Dayvinleigh Family

No place in the country is complete without a menagerie of furry and fluffy friends. For Kevin and Tracy, who nicknamed their dream future rural property 'Noah's Ark', it was inevitable that they would be surrounded by animals.

Let us introduce you to the tribe...

Shadow

Shadow was one of a litter of pups born in May 2018 on a farm up the road. Mum was a Border Collie, dad was a Huntaway cross. We just went for a look, and half an hour later we arrived back home with this wee girl.

Shadow is always happy to be following along, no matter where we are, hence the name. She loves hanging out with Dad in the vineyard and chasing the mule. She is living her best life on the farm.

Stella

Stella was adopted through Marlborough 4 Paws in October 2024. She was 10 weeks old when she arrived here.

Stella is a Blue Heeler/Mastiff cross. She is a clever and attentive friend to everyone in the family and welcomes visitors with maximum enthusiasm.

Pumpkin

Pumpkin is another rescue via the SPCA. She was found as a kitten abandoned on the Wairau Bar along with her sister (yes, it is odd to have female ginger cats). The two girls became favourites with their foster parents (and our friends) Carrie and Justine, so they kept Minky, and we adopted Floofwaffle, renaming her Pumpkin on arrival in late 2017.

Pumpkin is a very independent wee soul, but as she grows older, she is getting bolder and loves to sleep in until at least lunchtime.

TC joined the team in April 2019 after being liberated from the SPCA. His SPCA name was Nigel Niceguy in honour of the vet who rounded him feral after he was found abandoned on the streets of Blenheim. The SPCA staff decided to give him a shot anyway and we are so pleased they did.

We named him TC, short for Tom Cruise because he has short legs is rather handsome, demands attention and does all his own stunts.

🪽 Hugo 🪽

After 10 years on the wish list, adding a donkey to the menagerie finally became a reality in mid-2015. Hugo, at 21 lived up the road and needed a new home. It took a facebook campaign and a petition to get Kevin across the line to adopt Hugo, but of course, Tracy won, and Hugo joined the family.

For a decade, Hugo has been a treasured part of our family, and we feel incredibly fortunate to have had him in our lives. His honk never failed to bring a smile to our faces, no matter what time of day or night. He was as snuggly and loyal as a dog, adored his ass being scratched and would patiently stand still to be brushed until we gave up. He knew where all the jars of Oddfellow mints were kept, and every day was a two-minty day.

Hugo attended countless parties, two weddings, and even a funeral here at Dayvinleigh. He made appearances in magazines, a calendar and featured in a local photo competition. He even put up with being dressed up for Christmas.

Hugo had numerous adventures—whether venturing out onto the main road or exploring neighbouring vineyards. He greeted everyone who came to visit, made firm friends with his horsey neighbours and scared the living daylights out of others riding past the fence.

Our free-range donkey, Hugo spent his days roaming the yard and his nights tucked up in his paddock with PJ’s on during cold winter nights. His quirky personality, distinctive honk, and mischievous spirit have left a big-ass sized hole in our lives.

Thank you to everyone who followed his antics and asked after him regularly. For those who spent time here at Dayvinleigh, you would no doubt have spent time brushing him, feeding him minties and treats from the garden and giving him much-loved scratches. Your affection for Hugo matched our own, and it has been a privilege to share him with you. We bid farewell to Hugo in October 2025.

We will all miss that mighty fine ass.

🪽 Cleo 🪽

Cleo joined the family in 2017 after Tracy had a chance conversation with the hairdresser looking to rehome an exuberant puppy. Cleo was a bearded collie Llabrador cross.

She had a gregarious and generous nature, welcoming everyone to Dayvinleigh with absolute joy. Cleo could hear the toaster pop from literally anywhere and would rest her chin on the laps of anyone she thought she could convince to share titbits.

Cleo had so much love to give she also became an integral part of the Cowan family next door, adding their beds, couches, stables and horse truck to her list of favourite places to nap. She proudly led their daily horse treks through the vineyards, getting into mischief with her canine mate Abbey. She deserved a medal from DOC for her pest control duties, dispatching dozens and dozens of possums.

Twice-daily insulin didn't hold her back, nor did losing her sight after developing cataracts. It's incredible how the other senses kicked in along with her loyal sidekick Pumpkin who adored Cleo and took on the role of seeing-eye cat.

We farewelled Cleo in February 2024. She left a big hole in our lives, but we thank our lucky stars for all the joy she brought to Dayvinleigh.

🪽 Bob 🪽

Bob was such a big part of our lives. He melted the heart of every visitor and tamed the fears of many children who arrived scared then reluctantly left with their arms wrapped around him. Despite a rough start in life before coming to us, Bob was the most placid dog. He was so generous with his love and attention, we farewelled Bob in May 2016.

🪽 Tigger 🪽

Tigger joined our family in 2004 when we lived in Singapore. He moved with us to Auckland, then to Sydney, then Wellington and finally to Marlborough. He was just happy to be part of the furniture.

🪽 Mocha and Hershey 🪽

Hershey and Mocha, the Burmese brothers joined us in 2007 shortly after we settled at Dayvinleigh. They had never been outside of their Wellington apartment before moving to the country. It didn't take them long to learn how to prowl and hunt, and over the years, they regularly dragged in 'gifts' through the cat door. Sadly, Mocha left us in 2017. Hershey developed diabetes and required twice-daily insulin. He was a great friend to Pumpkin until mid-2018 when his health deteriorated and we said farewell.

🪽 Jess 🪽

Jess was adopted from the SPCA the day after the move to Marlborough full-time in July 2007.

She was 'daddy's little Princess' because, according to Kevin she could do no wrong. Jess became the matriarch and disciplinarian of the family. She would keep the chickens out of the house and let us know if we had left the garden gate open and Hugo, or the chickens had taken advantage of the situation.

Jess was always listening out for the mule to start up so she could jump aboard and head off to work. We said goodbye to Jess in March 2018.

The family album...

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