I am absolutely aware that I sound like skip on a record when I say (again) that I LOVE LOVE LOVE our new b’ness and have literally never been quite so calm and content…
However.
There’s a shit side to just about everything.
Damon and I are animal lovers and pet owners. As such, we had a pet friendly policy at our lodge and tent. When Damon’s sister Hannah has adventures that will not allow her (formerly Damon’s) beautiful blonde rescue bitch Pickles along, we really enjoy having her with us on the farm. She is a whipadore (Whippet/Labrador cross) and has a hunter’s instincts and we’ve seen her destroy possums, and can only assume other animals in the bountiful bush. So, we simply have to keep her close to home and indoors when she visits. Unsupervised she could and would hunt anything from a pheasant to kiwi. These are just facts.
Sadly, not every pup is kept on a short leash at the property.
Recently, Kiwi have returned to Tamahunga. This maunga is only minutes from our farm as the kereru or tui flies. Kiwi do not fly. They do, however, often have large territories and may well wander onto our whenua and would be immeasurably welcome if/when they do.
So, it is with a heavy dog lover’s heart I have to announce our pet policy is changing.
Most of our guests puppers have been very good dogs. I’ll go ahead and assume they’re all good dogs. Dogs are lovely creatures and we don’t deserve their adoration and are so blessed to enjoy the connection and comfort they bring. But lawdy lawdy some people just don’t pick up after their pooping pups and the furniture has been too many times covered in fur and paw prints.
We will honour all current pet inclusive bookings in the calendar, but from this point on the pooping puppies will need to stay in a doggy hotel while their beloved owners enjoy the off-grid experience at the retreat.
As much as I am trying to make light of this situation, I must admit it was a very hard decision to make. Half (or more) of our bookings at the full glamp site include couples with a doggo or two. It is with a heavy heart that we have to ask our welcome guests to join us sans fur babies from this point on.
We will continue to bring our beautiful blonde bitch Pickels along on occasion, and our three legged feline Benedict Cumbercat will be a regular resident as he has always been. He’s never successfully hunted anything more than wounded bugs in our observation.
While we are reasonably concerned about the impact this policy change will have on our business, as being pet friendly has been the motivation many of our guests chose us, we really have thought long and hard about this. We may re-consider kiwi aversion trained puppy pals on the property in the future, but for now, dogs are no longer welcome.
Thanks for your understanding.
It’s a shame, and we know that we were one of the few places that welcomed dogs. We also know how hard it is for pet owners to find a place to enjoy with their beloved fur babeis, but a few mucky pups with muddy paw prints have sealed the fate of other canine guests.
Thanks for reading.
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