One of the reasons they choose Ocean Shores Village was because it was promoted as pet friendly. They had Muffin, the bichon frise cross, to factor into their retirement equation.
It was devastating for the couple when Muffin died three years ago.
They were without a pet for six months before Margaret wrote to village manager Sandy Quigley asking for permission to replace Muffin with a new puppy.
Margaret didn't like her chances, as often retirement villages will have rules not about replacing them when they pass away. Many decisions are at the discretion of the managers. Margaret and Tony were happy to be told yes.
"We allow small dogs and cats," says Sandy. "People get a lot of joy and love from a small animal. Obviously pets are part of their family but it will be discussed with them.
"We do not have a blanket rule that residents can't replace their animal. We amended that rule to 'at the manager's discretion'."
Sandy says many pet owners, particularly elderly, do not replace their pets due to their age.
But Margaret is active and sprightly enough to cope with a new puppy. She keeps arthritis at bay by walking Marley every day and biking on her electric bicycle with Marley safely nestled in the front basket.
"A dog is actually best in retirement because you have more time to play with them, to take them for walks," Margaret says. "And they are a lot of hard work. It's hopeless taking care of a dog properly when you are working."
Margaret and Tony have no grandchildren, "so she's it".
Margaret is a member of the Tauranga SPCA dog squad and takes Marley to Maylon House
Mount Maunganui twice a month to say hello to the residents. She's a big hit.
KNOW RULES FOR VILLAGE PETS
Companion animals can be all part of a happy retirement.
Retirement villages' pet policies differ throughout the Western Bay. Many retirement villages actively discourage pets. Some may allow you bring a small animal but i fit dies, they might ban you from getting a replacement.
Many will be considered on an individual basis, at the manager's discretion.
When selecting a village,read the fine print. Double check with the village manager. Ocean
Shore Village at Mount Maunganui allows small animals and recently amended their rule about not replacing animalsto at the manager's discretion.
Copper Crest Retirement Village in Pyes Pa was previously pet free, but with permission, a resident could bring a small dog or a cat, notto be replaced. Under Arvida group since October 2016, they are now a pet-friendly village.
"I have already had one instance where a couple had a wee dog, the dog died, then the husband died, and the wife struggled to stay positive about living," says village manager Astrid Martin.
The resident asked if she could get another little dog, a trained adult, and the dog fencing was all still up from the first one. Astrid said yes.
"She later told me that I had given her another reason to live, by allowing her to have the dog."
Omokoroa Country Estate village manager Kevin Searle understands pets are a very important part of people's lives.
Residents cannot replace their pet once it passes away, although again the manager has discretion.
"This reduces the number of pets that are likely to be in the village at any one time and secondly it reduces the likelihood of an aging resident becoming incapable of managing their pet or worse, dying and leaving the pet behind."
