Two Old English Sheepdogs Who Call Australia Home
These 'Two Dulux Dogs' have won the hearts of the humans they share a home with on Sydney's Northern Beaches
When an Old English sheepdog and his owner moved to Sydney, finding a home that suited his doggie needs was a top priority. Little did he know that he’d soon be sharing his new abode with a little sheepdog sister.
Pets at a Glance
Names: Woofda and Barkley
Ages: 6 and 3 years old
Location: North Balgowlah, NSW
Housemates: Owner Maria Sykes and friend Marina Zarnitsyna
Pets at a Glance
Names: Woofda and Barkley
Ages: 6 and 3 years old
Location: North Balgowlah, NSW
Housemates: Owner Maria Sykes and friend Marina Zarnitsyna
“I can’t look at Woofda and not smile, I just think he’s hilarious,” says Sykes. “He’s got a human face and he makes me laugh; his antics just light me up.”
Once the duo had settled back in Sydney, the time was right to give Woofda a sibling. But he was far less enthusiastic about the idea than Sykes anticipated.
“When she came home he tried to pretend she didn’t exist,” says Sykes. “He was disgusted that I’d brought someone into his world. He kept looking at me as if to say ‘Why is it still here?’”
Barkley’s efforts to play with her new brother were initially rebuffed, but four days in she took a chance and pounced on his nose while he was having a snooze on the lawn.
“To my delight he woke up and started to play with her. Now they’re partners in crime. They don’t snuggle up because Woofda’s not a snuggler, but they sleep side by side and he misses her when she’s not there, although he’d never admit that out loud.”
For the Love of Dogs: Our Ever-Faithful Companions
Once the duo had settled back in Sydney, the time was right to give Woofda a sibling. But he was far less enthusiastic about the idea than Sykes anticipated.
“When she came home he tried to pretend she didn’t exist,” says Sykes. “He was disgusted that I’d brought someone into his world. He kept looking at me as if to say ‘Why is it still here?’”
Barkley’s efforts to play with her new brother were initially rebuffed, but four days in she took a chance and pounced on his nose while he was having a snooze on the lawn.
“To my delight he woke up and started to play with her. Now they’re partners in crime. They don’t snuggle up because Woofda’s not a snuggler, but they sleep side by side and he misses her when she’s not there, although he’d never admit that out loud.”
For the Love of Dogs: Our Ever-Faithful Companions
Friend Marina Zarnitsyna formed a special bond with Barkley when she moved in. “When Marina first moved in she said, ‘We live with magical creatures!’ And I thought ‘It’s true, it’s an absolute blessing to have these guys in the house’.”
Zarnitsyna took so many photos of the dogs that she started an Instagram account about her new canine pals. Two Dulux Dogs now has more than 20,000 followers.
“It’s a really interesting way to engage with other people who love animals,” says Zarnitsyna. “It’s great fun for the dogs as well. They love attention and as long as we give them enough treats they are very happy to participate!”
Zarnitsyna took so many photos of the dogs that she started an Instagram account about her new canine pals. Two Dulux Dogs now has more than 20,000 followers.
“It’s a really interesting way to engage with other people who love animals,” says Zarnitsyna. “It’s great fun for the dogs as well. They love attention and as long as we give them enough treats they are very happy to participate!”
When Zarnitsyna first met Barkley, it was love at first sight, despite never having had much to do with dogs before. Barkley is known to join Zarnitsyna in her bedroom for girl time.
“There is definitely something between Barkley and me; we have a special bond and we are very alike,” says Zarnitsyna. “She’s a little bit crazy and always happy even if there’s no particular reason for that, so we get along well. She can be a bit shy and wary of strangers and noises, and she can behave a bit weirdly, but once she gets to know you she loves you.”
“There is definitely something between Barkley and me; we have a special bond and we are very alike,” says Zarnitsyna. “She’s a little bit crazy and always happy even if there’s no particular reason for that, so we get along well. She can be a bit shy and wary of strangers and noises, and she can behave a bit weirdly, but once she gets to know you she loves you.”
The dogs are not averse to receiving treats via the kitchen window.
“They are just so sociable,” says Zarnitsyna. “They start giving you hugs and kisses the minute you meet them; how can you not fall in love with them?”
“They are just so sociable,” says Zarnitsyna. “They start giving you hugs and kisses the minute you meet them; how can you not fall in love with them?”
The outdoor lounge and dining area opens off the living room and is one of Woofda and Barkley’s favourite places to hang out.
Sykes accepted that it would be impossible to keep the dogs off the sofa so she added washable covers. The dogs enjoy watching TV of an evening with their human companions.
“Right now I’m between jobs and if it wasn’t for the dogs I think I’d be going mad,” says Sykes. “I talk to them like a crazy woman and they’re just phenomenally good company.”
See more beautifully laid-out living areas
“Right now I’m between jobs and if it wasn’t for the dogs I think I’d be going mad,” says Sykes. “I talk to them like a crazy woman and they’re just phenomenally good company.”
See more beautifully laid-out living areas
Woofda and Barkley relax in the home office off the kitchen whenever their humans are in there working. Sykes bought their personalised dog beds on Etsy.
“Woofda has the doggie version of Crohn’s disease, which caused me a lot of anxiety for a long time,” says Sykes. His intestinal trouble is under control now, but he will always have to take medication. Sykes used to make his food from scratch, but both dogs now eat ZiwiPeak dog food, which they prefer.
“You need a second mortgage to pay for it, but there’s no rubbish in it; it’s phenomenal food,” says Sykes.
“You need a second mortgage to pay for it, but there’s no rubbish in it; it’s phenomenal food,” says Sykes.
Barkley, also known as Boo Boo, likes her tent den in the second living room – that’s her behind Woofda. “She feels safe there,” says Sykes. “She used to go and hide in there when she was afraid but now it’s more of a happy place for her. If I can’t see her, I’ll often find her curled up in the tent. It’s super cute.”
When it gets hot in summer Sykes shaves the dogs’ bellies and they like to lie on the cool polished concrete floor. “We also have a scrappy old sofa for them by the window in here. They like to sit there and wait for us to come home – it’s their watch-the-world-go-by seat.”
How to Keep Your Pets Cool and Comfortable in a Heatwave
When it gets hot in summer Sykes shaves the dogs’ bellies and they like to lie on the cool polished concrete floor. “We also have a scrappy old sofa for them by the window in here. They like to sit there and wait for us to come home – it’s their watch-the-world-go-by seat.”
How to Keep Your Pets Cool and Comfortable in a Heatwave
“They’ve brought so much joy,” says Sykes. “When I first told my friend in America I was going to get one, I remember him saying ‘Imagine how many smiles you’ll have in your day’. What a brilliant thing to say and how true!”
Although the dogs have their own room to sleep in, they’d really rather sleep on the bed with Sykes.
“Woofda wants to be where I am, and Barkley wants to be where he is – she absolutely dotes on him,” says Sykes. “And there’s a bit of a battle between them for my love. If one of them is with me, the other will barrel in and push the other out of the way.”
Barkley is a particularly good cuddler. “If you’re in bed she’ll jump on you and put her whole body over yours, lying flat on top of you like a Portuguese chicken.”
Woofda would prefer to sit there and receive scratches rather than grant hugs. “I could never describe him as a taker, although he is, because he gives me so much joy,” says Sykes with a laugh. “He’s only six and in the prime of his life, but I am absolutely petrified of the day I’ll lose him. He’s such a massive part of my life that he’s almost a part of me. He’s part of my identity; I love him beyond words.”
Follow Woofda and Barkley on Instagram at Two Dulux Dogs and read more stories about adorable pets and their humans at Unfolding Tails.
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“Woofda wants to be where I am, and Barkley wants to be where he is – she absolutely dotes on him,” says Sykes. “And there’s a bit of a battle between them for my love. If one of them is with me, the other will barrel in and push the other out of the way.”
Barkley is a particularly good cuddler. “If you’re in bed she’ll jump on you and put her whole body over yours, lying flat on top of you like a Portuguese chicken.”
Woofda would prefer to sit there and receive scratches rather than grant hugs. “I could never describe him as a taker, although he is, because he gives me so much joy,” says Sykes with a laugh. “He’s only six and in the prime of his life, but I am absolutely petrified of the day I’ll lose him. He’s such a massive part of my life that he’s almost a part of me. He’s part of my identity; I love him beyond words.”
Follow Woofda and Barkley on Instagram at Two Dulux Dogs and read more stories about adorable pets and their humans at Unfolding Tails.
Tell us
If you enjoyed this story, like it, save it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation.
More
Read more stories about beloved pets
“Woofda is the love of my life,” says Sykes. “I can’t imagine life without him.” She had initially planned to get two puppies at once but was advised to wait at least a year so Woofda bonded primarily with her rather than a sibling.
Six months after moving back to Australia, when Woofda was three, she set about finding him a house and then a sister. “I bought the house super fast when I got back, knowing Woofda was coming through quarantine and needed a home. We joke that Woofda is allowing us to live in his house.”
Sykes says Woofda can be a bit of a bossy boots, but is also smart and intuitive. “He has a big vocabulary and he understands quite a lot that I say to him.”