Dog’s birthday or their ‘Gotcha’ Day

Why People Press Pause is a series of nine articles about the real reasons people take a break. It’s not about why you should come to Woodfarm — it’s about why people leave their own doors in the first place. Over the years, I’ve noticed the same emotional triggers come up time and again — burnout, celebration, grief, change.

These are the stories behind the suitcase. The real reasons people press pause on life and find somewhere to breathe again.

Taking a break is rarely just about “getting away”. It’s about what’s happening before that. There’s usually a moment behind the booking that matters far more than the destination. This series is about understanding those moments. And if one of them feels familiar to you, then that’s reason enough.

Taking a Moment for Your Dog’s Birthday or Gotcha Day

Because They’re Always There

It often starts with a passing thought.
“He’ll be five next week.” or “It’s been three years since she came home.” or “Maybe we should do something to celebrate getting the boys a year ago.”

You weren’t planning to celebrate, not properly. But the thought keeps nudging you. Because they’re not just a dog. They’re part of the rhythm of your everyday. Always watching. Always waiting. Always there.

You might not shout it from the rooftops — but deep down, you know this date matters.

We’ve noticed more and more people quietly pressing pause around moments like these. Booking a few days away. Nothing showy. Just space. Somewhere peaceful. A way to say, “Thank you for being here,” without the need for balloons or fuss.

And what’s interesting is how often it becomes about more than the dog. You light the fire. Put the kettle on. Watch them settle into their favourite spot. And you realise… maybe you needed this just as much.

Because using their milestone as a reason to slow down? It makes sense. It gives you permission. It feels gentle. Uncomplicated. A little act of care — for them, and for you too.

We’ve seen bandanas and homemade dog cakes. Gotcha Day banners and birthday toys. But what matters most isn’t what you bring — it’s that you stopped. You chose to mark a moment that might have slipped by. You made it count.

So if that date’s coming up, maybe let it be the nudge you listen to. Take a little break. Wrap yourself in calm. Let them sniff new smells and fall asleep in front of a different fire for once.

Because when you celebrate them, you’re really honouring the steady, gentle presence they’ve been in your life. Through the noise. Through the ordinary. Always there.

And that, in itself, is a beautiful reason to get away.

Because the times we don’t plan for ourselves are often the ones we remember most. The ones where we stop, look around, and say: “This… this was a good call.”

Why People Press Pause

I hope you enjoyed reading this article and I hope you read some of the others. This series isn’t a sales campaign. It’s not a “Why you should pick Woodfarm”. It’s the opposite, really. It’s about you. Your life. Your moments. Your reasons. This is about why you leave ‘the norm’ for a while, whether you come to Woodfarm or not.

If I’ve done my job right, Woodfarm will feel like the natural answer when that moment comes for you. I want you to come to Woodfarm, of course I do. That’s how I make a living. But honestly, there is an almost infinite number of choices, and this is about why you decide you need one of them, not where you go.