THE Murrowong Ave Dog Park community is mourning the loss of two of their much-loved regulars, Richard Allen and his Maltese-Pomeranian cross, Teddy.
Richard passed away on 10 August, less than two weeks after the death of his best friend, Teddy.
For the past 15 years, Richard and Teddy could regularly be found at the Murrowong Ave Dog Park, often twice a day.
On Friday 21 August, Richard’s funeral was held at All Saints Anglican Church in Rosebud, but with a rather unique twist. Everyone was invited to bring along their dogs to sit in the pews and help celebrate Richard’s life.
The dress code was people: wear what you like, and dogs: wear navy blue; a tribute to Richard’s love for Carlton Football Club.
Gordon Coulter, a regular at Murrowong Ave Dog Park, said they were “the mainstays of the park and very well-known”.
“Every dog in the park knew to go to Richard, because they were going to be given treats,” said Gordon.
“He was very popular and a real constant at the park.”
Gordon said he was more fondly known as King Richard and “had a unique ability of making everybody at the park feel welcome”.
“Because of his pockets of treats, every dog knew Richard,” said Gordon.
“And they would literally line up at the gate when his car pulled up.”
Richard’s daughter Elizabeth said he stayed deeply connected with his community thanks to the dog park.
Elizabeth said the dog park regulars “gave him so much community and joy and happiness and made his last years so incredibly meaningful”.
Richard was born in England before making his way to Australia and settling in Gippsland.
He was a shipbuilder and loved the ocean, which led him to settle down in Rosebud with his long-term partner, Julie.
Elizabeth said Richard was her best friend.
“He was my first love and my greatest love,” said Elizabeth.
“He was incredibly intelligent, and he had the most wicked sense of humour, and [the family] all got that sense of humour. We are who we are because of him.”
Elizabeth said Richard loved dogs and family most of all.
Richard had three children: Elizabeth, Cyrus, and Benjamin; five grandchildren: Isabelle, Claudia, Skye, Jett, and Sophie; and two bonus grandchildren: Bailey and Kaleb.
“As a grandfather, he was amazing,” said Elizabeth.
“He lived with us for a while, and every morning I’d say, ‘Here’s your cup of tea, and here’s your baby’.”
He was incredibly close with Claudia and Isabelle and taught them the words to all his old songs. They performed his favourite, Danny Boy, as a tribute at the funeral.
Teddy was originally Elizabeth’s dog, but after Richard looked after him while she went away, Teddy decided he had found a new home.
“A week before I got back, I got a text message from Teddy,” said Elizabeth.
“The text said something along the lines of, ‘Hi Liz, hope you’re having a great time in Canada. I’m having the most amazing time. I get to go to the dog park twice a day; I get fed the best food, and I’m having so much fun that I’ve decided I’m not coming home.’”
Elizabeth said she knew Richard needed Teddy more than she did, and for the rest of their days, the pair were inseparable.
Richard and Teddy were beloved by their community, family, and friends and will be deeply missed.
First published in the Mornington News – 25 August 2026
