A Special Christmas Message…

You will be happy to know that in real life – Bob the dog is still going strong and enjoying his retirement from the acting world … I will post some photos of him in the New Year … he STILL loves all the attention he can get from fans of the TRIBE – or indeed anyone else who visits. So from BOB … woof woof! ….think that might mean Merry Christmas in Dog – though I cannot speak it ….:)

Bob is now almost 16 years old according to Raymond. There is an article below from 2008 (found on The Tribe Wiki) with more info on our four legged friend.

Merry Christmas from tribeHeaven too, best wishes!

RETIRED CANINE STAR STILL GETS FAN MAIL
July 16th 2008 by Rebekah Burgess

If you live in Martinborough you could be forgiven for being unaware that the town houses a retired canine star.

Bob the dog, a 14-year old golden retriever, is living out the rest of his days at Tirohana Estate, a boutique Martinborough vineyard set up 20 years ago.

The pooch is best known for starring in television series The Tribe, a Wellington show that attracted a cult following in England and resulted in 300 episodes being made.

Still to this day a photograph of the show’s cast hangs in a room to the side of the vineyard’s main desk.

And the show’s creator is, ironically, vineyard owner Raymond Thompson, who divides his time between harvesting grapes, writing a novel and producing films, but always carries a candle for his beloved dog, a canine still receiving fan mail from child followers and others, years after the show stopped screening.

“He was a very good dog actor. He’s got fans all over the world, Bob, so we kind of retired him to the vineyard and he’s doing what he should do, which is being a dog. He’s enjoying his retirement from the world of stardom. Still to this day he’ll get the occasional letter from people that remember him and people that love him,” Mr. Thompson said.

Bob stands sentry to visitors to the Martinborough winery, his shaggy golden fur a magnet to eager hands. “Bob loves to be there and greet them. I often joke with the restaurant (visitors) when they eat out on the terraces rather than maitre’d they are greeted by maitre’dog.”

Mr. Thompson loves Bob for his eccentricity, his loveable nature and his ability to open windows, door and garbage can lids.

“He’s used to the good life, the high life and it continues to this day. Being a stunt dog he’s able to do all sorts of things like open windows, he’s amazing. He’s like Lassie ad some of the other iconic animal stars.”

His nightly bed is made at Toby and Saranne James’ house, who both work at the vineyard, as marketing and operations managers respectively. ‘He’s very loving,” said Mrs. James, who is Mr.Thompson’s daughter, said. “Always wants to be doing what we’re doing, always wants to be one of us. A big sook.”

She agrees that Bob is a star at heart. “He likes to be the centre of attention at all times. He just loves people, he just loves to be cuddled, especially by the ladies. He’s a real lady’s man.”