Dogs do smile. Ask Benson. The welcome note in our Woodland Lodge in the Lake District showed a photograph of a Labrador and inside said: "Welcome to Bassenthwaite Lakeside Lodges. My name is Hendrix and I belong to Chris, the park manager.

"We hope you enjoy your stay with us. There is a chew for you to say hello and a towel in case you get wet and muddy. We have lots of children visiting the park and it is most important that all areas are safe and clean. We have left some 'poop' bags so will you remind your owner to clean up, please.

"When you are in the park or in the field with stock, please make sure you are wearing your lead. If you fancy a pint you can go to The Sun in the village and you can sit outside or even go in if they are not serving meals. Have a great holiday with us... visit my mum and Diane in the office. They love dogs." Hendrix."

The welcome note could not have been better, not only for Benson, but for us as well, as straight away we knew that both canine and human guests were catered for and welcomed with open arms.

One of the sad facts of life reported in a recent survey is that a quarter fewer families in Britain own a dog. Another that many dog owners do not allow themselves a holiday because they will not leave their furry friend in kennels (this survey also takes in cat owners).

Benson found his way into the Clough home when I was covering a story of a puppy abandoned and tied to a fence on Christmas Day. My wife Angela decided to come with me and while I photographed the abandoned pup at the rescue kennelsl she fell in love with another. The rest, as they say, is history.

Benson could not have turned out to be a better family member. And it seems that Hoseasons Holidays think the same as they offer quality holidays for "all the family" and, as far as they are concerned, those other family members have not only included dogs and cats, but rabbits, gerbils, fish, hamsters and ducks, horses (yes, horses) and even a stick insect.

Over 70 per cent of Hoseasons Holiday Lodges and Parks welcome pets in some of their accommodation and almost 700 of their cottages also accommodate pets.

The holiday we chose with Benson was in a Woodland Lodge on the edge of Bassenthwaite Lake, which is a national nature reserve and the only natural lake in the Lake District.

The site, which has a five star award from the English Tourism, has a wonderful feeling of peace and tranquility. And it is one of the best kept I have ever seen. The spacious lodges are a real home from home with everything you could possibly need, from gas central heating for indoor cosiness on chilly evenings, to alfresco living with a gas barbecue on your private, decked veranda complete with table and chairs. They are spaced in such a way that privacy is maintained throughout. The lodges will sleep six people and comprise of three bedrooms, the one in which we stayed also had two twin rooms. Beds are made up for your arrival and all hand and bath towels are also provided. I particularly liked the shower design as it is tantamount to a Tardis complete with seat, a well area and plenty of shelving for soaps, sponges, gel and the like. The living area had a three piece suite and the adjoining kitchen provides every accessory you need, including kettle, microwave, fridge/freezer and coffee maker. Some lodges are also fitted with a washing machine, but there is a launderette on site with washing machines, tumble dryer, iron and ironing board.

A colour TV is also provided along with a video player and a separate radio and cassette. We even discovered a boxed Christmas tree with lights. From the living area French doors open onto a patio area. This alone was worth it as Benson decided that this was the best area to stretch out on and sniff the Lakeland air. Each lodge is fully double glazed and although some of them are actually on the lakeside with lake views, each is probably less than two minutes walk away from the water's edge.

Apart from the magnificence of the lake and surrounding area, it's a canine dream for romping through the long grass and wooded areas, let alone the enjoyment of a lake dip three or four times a day.

For those of the sporting nature, boats and canoes and windsurfing equipment is allowed and welcomed on site. Children are also well catered for with an outdoor play centre and as the site also has a guest membership arrangement with the nearby Keswick Golf Club. And, if you have a coarse rod licence, you can fish from the jetty and foreshore. If however you prefer indoor pursuits, a small pool and sauna are available or you can borrow various video releases for free.

If you are a twitcher this is a bird lovers' paradise with over 70 different kinds of birds breeding around the lake in the summer. And, within two miles of the park you can walk to the osprey viewing area to see the man-made platform on which a pair have nested since 2001 (before this project ospreys had not nested in England since the 1830s).

Walks from the park are innumerable but a special trip to see the parish church of St Bega on Bassenthwaite lakeside is a must. Situated only eight miles from Keswick and Derwentwater, there is always plenty to do and, within a total radius of around 18 miles, you can take in all the other lakes and some of the many passes and waterfalls.

Having been told so many times in the past: "I'm sorry we cannot take pets", it is so refreshing that Hoseasons not only welcome our animals but cater for them and offer the humans who go on holiday with them one of the best ever deals around.

Last year over 22,000 pets went on a Hoseasons holiday. As for Benson, he's planning to go back at Christmas to sniff that tree in the cupboard and take his Christmas morning dip in the lake.

TRAVELFACTS

Our seven nights in June at the Bassenthwaite Lakeside Lodges, Bassenthwaite, cost £685 plus £30 for Benson. The Woodland Lodge sleeps up to six and has three bedrooms. Prices range from £390 off peak to £860 peak season per week plus £30 per pet. Hoseasons have over 300 holiday parks throughout Britain. Over half the parks and lodges and nearly half Hoseasons' cottages accept pets. Call Hoseasons on 0870 333 2000 or visit www.hoseasons.co.uk for details.