Earlier today, we were surrounded by hundreds of wagging tails, joyful chaos, and a whole lot of love at the Million Paws Walk in Wollongong—and what a brilliant day it has been.
Alongside my daughters and our Cavoodle superstar Tilly, we joined a sea of dog lovers all walking to support an incredible cause. Organised by the RSPCA, Million Paws Walk helps raise funds to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome animals in need—especially dogs who’ve had a rough start and are getting their second chance at life. It's one of those events that manages to be both fun and deeply meaningful.
We didn’t just walk—we entered some competitions too. Do we know what the categories were? Absolutely not. Do we care? Not even a little. In one, we didn’t win. In another, we somehow podiumed. We’re still laughing about it because no one seems to know why, but we’ll take it!
And then there was the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen at a dog event—some kind of… creature. Costume? Mascot? Cryptid? Honestly, the longer you looked, the stranger it got. But it wanted love, and that’s exactly what we gave it. Because that’s what today is all about—kindness, connection, and celebrating every kind of creature.
The weather holds up, the vibe is joyful, and walking alongside so many like-minded folks (and their pups) is genuinely heartwarming. Seeing dogs in tutus, bandanas, tiny sunglasses—even one in a lion mane—just adds to the magic.
The whole event is a reminder of how much animals bring to our lives, and how important it is that we show up for them too. Every dollar raised today goes toward veterinary care, shelter, and rehoming services that quite literally save lives.
As the sun sets and we head home—muddy, happy, and probably with a few paw prints on our clothes—I can’t help but feel grateful. For the cause, for the community, and for days like this.
If you’ve never done the Million Paws Walk, trust me: put it on your list for next year. You’ll walk away smiling.
