A Little About us
We have both grown up with dogs of various species, breeds, sizes shapes and colours. We have both had animals in our lives for as long has we can remember. Our family currently sits at 36 paws and 4 hoofs! Between us we have reared 4 litters of puppies and fostered 3 litters of kittens as an Animal Welfare League partner.
Knowing what I know now about breeding, Zeus came from a terrible breeder with irresponsible practices and zero accountability.
Fast forward a few years and Zeus was joined first by York as his best mate and his girlfriend Nala. Nala was adopted from a young family who turned out to be allergic to her coat which would have been devastating for them.
It wasn’t long before we decided to adopt a purebred Chocolate Labrador, her name was Kodi. Kodi roared into our lives and was definition of energy. We loved her as much as any human has ever loved a dog, she was part of the family and a best friend for Nala. One devastating day Kodis life was cut short in an accident that we never saw coming. It broke us in ways we didn’t think possible. We saw how Zeus, York and in particular Nala responded to Kodi as she lay in Intensive care with a machine breathing for her, and we recognised that we were keeping her alive for us, not for Kodi. Her injuries were too severe for any kind of recovery, and so we let her rest.
While the gap Kodi left could never be filled, Remi soon came along and started mending our souls. Her bubbly personality and tail that wags so hard her whole body gets involves helped us to heal.
After three litters, Nala let us know that her time was up. She was an incredible mother, attentive to a fault to her puppies and always on hand to care for them. But to protect her and her health we decided that three was enough. Nala now live her life in happy retirement of motherly duties, with snacks, walks and zoomies aplenty, we can count on her for always doing something weird and bringing a laugh to our day.
Remi, after passing all of her health checks, had her first litter in August of 2023 and under the careful watch of mother in law and best friend Nala, was an amazing mum. She was attentive, careful and gave the puppies everything they needed. She had beautiful puppies that are living amazing lives all over the state now.
One of them, a cheeky little boy named Loki, or affectionally ‘Grandpa’ was the last puppy that Remi delivered as part of the Delta litter. He surprised all of us, including Remi as we all thought the puppies had been delivered and Remi went to go to the bathroom and we were surprised by Loki! And we were attached to him from the start, he took an extended period of resuscitation time when he came out and his first few days were rough, requiring bottle feeding and round the clock care. At four weeks of age after an accident in the puppy pen he required surgery to repair his jaw. After an initial consult with the vet advising us to put him down, we persevered and convinced them to perform the surgery. Nearly a year later and now we wouldn’t do life without him.
Our life is now filled with adventure (and hair), with bushwalks around the property and trips to the beach to play with a ball and jump in the waves and daily visits to the doggo met up at the park. At home whenever water is about you will be sure to find Nala relaxing in there. York can always be found relaxing inside, content to watch the world pass by, but try and take a photo and he will want to play - cheeky boy. Remi and Loki are more than likely to be cuddling together somewhere or following mum around.
We have always believed that responsible pet ownership is not just throw-away term but a true lifestyle to live by, whilst children are not part of our family in the traditional sense, pets and dogs specifically are. Everything about how Zeus, York, Nala, Remi and Loki are cared for is to ensure that they have the best and healthiest life possible, for while they are pets, they are also family. They are exercised daily, fed a nutritious diet with their quantity closely monitored to ensure the proper weight, oral hygiene, coat health, and nails are closely monitored to ensure a healthy pup. While that may seem like a chore it is about providing an environment for them to live their best and healthiest lives.
As we both work within the Health field, we understand what it means to eat a balanced diet, to exercise and to be happy all impact your life - your doggo is no different.
So as we made the choice to continue on our breeding journey, we do so for one critical reason;
For us, seeing the way our Labradogco families loved their new family members from the moment they laid eyes on them meant that it was our responsibility to provide the best possible experience for them and for the future families. This means care and updates right from the beginning, free information flow, complete openness about the process, healthy puppies, meaningful and responsible transfer of ownership documentation in line with NSW DPI requirements. But most importantly a family who adopt a pup that is well socialised, vaccinated, healthy, and absolutely adorable.
Our Mission: To facilitate the perfect new member of your family.
Our Breeder ID with the Responsible Pet Breeders Association is 3291
An ode to a Labrador:
(credit:unknown)
As I took the rubber broom and vacuum out of the closet for the five hundredth time on Saturday morning I will admit I was a little frustrated. I looked around at the fur-covered skirting boards and the oversized hair hampsters living under my living room table and ask myself "how can this dog have any hair left on its body?".
As I sweep up the hallway and around the lazy dog obstacle resting right in my way he was unfazed by my frenzy. As I unravel the vacuum cord under his ever-watchful gaze I wondered if he was also thinking... "Here we go again!"
With the sound of the vacuum whirring in my ears I remembered how clean and tidy my house used to be before mr flubber butt moved in. I remembered how my living room floor was clear of rubber pigs, half-chewed plastic bottles, and things that squeak when you step on them at night. I remembered the days when I could clean without needing to pick up some half-chewed "thing" while asking myself "what on earth is that?"
As I emptied the vacuum barrel for the second and third time I recalled the days when a quick whip around with the broom tidied things up in minutes.
I recalled how a nice glossy green indoor plant filled the basket which is now over full with slobbery dog toys... Several of which have missing limbs and wonky eyes.
I recalled "the good old days" when I could go to the toilet in peace, and when the bath mat stayed in place but was available for people use not a make-shift dog bed.
I smile as think back to when I could go to the fridge alone. There was no nose poking around the fridge door and no one trying to push through the narrow space to see what was in there. I could sit in the quiet and eat whatever I wanted without a brown-eyed monster drooling on my feet.
As I strip the bed to change the sheets memories flashback through my mind like photographs. I remember the days when I had decorative pillows and I could pull out back the covers only to find crisp clean linens. My journey own memory lane ends abruptly and I am catapulted back to reality when the flick of the covers sends thousands of "hair borne particles" into the atmosphere. The ones I don't inhale get stuck on my tongue, land on my clean floor or are suspended in the universe waiting until I put on fresh pillowslips. Then, and only then will that single hair fall to earth and wait to be found on my pillow slip.
As I stuff the sheets into the washing machine I look out the laundry window. I remember the days when I could mow the lawn without having to pick up poop piles, and how my garbage was filled with everything but little bags of "bum bombs". Those were the days when you could mow the lawn in your good runners as you did not have to worry about the one sneaky turd hidden in the blades of grass that would get lodged in the tread of your shoe. The turd so small that you were unaware of its existence until you walked back inside onto your freshly mopped floor.
Once I have finished packing the dishwasher, cleaning the dog dishes, doing one load of people washing followed by two loads of dog washing I slump in my recliner to cool down before a shower.
Within minutes a half-chewed slobbery orange hairy monkey is placed on my lap. The eyes that have watched my every move all day catch mine. I greet him with a smile, and his tail begins to wag. He nuzzles into my legs, slides down my shins onto his back exposing his man parts in all their glory as if to say "well I am exhausted... Now rub me!".
Right there and then in that very moment, everything stops. It is just me and my boy sharing some time together. I slide out of my chair onto the floor beside him. After a short dog wrestle, he snuggles down beside me. The look of contentment in his eyes calms my soul and warms my heart. We sit for a moment in the silence. This is my dogs way of reminding me that there is more to life than a clean house.
While I have been so busy he has waited patiently for me to finish. He always waits. He is always there for me no matter what. The call of his name sees him rush to my side. He will come from another room or wake from his sleep as there is nothing more important in the world to him than me.
He loves me so much that he happily follows my directions and requests. As he curls up by my feet, stands when I stand and follows me around from one room to the other he is telling me that he will always be beside me through thick and thin.
When he lays on my bed when I am sad or not feeling well he is telling me he will be there for me in sickness and in health.
When he gives me his favourite toy he is telling me that I am worthy of his most prized possession.
As he does his daily yard perimeter check and alerts me of the arrival of visitors he is showing me he is my protector.
Each day he blesses my life is a gift. I know how lucky I am to have him.
No matter where I have been or what has happened when I return home he is always happy to see me. The wag of his tail and the cute little snuffles and snorts as he rubs against my legs is his way of saying welcome home... I have missed you.
There is something so special about the love of a Labrador... It is a type of love that is so undeniable yet unexplainable to anyone who has not experienced it. These dogs take your whole heart and love you with such devotion that it is worth every minute of the extra housework.
This dog has made me realise that there is more to life than a clean floor, hair-free sheets, and a poop-free lawn. This dog has made me believe in the power of love, believe that it is worth fighting through the tough days, and believe that I am important.
My boy has proven yet again that sometimes life's best lessons are found in unexpected places. Some find reason, meaning, and purpose climbing mountains, trekking in faraway places, or in textbooks and TED talks. I didn't need to look too far. I found my "reason" in a 40 kilo hair shedding crazy-eyed black lab. Yes, he fills my house with hair... but he also fills my heart with joy... and for that, I will be forever grateful.