Meet Daisy & Cruz, the Velcro Kelpie of Sydney's Northern Beaches
Our Behind the Dog series puts the spotlight on the real humans (and pups) behind some of Australia’s most adventurous dog-friendly feeds. This month, we caught up with Daisy and her velcro kelpie, Cruz — a five-and-a-half-year-old Northern Beaches boy with a weakness for frisbees and an unshakeable loyalty to his girl. Follow their adventures at @CruzyDayz on Instagram and TikTok.
The Kelpie Who Crossed a Flooded River to Find His Home
Before Cruz had a bed to call his own, he had a river crossing.
Daisy drove out to her friend’s property to bring home her new kelpie puppy — a 22-week-old little boy who had no idea his life was about to change forever. What nobody counted on was the weather. Heavy rainfall had swept through and flooded the property, sending the river running waist-high and fast. There was no easy way out. So Daisy and her then-partner waded in — chest-deep through rushing water — holding Cruz above their heads, away from his mum and sister for the very first time.
“It was emotional and so memorable,” Daisy says. That’s putting it mildly. And if you’ve ever met a kelpie, you’ll know it’s also the most fitting start to a kelpie story imaginable — dramatic, outdoor, deeply physical, and completely worth it.
Five and a half years on, Cruz has moved four times, paddleboarded countless bays, bushwalked more tracks than either of them can count, and slept in the same bed every single night. The river was just the beginning.
Meet Cruz: The Velcro Kelpie of Sydney’s Northern Beaches
Daisy knew what she was signing up for when she chose a kelpie. She’s an outdoors person through and through — happier in the bush or on the water than anywhere with four walls — and she knew she could meet the demands of a high-energy working breed. What she perhaps didn’t fully anticipate was just how emotionally tuned in a kelpie would be.
“He’s the classic example of a teacher’s pet — never wants to disappoint and aims to please,” she says. “He’s an exceptionally quick learner and I fear will go home with almost anyone if they had the frisbee.”
Cruz’s breed nickname says it all: velcro dog. He is beside Daisy when she wakes up, beside her when she paddles out, and beside her when she winds down at the end of the day. “Although he’s absolutely loyal to the core,” Daisy clarifies, “once he sees me he doesn’t want to leave my side.”
And the emotional neediness? “We share that,” she laughs.
It’s the kind of bond that people who have had working breeds will immediately recognise. Kelpies don’t just live alongside you — they attune to you. They read the room. They know when you’re leaving before you’ve picked up your keys. They know when you’re sad before you’ve said a word. And Cruz has been through enough with Daisy — four home moves, solo travel, new cities, new routines — that the bond between them runs deeper than most.
As long as he gets to sleep in the bed at the end of the day, Cruz is happy. And honestly? Same.
Dog-Friendly Adventures on Sydney’s Northern Beaches: Cruz’s Top 3 Spots
Sydney’s Northern Beaches are genuinely one of the best places in Australia to adventure with a dog. Bush meets beach. Waterways wind through the national park. And if you know where to look, you can spend an entire weekend exploring spots that feel completely off the beaten track. Daisy and Cruz have done exactly that — here are their three non-negotiables.
1. McCarrs Creek, Church Point NSW
For paddleboarding and swimming, McCarrs Creek is hard to beat. Tucked into the western edge of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, the creek winds through protected bushland with calm, tea-coloured water and native birdlife at every turn. Daisy and Cruz come here to paddleboard and swim — Cruz launching himself in at every opportunity, Daisy trying to keep the board upright.
Good to know: The paddle route begins from Rowland Reserve Boat Ramp and heads toward Church Point. Dog-friendly along the waterway — check current National Park regulations before visiting. Parking available at Rowland Reserve.
2. Red Hill Reserve, Cromer NSW
This one is a hidden gem even by Northern Beaches standards. Red Hill Reserve is a stretch of genuine bushland in the middle of suburbia — a network of dirt tracks, fire trails, and informal paths that reward the explorers willing to get a little lost. Daisy and Cruz can spend hours up here, working their way through the bush before finishing at a hidden lagoon for a swim.
Daisy’s tip? “Park up outside 42 Cromer Road, take the bush track on the right-hand side and discover your favourite track.” The Cromer Heights to Red Hill Loop on AllTrails (rated 4.3 stars) is a great starting point — 3.5 miles through lovely Northern Beaches bushland, dogs welcome on leash.
Good to know: Dogs must be on leash. The track can get muddy after rain — which Cruz considers a feature, not a bug. Limited on-street parking at the Cromer Road entry.
3. Delicate Campground, Point Plomer — Crescent Head NSW
Beach camping with your dog. Full stop. Delicate Campground sits inside Goolawah Regional Park near Crescent Head on the Mid North Coast of NSW, and it is the kind of spot that makes you want to stay for a week. Wide beach over the dunes, great swimming and fishing, and — crucially — dogs are welcome.
There are 50 unpowered sites for tents, camper trailers, and caravans. Bring your own drinking water. Book in advance as it fills fast in peak season. This is Daisy and Cruz’s go-to for the overnight escape — a rooftop tent, a frisbee, and a beach with no one else on it.
Good to know: Dog-friendly beach camping, toilets on site. Bookings via NSW National Parks. Bring your own water supply.
The Hidden Gems Worth Knowing About
Beyond the three standouts above, Daisy has a couple of off-the-radar picks that she’s happy to share with fellow dog parents willing to do a bit of exploring.
The first is the entry to Red Hill Reserve off Cromer Road — as mentioned above, it’s unmarked, unmapped, and absolutely worth it. Park outside number 42 and let the track do the rest.
The second is Kangaroo Valley, about two hours south of Sydney. “Before you drive over the bridge, take a right and park the car,” Daisy says. “Walk down to the river and let your dog swim.” The Kangaroo Valley Historic Walk (AllTrails, dogs welcome on leash) starts from Hampden Bridge and runs along the river — one of the most peaceful walks in the Southern Highlands, especially on a weekday when the tourists haven’t arrived yet.
Cruz’s Most Memorable Adventure
Ask Daisy about the most memorable adventure and she goes quiet for a moment before landing on something that’s equal parts funny and moving.
They have moved four times in the last year. Four different homes, four new bedrooms, four new routines. For most dogs, that kind of upheaval would be unsettling. For Cruz, the maths was simple: as long as he gets to sleep in Daisy’s bed at the end of the day, the rest is detail. “He’s been a dream our entire journey together,” she says.
There’s also the rooftop tent situation — which Daisy describes as “always a funny one.” Getting a kelpie up and down a ladder is, apparently, an experience that never loses its comedy. We’re choosing to picture Cruz absolutely insisting on doing it himself.
And when Daisy does have to travel without him — which she now limits to once a year at most, because the separation is genuinely painful — Cruz stays with a rotating cast of aunties and uncles who spoil him comprehensively. “You should see his entire body wiggle when we see his aunties out in the wild,” she says. “Cruz goes absolutely crazy.” A dog who is adored everywhere he goes. Not a bad life.
Gear Daisy Trusts for Adventures with Cruz
When you’re in and out of the water as often as Daisy and Cruz are, gear that can keep up isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity. Daisy’s approach to dog gear is the same as her approach to everything: if there’s an eco-friendly option, she’ll find it. “I will always do my best wherever possible,” she says. “If there is an eco-friendly option — which in today’s world there often is — I will use it and advocate for it.”
That’s how she found Wet Dog & Co. early on, and it’s why the brand has become a genuine part of their routine.
The Dog Hooded Towel
Cruz got his hooded towel for Christmas and it has been on every beach trip since. “It’s perfect — it’s so fun with the hooded ears, and so easy to slip on and off,” Daisy says. “Cruz prances around in it and it doesn’t bother him or affect his ability to still chase a frisbee wearing it.”
Which, if you know anything about kelpies, is the ultimate endorsement. If it impedes the frisbee, it’s out. The hooded towel made the cut.
The Matching Human Hooded Towel
Naturally, Daisy wanted one too. So they match. We love this for them.
The Travel Mat
The travel mat is a permanent fixture in Daisy’s car — it doubles as a car mat for Cruz on the daily, and comes out whenever they’re staying somewhere new. “We were making some content for a travel and accommodation brand and it was the perfect accessory being in and out of homes and stays,” she says. “It’s universal and a great addition to our life.”
Lightweight, packable, and genuinely versatile — it’s the piece of gear that travels everywhere and works everywhere.
Daisy’s Top 3 Tips for Safe Dog Adventures
Daisy has spent five years adventuring with Cruz across NSW and beyond, and her safety advice is practical, hard-won, and worth pinning.
1. Solid recall is everything. “Even if just five minutes from home, there is nothing better than having absolute solid recall,” she says. Before the gear, before the location, before the adventure plan — your dog needs to come back when called. Every time. Non-negotiable.
2. Keep your dog physically safe. Whether that’s a lead, a long line, a car crate, a belt clip, or a travel bed — everything a dog would have at home should come with them on an adventure, within reason. “Make them as safe and comfortable as possible.”
3. Make sure you’re safe too. “If you are safe, you can ensure your dog is safe too.” Simple, but easy to forget when you’re chasing a sunset or pushing for the next summit. You’re your dog’s first line of safety. Look after yourself.
What’s in the Pack?
Every Daisy and Cruz adventure is fuelled by the same kit: poop bags, long line, treats, a toy, and “a heart full of love.” We can’t improve on that list.
Life Beyond the Adventure: Cruz the Content Creator
When she’s not on the water or in the bush, Daisy makes social media content for brands in the dog world — and Cruz is the main character. “Basically he’s the model and I’m his fan girl,” she laughs.
She landed on her feet accommodation-wise after the most recent move too. Her landlords adore Cruz and have a kelpie of their own — which means whenever Daisy’s not around, Cruz has adopted grandparents who are more than happy to have him on the couch.
As for what’s next — “watch this space” is all Daisy will say. Something big is coming. Given everything she and Cruz have already pulled off together, we have very high expectations.
Follow Daisy and Cruz at @CruzyDayz on Instagram and TikTok — and if this post has you inspired to get outside with your dog, check out our full range of eco-friendly dog adventure gear. Built for Australian conditions, designed for the dogs who never want to sit still.
Already part of the Wet Dog & Co. crew? Tag us @wetdogandco — we love seeing your dogs living their best lives out there. 🐾
