Look, it’s Bluey!
By Shelley Banks
Most days, you’ll find me down at Kedron Brook, taking our dog, Harley, for a walk. It’s a great spot for both of us. Harley can run off lead and play with other dogs and I don’t have to continually fight to stay upright like I do when he’s on a lead. He’s so strong that he sometimes almost pulls me over in his excitement to get there, so once we arrive and I can let him go, I’m much happier.
Kedron Brook’s off-leash area is always busy with dog owners and families. Children frequently play, run, chase their dogs, kick balls, and often greet our dog with cries of ‘look, it’s a Bluey dog!’
Our Blue Heeler (with a tiny bit of Kelpie thrown in) closely resembles the cartoon dog popular with kids worldwide. Children love to approach and pat him, clearly delighted by his likeness to their TV favourite. Although I haven’t watched the show, the ads and images I’ve seen make it clear why our dog gets noticed.
The children and our dog are happy; he enjoys the attention, even if he doesn’t understand why. The kids love playing with him, and it’s uplifting to see him bring delight to others.
It’s something very simple but sometimes simple things bring the most joy.
At times, parents join in too, commenting on Harley, which then turns into conversations about their own pets. There’s a real sense of connection, as strangers bond over the antics of their four-legged friends.
Even in winter, when it’s chilly, there’s a warm sense of community at the brook for both people and dogs. And for fans of the world’s favourite cartoon dog as well.
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