Meet my friend Leo

Leo the Lakeland Terrier.

He’s a senior citizen with some great travel stories to tell.

He’s 15 and feeling his age a bit so it’s just short trips these days. But he’s still a cool cucumber – especially behind the wheel.

He won a holiday in Marram’s Ohope holiday home last year in the photo competition and was a finalist in this years summer photo competition.

Remember the photo of the dog in the basket cycling into the water in Marlborough? That’s my mate Leo.

He really rates the dog-friendly Ohope home. Reckons it has a real flash dog bed, perfectly placed for a siesta in the sun after spending hours on the beach just across the road.

Of course it did.  All pet friendly beds must pass the Baxter test.

For 13 years he’s been cycling the length and breadth of the country from Cape Reinga to Bluff – well his  Dad Colin’s done the heavy lifting but when it comes to the social side of things it’s Leo who’s the road star.

He’s one big character who’s touched a lot of hearts.

You may have seen him, ears flying in the wind as he travels in a basket on the back of Colin’s bike, living his best life.

Leo and his family lost their home in the Christchurch earthquake. Amid the chaotic aftermath Leo went missing only to return some hours later having visited all the neighbours to make sure everyone was ok.

Leo used to go to work with Colin who worked as a nurse, and was very popular with patients.

Doctors were particularly amazed by his ability to form connections with dementia patients.

He’s a good old boy Leo. One of many #DogsofMarram I plan to introduce you to.

Meanwhile check out Marram’s 15 pet-friendly holiday homes in the online Location Guide and casually leave a copy of NZ Cycling Journal https://www.nzcyclingjournal.com

on the bedside table.

With any luck you could be cycling your way to Ohope soon just like Leo.

Baxter