This edition of Short Tails is all about how we built a website for puppies during our 2-month house sit stay in Goolwa, Australia. It came about in quite a random fashion but led to us making some great friends. It also meant we got to hang out with lots of newborn puppies!
Building a Website for Puppies
Before our scheduled house sit in Goolwa began, and after our house sit in Adelaide had finished, we found ourselves with a week to ourselves. Having spent almost a month exploring Adelaide we felt ready to move on. The Goolwa sit had been in the diary for 8 months, and we were ready to finally get there.
So, we contacted our host in Goolwa, Sue, and asked if she could recommend anywhere for us to stay. There were a few Airbnbs and hotels but local recommendations are always the way to go. She said she had a friend close by on Hindmarsh Island who was willing to put us up.
They were asking only $25 a night, and we were reliably informed it was lovely accommodation, so we gratefully accepted. Sue even lent us her car as we would be a little isolated out on the neighboring island.
Arriving in Goolwa
After a quick visit to meet Molly, the little staffy we would be taking care of for 2 months, Sue came with us to Hindmarsh Island to meet our short-term hosts Roonie and Chris. Built on a sweeping plot of land, it took 5 minutes to get from the road to the front door!
We were greeted by 2 bounding Weimaraner dogs – a boy called Bertie and a heavily pregnant girl called Tilly. After pleasantries with Roonie and Chris, we were told that Bertie and Tilly were expecting their first litter of puppies. Tilly was due within 2 weeks.
Our accommodation was even lovelier than described with stunning views of the Murray River. It was a tranquil and peaceful modern cottage, fully furnished and equipped with lots of homely comforts. Plus Bertie and Tilly appeared at the door every time we cooked something.
Can You Build Us a Website?
While chatting with Roonie and Chris, we were asked what we did to sustain our long-term travel. We of course mentioned house sitting and how we had recently built our own website. This led to Roonie immediately halting the conversation and saying ‘Can you build us a website for the puppies?’.
Weimaraners are popular pedigree dogs and Roonie and Chris planned to breed Bertie and Tilly. But with their first litter on the way, nothing had been set up to promote the new arrivals. We said we’d happily look into building a website, but Roonie responded with ‘I need it within a week’. We accepted the challenge.
With the cash on hand to pay them for our 8 days of accommodation, they told us to keep it as part payment. Furthermore, we should invoice them for doing the website. It’s crazy how things sometimes work out while traveling the world.
You Need WiFi to Build a Website
The only slight downside to our accommodation was the fact that there was no WiFi. Knowing this we had stockpiled a decent amount of 4G data on our phones to sustain us for the stay. However, we hadn’t banked on building a website for puppies.
So, we found a home at the Goolwa Library. Because of further WiFi complications later on during our house sit stay, we would become regular users of the library. We’d come to know the staff and some of the other frequent users quite well.
With Tilly about to pop, and supplied with a mass of photos and all the information we needed, we started to build the puppy website.
WockingWeimaraners.com
The website came together fairly quickly and all-in-all was a straightforward task. Between us, we got it completed well within the deadline. We also built a social media page and set up the pups on an official breeder’s website as part of the deal.
As with any project such as this one, a few changes, and adjustments were required after submitting the first draft. Overall Roonie and Chris were delighted with the final product. It showcased the pedigree and beauty of their current two dogs while alluding to the arriving puppies, due any day.
Part of our payment, agreed before work commenced, was that we would be among the first to know when the pups were born. We also asked to have free access to come and visit them during our time in Goolwa. We looked forward to the big day.
5 of Each!
Tilly was big when we arrived on Hindmarsh Island and they suspected she might be carrying 8 or more puppies. A final scan confirmed she was carrying 10! We soon received notice that 10 healthy puppies had arrived, 5 boys and 5 girls. All were doing just fine.
Our first visit was a few weeks after the pups were born. “Wait until their eyes open,” Roonie said. Driving up to the house we were met by the proud dad Bertie at the gates and found a still tired and slightly disheveled Tilly keeping a close eye on her pups.
They were as cute as you can imagine, all with different colored collars and already starting to show aspects of their personalities. Ralphie (red collar), was my favorite, sleeping in a unique and what appeared very uncomfortable spot, he was clearly going to be a character.
Saying Goodbye
We returned to visit the puppies on several occasions and updated the website to include new photos and details of how people could arrange viewings. Interest in homing the pups was high and Roonie and Chris were confident that all 10 would find wonderful families to grow up and spend their lives with.
To me, it was a bit sad to think of them all being separated but apparently, once dogs grow to a certain age they want to go their own way. I take comfort in the fact that the hefty price tag for pedigree Weimaraner pups will mean only serious dog owners would consider purchasing once.
Hopefully, they all find homes with huge swathes of free-roaming land to spend their days in, chasing birds, diving in the river, and greeting strange visitors from the UK, just like their parents did.
More Info About House Sitting
This experience came about through house sitting. Although it wasn’t a house sit stay, it was our booked sit in Goolwa that led us to Chris and Roonie’s place, and of course the puppies.
It sometimes baffles me to think about the opportunities that arise and the people you meet traveling. Through house sitting full-time we have made lifelong friends over the years and experienced things beyond the scope of everyday travel.
In the next 6 months, we will revisit as guests friends we’ve met on our travels in 5 countries and 2 US states. To read the full story of our time in Goolwa read Unexpected Amazing Places – 2 Months House Sitting in Goolwa, Australia.
Trusted Housesitters
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To learn more about Trusted Housesitters and the different tiers of membership available, read Everything You Need to Know About Trusted Housesitters, where I’ve detailed all the important info.
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