06/23/2026
**A Sunday Afternoon to Remember**
Some of the best moments in life are not planned. They happen when people come together, share a meal, and take the time to learn a little about one another.
This past Sunday, we invited twelve men from Mexico who are working for Sandhill Nursery this season to join us for a barbecue at Happy Tails. For the past couple of years, they have helped me immensely with the gardens here at the resort. Their hard work, skill, and dedication are reflected in every flower bed and pathway. I wanted to find a small way to say thank you.
These men leave their wives and children behind for six months at a time to support their families. Every one of them is a husband and a father. Most have one or two children, one has three, and one proud dad spent the day here while his son celebrated his fourth birthday back home. They work long hours and rarely have the opportunity to gather together outside of work, so it felt good to open the gates, fire up the barbecue, and spend an afternoon simply enjoying each other's company.
We served locally raised burgers and sausages from the farmer who supplies our meat. Part of the inspiration came from two of our Spanish-speaking guests, who helped bridge the language gap, and from Amanda, who first came to Happy Tails with her Vizsla, Maple, and has since become a good friend. Amanda works as a personal chef for a family that splits its time between California and Muskoka, and she helped make the afternoon even more special.
What struck me most was how quickly strangers became friends. There was laughter, storytelling, and genuine appreciation flowing both ways. We talked about families, traditions, life in Canada, and life in Mexico. By the end of the afternoon, the crew was already planning their return visit. In three weeks, they want to come back and prepare a traditional Mexican pork barbecue for all of us. To me, that says more about the day than anything else could.
In a world that often seems focused on what divides us, Sunday was a reminder of what connects us. Watching these men laugh, tell stories, and talk about their families reminded me that no matter where we come from, most of us are working toward the same things: caring for the people we love, building a better future, and finding moments of connection along the way.
And of course, I needed an appreciative dog photo to accompany this story.
This is the lovely Willow, one of our regular guests who comes to Happy Tails for her weekend and holiday Muskoka getaways. Her dad and I had a wonderful conversation when he dropped her off, and when I looked through my photos later, Willow's bright eyes and happy expression seemed to capture exactly how I felt after Sunday's gathering: grateful for good people, good conversation, and the opportunity to bring people together.
Some days remind you that hospitality is about far more than a place to stay. It's about creating a place where people feel welcome, valued, and appreciated.
Sunday was one of those days.
