Why pets feel at home in 'Ireland of the welcomes'

Donal Beecher reflects on pet-friendly breaks with labradoodle Tilly in Cavan and Longford, enjoying acres of space and a wealth of great amenities

Donal Beecher and Tilly, relaxing during one of their pet-friendly breaks.

No one likes a dog bore. Those people who want to treat their dogs like little children, bring them everywhere and talk to them in that annoying little baby voice — like their pets understand them. 

And then there are the pet outfits. More money than sense, we cry — or whisper — behind their backs. There is also the practical opinion that dogs just want to be dogs, so we should treat them just as they are. And so say all of us.