Many households will have a family pet, but very few pets have more than 180 ‘owners’. Dogs Cindy and Eddy are the highlight for the residents at Coral Sea Gardens Retirement Village in sunny Cairns, where they are resident companion dogs.
“Our residents love visiting the community room to see Cindy and Eddy and to socialise with other residents over a cup of tea,” says Mercy Health Retirement Village Manager Michelle Welsh.
“Cindy and Eddy are a calming influence at Coral Sea Gardens.” Cindy and her owner, Hank Van Der Vliet, have called the village home for almost two decades. Hank says Cindy has always been a very social dog who greets everyone in the village.
“Cindy is a very gentle dog who loves people, she’s the perfect companion,” Hank says.
Cindy the dog with owner Hank visiting resident Maryna Lear (right)
Meanwhile, Eddy the jack russell has been an instant sensation ever since he and his ‘mum and dad’, Wendy and Richard Howard, moved into Bareki Apartments almost eight months ago.
“Every time I walk past the coffee shop with Eddy there is always someone there who knows him and wants to come say hello,” Wendy says. “People are drawn to him — you could say they are ‘eddyfied’.”
Coral Sea Gardens residents Wendy and Richard with their beloved dog Eddy
Eddy’s fame is thanks to Wendy’s monthly village newsletter: ‘A day in the life of Eddy — the fearless jack russell’. The newsletter is adored by residents and staff alike, including Mercy Health Home Care Worker Sean Moore, whose visits to Wendy and Richard always begin with a greeting from Eddy.
“Eddy will always be there, without fail, at the front door to greet us with a bark — he is the perfect doorbell,” Sean says.
“Every morning after we have finished helping Richard and Wendy get started for the day, Eddy is right on cue to check if I’ve done a good job.”
Eddy is a favourite face at Coral Sea Gardens
In addition to the support Sean provides, Wendy says one of the benefits of living at Coral Sea Gardens is that there are always friends around to help out.
“I recently had a fall and can’t walk Eddy as much as I would like to, but with the help of my lovely neighbour he still gets his exercise,” Wendy says.
“Some of my family and friends with pets also visit, that way both Richard and I — oh yes, and Eddy too — still get to socialise.”
Last reviewed December 14, 2022.