Pup, Sylvie, inspires rescue dog initiative by retreat owners

The initiative is inspired by an English Setter who travelled all the way from Bosnia to find her forever home in the Welsh countryside.

Steph and Paul MacDonald, owners of Quabbs Cabin, a dog-friendly holiday retreat on a working sheep farm near Knighton, has launched Sylvie’s Rescue Promise.

The initiative marks six months since the couple welcomed Sylvie, a rescue English Setter, into their family. Steph and Paul have pledged to make a donation to a dog rescue organisation every time a rescue dog stays at their cabin.

The donations will support dog rescue organisations in the UK and overseas, potentially helping to fund kennel sponsorship, veterinary treatment and the everyday care of dogs awaiting adoption.

The Macdonalds are considering supporting the European Setter rescue organisation responsible for Sylvie’s adoption, alongside other rescue charities.

Sylvie’s story began following the loss of the couple’s much-loved flat-coated retriever, Nuala, which left a huge gap in the family.

“We had only recently welcomed another young flat-coated retriever, Wren and although we weren’t ready to think about another dog straightaway, we knew that eventually we would love her to have a companion,” explained Steph.

“About six months after losing Nuala, we decided to offer a home to a rescue dog. In early March, a photograph of Sylvie appeared on my Facebook feed as being available for adoption in Bosnia.

“After six weeks of planning, messages, paperwork and arrangements, Sylvi arrived in the UK in April, she arrived in Britain and she has quickly settled into family life and bonded with Wren.”

The Macdonalds know relatively little about Sylvie’s experiences before she arrived.

“We’ll probably never know her whole story, but what matters now is that she’s safe, happy and loved,” added Steph. “Watching her confidence grow and seeing her personality emerge has been such a rewarding experience. We absolutely adore her.”

The couple are celebrating Sylvie’s first six months in Wales by doing something to help other dogs who need homes.

As part of the new initiative, guests will also be invited to contribute, if they wish, to Sylvie’s Rescue Basket, a collection point within the cabin where visitors can voluntarily leave items such as unopened dog treats, food, blankets or toys. These will be donated to a rescue organisation.

A small book, entitled ‘My Rescue Dog Story’, will be kept in the cabin and guests visiting with rescue dogs will be invited to write about their companions, how they came into their lives and what makes them special.

“Every rescue dog has a story and every one of those stories is different,” said Steph. “I would love to see the book fill with stories written by the people who love their dogs. For guests who don’t have rescue dogs, the basket offers another way to get involved, if they wish.

“There’s something lovely knowing that a dog enjoying a holiday in the Welsh countryside is helping another dog waiting for a home. If Sylvie’s story encourages even one person to consider offering a rescue dog a home, then that would be a wonderful thing, too.”

Quabbs Cabin is an adults-only retreat for two, hand-built by Paul using local and reclaimed materials. Set in a secluded meadow overlooking the hills around Knighton and Offa’s Dyke, it offers guests a peaceful countryside escape, complete with a wood-fired hot tub, sauna and copper bath.

The cabin has developed a strong following for its personal approach to hospitality and commitment to sustainability.