Lily, our beautiful Golden Retriever born 23rd March 2012, a beautiful English Cream variety came to live with us on 2nd June 2012. 

A dedicated breeder in Melbourne Victoria Australia had devoted her life to breeding the most magnificent Goldens, we feel very blessed to have been recommended to her by a dear friend Judy.

Judy used to walk past our home with four beautiful Golden Retrievers, I was always out the front either watering the garden, driving in or out the driveway and one day we started chatting about her beautiful dogs. I had lost my amazing dog Hannah five years prior, a retired Guide dog, Hannah was five years old, we were blessed with her, she gave us so much happiness, we loved her so much. Hannah of course at five years old already had her way of doing life including all the wonderful knowledge of being a Guide Dog. She never lost that training, never letting us cross the road until she had checked it was safe, always stayed with us never ran away, always waited for her food, she had a perfect temperament especially around children. Hannah was our first family dog, we adored her, she changed me completely I now knew how life should be, with a dog in the family.

When she was almost twelve years old, she passed away we buried her right outside the front door so we could always say hello and always remember the joy and happiness she gave our family, I was heartbroken, I could never ever love another dog.

I told Judy all about Hannah, the love I had for her and how I could never have another dog I would remember her for the rest of my life and never ever be able to love another animal again, my heart was broken.

Judy told me that if I ever changed my mind, she knew a wonderful breeder of Golden Retrievers, a very trusted, Melbourne based breeder that breed the most beautiful dogs with wonderful temperaments.

We contacted the breeder her name was Jill Pearson, and she invited us to come and visit the litter of golden retriever puppies. When we arrived, we were taken to the area at her home that had been beautifully set-up, spotless, warm, even a special dog kitchen to prepare all their meals, I felt very happy she was such a wonderful breeder that respected the dogs so much and provided them with a first-class home.

Our Lily was the naughty one, pushing to get in front to have a look what was going on, she came running towards us and that was our sign that she picked us as her forever family, what a blessing that was the start of the most beautiful journey with the most beautiful dog.

That’s how Lily came to live with us, growing into the most loved and adored dog everyone who met her loved her especially other dogs. Lily had many beautiful friends,

Bob, the Lab

Dougal, the English Pointer

Phineas, the Golden Retriever

Sunshine (Sunny), the last best friend of Lily’s, a beautiful Golden Retriever

All these beautiful dogs were such wonderful friends with Lily, they would’ve had hours and hours of funny stories to share about their friendship and mischief they got up to with Lily, sadly all have travelled over the rainbow bridge except Sunny who still visits every Thursday and Friday whilst his Mum is at work.

Lily brought so much happiness to so many people including many clients of ours living with a disability who came on a weekly basis to the cooking school on our property to learn independent living skills. Lily would always greet them with a tail wag, gently welcoming them to 100 Mile Foodie, the other business we own which teaches people living with a disability independence in the kitchen such as food safety, food hygiene, kitchen safety, cooking skills, knife skills and most importantly the joy of sharing a meal together with their friends and support workers in the group.

Many of our clients live with Autism, anxiety & mental health illnesses, they had feared dogs until they met Lily, she was calm, happy and always willing to sit or lay with clients whilst they gently patted her or gave her a belly rub, she was like a therapy dog for them in an unofficial way, they loved her.

We opened a café in Somerville Victoria March 2022 for the sole purpose of offering paid employment to our clients living with a disability. With the amount of people visiting our café with their dogs we soon saw another opportunity for our clients to work in paid supported employment, making dog biscuits.

The new business was born, Lily’s dog Treats, how exciting and guess who our number one taste tester was, our beautiful golden girl Lily.

We sold one or two varieties to start with, then made some dog hampers for Christmas which also sold well, I think we are onto a winner, Lily thought so!

We sold the café in September 2024 and decided to really ramp up the dog biscuit production and started selling them at local markets, Mornington Main St Mornington, Mt Eliza Farmers Market, Shoreham Community Market, Hill and Ridge Community Market and many more as the opportunities arose. This was not only a great decision financially but wonderful for our clients as they were able to be a part of the process end-to-end, making the dog biscuits and then selling them at the markets, a great opportunity to develop so many skills both within the kitchen and social skills as well talking & selling the biscuits, this is so good.

In May 2025 we will launch our premium range of dog biscuits online and to local Vet’s, Groomers, Kennels, Butchers, Café’s and many other places that love our story and of course our premium range of dog treats.