The Enid Blyton Society

Like Fiona, I don't think anyone can simply assume that all holiday property owners who don't allow dogs have preconceived ideas and are narrow-minded — as if we can know the motives of every single owner who chooses not to allow guests to bring dogs.

I have a close friend who owns a holiday rental flat on the Sussex coast and she allows no pets, as I've just confirmed by checking the website. I can vouch that it is NOT because she is "narrow-minded" about dogs. In point of fact, she absolutely LOVES dogs and has been a dog owner for much of her life (though she isn't at present). I don't know her exact reason for not allowing pets at this property, but I would guess that it's because there's a lot of expensive furniture (the place is done up in Art Deco style) and that she doesn't want the risk of it being damaged, nor of dogs bringing in mud on their paws or shedding hair. She has also had neighbours make it clear they don't want any disturbances from her holiday rental guests (they're in a large block of flats), so I wouldn't be surprised if she figures she's playing it safer with them by not risking having dogs that might start barking etc. The "no pets" rule in this case is definitely NOT meant as a personal affront to dog owners, even if some might take it as such.

We went to a holiday cottage.They wouldn't let us take our dog, so it had to stay with my parents.

When we got to the 'luxury' cottage it stank to high heaven of dogs,there was dog hair literally everywhere,beds,chairs,carpets.
I rang the owner to check we had actually got the 'no dogs' rule right.

She said it was correct no dogs were allowed at her cottage as her five dogs who she regularly took to stay at the cottage when there were no bookings didn't like the smell of other dogs being in their cottage.

We've never been back.

Amusing as that sounds at first, Pete - I would have been angry about all those dog hairs in a property that didn't allow dogs! I don't blame you not going back.

We once stayed at a holiday cottage that didn't allow dogs, and we, too, found everything covered in hairs. We weren't very happy. Luckily none of us were allergic to fur - but if we had have been, one of us might have become seriously ill.

I used to stay in a B&B in Swanage that allowed well behaved dogs. The owner loved them. She'd often say the Dogs were better behaved than some of her guests!

pete9012S wrote:the 'luxury' cottage it stank to high heaven of dogs,there was dog hair literally everywhere,beds,chairs,carpets.

This is the reason why so many places do not allow dogs. I worked in the hotel industry and believe me the problems associated with allowing pets (of any description) far outweighs the benefits of attracting the pet owning market. And I also like dogs personally.

I can't really see it is a problem. We stayed in a cottage in Cornwall which didn't allow dogs. I chatted to the owner (a lovely person) as to why, as Julie, Stephen and Morgan were meeting us at the local pub, and I wondered if Morgan could be an exception to the rule as he wasn't strictly staying there. He was extremely apologetic and said he couldn't, really. This was purely down to allergies. The property was advertised as not allowing pets and many people stayed there who had allergies to fur etc.

We stayed in Shropshire at a lovely house, which unfortunately stank of dog. There was hair on the seats and we had to brush all our clothes daily. Jane was blocked up the whole week and it really spoiled the lovely house which was one of the best we have stayed in.

If you have a dog, it is simple. Choose a property that allows dogs.

Moonraker wrote:
If you have a dog, it is simple. Choose a property that allows dogs.

One of the reasons why we decided years ago to buy our own caravan, sometimes it's difficult to find the perfect place, which is also clean and well looked after.

Helenbee wrote:I just came across this online and thought I'd share with everyone.
It was the FF 1978-79 series that got my interest in gypsy caravans in the first place, I was fascinated with them.
I have had a wkend break in one to get the experience but not with this company below however I am planning on booking due to the FF link

http://www.gypsycaravanbreaks.co.uk/the ... e-caravan/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Incredible! How on earth did they ever acquire (and preserve) this bit of television history? Fortunate he or she who vacations with/in it.

Unfortunate about the last sentence, though, I also feel. But then again, as I recall, Ben Woodgate made sure Toddy slept outside of it back then......?

Helenbee wrote:I just came across this online and thought I'd share with everyone.
It was the FF 1978-79 series that got my interest in gypsy caravans in the first place, I was fascinated with them.
I have had a wkend break in one to get the experience but not with this company below however I am planning on booking due to the FF link

http://www.gypsycaravanbreaks.co.uk/the ... e-caravan/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Did you ever go?

I'm looking at booking for next summer, although the wife wonders where she can plug in her straighteners!?

Apart from not wanting to spend a holiday picking dog hairs off my clothing, I'm allergic to certain types of dogs, so would always choose holiday accommodation that is pet free. It's easier than saying I can only stay in a caravan that hasn't had short haired dogs in. My holidays are usually in caravan parks, and the parks aren't usually anti-dogs, they just have certain accommodation that is pet free.

I've seen holidays advertised that don't allow children, so it's not just dogs that are excluded in certain places. I think it makes sense to have holiday accommodation that caters for different tastes/situations.

As I'm allergic to children, a child-free holiday destination sounds great!

I would have thought a true Blytonian would prefer an adult-free holiday...

Nick wrote: I'm looking at booking for next summer, although the wife wonders where she can plug in her straighteners!?

Get her some battery - powered straighteners, mine have been invaluable, I wouldn't be without them!

Moonraker wrote:I would have thought a true Blytonian would prefer an adult-free holiday...

Well, in real life I'm sure Enid didn't like children very much...unless they were very quiet and just sat reading her books, lol! She didn't like noisy ones anyway!