The sheer amount of deafening noise during New Year’s Eve may make that day the least loved for dogs. Many owners wish their pet a better New Year than one that they spend trembling with fear under the table. For example, in a guest house in the quieter corners of the province.
Meadows, meadows and more meadows. Almost no people live in the area around Knoops animal boarding house in Mierlo. And there are certainly no explosions. An ideal environment to bring Rex, Fikkie or Makker during New Year’s Eve, writes Studio040.
The kennel’s website states in red letters on the homepage that it is no longer possible to accommodate dogs for New Year’s Eve. Owner Robert has more than thirty four-legged friends under his roof.
“A few dogs even come from Amsterdam.”
“It’s super quiet where we are and there are hardly any fireworks. The dogs that do happen don’t hear them because of the radio we have on,” says Robert. The dogs that celebrate New Year’s Eve at Knoops do not all come from the region. “We have dogs that come from miles away, some even from Amsterdam. Then it really is a rest home here compared to there.”
There is also a lot of peace and space at Jeanette’s small-scale guest house in Best, because their home is far away from the busy residential areas. The demand for a stay around New Year’s Eve is so great that they have introduced new rules. Owner Jeanette: “I have decided that the animals that really stay for a whole week will get priority. The places that remain after that are for last-minute bookings from dogs that are really too afraid of New Year’s Eve.”
“I get dogs that feel much less fear in a pack.”
According to Jeanette, in addition to the quiet environment, there is another advantage to a dog kennel during New Year’s Eve. “I have dogs come to me who feel much less fear in a pack. They really don’t dare go outside at home, but here they even go for a walk with me and the other dogs at 12 o’clock.”
Animal hotel Mirando in Geldrop is closer to the noise, but owner Miranda has a good solution for that: “I turn on all the radios, TVs and lights. The more distraction there is for the dogs, the better.” This year there are 15 dogs staying in Mirando, but Miranda is not sure whether being together in a pack really helps the dogs: “Afraid is afraid, a pack doesn’t change that. That’s the nature of the animal.”
That is also why owners leave their animals with confidence. Miranda explains: “Owners also have visitors at home and sometimes guests forget to close the front door properly. Then there just has to be a loud bang and a dog will run into the street.”