Club of the Week: Tauranga doggy club offers members oodles of fun

BOP Oodle Club founder Christine Sadlier with her beloved pet Otis (right) at Fergusson Park yesterday. Photo / George Novak

There is oodles of fun on offer for poodles and other dog breeds plus their owners at the Bay of Plenty Oodle Club.

Christine Sadlier, who also describes herself as "pack leader", said the club she founded about three years ago for oodles (labradoodles) soon attracted other dog breeds as well.

Members, including young people and elderly in wheelchairs, and their pets meet the first Sunday of the month at the Beach Rd end of Fergusson Park.

It's a chance for owners to socialise with each other and their dogs to exercise and have epic play dates with other dogs.

"It really brings people together to have fun with their dogs. The dogs get exercised which they need and they have a lovely time playing with other dogs and kids," she said.

Sadlier said she created the doggy club after her family got their excitable labradoodle puppy Otis and started taking him to the park to run around.

Otis, then a 2-month-old pup, became part of their family on a holiday in Queenstown.

"So this black dog came into our lives and Otis was a little bit of a survivor," Sadlier said.

"Initially, I started the club because I saw so many oodles about in the area," she said.

She attributes Otis to helping her husband get over his own "black dog" depression.

The club began with five or so regular members, but since its humble beginnings, membership has grown to up to 30 after promoting on social media.

Yesterday, despite nasty wet weather, about a dozen hardy club members turned up for a club meeting in the park, much to the delight of their pets.

Sadlier said there has been an overwhelming keen response from all areas of the district, including several members from Papamoa and Bethlehem.

"New members are always welcome and membership is free," she said.

If anyone wants to know more or join, email Christine at christine@oodlehq.co.nz.