Greystone Lodge: A Pawsitively Perfect Getaway for You and Your Furry Friend

Hey there! As a proud dog owner myself, I know just how tough it can be to find truly dog-friendly places to stay in South Africa. But let me tell you, when I stumbled upon Greystone Lodge, it was like finding a hidden treasure.

What caught my attention were the amazing pictures of happy dogs, cozy chalets with fenced areas, and plenty of room for our furry friends to socialize and make new pals. It was a dream come true!

The story behind Greystone Lodge is just as heartwarming. Ildi Hegyi and Terence Bestwick took over the lodge that Ildi’s late uncle Vaughan had bought back in 2016. While it was already dog-friendly, the chalets weren’t fully fenced.

But then something happened that changed everything – the COVID pandemic. As we all stayed home and bonded with our pets, it became clear just how important our dogs had become to our families. That’s when Ildi and Terence knew they had to create a place where dogs could truly feel at home.

In November 2021, my partner Ildi and I made a decision to meet the growing demand for truly dog-friendly accommodations by fencing all the chalets at Greystone Lodge. This ensures that you and your furry companion can enjoy a wonderful holiday together, no matter the size or shape of your beloved pet. (Just be sure to keep your Teacup Yorkie close, as they might slip through the fence!)

At Greystone Lodge, we understand the importance of giving everyone their space. Our chalets are thoughtfully spaced out to ensure privacy and tranquility for all our guests. Additionally, we’ve created a large field where well-behaved and socialized pups can frolic off-leash to their heart’s content. Imagine the joy on your dog’s face as they run freely through the grass!

And it doesn’t end there. We’ve dedicated a dog-friendly library for you and your furry companion to relax and unwind. You can curl up in front of the warm fireplace with a cup of coffee, while your dog explores the cozy space. It’s a perfect opportunity for quality bonding time.

1. Could you tell me about your policy on allowing rescue dogs to stay for free?

As we welcomed guests and their furry friends, we quickly realized that many of our guests were kind-hearted rescuers. The stories they shared about their pets touched our hearts deeply. It was clear to us that these animals had been rescued from unimaginable circumstances.

I feel like I could write a whole novel with all the heartwarming and funny stories I’ve had with our furry friends and their owners during their stay.

First of all, I want you to know that we really care about animals. We see them as part of our family, so we want to do everything we can to make them feel loved and comfortable.

That’s why we have a strong belief in spaying and neutering. We think it’s important to prevent unwanted litters and give every animal a chance to find a loving home. We don’t support breeding homes because we want to prioritize the well-being of animals who are already looking for a forever family.

Rescue dogs hold a special place in our hearts. They have been through so much already, so we don’t think their owners should have to pay for their accommodation. That’s why we offer free stays for rescue dogs. We want to make it easier for them to find a safe and welcoming environment.

And let’s not forget about therapy and service dogs. These amazing animals work so hard to help others, and they deserve some pampering too. That’s why therapy and service dogs also stay for free. We want to show our appreciation for the incredible work they do.

2. Have you ever had any funny or heartwarming moments with pets and their owners during their stay?

Oh, where do I even begin? We have so many incredible stories to share!

One of the things I love most about working at Greystone Lodge is when guests bring their elderly or sick dogs for a stay. It’s truly heartwarming to see these dogs, who may be struggling, come to life and regain some of their energy. Sadly, the number of dogs with cancer is rising, which breaks my heart. Recently, we had an elderly dog visit us for her final holiday. She could barely walk, but by the end of her stay, she was strolling around the dam and wagging her tail with joy. These moments remind me of why we do what we do.

But there’s also a funny side to Greystone Lodge. The fields where the dogs can run freely are home to our beloved herd of Blesbok.

When the dogs catch sight of the Blesbok, their natural instincts take over, and they take off after them. It’s quite a sight to see dogs of all shapes and sizes, from Jack Russels to Greyhounds, attempting to chase down the Blesbok.

So here’s a funny thing. Those poor little dogs, they’re not very good at catching the Blesbok. Those things are lightning-fast! And even if by some miracle they do manage to catch up to one, they don’t know what to do with it. They’re just standing there in the field, looking all confused. Meanwhile, their mom and dad, bless their hearts, are stuck calling out for their little fluffball, who’s already back at the chalet, waiting by the gate. Mom and dad are getting all frantic, shouting for their dog in the field. It’s quite a scene, let me tell you. True story!

3. So, what’s the funniest or most adorable name you’ve ever heard someone give to their pet?

People really seem to love giving their dogs Viking names. We’ve had a bunch of Freyas, Odins, and Rollos around here. But you wanna know my favorite? It’s gotta be Skimo. This little white fluffball was named after an Eskimo, how cool is that?

What cracks us up is that most of our guests have Labradors, and they all seem to be named Bailey. It’s like they got a memo or something!

4. Have you noticed a lot of people wanting pet-friendly places in Dullstroom?

Our lodge has been fully booked almost every weekend since the pandemic hit.

Dullstroom is super pet-friendly. You’ll find that most of the restaurants and shops are cool with dogs as long as they’re on a leash. We’ve made it even easier for you by creating a ‘pet-friendly’ tab on our website. There, you can find a list of dog-friendly restaurants that will welcome both you and your furry friend.

5. What challenges did you face when you started this business, and how did you overcome them?

Since we love pets, we know that they like to share our furniture with us.

So, to make sure you can have a worry-free vacation, we changed our white linen to a cool stone/mocha color. We also provide bed and couch covers, so you don’t have to worry about what your dog might do to the furniture.

6. How Do We Ensure the Safety and Comfort of Pets and Their Owners at Our Accommodation?

Ever since we became a pet-friendly establishment, we’ve come across just three incidents at our lodge.

Given the wide variety of dogs we receive, each with its own unique personality, we realized the need to create a comprehensive system that prioritizes safety. We wasted no time implementing the necessary measures.

Our solution? Yellow Bandanas. These special accessories are specifically designed for guests with nervous, aggressive, unsociable, or in-training dogs. We provide the bandanas, which can be either tied to the dog’s collar or the leash itself. The bright yellow color ensures maximum visibility, making it clear to all other guests that extra caution is needed. Anyone without a bandana will instinctively turn back or give these special needs dogs a wide berth.

Moreover, our guests have the option to attach the yellow bandana to their gate, effectively warning other dog owners to steer clear of the fence. We believe that transparency and clear communication are key in maintaining a respectful and safe environment for everyone involved.

This has been our proudest achievement when it comes to pet owners – just take a look at our Facebook page from October 29, 2022, and you’ll see that we received over 1200 likes. To make sure everyone is in the know, we’ve included an information leaflet in every chalet, explaining the significance of the Bandana.

7. Have you seen any positive effects from implementing a pet-friendly policy?

If you want to know all the ins and outs of our pet regulations, you can find them on our website. It’s important for everyone’s safety, but that doesn’t mean it takes away from the fun of staying at Greystone Lodge. Knowing that their furry friends are in good hands adds an extra layer of peace of mind for our guests.

We believe that it’s the little things that make Greystone so special and keep our guests coming back time and time again.

8. Based on feedback from pet owners, what changes or additions have you made to your facility?

At our lodge, we are constantly improving and adding new features.

• We recently installed Pet Poo Drains that connect directly to the sewer system. Each chalet has a poop scoop so you can easily clean up after your dog and dispose of it properly.
• We also provide hose pipes at every unit so you can wash your dog if they get muddy while playing in the fields.
• In the summer, we offer a special Tick Dip bath, which guests have named Julian’s Jacuzzi after the person who suggested it. This helps keep your dog protected from ticks.
• Thanks to Angela and Michela, we have added dog leash hooks outside each chalet for your convenience.
• We have created four different walking routes and made an easy-to-follow map that you can access on our website or through WhatsApp under the Activities section.
• I want to tell you about the exciting new addition we have planned for Greystone Lodge.
• We are looking forward to launching an awesome Agility Course, and we think it’s going to be a crowd-pleaser.
• As we build the course, we’ll be keeping all our Facebook followers in the loop, sharing updates and progress along the way.

Pictures: Guests of Greystone Lodge

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