... but conditions do apply.
I have recently joined a Facebook page for cottage owners to promote their dog friendly accommodation and for holiday makers to put out requests for suitable holidays. So far so good. It is however, a big group and as with any big group sometimes some less than pleasant individuals join in, throwing their weight around and bullying other members. A while back just such a person (or two, in fact) reared their ugly heads. Apparently, as I missed the main thread before it was removed, certain group members were complaining that cottage owners discriminated against holidaymakers who wanted to bring 4 or more dogs.
It then all got very mouthy. Funny how that can happen with the anonymity that the computer gives you. I came in to the conversation pretty much as the site admins were telling people that we are all grown ups, there should be no bullying and owners have the right to accept as many dogs as they want and charge as they see fit.
Which brings me to our dog conditions. Yes, we do allow dogs at Eco-Gites of Lenault but because not all our guests like dogs and because we have other animals here, we do set some conditions. These conditions are what work for us and it is our view that if they do not suit you then you would not be happy on holiday here and you'd need to holiday somewhere else that does suit you and your dog(s). We take a maximum of 2 dogs and do add a charge for dogs staying because, however well the owners clean on departure, we will always do an extra through clean before the next guests arrive, just to be sure there is no evidence of dogs in the gite ... and that takes extra time. We also do an thorough search of the play area etc. in case pooch has left us a little leaving present that even the most vigilant of owners has missed.
If therefore, you are a dog owner and would like to come on holiday to Normandy, please do consider Eco-Gites of Lenault. There are more details here on the dog page of our website and feel free to ask any questions as we may be flexible with your needs. If you are travelling by Brittany Ferries they have details here on bringing dogs over on their boats. Other cross Channel operators will also have their own pages giving relevant information. And once you are here remember that we have footpaths that start right from our back gate. Great walking for you and for your four legged friends!
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| Saari on a spring walk with canine friends |
If I'm ever on your side of the planet I know where I'll be staying :D
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you - we'd love to met you!
DeleteAs an owner of eight dogs I think you are completely reasonable and if I didn't live 20 mins up the road I might well holiday at your place. Hard choice of who to bring though ! xx
ReplyDeleteLOL - well Ginny of course. But who else?
DeleteI'm with you all the way, we say a maximum of 2 well behaved dogs too and on a lead around the farm, not left alone in the properties and only allowed off the lead in our dog walking field. We charge too, after all it costs us in cleaning costs after dogs have visited and while some owners leave the property very clean others have dogs that molt which is a nightmare in carpets and door mats.
ReplyDeleteOverall we have been very lucky with the dogs we have had here (and their owners!) but I think that is because we do set rules. Dogs have free run of the animal free areas and there are so many footpaths around it really is a doggy/walkers paradise.
DeleteWe so hope to get a puppy next year so it's great to know where we can visit!
ReplyDeleteExciting - what type of dog are you hoping to get?
DeleteI think 2 dogs is quite reasonable and it's fair to have some restrictions for the sake of other guests.
ReplyDeleteAlso we dog sit so at times we have up to 6 other dogs here and adding more than 2 in the gite would just be too much! Having 6 here is rare though, thank goodness.
DeleteI think of course you have to have rules for canine holiday guests and to charge extra seems fair to me, as you do have to do extra clean up. Makes sense to me. Sadly we have to leave our cats at home when we go away, not many places accommodate cats! 😂
ReplyDeleteIt is always worth asking though as I do know some owners are happy to have feline guests. Friends used to take their cat to their caravan in Whitby every year!
DeleteI think charging the guests when they bring an extra dog is fair! Having said that, if ever we plan a holiday in Normandy with Doc, will definitely keep you guy in mind :) #animaltales.
ReplyDeleteYes - you must come and visit so we can meet you and Doc :)
DeleteLooks fantastic - if we are ever that way i will be sure to get in contact!! - it's a shame that some people can't be civilized online ! You have a right to accept (or not) as many dogs as you see fit, they can pick somewhere else #animaltales
ReplyDeleteThe anonymity of the internet has a lot to answer for and you are right that people with different needs to what we are able to offer would be better off holidaying elsewhere.
DeleteSounds reasonable to me. Internet behaviour can be awful. I will be passing your details on to my Sister and Father, both of whom have very well behaved dogs! Ours, sadly would not be able to visit from here.
ReplyDeleteThank you for passing our details on to your family and we would love to see them and their canine friends here.
DeleteI wouldn't expect to take Stella away without there being guidelines. If people want to do their own thing and make their own rules, maybe they should be staying at home! ;)
ReplyDeleteThat is rather my feeling, Stella but I am not sure all dog owners believe that and some think they are exempt from rules.
Deletewhen we move back to the UK we are so coming to stay with you and bringing Bob, but it'll be a few years off yet. In South Africa we really struggled to find dog friendly places to holiday/camp as despite places advertising dog friendly on their sites they meant small dogs only and many wouldn't let us bring Bob as he was too big. In Dubai we just won't be bothering and he will have to be kennelled instead
ReplyDelete