The time has finally come to pack our bags. We are leaving New Zealand to return home, and while we’re excited for the next chapter, our hearts are heavy. Tearing ourselves away from the animals on the farm—especially the four-legged friends who have become our daily shadows—is proving to be the hardest part of this journey.

Border Collies have always been my favorite breed, but my nomadic lifestyle usually makes it impossible to give such high-energy dogs the devotion they deserve. Staying at Elliott’s Farm for the last four months has given me a beautiful, chaotic taste of exactly what I’ve been missing.

The star of the show is Toby. We’ve watched him transform from a tiny bundle of fluff into a lanky, uncoordinated pup. There is nothing quite like the pure happiness of a creature who loves everyone unconditionally. Watching him conquer the stairs (without tumbling to the bottom!) or play-fight with his “big sister” Whina (pronounced Fina), the family’s German Shepherd, has been a daily delight.

Toby is brilliant, though he has his “weird” moments. He once marched through the front door, “tiddled” on the carpet, and walked out the back door with the confidence of a king. However, his intelligence truly shone at his first puppy class. While he mastered “sit” and “stay” in minutes, he quickly grew bored and found Frank, a chunky Labrador twice his size. The two spent the rest of the hour in a wrestling match, and now, even the mention of Frank’s name makes Toby’s ears prick up in excitement.

Both Toby and Whina are happiest in the fresh air. Though they have cozy outdoor runs, Toby recently discovered he could squeeze through the fencing to snuggle with Whina at night. Seeing them curled up together after a long day of farm work is a sight I’ll never forget.

As we head off, there is one last new arrival I’m sad to miss: the farm’s Saddleback sow is due to have piglets any day now. New life is always happening here, and it’s a constant reminder of the farm’s beautiful rhythm. I’m already dreaming of our return next year. By then, I’ll be able to watch even more babies being born and catch up with a fully grown Toby, who will no doubt be out in the paddocks working the sheep and cattle alongside Rachael.

New Zealand, you’ve been magic—we can’t wait to return!

If you love reading about the magic of animals look no further, indulge yourself and follow Marty, the familiar, as he helps solve a mystery.