He’s the inspiration behind Laik’s approach to dog-friendly travel; the Windermere-based holiday let company offering luxurious, dog-friendly stays across the Lake District. Niall Mellonie, director and co-founder of Laik, said: "As dog owners ourselves, we know the challenge of finding somewhere special that genuinely welcomes dogs. "Lead times for bookings are also typically earlier, so we would advise dog owners to book early to secure the holiday accommodation of their choice." This has led to a rise in demand for premium, dog-friendly accommodation with tailored amenities. More information about Laik’s dog-friendly properties can be found at www.laik.co.uk.