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Welcome!

Hi folks, and welcome to my website! I'm Despina - thanks for visiting.

About Me

I'm a Sydney-based Bellydance teacher and performer, Yoga teacher, and Pilates instructor. My love of language led me to study English Literature and Sociology at university and do five writing diplomas. You'll find some of my published articles on the Writing page of this website, and can check out my free online book by clicking here: Little Dog In A Big City.

Before starting my own business in 1998 as Dreaming Of Jeannie Bellydance Academy, I completed two business certificates. And after expanding my repertoire over time, rather than making separate websites for all the various hats I wear, in 2007 I amalgamated everything into the website you're looking at now.

I also have a Facebook page where you're welcome to join me. Here's the link: Despina Rosales Facebook. And also two YouTube Channels channels to check out:

• Despina Rosales YouTube channel

• Little Dog In A Big City YouTube channel

Over the years I've appeared quite a few times in the Press and also on TV in the following:

• Melinda Schneider’s music video TV or Me
• Space for Optus television
• Body + Soul for Channel 9
• The Kerri-Anne Show on Channel 9
• Fresh for Channel 9

You can view all of the above clips and more on the Video page of this site. Below is a taster:

After going vegan I have spent (and continue to spend) as much time as possible doing animal rights advocacy. You'll find my articles about animals on the Articles page of this site. I'm also honoured to have had all of my animal articles reproduced on the Vegan Mall website.

Here I am (above), complete with faux cat's ears, at a rally. I was there handing out my "Go vegan!" flyers. Next to me, are my rescue dogs Jake (left) and Jasmin (right). My partner John - also a committed vegan - was there too (he took the photo, hence his absence in the photo).

If you live in Sydney, Australia and are an animal lover, look for me at animal-based rallies, protests and demos. I'll be the one with the cat's ears on, handing out "Go vegan!" flyers. If you do spot me, don't be shy - come and introduce yourself.

This is my FREE online book: Little Dog In A Big City.

Jessica and I are the dynamic Sydney Bellydance duo, Cabaret Arabia.

Here I am on a float for the 2012 Sydney Mardi Gras. Complete with animal print Bellydance costume, faux cat's ears and Isis wings, I danced to bring attention to the plight of homeless animals. The theme for 2012 was "love" and so float theme was: "Love is compassion and freedom for all". You can also see on the banner in green writing: "Don't buy or breed while pound animals are in need".

I love animals! And that's why I'm vegan. Here I am, going nose to nose with my little angel, the late Jordan.

Plank Pose - a classic pose in both Yoga and Pilates.

I often write whilst horizontal. (There's Jake in the background - sunbaking on his hammock!)

In the words of Mahatma Gandhi:
"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

SAY NO TO PUPPY MILLS! SAY NO TO ANIMALS IN PETSHOPS! SAY NO TO BREEDERS!

Adopt a homeless animal instead - they all deserve a second chance!

At Say No it's estimated that 130,000 dogs and 60,000 cats are killed every year in Australia because there are not enough homes for them all. And the global numbers amount to millions upon millions every single year.

Puppy mills are a major contributor to the terrible problem of overpopulation. Puppy mills are essentially 'dog factories' where dogs are forced to churn out litter after litter, with no thought for the welfare of the dogs and all thought for profit. The dogs live in appallingly dirty, cramped conditions all their lives, and when they no longer serve their purpose they're killed, dumped or sold for cruel and painful medical testing.

Petshops fit into the picture because puppy mills are generally where petshops get their animals from. Furthermore, having animals in shop windows encourages impulse purchases, and adding an animal to your family should be a conscious, careful decision - NOT one to be made while shoe shopping.

Breeders contribute enormously to the tragic statistics above too. And it doesn't matter whether they're professional breeders or backyard breeders, and whether they breed for profit or not, because while there are homeless animals sitting on death row in shelters, any and all animal breeding is utterly irresponsible.

Now, here's where you come in. You can either be part of the problem or part of the solution. You can either buy animals from puppy mills, petshops or breeders and be part of the problem. Or you can adopt from a shelter or rescue organisation and be part of the solution.

If I haven't convinced you, visit your local shelter or go to Death Row Pets to see the homeless animals. Let their innocent faces convince you that adopting is the only responsible and compassionate choice.

"To my mind, the life of a lamb is no less precious than that of a human being."
- Mahatma Gandhi

All information and photos are copyright © Despina Rosales.
Apart from any fair use of the information on this site for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review (as per the Copyright Act),
permission must be sought before reproducing it for any other means.