A Wolfhound in a Penguin
Updated: Aug 2, 2022
At the start of 2022, we began searching for a holiday set-up that included our young Irish Wolfhound, Finnegan. We toured some campervan showrooms trying to explain to confused sales staff that our main priority was accommodating a giant dog in comfort.
Finally we bought a Jayco Penguin and in June, set off for Finnegan's Special Tour of NSW.
Finnegan settled in immediately, using our double bed for his day bed and moving to a single bed at night, which converts to table and benches during the day. He loves observing the daily activities of each camping ground.
Finnegan is the son of Wulfgar Muttley, a dog everyone in the Australian wolfhound world appears to know, so our trip to NSW involved a meet-and-greet with
people involved in Finnegan's breeding.
First stop was Gundagai, where he not only met the famous Dog
on the Tuckerbox, but also greeted Muttley's owners, Ray and Margaret South with their current wolfhound, the beautiful Fletch. Muttley died many years ago, but the wonders of technology allow sperm to be preserved for selective use by breeders.
We continued north to Toowoon Bay, close to where Kathy and Paul Palmer live. The Palmers bred our own Mionlach Finnegan and his sister, Mionlach Willow. This was their first litter from their dearly loved Tiama. Though eight months had elapsed since Finnegan left their home, he clearly remembered Kathy and Paul and made himself right at home. Willow is the sweetest young girl and lives with the equally sweet Vallie. Kathy and Paul were so kind to us during our stay in the area, inviting us to a delicious meal in their home, showering Finnegan with early birthday gifts, escorting us for walks along the beach and taking us to nearby St Albans for an Irish Wolfhound Club of NSW luncheon event.
The NSW Irish Wolfhound Club - what a great club! All the members greeted us warmly when we arrived at Settlers Arms Inn, an historic sandstone pub established in 1836. We met the delightful Elizabeth, a primary-aged child who told us all about her wolfhound and explained she was obsessed with dogs. We were so pleased to meet the Wulfgar family, Soile and Stephen Gendle, who bred Finnegan's father and mother and helped arrange Finnegan's transport to us in Melbourne when he was three months old. As we left, we admired the lead-tying metal spike one member had made. He generously gave it to us which was such a lovely surprise.
Finnegan returned to our Penguin exhausted and content after his social activities. So tired, he fell asleep before his head hit the pillow. Sweet dreams Finnegan.
