23/07/2026
Today, at the age of 11, Tipsy passed away.
For so many, he was the heart and figurehead of Massaya Mount Lebanon. He greeted everyone, played with the kids, and was a constant companion to our team day in and day out. He was a joyful darling who never made waves and remained gentle and peaceful to the very end.
Across our properties between Tanaïl and Faqra, we have 10 dogs, and in time, one of them will emerge as our new mascot. Before Tipsy, it was Fay’s chapter—a dog many met at the Restaurant of the Beqaa back when the Relais was bustling and busy.
For us, these animals—dogs, cats, doves, nightingales—are so much more than companions. We rescued most of them from Lebanon’s streets or local shelters. Tipsy himself came to us in 2015 from . They come to Massaya to find refuge. While we unfortunately cannot welcome every animal in need, we do our best to maintain a true sanctuary. My sister Ghada is the real driving engine behind these adoptions.
It isn’t always easy. Not all of our staff are pet-friendly, and some potential visitors even leave without experiencing Massaya because of the dogs. But these are our core values as a family, and we stand by them.
Ghada, Sami, and I grew up with Tigra in the Beqaa back in the 70s, and Rock in the 80s, who lived in our apartments and chalets during the war years. I was always the one who trained them. With our kids growing, I have less time to take care of them, which is why at work, I always have a dog by my side. Some people think I’m showing off, but it’s actually my dedicated time with the pets—training them to interact gently and warmly with people.
For our team, it’s a constant reminder that caring for the environment isn’t just about recycling or reducing our footprint. It’s about creating and nurturing a living diversity that brings positive energy, compassion, and respect to everything we do.
Rest easy, sweet Tipsy. You will be dearly missed. 🐾✨
