The heart of MonteCaro. These are the stories of how we started, the lessons we’ve learned together, and the serendipitous moments that define our story
What I wish I knew about delayed recovery for a mature dog is now a permanent chapter in the MonteCaro chronicles, and I hope it serves as a roadmap for anyone else choosing the same path for their companion. Why We Waited I was determined to give him the best start. Following the insights that…
If you thought my research into dog breeds was exhaustive, wait until you hear about the “pet food wormhole.” Coming into this, I knew I wanted clean, wholesome food. I have never been a fan of tinned food, not for humans, and certainly not for dogs. I loved the idea of raw feeding but craved…
Discover the essentials that survived the reality of a teething puppy, the savvy second-hand finds that saved the budget. Plus, see the one ‘must-have’ item Monte couldn’t have cared less about… As someone who isn’t a fan of household clutter, I was very intentional about what crossed the threshold. While safety and practicality were my…
With the ‘little brown bear’ officially named Monte, the focus shifted from theoretical research to the practical reality of daily life. The immediate challenge was the logistics of balancing a puppy’s needs with a work schedule that required me in the office three days a week. Managing the Space Living in a tri-level home with…
Months of rationalising, vetting, and planning led to this moment. Now, the research was over. It was time to see if my meticulous preparation would survive the reality. Cutting Through the Noise By the time we pulled into the driveway, the research phase had well and truly finished. As a first-time dog mum, the lead-up…
Finding the right human behind the dogs was the next challenge Once I settled on the Miniature American Shepherd (MAS), the real work began. Choosing a breed on paper is one thing. However, finding reputable dog breeders in Australia who prioritise the care of the mother and the early socialisation of her litter is another;…
Choosing the right dog breed wasn’t a snap decision; it was a 12-month deep dive into research, logic, and a refusal to settle for a “pot plant” algorithm. They say life is what happens while you are making other plans. In my case, life was what happened while I was busy being “the sensible one.”…