Here’s Little Story 2 of 13. Each considers (some of) why, I think, Old Post Office Riverside Holiday Cottages have spiking occupancy and 95% perfect 10/10 reviews.
2. Talking to Dogs.
This particular approach starts with a thought. That thought is, “‘Dog Friendly’ isn’t real. What they really mean, is ‘Dog Tolerant’.”
When I take our Ziggy to a cottage or hotel and it costs (say) £20 per dog per night extra. And I read signs instructing me as to where ‘they’ are allowed to be and lie. And there may or may not be additional bowls for them. That’s not dog friendly. That’s dog tolerant.
Dog friendly is:
– A welcome text, and a welcome blackboard that welcome Ann, Bob, Muddles and Kevin.
– A dog bed containing clean bowls, spare leads, treats, poo bags, a gift-tagged gift for each of Muddles and Kevin, towels and a dog treat training bell (just to be weird).
– A special ‘I’m on holiday’ dog tag with our phone number.
– Dogs go free.
– A Doggy hotel. With dog wallpaper.
– A doggy demuddification station (see photo).
– Sealed grounds to keep dogs safe.
– An ‘every dog hair’ cleaning approach. (This is hard. We do our best).
– An online gallery of guest photos (mostly dogs): https://lnkd.in/e9MF8Z_k
– Talking to dogs. Because when Ann and Bob arrive, they are welcomed by name. And so too, whilst I squat on my haunches, are Muddles and Kevin.
ENDNOTE.
As a general rule, I prefer dogs to people. And – of course – dog owners that visit us absolutely bloody adore their dogs. So if there’s a choice between doing what we do (see above) and, as happened to us once, the cottage owner blurting (as Ziggy jumped out of the car) ‘Uh! Dog!’ – choose the former.
The following text is lifted from here: https://lnkd.in/ejzmkWu6
One spring morning, one particular guest at Old Post Office leaned in. And looked me in the eye.
“Noone’s ever done that before.” He said.
“Done what?” I asked.
“Welcomed our dogs by name.” He replied.
They notice.
Good luck.
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I’ll post 10 times throughout November 2026, about Old Post Office Riverside Holiday Cottages.
Because occupancy is spiking, the first 30-odd reviews in 2026 were a perfect 10/10 and 95% of ALL reviews (500+) are a perfect 10/10.
If you have holiday cottages, or want to have holiday cottages, this might help.
Please repost and tag if anyone you know might want to read the series throughout November 2026.
Thank you. And Merry Christmas.
Mychael.
Website: www.oldpostoffice.co.uk