The story behind the name

Meet Marley.

A spirited chocolate Labrador, a much-loved family companion and the character at the heart of Marley’s Place.

Read her story
Marley, the chocolate Labrador who inspired the motel’s name, standing outside

Every time the call fetch ’em up rang out, Marley sprang into action.

Energy in every direction

A working dog with an unmistakable spirit.

Marley was a real hunting dog through and through. Whenever the call “fetch ’em up” rang out, she sprang into action—sprinting through the fields and around the property to retrieve ducks.

Her energy seemed boundless. She loved running around the dam, splashing through the water and making her mark as the best companion a family could ask for.

But the working drive was only one side of her. Marley was a beloved member of the family: spirited, loyal and remembered for filling everyday life with love and a little wildness.

A chocolate Labrador puppy sitting among yellow wildflowers
A young Marley among the wildflowers

A family legacy

Twelve puppies, each carrying a little of her tenacity.

One of Marley’s most memorable chapters was a litter of twelve beautiful puppies. Each seemed to inherit some of the tenacity, heart and character that made their mother unforgettable.

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Why the motel carries her name

A personal tribute, felt through the welcome.

Though Marley is no longer with the family, her spirit lives on here. The motel carries her name as a personal tribute—one rooted in loyalty, energy, warmth and the joy she brought to the property.

Whether a guest stays for one night or a week, the family hopes they feel a little of Marley’s joyful energy in the welcome, the care and the sense of place around them.

See the rooms
Marley lying on the grass with her litter of chocolate Labrador puppies
Marley with her puppies