Lots of labrador love in Dannevirke, New Zealand

Details

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  Description

  Ideal Workawayers are dog lovers, self-starters, practical people, and those who enjoy a bit of adventure, a bit of mud, and a lot of Labrador hair.
  
  This is not a spotless farmhouse with a couple of dogs sleeping quietly by the fire.
  
  This is a house that belongs to a pack of 11 Labradors. (The humans are simply trying to carve out a small corner of it for themselves.)
  
  The dogs live in the house. They race through the doors. They shed enough hair to knit an extra Labrador. They bring in dirt, leaves, sticks and occasionally things that nobody can quite identify. If you are looking for pristine, this probably isn't your place.
  
  If, however, you have ever wondered what it would be like to live with a whole pack of Labradors, each with their own personality, quirks and sense of humour, you may find yourself in absolute heaven.
  
  I moved to New Zealand from the USA in 2006 and now share 40 beautiful acres in rural Manawatū with my dogs and a flock of Valais Blacknose sheep (often called the world's cutest sheep).
  
  The property is a wonderful work in progress. There are towering trees, ponds, a meandering stream, gardens, paddocks and views of snow-capped mountains during winter. There are also blackberry patches plotting world domination, overgrown areas that need reclaiming, hidden old brick pathways, shrubs that need trimming and plenty of opportunities to roll up your sleeves and leave a place looking better than you found it.
  
  I love having people around who enjoy helping with whatever project happens to be next. One day that might mean clearing garden beds. Another day it might mean cutting back blackberry, helping organise inventory for my dog business, hauling in dog food, painting, tackling a small DIY project, helping with social media content, or simply being an extra pair of hands.
  
  There are no stopwatches or rigid schedules here. I prefer people who can look around, see what needs doing and enjoy the satisfaction of making a visible difference.
  
  Dogs are woven into almost everything I do. Alongside sharing my life with my pack, I run a dog-related retail business and a private dog park located onsite. There are always dog stories being told, dog projects being planned and dogs wanting attention.
  
  The good news is that "cuddling Labradors" is often a legitimate part of the day.
  
  Past Workawayers have completely fallen in love with them. Most leave talking about the dogs and all that they learned about dogs during their stay.
  
  This lifestyle won't suit everyone. It is rural. It is rustic. It is occasionally muddy. There is dog hair. There are projects that don't always go according to plan. There are sheep sometimes staring in through your bedroom window. There are spectacular sunsets, star-filled skies and more Labrador affection than most people will experience in a lifetime.
  
  If that gets your heart thumping with excitement, the dogs and I would love to hear from you.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Light gardening

  Creative DIY projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Help around the house

  Light maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet

  House & pet sitting
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  Interests

  

  Pets

  

  Charity work

  

  Writing

  

  Books

  

  Animals

  

  Nature
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  I moved to New Zealand from the USA in 2006, so I understand first-hand what it feels like to arrive in a new country and slowly learn a new culture, new customs and even a new way of speaking. One of my favourite things about hosting Workawayers is the cultural exchange that happens around the dinner table, over cups of coffee, or while tackling a project together.
  
  I love sharing what I've learned about Kiwi life and hearing how it compares to life in your own country. Some of the most interesting conversations I've had have come from discovering how differently people approach everyday things around the world.
  
  For dog lovers, there is also a unique opportunity to experience life with a large pack of dogs. Most people have lived with one or two dogs. Very few people have the chance to observe a group of dogs living together, communicating, forming friendships, solving disagreements and interacting as a social family.
  
  Over the years I have raised hundreds of Labrador puppies and shared my life with dogs from newborn puppies through to their senior years. If you're interested, I'm always happy to talk about dog behaviour, training, canine communication, breeding, raising puppies, managing a multi-dog household and the lessons dogs have taught me along the way.
  
  You don't need to be a dog expert to stay here. In fact, most people arrive knowing far less about dogs than they realise. But if you leave with a better understanding of how dogs think, communicate and experience the world, that would make me very happy.
  
  And if nothing else, you'll probably leave knowing how to identify at least eleven different Labradors by name from fifty metres away!

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  Help

  The help needed varies depending on the season, weather and whatever project happens to be next on the list.
  
  Current projects often include:
  
  - Pulling out dead growth and clearing garden beds
  - Trimming shrubs and small trees
  - Cutting back blackberry and other invasive plants
  - Collecting fallen branches and general property tidy-up
  - Helping reclaim overgrown areas around the property
  - Assisting with small painting and renovation projects
  - Light DIY and maintenance tasks
  - Organising inventory for my dog-related business
  - Creating social media content, photography or videos
  - General extra pair-of-hands jobs that are difficult to tackle alone
  
  The dogs are part of everyday life here, but dog care is no longer the primary focus of the Workaway. That said, dog lovers will fit in best. There may occasionally be opportunities to help with feeding, spending time with the dogs, accompanying me on outings, or dog-sitting if I need to be away for a few hours.
  
  I don't expect anyone to be an expert gardener, builder, painter or social media manager. A positive attitude, willingness to learn and ability to work independently are far more important than experience.
  
  If you have a particular skill or interest, let me know when you apply. I am often happy to tailor projects so that they are enjoyable and rewarding for both of us.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent

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  Accommodation

  Accommodation is a private bedroom in my 1904 villa. The house is a country home that has spent more than a century collecting stories and is still very much a work in progress.
  
  You'll have access to a shared kitchen, bathroom and laundry facilities, along with 40 acres of countryside to explore.
  
  I do not provide meals, so Workawayers purchase and prepare their own food. The kitchen is fully available for your use and there is plenty of room in the refrigerator and pantry for your groceries.
  
  I am located in a rural area between Norsewood and Dannevirke, both less than 10km away. Having your own vehicle is certainly helpful, but not essential. I usually head several times a week and Workawayers are welcome to come along when timing allows.
  
  One thing to know before applying: the dogs live in the house. All of them. This means there will be dog hair, muddy paw prints, excitement at meal times and dogs seeing what all they can get away with with the new volunteer.
  
  For the safety and wellbeing of the dogs and other animals, smoking, vaping and visiting pets are not permitted anywhere on the property.

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  What else ...

  The Manawatu is a very scenic part of New Zealand. Enjoy exploring Dannevirke and Norsewood as well as the hiking/trails in the region! Hawkes Bay is just an hour away where there are stunning beaches, great shopping and Te Mata peak for hiking. Cafes and Op shops are PLENTIFUL in Dannevirke and we have a great community run Cinema... one of the oldest in New Zealand.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Space for parking camper vans

  Plenty of room for self-contained vehicles.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  My animals / pets

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