BEAUTIFUL OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG LUCY LIKES NOTHING BETTER THAN TO ROMP IN THE GEMLIFE HIGHFIELDS’ OVER-50S LIFESTYLE RESORT OFF-LEASH DOG PARK WITH HER FRIENDS RILEY AND SALLY, EXCEPT WHEN SHE IS BUSY HELPING YOUNG CHILDREN LEARN TO READ.
Lucy is the much-loved pet of former teachers Kathryn and Noel McIntyre who have trained her to be a story dog which means regular visits to a local state school in Toowoomba.
“Lucy is so calm and very intelligent and just loves being a story dog which involves helping little children in Year Two who have reading problems and don’t want to read to other people. There are five children who read to Lucy, one at a time. Lucy lays on a mat and listens to each one and loves all the extra hugs and cuddles she gets as well,” said Kathryn.
Lucy has grown up at GemLife Highfields, having been raised from a puppy by the McIntyres who moved into the resort two years ago. She now stands about 80cm tall, dwarfing many of her smaller canine buddies and has become one of the most loved and recognised pooches at the resort.
“All the dogs get along extremely well, and often meet up at our resort’s off-leash dog park which is just around the corner from us. Because Lucy is a little larger than most, we usually let the smaller dogs play between 2 and 3pm and then meet up with two of Lucy’s larger friends for an hour’s frolic in the park, which they love.”
Noel, Kathryn and Lucy visit the dog park almost every day and are looking forward to a second off-leash dog park set to be established in GemLife Highfields Stage Five.
“Having a dog park in the resort was a very important consideration when deciding if we wanted to live here. Lucy is everything to us and she ensures we always have company. It’s hard to be lonely with her sitting on our laps and we couldn’t imagine life without her,” said Kathryn.