My beautiful old gal Fat Flea won a competion to be 'immortalised' at Sydney's famous Bondi Beach

Hi Everyone,

Well I haven't been on for a little while, due to serious health problems, but I have had a real lift, which has made me feel positive and happy.  An up and coming artist known as Mr G ran a competition in Australia to find Australia's happiest 3 Staffords.  He received literally thousands and thousands of entries.  Of course, being a keen photographer, I entered my old gal 'Fat Flea' as even though she is 'weathered' she has a certain 'charm' about her and normally steals everyone's hearts with her quirky Stafford ways.

Well long story short, first she made it to the finals......3rd row down, bottom left hand corner (brindle with the big smile).

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I didn't hold out much hope as both my hubby and I have been pretty down on our luck over the last 2 years both with huge health challenges.  I was so happy only days later, when 'Fat Flea' won the contest, along with 2 other Staffords.   So happy, because she is a rescue dog and to be chosen from thousands of entries, well it's just amazing and it has lifted both my husbands and my own spirit, when we were just about broken (my hubby is terminally ill), so this was a real boost for us.

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Finally, she was painted onto the promenade walk at Bondi Beach, which is Australia's most popular and well loved beach.  Here's the final picture of her.  We went down to Bondi and got heaps of pictures of her with her beautiful wall high mural.  

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Mr G is currently getting ready to go to the US and commence one of his famous Dogathon 100's, where he paints 100 celebrities with their dogs.  He painted a beautiful portrait of 'Daddy' Cesar Milan's pit bull and presented it to him a year or so ago.  You can find info about Mr G on You Tube.

Anyway, I just wanted to pop this up here, because once again, my dogs have given me so much joy.  Long live the little old rescue pack.  

Staffaholic x

Congratulations! That's amazing!

How cool is that , you must have the biggest permanent grin ever

Aww such a beautiful story well done fat flea you little stunner, I've seen quite a few pics of the painting and never realised it was her she's famous so sorry about yours/your hubby health, stay strong and long may far flea warm your heart and soul.

Darcy-may wrote:Aww such a beautiful story :)well done fat flea you little stunner, I've seen quite a few pics of the painting and never realised it was her :oshe's famous :xso sorry about yours/your hubby health, stay strong and long may far flea warm your heart and soul.

Hi Darcy-may,

I wanted to put this up here a while ago, but didn't want to be seen to be 'bragging' or conceited, but it needs to be said that in the worst of times, our dogs can bring us 'home'. More so, I am so proud that a rescue gal received this honour. I'll have to post up some of Fat Fleas photos when I got her, she was full of mange, wormy, * eyes and very, very ugly - no one wanted her, no one loved her. But then her life turned around and ever since she has been a true 'Cinderella' story, from ugly duckling to beautiful princess. (Well at least we think so).

Staffaholic x

She's definitely a beautiful dog

That's so cool, just love the finished product!

Wow that's fab, congrats:) 

Well Done Fat Flea, what an honour. You must be so very proud of her. I have seen a photo of the wall at Bondi Beach which looks great. A true Cinderella story as you say for real.

So sorry to read of your hubbys illness, hoping you can get a little relief from all the pressure that comes with it    

That's amazing! I don't live too far from Bondi, will take Rocky down there for a walk and check it out! Hopefully it's still there! Congrats!

Sorry to hear of the hardships recently, I hope everything works out for the best xx

That is certainly impressive!

Wow, wow and well done Fat Flea. Love the name, love her lovely big staffy smilie.

Sorry to read about your husband and you too. Nothing like our staffies to light up our lives.  

Awww that's brilliant.

Well done fat flea! Hope things are ok with you

Wow that's fantastic what an uplift for you, she's a really beauty and am sure she gives you all the love you need

Well done

Congrats !!!! What a brilliant painting he did, Fat Flea is gorgeous and I am definately popping down to Bondi to have a look ! I'm sorry to hear of your bad news, it's never going to be easy but I'm sure Fat Flea puts a few extra smiles on your faces when needed. Wishing you guys so much luck, and super proud of Fat Flea for the recognition !!

Thank you for posting not only these pics but your story. I really love what you wrote and I think many of us can relate to the incredible bond and lifeline our dogs can give us - also their ability to change your world for the best in the most unpredictable ways (i.e. end up having a gigantic portrait of themselves painted in one of the world's most famous places.)

Fat Flea is officially a tourist attraction! What do you know about her background?