We’re excited to share more about our growing partnership with Love A Greyhound Inc, a Brisbane based volunteer organisation dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming retired racing greyhounds. Their team works tirelessly to give these gentle dogs the safe, loving futures they deserve, and we’re proud to be supporting their mission. Over the past few months, we have hosted two events together as part of this new collaboration, and the response from the community has been incredible. These events have already helped raise awareness for retired greyhounds and have given people the chance to meet the dogs, learn their stories and understand just how affectionate and calm they truly are. "Wow, he yogas better than me!" We plan to continue these events as often as possible, ideally on a bi-monthly schedule. If you missed the first two, stay tuned, because there will be plenty more opportunities to get involved. One of the highlights of this partnership so far has been our recent community fundraiser in support of Love A Greyhound Inc. What began as a modest goal of $500 turned into something truly special. Thanks to the generosity and enthusiasm of everyone who took part, we raised just under $2000. This result speaks volumes about the passion within our community and the love people have for giving these dogs a second chance. One happy Greyhound! ('keep the pats coming plz') We’re energised by what we have achieved together already, and even more excited about what is ahead. Our collaboration with Love A Greyhound Inc is only just beginning, and we look forward to continuing this journey, supporting more greyhounds and bringing more people into the rescue community. Stay tuned for upcoming event dates and further updates as we keep building something meaningful together.

We are excited to launch the SIP COCO x Yoga Paws six-week takeover. This campaign is all about feel-good movement, proper hydration and shared community energy. Each weekend from August 3 to September 7, the SIP COCO crew will be joining us at our events across Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth. Expect chilled coconut water, thoughtful activations, and a few cheeky giveaways to elevate the entire Puppy Yoga experience. We kicked things off in Brisbane last weekend with five sold-out sessions at our Bulimba studio. This coming Sunday, we are heading to the Sunshine Coast for the next stop on the tour. Get ready for a full day of sips, stretches and playful pups. Brisbane SIP COCO takeover 💪 From branded selfie banners to golden tickets hidden under mats, every event will feature something special. A few lucky attendees will win free Puppy Yoga class passes. Others will go in the running to win a year’s supply of SIP COCO just by tagging us in their stories. It is simple, fun and designed to get everyone involved. A SIP COCO section will be featured on the location page of whichever city we are popping up in that week. This will give attendees a heads up about what to expect and where to find them on the day. We are proud to partner with a brand that matches our energy and commitment to creating moments people remember. Huge thanks to the SIP COCO team for jumping on board with us and being part of this in a real and consistent way. It is going to be six weekends of movement, connection and coconut water. Let’s do this.

Since launching on 15 June, we’ve been genuinely blown away by how warmly Adelaide has embraced Yoga Paws. What started as a quiet plan for Sunday-only Puppy Yoga sessions has grown faster than expected. We’re now running five sessions every Saturday and Sunday at 8am, 10am, 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm, and every one of them has sold out. A City Ready for Something Different We’ve been told by many attendees that Adelaide can sometimes miss out on unique or niche experiences that tend to hit Sydney, Brisbane or Perth first. Hearing that made it even more meaningful for us to be part of something that feels fresh and different for the local community. We’re grateful to be contributing something that brings people together in such a joyful way. Puppy Yoga with XL Popcorn pieces (aka Groodles!) No Pressure, Just Puppies and Good Vibes Our sessions have been described as fun, uplifting, and a great way to spend time with friends. There’s no pressure to be a yoga expert - it’s simply about moving your body, connecting with others, and soaking up all the puppy affection. A Moment We Won’t Forget One moment that stood out early on was our first ever session in Adelaide, where we worked with a litter of Great Dane and Boxer puppies. At the start of the day, they were shy and hesitant around new people. But with each session, we saw their confidence grow. By the afternoon, they were completely comfortable - playful, social, and loving every bit of human interaction. It was a small but powerful reminder of the impact these sessions can have on both people and puppies. Meet (some of) the team What’s Next for Yoga Paws Adelaide We’re incredibly thankful to be working out of Eastside Yoga and Pilates in Erindale. The space has been easy to work with, supportive, and consistent, which helps us focus on running the best possible sessions each weekend. We’re not looking to add new venues right now - we’re happy with the simple setup and want to keep building on what’s already working. In just a few short weeks, over 600 people have come through our Adelaide sessions. We’ve also had the opportunity to work with some fantastic local breeders, many of whom have already returned for future events. The sense of community has really stood out here - it’s warm, welcoming, and genuinely lovely to be part of. We’re not rushing into anything new just yet. For the next few months, our focus remains on providing quality Puppy Yoga sessions each weekend and continuing to give more puppies a chance to safely socialise with humans. To see what we’re up to or book a spot, visit our Adelaide Puppy Yoga page.

June 9 - June 15 is Men’s Mental Health Week, and we’re proud to support the cause in a way that’s true to our mission at Yoga Paws. From June 9 to 15, $1 from every ticket sold will be donated directly to The Man Cave - an Australian charity delivering powerful mental health programs to young men across the country. Book a session. Support our blokes. Give back. This campaign isn’t just about raising funds. It’s about starting conversations, creating space, and backing the next generation of good blokes. Whether you’re booking for self-care, joy, or to quite frankly cuddle a French Bulldog (totally valid), your ticket will now also help fund transformative school-based programs that change how boys see themselves and the world. ​Why Men’s Mental Health Matters Men account for three-quarters of suicide deaths in Australia. Many suffer in silence, lacking spaces to talk, express, or ask for help. The Man Cave tackles this head-on early - reshaping masculinity, encouraging vulnerability, and teaching boys to value emotional wellbeing. About The Man Cave Since 2014, The Man Cave has impacted 50,000+ teenage boys with workshops grounded in psychology, storytelling, and peer connection. Their work is evidence-based, relatable, and backed by leaders in education and mental health. Puppy Yoga hasn’t made it into the curriculum just yet, but we’ll let that one slide. By supporting them, we’re helping build a future where men feel free to express, connect, and thrive. Puppy Yoga with Purpose We know the therapeutic effects of yoga with puppies - lowering stress, lifting moods, and helping people feel safe and connected. It’s why we do what we do. And for this one special week, it goes even further. Book a session. Support our blokes. Give back. Let’s make this week count - for ourselves, and for them. Find a Puppy Yoga session near you - View all studio locations . Impact Update: How Your Tickets Supported Men’s Mental Health Thanks to your incredible support during Men’s Mental Health Week, we’re proud to share that we sold 559 tickets - raising $559 for The Man Cave. Every ticket made a difference, directly contributing to programs that help young men across Australia build emotional resilience and positive masculinity. From all of us at Yoga Paws (and the puppies), thank you for making this campaign a success.

This holiday season was different for me in more ways than one. Not only am I living in a new Australian city, but I also have a new family member—our Dalmatian, Shelly. Before I dive into the mischief we’ve been up to, let me quickly refresh your memory on how we got her. After dreaming of owning a Dalmatian for the last decade, last year was finally the right time for us to take on this new adventure. We picked Shelly up in September, and boy, did she hate the car back then. But you wouldn’t know that now—I’ve driven over 3000km with her during this holiday season, and she’s become the ultimate passenger princess. She doesn’t mind my choice of music (even when listening to the worst songs possible) and rarely needs breaks. Though Shelly is still a puppy (and a very big one at that!), I was confident enough to embark on this long journey. From pet-friendly accommodations to beach days and city adventures, here’s a rundown of our first holidays together, Shelly-style! The Journey Begins: Brisbane to Harrington Before hitting the road, I spent hours scouring the internet for pet-friendly accommodations. Let me tell you, it’s a jungle out there—limited options and sky-high prices. Eventually, I stumbled across a charming granny flat in Harrington with access to a beautiful riverwalk. Perfect, right? Packing for me was easy. Packing for Shelly, not so much. Along with her bowls and dry kibble, I had to find an alternative to her beloved raw meals for the trip. Enter air-dried salmon and sardines (an expensive delicacy, apparently). On Sunday morning, I transformed the passenger seat into her personal throne—layered it with a towel (Dalmatians = fur everywhere) and buckled her in with her doggy seatbelt. The six-hour drive to Harrington went surprisingly smoothly. Shelly, my travel MVP, alternated between curling up like the most well-behaved dog on Earth and casually peeking out the window. I started to think, "Wow, I’ve really lucked out with this dog." The Bed Incident That illusion lasted until we arrived at the flat. Shelly, still off leash from the car, eagerly explored her new digs—and decided, for reasons only known to her puppy brain, to christen the bed with a big ol’ wee. I stood there, torn between cleaning and crying, thinking, “Why not the floor? The tile? Literally anywhere else?” Rookie mistake #1: no more free rein indoors. The Rat Episode To let her work off some energy (and keep her away from the bed), I took her out to the beautiful riverwalk. Mistake #2: thinking I could trust her off leash outside. Within seconds, Shelly found a dead rat in the bushes and proudly tried to bring it back to me like she’d just won the Best Dog Ever Olympics. Thankfully, a sharp "leave it" saved us both from that trauma, but my faith in her judgment was officially shaken. Dinner Dramatics That evening, I attempted to grab dinner at a restaurant. Dogs weren’t allowed inside, so I left Shelly on the terrace with a lovely dad also waiting with his dog. Two minutes in, and Shelly decided I’d abandoned her forever. Her barks reached full diva volume, causing an uproar of sympathy from strangers who clearly thought I was the cruelest dog mom in existence. I managed to speed-eat my meal before paying attention to save my “poor, neglected” pup. The Wheelchair Fiasco Thinking the day’s chaos was behind us, I made yet another rookie move: letting her off leash on our way back to the flat. It was all going well until she spotted old mate in an electric wheelchair walking his elderly Border Collie. Shelly decided this scene desperately needed her involvement and dashed toward them. Chaos ensued as she attempted to “herd” them like a slightly confused sheepdog, while I shouted her name like a madwoman. Thankfully, the man wasn’t upset (maybe he’s seen it all before?), and I eventually corralled her back.  By the end of day one, I was frazzled and exhausted, but Shelly? Calm as could be, snoring away on the dry bed side like the angel she only sometimes is. Who knew one dog could pack so much chaos into 24 hours? Exploring Sydney: Beaches and City Adventures Shelly and I made it to Sydney, where she quickly found some old tennis balls in the backyard—her new best friends. She wasn’t immediately keen on Harry’s family but showed plenty of interest in any food-related activity. Watching her curiously observe her surroundings was fascinating—every sound and movement caught her attention. Christmas in Canberra For Christmas, we drove to Canberra, and I was nervous. Would she jump on the table? Would she accidentally topple the grandparents or young kids? Thankfully, she surprised us all by being on her best behavior. By the end of the day, she was as cranky as an overtired toddler after hours of play with the host’s French Bulldog. Beach Bliss Boxing Day took us to a dog-friendly lagoon close to Wollongong and the day after near Curl Curl Beach. Shelly had the time of her life splashing around and swimming between Harry and me. After about 30 minutes, she was completely wiped out and slept the entire ride home. Another day, we discovered Mackenzies Bay during the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk. Although dogs aren’t officially allowed there, it’s become a quiet haven for residents and their furry friends. Shelly loved wading in the rock pools, playing with other dogs, and sticking to the shallows—she’s not too keen on deep water, which suits me perfectly! City Walks and NYE Planning One ambitious day, I decided Shelly should “see” the Opera House. We walked across the Harbour Bridge, through Circular Quay, and back to Kirribilli. While Shelly stayed close to me in the bustling crowd, I was less impressed with the reactions of some people—especially the parents who let their kid grab her without asking. Shelly barked (rightfully so!), but it reminded me how important it is to teach kids how to interact with animals. For New Year’s Eve, I planned ahead. Knowing how fireworks can scare dogs, we spent the day swimming to tire her out. That night, we watched the 9pm fireworks from a safe distance on the North Shore, where Shelly could see the display but wasn’t overwhelmed by the noise. With Harry holding her close, she quickly got comfortable and even seemed intrigued by the lights in the sky. The Road Back: Armidale to Brisbane The journey back home was less than ideal. With no coastal accommodations available, we detoured to Armidale. Driving inland was eerie—long, empty roads winding through what felt like nowhere. Shelly woke up occasionally, offering me moral support through the challenging drive. The motel in Armidale was... let’s just say not my favorite. It felt straight out of a crime movie, and Shelly agreed, sniffing every inch of the room and barking at every tiny noise. She even slept by the door, as if guarding us both. After a mere three hours of sleep, we hit the road at 4am, determined to make it back to Brisbane. Home Sweet Home After an unforgettable two weeks of chaos, laughter, and learning, Shelly and I were both thrilled to be back in Brisbane. This trip wasn’t without its challenges, but it made me appreciate her even more. She’s not just a handful—she’s my handful. Here’s to more adventures with Shelly in the new year, and to the memories we’ve already made. Happy holidays, everyone!

I’ve had a love for Dalmatians for as long as I can remember. My first Dalmatian, Bata, was our family dog, and she was there when I was born. My mum got her when she was 19, and Bata was with us until I was 7, living a good 14 years, which is quite remarkable since Dalmatians typically only live 11 to 13 years. We were all so lucky to have her by our sides for so long! One of my first memories of Bata is walking her in the park. I was so proud of her, and of course, I couldn’t resist bragging to anyone who’d listen that she was my dog. Even though Bata wasn’t exactly a social butterfly, she was my partner, and I couldn’t have been prouder. She wasn’t always fond of people outside our family, and my grandma would often put a muzzle on her because people would try to pet her without asking (unfortunately, something that still happens a lot, even though we’re supposedly more aware now as a society). But to me, it didn’t matter. I was the one who got to be with her, and I took full advantage of that. I even remember teasing my cousins whenever they came over, using Bata as my little "secret weapon"—they couldn’t play with her, and I loved it. She was mine, and I was proud of it. But it wasn’t just that she was my dog—Bata was a patient and loving companion. One of my grandma’s favourite memories is of me as a toddler, just starting to walk. Bata would stick close by, watching every step I took. And whenever I’d fall, she would run to my grandma, turn in circles to get her attention, and then come back to me. She never barked or acted out, but instead, she helped me up, and I’d grab onto her to pull myself back to my feet. There was something so comforting about having her there, and I think that’s where our bond really started. When my parents moved out from my grandparents’ place, Bata stayed with them. Thankfully, they only lived two streets away, so I could see her often. Bata and I had our little routines. When I ate, she wanted to eat, it didn’t matter whether it was watermelon or steak – she loved anything. When I was outside, she was outside. My grandpa used to take her on long bike rides, and I’d watch them in awe. Dalmatians, being working dogs, were originally bred to run after carriages, so she needed plenty of exercise. I remember how badly I wanted to join them on those rides but couldn’t. So, my grandpa made me a little seat between him and the steering so I could tag along. And let me tell you, those bike rides were the best. I remember laughing so hard during those rides that my tummy would hurt. The wind in my face, the bike shaking from all the giggles—it felt like we were in a racing car, and Bata would be the one coming second. Those moments were magical. But as Bata got older, we couldn’t do those intense rides anymore. Still, there was one day at Parcul Drumul Taberei in Bucharest, a park with a little pond. I was obsessed with animals, and I leaned over the water to look at some baby frogs. And, of course, I fell right in. Now, here’s the part that I’ll never forget: my grandpa couldn’t swim. That could’ve been really bad. But Bata? She jumped right in after me and did everything she could to herd me back to the shore. My grandpa pulled me out of the water, and there I was, dripping wet and extremely scared, while Bata looked like she’d just won a medal. We walked home like that, me all soaked, my grandpa shirtless because he’d given me his shirt to wear, and Bata, just so proud of herself. That evening, my grandma even cooked her a special dinner. She had truly earned it. Looking back, I realise how much Bata shaped my life. She wasn’t just a pet—she was family. She was my best friend. The bond we shared is something I’ll carry with me forever, and as I look at Shelly, my new little Dalmatian, I can’t help but smile, excited about all the adventures that will come around with her – me now in my 20s.