Mystic March 2010

Richard & Jane - We wanted to thank you for the very special care you have given Mystic, our four year old highly strung and extremely nervous Labrador.

When we first came to you at the end of last year Mystic had never been in kennels and we were very worried about how you would manage with her, as she is not only scared of any stranger she meets but is also scared of other dogs!  Her fear manifests itself into a ferocious bark which intimidates most people she comes into contact with.

As you know we brought her out to meet you before booking her in for her first stay (just a couple of nights) and we were delighted to see how confident you were with her - despite her vocal attempts to tell you she wasn’t pleased to meet you!!

After a couple of weekend stays we’ve just been away on a two week holiday.  Despite still being nervous of anybody new she meets we were delighted to see that Mystic happily accepted being dropped off with yourselves.  She trotted off to her kennel without a backwards glance.

Your patience with the manic owners is greatly appreciated too.  We always like to phone and check that she’s settling in okay and you are always so kind and let us know that she’s doing well.  Imaging our great joy and surprise during this last visit when we phoned to check on her progress and you told us she had been out running and playing with your own dogs.  But she’s scared of other dogs!!!  Could this really be our dog!!!   We think you’re secretly turning into the Dog Whisperer.

When we came to collect her it was wonderful to see how much she’d bonded with you Richard.  We could see she was having difficulty deciding who she wanted to be with most, you or us.

We recommend your kennels to everyone and anyone we know.  We’re able to go away knowing Mystic’s being well looked after, getting loads of lovely walks and making new friends (something she normally finds very difficult).

Since coming home we’ve notice a change in her demeanour as we now have a calmer, happier dog living with us. 

Thank you so much for the care you always show.

We’ll be in touch soon as we know how much Mystic benefits from her stays with you.

We have been using Hunters Lodge for a year or so now. Callie is a rehomed dog so we were nervous of kenneling her at first, but once we'd had a visit to see the facilities Richard suggested we book Callie in for a short stay to allow her to get to know the kennels and staff before we left her for any length of time. Callie was a little unsettled at first but soon bonded with Richard and the staff - when I go to collect her now it's clear that she's in two minds as to whether she wants to come home!

In addition to so clearly making any stay a holiday for the dogs involved, Hunters Lodge are unrivalled in their dealings with us. As many people do, we have very busy lives and I frequently forget if I have booked Callie in for any given date, what time I said I'd drop her off or collect her and what times the kennels are open. Richard fields my emails quickly and without any trace of irritation at such a disorganised dog owner! Twice he has been able to fit Callie in at late notice without any fuss or extra admin charge.

On top of all of this, the prices are very reasonable and include food if you wish (we supply our own as Callie has a sensitive stomach and as with everything else this is accomplished with no fuss or added charge despite the extra work this involves for the kennels)

We cannot commend Hunters Lodge highly enough and we're certain Callie feels the same!

Here are a few pictures of some of our guests enjoying the winter weather over Christmas!

                                                        Latest Guests

                                     Sky & Baxter ( Rhodesian Ridgebacks)

                                Liffey (Irish Water Spaniel) & Jonah (GSP)

Dear Richard & Jane,

Just to say thank you once again for giving Liffey another great holiday. The kennels become almost a home from home over the summer holidays & one which she loves going to.

Calm, quiet & slow are not words often, if ever, used abut Liffey & yet you cope very well with her slightly wild, there must be something more exciting around the next corner lets go & have a look, attitude to life. We love hearing about the new doggy friends she has met whilst staying with you & the fun she has had. All the stories confirm what a great time she has. Thank you for making time to take her on your hour long walks whilst she was in for her longest stay. As this was a very busy period for you the time & effort put in to her care was another demonstration of the reason why we are more than happy to leave Liffey with you when we are away & why we wouldn’t hesitate in recommending the kennels to anyone.

Hope that you manage to get some time away yourselves in the near future.

Thank you again & see you soon no doubt.

Celia Dashfield

                                               A special message to our mum.

  We hope you have a wonderful wedding day tomorrow and we are absolutely fine

                                                          at the kennels

                                                 Love Millie & Mercedes

                                                           x x x x x x x x

                                                        Buster (July 2009)

Hello Richard & Jane,

When Buster our yellow Labrador was on one of his many visits to Hunters Lodge, Richard took some photographs of him, indeed there is one of him on the web site having fun with  his new found pals Bella & Dexter. We would love to see more of the photo’s of Buster so that we can choose one to adorn our wall.

Words can’t express how delighted we are to know that Buster is being looked after so well and having such fun when he stays with you.  He starts wagging his tail as we turn into the driveway at Hunters Lodge, it really feels good to know that far from just leaving him in kennels, he is actually going on his holidays and can look forward to having his every need met with genuine care and attention plus the chance to have fun with other “holiday makers”.

Kind Regards

Patsy & Pete Chapman

                     Meg (Hungarian Vizla) & Alfie (Keeshond) June 2009

Richard,  

We would just like to say thank you for taking such great care of Alfie whilst we were on holiday.   After a previous not to good experience at kennels, we were a bit concerned at having to leave him for so long. I spent a long time looking for a local kennel and also asked a lot of friends for their recommendations.

Several of them suggested you, and I can now see why. Seeing the way Alfie was with you, and in the photos that you showed me, Alfie obviously had a wonderful time. We would not hesitate to leave Alfie with you again, or to recommend your services to anyone who asks.   Talking of the photos, I would be very grateful if you could forward them to me as I think I have convinced the wife to buy one. I just need her to select which one.  

Thanks again  

Pete 

                     Daisy (June 2009)

Dear Jane and Richard,  

Many thanks for caring for Daisy so well during her stay with you. It was lovely to be able to leave her in such capable hands, while we helped with my son's wedding, knowing she would get a decent walk in the countryside!  

Kind Regards  

Wendy Wooding

                         Maxie & Sweep (June 2009)

Richard

Just to thank you and the staff for your kind attention shown to our dogs yet again during our recent holiday.
 
It is reassuring to see the dogs wagging their tails, yet again, on the way in!
 
This, as you know, is at least the fourth time that we have used you, and as yet we have had no reason for complaint. The dogs will be looking forward to the next break in 5 weeks time!
 
As an extra, we thought that we had found brilliant kennels before (which in true fairness we had, at 'Kayla' near Stowe at Buckingham) and the dogs seemed to enjoy going there but for us it was too far and we were reluctant to change 'cos as you are aware we are frequent travellers abroad and apart from cheap flights,the dogs come a close second!

What impressed us this last time was that when we opened the back of the car your mum came out from the house and the dogs ran to her as if they had just found a long lost friend! BUT!! When we went ito the office, Maxie heard your voice on the phone (even though she could not have seen you by then) and went barmy!!!!

Thanks, once again,

Anne and Pete Jones

Recent Guests - 'Tia & Biscuit' (Cocker Spaniels)

Here are two of the most adorable sisters you could ever meet, this is their second time staying at Hunters Lodge.

Recent Guest - Bertie (Standard Schnauzer)

This is Bertie's first time in Kennels and as you can see - he thinks our field was designed just for him!

Recent Guest - This is dear old 'Emma' (Japanese Spitz)

She is one of our oldest dogs that we look after, at the ripe old age of 15! She was once a winner at Crufts!

                                           Bella, Buster & Dexter

Good Morning Richard,
 
(or at least it is morning where we are!).  Xander - Dexter's true and rightful owner (12 years old) called yesterday to see how Dexter was as Xander was fretting over him.  We were told to look on your web page to see Dexter.  Thank you so much for putting a photo up there.  It made Xander's day to see how happy Dexter looked!  Xander and Dexter are completely inseparable and Xander cried terribly when we left Dexter with you.  But being able to "see" him whilst we are so far away (America) has cheered Xander up immensely!
 
Many thanks.  Will be very happy to recommend your kennels and will certainly be using you every time we go away.
 
Kindest regards Jaime. 7th May 2009

                             Jodie

We are happy to leave Jodie at Hunters Lodge, it really is "home from home".  We know she will be well cared for; in fact she always enjoys her holiday home and has made many friends.  Although we miss her very much we are confident she is in good hands.  

Sue and Reade Burnell   13 May 2009

                             Rocky

Wow - What A Great Kennel And Staff! Highly Recommended

“ We have returned to England after over 10 years of living in the USA. I had spent the last 3 months researching and viewing kennels in various parts of England. I was particularly looking for a kennel that let dogs run and play together in open spaces instead of keeping them separated for their entire stay. Finally, I found Hunters Lodge, THANK GOODNESS. Rocky is spoilt and is well loved at home and with all our friends and neighbours which is why I spent so much time and effort trying to find something close to what he had in the USA.

I boarded my dog Rocky with Hunters Lodge for nearly 10 days after booking him in for a one night trial previous to our holiday.

I just picked up my dog Rocky from Hunters Lodge after his ten day visit. Whilst driving in he was in the field having his walk - although he was really hapy to see me - he was unhappy to leave! He was scratching the door on the way out so I stopped the car at the top of the drive to check if he wanted water before I started the drive home and opened the door to give him water and he wanted to escape from the car to run back into the field and back to Richard!!! Rocky has never ever done this, he has always been good once in the car even with the door open he will sit and wait on the seat. So I know that Rocky had a blast here, he ran and played with lots of other dogs on his daily extra walk - thank goodness for this as he managed to loose a few pounds while staying here, as he was a bit over weight.

Thanks Richard for taking such great care of Rocky while we were away on holiday. He will be back on our next trip.

"Sumi & Tina ” 14  April 2009

"Picture to follow shortly"

I have boarded Mostyn with Hunter’s Lodge since he was a puppy and he is always well looked after and cared for which gives me peace of mind when I have to go away, knowing that he is in safe hands.  I can always ring up and see how he is getting on without feeling like I am being a nuisance and you know that Richard and the team are taking an interest in your dog as they actually tell you what your dog has been up to that day rather than just telling you that your dog is “fine” which is reassuring.  A friendly and approachable team that obviously love dogs! by Claire

                                                        Bonnie

This Is The Most Dog And Dog Owner Orientated Kennels You Will Ever Find!

Richard and Jane were so caring and sympathetic to our situation - and Bonnie's changing situation - that the transition was better than you could have ever hoped for. If you care about your dog, this is the best place in the world that you could leave a much loved pet. ”

Tina Quelch 25 April 2009

                                                            Kendy & Shanya (Jan 2009)

We were very pleased to have left our two Red Setter Girlies with you for two weeks earlier this year. Anyone can be paid to take care of a pet, and may take care of them well, but no-one can pay you to care, you either do or you don't - and
you and your kennel staff clearly do love dogs.

So we shall certainly be booking them in with you as soon as we have sorted out our next holiday-dates

Best regards
Mr & Mrs G Crisp