Doodlebug dog-friendly beach house, Rye: Puppy love

You don't have to rough it just because you've got a dog, writes Lindy Percival.

Welcome mats the world over are withdrawn swiftly at the mere combination of the words "kids" and "dogs". Fessing up to having two children under 10 is bad enough but throwing in a labrador puppy is akin to being afflicted with a kind of vacationers' leprosy.

Happily, there are places for the likes of us and some of them even come with a modicum of style. Doodlebug, a lofty beach house perched on an elevated plot of land between the bay and ocean beaches of Rye, is one such place. With accommodation for between four and six people and a seemingly limitless number of dogs - there are dog beds squirreled away throughout - the house was awarded the ultimate "5-paw" rating in the 2006 Holidaying With Dogs directory.

As beach houses go, Doodlebug is fairly typical of the area. Rising on stilts above a canopy of tea-trees and gums, it features an open-plan living area and balcony running the width of the house. Polished floorboards and white walls throughout create a clean, contemporary feel, while vases filled with shells and a table decoration of pods, sea sponges and coral capture the essence of this quiet beachside town.

The living area and main bedroom open out on to the balcony, which offers an enticing spot for evening barbecues. The view from up here takes in the large, fully fenced yard, where pathways twist around agapanthus and trees, inviting exploration from children and dogs alike. A small nature reserve in the adjoining block enhances the sense of privacy.

The well-equipped kitchen includes microwave and dishwasher and enough utensils and crockery to satisfy any domestically minded inhabitant. A comfortable chocolate brown couch dominating the living area invites lazing about with a selection from the bookshelf, whose contributors range from Robert Ludlum to Peter Carey. Each title comes with a sticker inviting the reader to "Please take the book with you to finish and return to Doodlebug" - a nice touch in a place where most visitors would only be staying a night or two. A small but eclectic collection of CDs has us tuning in to cool jazz or Verdi as we sun ourselves on the balcony, while the children are happily occupied with assorted jigsaw puzzles.

The two upstairs bedrooms - the main with double bed and second with twins - are small but comfortable and share a large bathroom with shower and bath. Downstairs is another bedroom with double bed and ensuite bathroom.

The real focus here is on the canine-friendly credentials. A dog basket with freshly laundered cushion sits at the ready, along with a ribbon-wrapped box of dog biscuits. (Two-legged guests find their welcoming treat - a bottle of bubbles - in the fridge). Dog toys, balls, poo bags and dog towels abound and photographs of previous four-legged visitors line sections of the walls. An information sheet lists an emergency number for the Rye vet clinic, along with directions to Camerons Bight, a dog-friendly beach about 10 minutes away by car. It's a popular and picturesque stretch of the bay, where waves lap rhythmically at the sides of boats and dogs of every description bound through crystal-clear waters.

This is just one of the many Mornington Peninsula attractions that are within easy reach of Doodlebug, from calm, child-friendly bay beaches to the wild and pristine ocean stretches so beloved of surfers.