Puppy parties, parks and pats on the head: a dog’s life in Bellevue Hill

Bellevue Hill is renowned for its millionaire’s mansions, pricey private schools and a missing TV star’s cocaine binge with a bikie, but the real action in my suburb happens below the knee.

This is where the grass in Bellevue Park tickles my belly, the scent of other dogs makes my nose twitch with excitement and humans bend down to my height to scratch my ears and tell me how handsome I am.

Freddie and Cheecka at Bellevue Park in Bellevue Hill. Credit: Wolter Peeters

My name is Cheecka, and after four weeks of humans telling you about their suburbs, it’s my turn to show you my favourite part of Sydney.

I live with Freddie and three humans in Bondi Junction, but it is not a dog-friendly suburb: too much traffic and not enough parks to wander around and meet other two- and four-legged friends.

But a quick walk along Victoria Road takes you to Bellevue Hill and our favourite parks in Sydney – even if we have to stay on the leash.

The heritage-listed Cooper Park is a beautiful bushland reserve with walking tracks, tennis courts, cricket nets and sports fields. But Freddie and I love running down the steep stairs from Victoria Road, past the sweaty humans and their personal trainers, and rolling around in the dirt.

Cooper Park is a shady retreat from the hustle and bustle of Sydney’s eastern suburbs.Credit: Wolter Peeters

From there, we wander along the path that runs along the shady gully next to the creek to Cooper Park tennis courts, where we watch the humans hit balls and wonder why we’re not allowed to chase them.

Hidden behind the primary school, Bellevue Park has spectacular views of Sydney Harbour, South Head and Bondi Beach. It is also my favourite spot to relieve myself – although the council could provide more dog poo bags for my human walking companion and water taps so Freddie and I can have a drink and a splash.

Bellevue Hill has lots of grass and tree-shaded streets to walk without burning my paws on hot concrete. There are a few nasty cats to dodge, especially a ginger tabby on Birriga Road that’s as big as I am, but Freddie and I can usually scare them with our bark.

I also bark at other dogs who aren’t poodles, and sometimes try to bite joggers’ ankles as they run past me. My human tries to teach us tricks, but we usually ignore her unless she bribes us with food.

Meeting friends at The Grumpy Baker cafe in Bellevue Hill.Credit: Wolter Peeters

I always get a lot of attention from shoppers at the Bellevue Hill shops who stop to pat me and admire my rugged good looks. Freddie also receives plenty of compliments, even though he is a bit scruffy and shy – not at all like his namesake, Freddie Mercury.

Not all shop owners allow dogs inside, but we sometimes take our human to look at the homewares at Crave Wares.

Further down Bellevue Road is Gin Heaven and the Bellevue Hill Bottle Shop, which seem to be popular with the humans. Freddy and I prefer drinking at The Grumpy Baker – the staff always leave water bowls, and we sometimes have a bite of a croissant.

I’m too old to prowl back-lanes after dark, but the local vet clinic hosts regular puppy parties for youngsters to meet new playmates while our humans sniff each other.

The vets are always gentle when they give us vaccinations or worm us, even if one asked my owner: “How do you feel about his weight?”

You can never be too skinny or rich in the eastern suburbs.