Rusty and I are excited to be ambassadors for Dogtober again, promoting a cause that is really close to our hearts and that we’ve supported for a long time.

Working as a vet I get to see the amazing impact pets have on the lives of people and this is the reason I am so passionate about Dogtober. Dogtober is the month where Australia gets to celebrate each and every dog, big or small and acknowledge what man’s best friend truly means while helping out an amazing charity.

Everyone knows how much better they feel when they’re just hanging out with their dog so just imagine if your dog was not only your best friend, but your lifeline? Imagine how important they would be to you if they were the sole reason you could live a free and independent life.

This is how priceless Assistance Dogs are. They do everyday tasks for their team mates that people with physical disabilities find difficult and sometimes impossible to do by themselves.

As an ambassador of the charity I get to hear some incredible stories about the lengths these dogs will go to in order to help their team mates. Stories like that of Assistance Dog, Ruby and her team mate Nathan who is now able to play alone because Ruby is there to look after him, picking things up, opening and closing doors or switching on the lights. Or the story of Assistance Dog, Tiggy who barked down the house when his teammate Amanda was in trouble and then opened the door when help arrived so they could get inside. Or the amazing adventures of my mate, Tim and his Assistance Dog, Roxy in Canada. Every time I speak to the guys at Assistance Dogs I hear of more amazing tales that make me sit back and say ‘wow!’

By organizing a fundraising event or challenge this Dogtober you’re helping us to raise enough money to help train another 25 Super Puppies. There are heaps of doggie themed ideas that you can use as inspiration so make sure you check them out.

Get everyone you know involved, get them to sign up to facebook and to dig deep so they too can help the paw.

To everyone who has organized an event, thank you. You’re contribution means more to us than words can tell. You are changing someone’s life by helping to train an amazing Assistance Dog.

Until next time,

Dr Chris Brown and Rusty

Hey Guys,

It’s the last week of Dogtober and Rusty and I are so thankful to everyone who got involved this year. You’ve been incredible fundraisers and best of all you’ve spread the word about how amazing the Super Pups truly are, helping out people with physical disabilities everyday.

Last week I was on the 7pm Project talking about Dogtober with my little Super Puppy mate, Jacob. He is a smart boy (just like all his Super Puppy friends) and was so excited he had an opportunity to tell Australia all about the fundraising month, he kept trying to chew my microphone in an attempt to get all the important points across! He also gave me lots of licks to say thanks for helping him on the show.

We’re now in full swing of shooting for the next series of Bondi Vet and Rusty and I are in the process of helping a dog with one of the most strange ways of walking we’ve ever seen. People are definitely going to fall in love with this little guy. I’m also off to Melbourne this week for Derby Day as well. I hope I back a winner.

You can back a winner too, just by getting involved with Assistance Dogs Australia. There is still a bit of time left to have a Dogtober event – remember Howl-o-ween is coming up! By helping us to raise money during the month you can help cute little Super Pups grow up to help someone with a physical disability.

For those of you who have been involved thank you very much. With your help we’ve raise over 100,000 so far, making a huge difference to such a tiny charity. Some companies have been very generous too and have donated some fantastic prizes for you guys to win so make sure you enter your event ASAP. All you need to do is email your entry to info@dogtober.org.au

There are eight different categories you can enter your events or activities into – I’ll be judging the most innovative fundraising idea – so download information on the categories, conditions and prizes today. The winners will be announced the week commencing 15th November 2010.

Until next time,

The Bondi Vet, Dr Chris Brown

Hey Guys,

Rusty and I are still spreading the word about Dogtober and are so happy that lots of you have gotten involved and organised doggy themed fundraising events and challenges for sponsorship. So far we have raised $86,588 but we’ve still got a long way to go until we can afford to train 20 more Super Pups – so keep up the good work.

If you haven’t organised something as yet, don’t worry, there’s still time to help the Super Puppies to raise $500,000. Check out the get involved part of the website for some fun ideas.

This week, Rusty and I are in the clinic helping out a baby lorikeet that mistakenly flew into a sink full of washing up – detergent, dirty dishes and all. Talk about a rough landing for your first flight! I’m off to Melbourne to help out a friend who is having issues training their puppy and you’ll be pleased to know that Bubbles, the rabbit who had a sore foot last week has now had his operation and is back to hopping happily.

This week we started shooting the next series of Bondi Vet which has meant that Rusty is getting his run a lot earlier in the morning than he has been for the last few months. It’s taken him while to get used to the earlier wake up call!

Make sure you post your Dogtober Event and puppy pics to the website and the Facebook Page and keep your eyes peeled for ways you can win some fabulous prizes!

Until next time,

The Bondi Vet, Dr Chris Brown