Happy hounds’ holidays

King Charles spaniel Fern, Holly the pointer and Lily the Labrador always know they’re in for a good time at Creusa Kennels.

The trio are regulars at Creusa and have come to look forward to lots of cuddles, play, exercise and pampering, as well as the chance to make new friends, every time their owners go away.

“With a dedicated team of staff doing everything they can to make sure guests get the most of out of their home-from-home…”

With a dedicated team of staff doing everything they can to make sure guests get the most of out of their home-from-home, we thought we’d pop along and visit while Fern and her sisters are staying to see what they and the other guests get up to.

We speak with Creusa owner William Bruce, who tells us: “Some clients treat their pet’s stay as an opportunity to socialise their dog. We’re happy to introduce dogs to new friends and, if they get on, they can even go in the run together.”

It’s 8am and first on the day’s agenda is playtime. Next is breakfast – and we all know how important that is to a dog’s routine – before a well-earned nap, during which time the staff get to work ensuring each kennel is spic-and-span. “Sometimes,” Kennel Assistant Danni tells us, “we do get distracted and can be found having a cuddle with our lovely guests.” Who can blame them?

Afternoon playtime starts at 2pm and, after that, Fern enjoys a wash and blow dry in Creusa’s own beauty salon. Each dog is treated like a VIP at Creusa and it would be fair to suggest that they’re having a better time than their holidaying owners!

5pm means dinnertime and don’t the dogs know it! Fern scampers over to her bowl, her waggling tail wafting the scent of watermelon shampoo as she passes. Later, after a few hours of relaxing among themselves and letting dinner go down, the dogs go to bed. William hands out treats and spends some quality time with those who are still feeling lonely, while the lucky ones in the executive accommodation have their own TV to watch! We check in on Fern before we leave and, on seeing her fast asleep, cuddled up with her sisters, it’s clear to see that the Creusa team are doing it right, and that Fern is taking her owner’s parting words ‘enjoy your holiday’ quite literally.