A new leash on life for Sandra and Peter
Sandra and Peter Reed didn’t expect a dog to be the deciding factor in their retirement plans, but then again, Awhi isn’t just any dog.
After living in Browns Bay for twenty years, the couple found themselves facing a familiar dilemma for animal lovers: could their beloved bull terrier-border collie cross join them in the next chapter of their lives at Arvida Aria Bay retirement community? Sandra, seasoned in accounting and office work, and Peter, a veteran land surveyor, may have plenty of experience wrangling numbers and land boundaries, but negotiating pet policies was new territory.
As Peter recalls, “the issue was the dog and I didn’t think the village took animals, so I actually rang the office and they said yes they do. Within three or four days we came down here and looked and decided this is where we wanted to be.” With location ticking all the right boxes and the prospect of a ground floor apartment perfect for Awhi’s paws, the Reeds were ready to leap - so long as Awhi could do the same.
Awhi was a rescue dog and has been part of the family for three years. She’s a full-bodied bundle of affection, known for her love of big chew bones and her tendency to get up close and personal once trust is established. Her name, fittingly changed to reflect her new life, means ‘to embrace’ in Māori - something she does with gusto.
Sandra describes the meeting of Village Manager, Emma Taylor and Awhi as “very short really, it was about if we could control the dog and we also talked about their pet policy.” Clearly, Awhi passed the test, despite wanting to jump on the couch where Emma sat.
Since moving in four months ago, not only have Sandra and Peter settled in by attending village events and Happy Hour, but Awhi has become a celebrity. “They all want to take her for walks and we’re surprised by how many people identify with memories of their own dog from over the years,” Peter explains.
The couple says it’s important to try and bring your pet with you when moving into a village. “The final word is with the village manager which is fair enough, but if your pet isn’t a problem then look into bringing them in with you because they mean a lot,” Peter says.
In the end, it seems that the path to a happy retirement can be paved with well-chewed bones, a wagging tail, and the courage to ask, “Can the dog come too?”