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24 May 2024
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UPDATE 16th May 2024: Renovations are starting on this very unique and special property that is being converted into dog paradise! Workawayers arriving after July 2024 may find it most comfortable to have self-contained vehicles or may wish to camp (tent and bedding can be provided if needed) due to the constant changing nature of the project here. If you are not self-contained or do not wish to camp, ask me about the status of accommodations for when you'd like to stay.
**Ideal Workawayers are self-motivated, take pride in their work, are outgoing, caring and sociable.**
Learn what it takes to raise and live with a large number of dogs -- feeding, caring for, training and even designing the environment around them!
The second half of 2024 will see this property (including a 120 year old villa, barns and more) being renovated and converted into a fabulous place for dogs!
While skilled contractors handle the big tasks, lend a helping hand or watch and learn alongside them as design and renovations take place, all the while keeping the dogs happy, healthy and safe.
If being around a whole pack of slobbering, cuddly Labradors, each with their own personality and quirks, sounds like your kind of heaven, please come join us!
I moved to New Zealand from the USA several years ago. In 2022 I purchased and moved to the most stunning property for my dogs and I -- 40 acres in the Manawatu with towering trees, flowers, ponds, a gorgeous meandering stream and views of the snow-capped mountains in the winter! The dogs think it is paradise and I kind of agree with them.
I have a small flock of sheep that like to think they help with the lawn-mowing(!) and then I have a WHOLE BUNCH of Labrador dogs that are my 24/7 passion.
Depending on the time of year, I have anywhere from 13 to 50 Labradors, ranging in age from newborn puppies to my retired seniors.
My favourite thing to do with my dogs is to see how they can impact the lives of others. Whether it is a smile on an elderly person's face, a memory brought back to a dementia patient, a couple's first fur-baby or an autistic child who opens their arms to a new best friend. My past Workawayers have fallen in love with my dogs. I bet you will too.
The ability to brighten the lives of others through dogs is an amazing feeling. I secretly believe there is nothing that a Labrador can't do! They are always amazing me, making me smile and laugh.
Come see for yourself! Not only will the dogs etch themselves into your heart but you may learn a thing or two as well about dogs while you are here!Types of help and learning opportunities
GardeningDIY and building projectsAnimal CareHelp around the houseGeneral MaintenanceCultural exchange and learning opportunities
While I am not a native-born kiwi, I understand first hand what it is like to be away from your homeland and be in a new country. I love to share what I've learned about Kiwi life and compare/contrast it to American life and then learn how that compares to OTHER cultures.
There aren't many places where you can live with 13-50 dogs at any given time and learn a great deal about what goes into raising healthy and happy dogs, from newborn through old age. You will learn a lot about how dogs communicate and how having multiple dogs compares to having a single dog in the household. I am happy to share what I've learned on this journey of raising and training hundreds of dogs during my lifetime!Help
Come be a part of focusing a whole property around dogs!
Most of the work will involve helping to keep the dogs and their environment happy, healthy and clean.
My dogs live with me and so that mostly involves typical household-type chores... vacuuming, mopping & dusting... with some occasional more "spring cleaning" type activities thrown in (cleaning nose and paw prints off windows, gardening, filling dug holes, etc.).
Dogs generate a lot of hair, dirt, and dust so there is always cleaning to be done. When I have puppies, there is a bit more! There is also some poop scooping/doggy clean up but not as much as you might think as my dogs don't live in kennels.
You will also get to play with and cuddle Labradors of all ages.
Spending one-on-one time with my labs is an important part of each day. This may include teaching the dogs some basic training commands (I can show you how), meeting up with other dogs on social outings, possibly therapy/comfort-related dog work, and reinforcing the dogs' learning through consistency. Many of them LOVE "beauty parlor day" (brushing, nail trimming) too.
From mid 2024 onwards there will be skilled contractors onsite working to help me convert the property (including a 120 year old villa home) into a fabulous, exciting & safe place for dogs.
I am more than happy for volunteers to stay long term!
Thank you for understanding that smoking, vaping and your own pets are not permitted anywhere on the property at this time.Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
Accommodation is currently in a 1904 villa with the dogs and I until August. You will have a private room with a comfy bed along with access to a full kitchen, laundry, and bathroom.
During the 2nd half of the year, Workawayers may be most comfortable in their own self-contained vehicles or are welcome to camp (tent and bedding can be provided if needed). Facilities will be constantly changing and may be limited at times during the renovations.
Because I'm a horrible cook (even though the dogs would say I do a GREAT job of preparing all of their meals!) I provide each Workawayer $75/week for food/spending so that they can buy/cook what they would like to eat during their stay.
I am located rurally but less than 10kms from two different towns -- Norsewood & Dannevirke. We go to town most days so you are always welcome to come along if you need anything.
I do not set specific help hours. A lot of the help is very flexible and can be done at any time throughout the day.
Thank you for understanding that smoking, vaping and your own pets are not permitted anywhere on the property at this time.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 are PLENTIFUL in both Dannevirke so if you love your coffee, I know a great place!
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have decent unlimited broadband access at the moment. Cell phone reception is good.
Space for parking camper vans
Plenty of room for self-contained vehicles.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Flexible. 5 hours per day, 5 days a week
Feedback (34)
Elizabeth is really welcoming and friendly. Despite the language barrier, we had great conversation.
It was so interesting and pleasant to see her habits and how she manages her lovely dogs. Greatfull expérience !
She was very organised about the work we should do and the work tasks was clearly defined. We loved getting to know each of the 13 wonderful dogs that Liz has. We were so lucky to stay with Liz when she had puppies and we… read more
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.9)
Communication:
(4.9)
Elizabeth is really welcoming and friendly. Despite the language barrier, we had great conversation.
It was so interesting and pleasant to see her habits and how she manages her lovely dogs. Greatfull expérience !
She was very organised about the work we should do and the work tasks was clearly defined. We loved getting to know each of the 13 wonderful dogs that Liz has. We were so lucky to stay with Liz when she had puppies and we… read more
Best wishes to… read more
I will miss all the daily cuddles and kisses from the dogs 🐶 and good conversations in the kitchen. Liz has plenty… read more
We learned a lot about the labs and what it takes to manage that many dogs and we absolutely fell in love with all of them.
Great experience would definitely recommend.
Elizabeth was so welcoming and kind from the moment she picked me up from the bus stop until the moment we bid farewell. She is extremely organised, great at communicating and made it easy to understand all the tasks that needed to be done every day for her… read more
The dogs are so welcoming and I immediately felt like I am at the right place. I especially enjoy having conversations with Elizabeth about her dogs and they are all so different! :)
The work is clear and not difficult - help with cleaning the dogs area, general tidying of… read more
Liz is a fantastic host who is a warm person and always happy to help and recommend places in the area for walks, lunch and… read more
Her 14 dogs were also the most wonderful animals to spend the days alongside, they have an abundance of love to give. We learnt so much about dogs and life in New Zealand during our stay. Liz also took us… read more
I enjoyed all the time with the dogs, and how Liz took us (me and other overlapping workawayers) to surrounding cafes, op shops, and beaches. The work day routine was “easyas” and I poop scooped, cleaned the puppy areas,… read more
Everyday you are welcomed by waggy tails, what a way to start a day :)
Liz let me get involved in tasks beyond the usual cleaning and caring for the dogs… read more
First of all, Liz's wonderful nature should be highlighted: she is always in a good mood, is very funny, patient, and up for any fun. She answered all our thousands of questions about dogs and taught us a… read more
It was such a great time with all… read more
No matter what I asked Auriane to do, she did it well and thoroughly and I quickly learned that I could count on her and trust her. It was almost as if I had known her for years, she fit in so well. She was very helpful to me in getting this… read more
Ally & Jeremy came to stay during a very hectic (and quite "not the norm") time. Not only were we in the process of listing our home for sale but I also had two litters of puppies born so everything was constantly changing on the fly. Did we have water? Do we still have a shower? Do we shift puppies from… read more
From day one it seemed like a perfect fit, having delayed our original arrival date, with the chance to be around 15 dogs AND 15 puppies — 30… read more
I was planning to stay there just for 2 weeks, but I ended up staying there for 9-10 weeks.
Liz is kind, fun, warm hospitality, open minded, thoughtful,... anyway I just respect her. She always said… read more
I was welcomed by sheep and lots of excited dogs and pups! I stayed in a loft in the dog house the first week and was in the main house in a… read more
Her primary tasks while here were to help feed the dogs, clean up the dog dishes after… read more
I feel Liz and I had very opposing personalities which led to a breakdown in communication and led to me leaving earlier than expected, but I would still recommend her place to any potential workawayers. The dogs… read more
Be made to feel at home by the Mallory clan who are open and kind hearted, funny, entertaining and inclusive (the humans aren't too bad either!). But in all seriousness, I can't thank them enough for the experience I had when staying here.
Liz has a tonne of knowledge and her approach to… read more