fully fenced location with other dogs.

We have a dog door and secure run if our visitors want to explore out side or need to go to the toilet. However we don't take dogs that can jump as they will not be able to avoid the temptation of the bunnies and kangaroos.

Here's a few references:

"I work in the pet food industry, so it would come as no surprise that I own two dogs. A 7 year old Schnauzer Watson and a 5 year old Spoodle Macey. As you can imagine, they are much loved members of our family – so who looks after them when we are away is very important.

Since Watson and Macey were puppies, they have always been looked after by Anne-Maree and Adrian.They own a Spoodle called Tucker, and together the dogs have a ball.

They are so well looked after – clean water daily, any special food or medication is never a problem, they get walked daily with loads of cuddles.They even get to sleep on the humans bed if that’s their fancy.

They so love their holidays with Tucker, Adriaan and Anne-Maree, that we plan our holidays around their availability. If you need a home away from home for your beloved dogs when you can’t be with them – then I could not recommend Anne-Maree more strongly.

She works from home, so she’s always there to keep an eye on them.

Regardless of where they have lived, the dogs always get the run of the house and the toy box, they can come and go as they please through the dog door and have many wonderful viewing platforms/guard dog positions to take in the world around them." 

Ian Van der Vliet

"I would like to wholeheartedly recommend Anne-Maree for dog sitting. Anne-Maree and her husband Adrian have looked after our dogs when we’ve gone away on holidays for 7 or 8 years now. Our two are always so excited to be dropped off there. Our spoodle was squeeling in excitement in the car when we pulled into Anne-Maree’s recently.

We know that they get daily walks, the run of the house, cuddles and treats.They are treated as fur-children with their own dog, Tucker. They even get a bath when needed.

The truth is we are always a little surprised they actually want to come back with us at the end of their stay! We invented the perfect name for Anne-Maree and Adrian’s place: The Heavenly Hound Holiday House! This really describe how wonderful it is for our guys to have a stay with them.

Any dog lucky enough to stay with Anne-Maree and Adrian is a lucky dog indeed." 

Michael Hook