19/04/2026
You may have noticed Holistic Hound has been a little quiet on social media over the past couple of months.
It’s with deep sadness that I wanted to share that Buster & Winnie passed away in a tragic accident at the end of January. The grief has been so deep and private that it’s been hard to put into words.
They were my constant companions and so deeply loved, and I don’t think I fully realised how much they were part of every day until they weren’t here. From early morning walks to the rhythm of daily life that quietly revolved around them, they were always there, woven into everything.
Buster was always up to mischief, usually on the trail of a rabbit, completely in his element, and Winnie had us very well trained, her ball never far away, always ready for another throw. There were the nighttime antics too, when one would start dreaming or think they heard something and set the other one off, and suddenly the whole house was awake.
And then there were the beautiful quieter moments of cuddles and connection. Our house was as much theirs as ours, and every room contains beds, toys, bowls and their favourite spots. It’s in those everyday things we really feel their absence.
They were also a huge part of my recovery from breast cancer last year. In those early weeks after surgery they barely left my side. Somehow they knew what I needed, and their usual energy softened into something gentle and steady, lying quietly beside me.
Once I was up and about again we found our way into the bush, exploring all the dog friendly river, waterfall and coastal tracks the Bay of Islands has to offer. Over the past 12 months we have clocked up over a thousand kilometres, just being out there moving and healing. I loved how alive they became in the bush, it was their place, and being out there with them is something I’ll always be grateful for.
We weren’t looking for another dog, but a rescue has unexpectedly come into our lives, and he’s quietly helping us heal. I think we needed each other in equal measure.
We’ll share more about him soon, but for now this is a dedication to Buster and Winnie. May they rest in peace, they will always be remembered.
