Mika is a nine-month-old golden retriever with a very big personality, a wagging tail and absolutely no understanding of personal space.

She is also a rescue dog.

I adopted Mika from the BC SPCA, and what I didn’t expect was how quickly she would become my bestie, and how much she would remind me of something I have always believed about Merridale:

People, and dogs, should feel welcome here. Everyone belongs here.

That’s why we’re making dogs part of our story this fall, and why Merridale is supporting the BC SPCA through Harvest for Hounds.

But before I tell you about that, let me tell you why Mika has become such an important part of Merridale.

A place where you can bring your whole family, including the dog

Merridale has always been about more than what’s in your glass.

We’re an orchard, a cidery and distillery, and a place where people come to slow down, enjoy something from our menu and spend time together.

And if your family includes a dog, we don’t think they should have to wait in the car.

Our dog-friendly outdoor spaces include the courtyard and back deck, with room to settle in and take in the orchard together.

There’s even something for the dogs to enjoy. Because let’s be honest: if we’re having a good time, our dogs generally believe they should be included.

Why dogs and orchards seem to belong together

There is something particularly lovely about experiencing an orchard with a dog.

There’s space to wander. There are interesting smells everywhere. There are old apple trees, open sky and the changing colours of autumn.

And while you’re enjoying a cider or something from Merridale’s menu, your dog gets to be part of the experience rather than an afterthought.

That’s one of the reasons we’ve embraced being a dog-friendly destination in the Cowichan Valley.

We’re not trying to create a dog park or turn Merridale into something it isn’t.

We’re simply making room for another important part of people’s lives.

Meet Mika

Mika has become our unofficial ambassador for all of this. She’s curious about everything. She greets people. She explores. She makes friends. She has a remarkable ability to turn a five-minute walk into a full investigation.

And she’s reminded me that sometimes the things we think we’re doing for someone else come back to us in ways we never expected.

I rescued Mika.

But Mika rescued me, too.

She arrived at a time in my life when I needed a little more joy, a little more laughter and a reason to get outside and keep moving.

She became my companion, my comic relief and, very quickly, my bestie. So when we started talking about supporting the BC SPCA, it didn’t feel like just another charitable partnership.

It felt, and is, personal.

Why Merridale supports the BC SPCA

At Merridale, giving back isn’t something we want to do only when there is a campaign attached to it. We believe that being part of a community means contributing to it.

Sometimes that’s through local food producers and farmers. Sometimes it’s through the people who work here. Sometimes it’s through the organizations doing important work in our community. And sometimes it’s about helping animals find the people who will love them.

The BC SPCA helped bring Mika into my life. Supporting them through Harvest for Hounds is one small way that I can help give something back.

Harvest for Hounds at Merridale

This October, we’re bringing Mika’s story into our harvest season with Harvest for Hounds, our BC SPCA fundraising initiative.

During the campaign, a portion of proceeds from our dog-friendly offerings will go toward supporting the BC SPCA.

That includes our Dog Biscuits and Barkuterie Bowl throughout the month of October, as well as the majority of the cost of our professional dog portraits on October 3 and 4.

So yes, you can bring your dog to Merridale. And yes, they can have their own treat.

But there’s a bigger reason we’re doing this. We want a visit to Merridale to do a little more good.

A dog-friendly day in the Cowichan Valley

If you’re looking for dog-friendly things to do on Vancouver Island, Merridale makes a lovely stop on a day exploring the Cowichan Valley.

Come for the orchard.

Stay for lunch and explore our menu.

Enjoy a cider or one of our spirits.

Let your dog enjoy the outdoor spaces.

Take a walk.

Take a few photographs.

And if you’re here during Harvest for Hounds, let your dog help you give back to the BC SPCA.

You don’t need a complicated itinerary.

Sometimes the best days are simply about getting out together and finding somewhere beautiful to spend a few hours.

Come to the orchard

Autumn is one of our favourite times to be at Merridale.

The orchard is changing. Harvest is beginning. The days are getting shorter, the air is getting cooler, and there is a different kind of energy around the orchard.

And this year, Mika will be part of it.

You’ll find her reminding us that a place doesn’t have to be complicated to feel special.

It just needs to make room for people to connect.

And sometimes, that connection happens over a glass of cider.

Sometimes it happens over a dog biscuit.

Sometimes it’s a conversation with a stranger who stops to say hello to your dog.

And sometimes, if you’re lucky, you rescue a dog and discover that you’ve been rescued right back.

Come visit us this harvest. Bring your people. Bring your dog.

We’ll save you a spot in the orchard.

And we’ll be giving a little back while we’re there.