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David Barwick

Higher Learning For A Higher Calling

1 Comment / Service Dogs (Beach Bum Biscuits) /

Mermaid Cottages on Tybee Island, GA is proud to report Boomer, our current puppy in training to become a Guide Dog, is settling in to college life!

Boomer’s away at the Guide Dog Foundation For The Blind Training campus in New York and he’s hard at work on his studies and training.  In addition to his classroom studies, Boomer will be regularly taken out into the field with a handler so that he can learn to cope with the sights, sounds and smells of the world.  This includes trips into the city areas where there is lots of traffic, public transportation, escalators, cross walks and everything he’ll encounter when he’s on duty.

Boomer has been praised for his hard work and calm personality as he has gotten used to the other trainees and their kennels and their handlers.  He’s a special young lad, but we can’t overlook the importance of the training and socialization he learned from Sandy, his “walker”, during his first 15 months of training.

Raising, socializing and training puppies to become Guide Dogs and Service Dogs for persons with disabilities is a labor of love.  It’s one of our favorite types of service projects and it’s a wonderful way for our guests to enjoy Voluntourism as members of our Mermaid Cottages family.

Do y’all remember when Boomer last visited and dropped by to meet the folks down at The Lady and Sons in Savannah?

He also dropped by Seaside Sisters to help promote the sales of our all natural Beach Bum Biscuits which helps provide support and sponsorship of our guide dog training program.  Watch a video of his visit here.

It’s been our honor and our privilege to follow along as Boomer has advanced on his incredible journey to someday provide Second Sight to a deserving person with disabilities.

It won’t be long now before he’ll graduate from school,  meet his new forever friend and together they’ll forge ahead with all the joy and gusto of a life fulfilled.

Go forth, young Boomer.  Your higher learning will prepare you for your higher calling.  Well done.

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Dog Day Afternoon

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By Maddie, Mermaid Cottages’ ROVER Reporter

If you spend enough time on Tybee Island, GA sooner or later your humans are likely to flip through some little book and announce they want to go in to Savannah, GA.

If you’ve traveled with them much soon you may start to panic assuming this means you are about to get left behind.  I am here to tell you this is not necessary as Savannah can be quite pet friendly.  Naturally, you will want to take along a pet water bottle because sight seeing can get very hot.  Also be sure your human never, ever, leaves you in the car…even with the windows cracked!

There is a lot to see and do in Savannah, so here are a few of my favorite recommendations.  One of the first things you may notice is how many lovely doggie “rest areas” there are.  For some reason they refer to them as squares.  Many of them even have statues or fountains.  Honestly, I’ve never seen any nicer!  There are so many and close together that even if you’re a male dog you’ll have trouble taking advantage of them all.  Please be sure your human takes along pick up bags so you do your part to keep them clean for the next dog.

Next, while using the “squares” you may see a horse go by pulling a carriage.  DON’T bark at them!  This will get your human very upset and could cause them to say something horrible like, “Next time you’re staying behind”, or worse, “No Beach Bum Biscuits for you!”

Now, a lot of humans like to walk along River Street.  There are a lot of little shops there and many of them will let you come in.  Just be sure to  have your human ask first and always keep your human on a short leash.  At the end of River Street is a great statue of a dog.  It is a perfect place to have your picture taken to show all of your friends back home.  The statue also has a girl waving a scarf standing next to the dog, but don’t worry, you can always crop that out later.

On your way back to Tybee Island you can stop by Bonaventure Cemetery.  This is a nice and quiet place with lots of trees and paths for walking.  You are allowed in here, too, but again, keep your human leashed.  As you’re walking around your keen dog senses are likely to detect a bone or two buried there.  Listen closely.  This is even more important than the horses.  DO NOT dig them up!  I know.  I don’t get it either, but humans can be funny.

By now, everyone is probably ready to head back to your beautiful Mermaid Cottage on Tybee.  I like to take a quick nap on the trip back and dream about the jar of Beach Bum Biscuits awaiting me since I was sooo good.

Til next time keep those tails up and noses open to new smells!

Madeline Belle Reed “Maddie”

FINAL THOUGHT: If you have a lot of time and your human really likes seeing new places Beaufort, SC is not very far away and is very pet friendly.  They will even let you ride in the horse carriages now that you know not to bark.  I must warn you though…they do not have the nice “rest areas” like Savannah!

 

 

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Y’all Come On Up At The Big House

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by Cottage Cheese

Mermaid Manor is the headquarters for Mermaid Cottages and the home of Head Mermaid, Diane W. Kaufman.  It’s one of the most beautiful examples of a Tybee raised cottage and a true labor of love.  Built in 1929, this 3 BR/2 Bath vintage home has been restored to perfection and it’s frequently featured in national publications for its charm and presence.

If you’re looking for an island home and ready to immerse yourself in the finer things that low country living has to offer Mermaid Manor on Tybee Island, GA may just be the perfect fit for you!

Click Here to wander through these rooms with views that no longer have to linger in your mind.  Paradise is waiting.  Heed the sirens call.  It’s a magical, mystical mermaid wonderland.  Dive right in.

 

Photo by Richard Leo Johnson

 

 

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It Is Easy To Be Green After All

Leave a Comment / Live Like a Local /
Being Green
What You Can Do for a “Greener” Visit to Mermaid Cottages on Tybee Island, GA

Save Electricity
– Slay “Vampire Power” by turning off all lights, TVs, DVDs & computers when not in
use
– Use the outdoor clothesline to dry your clothes (they smell good too!)
– Open the windows turn on the ceiling fans and enjoy the ocean breezes!
– Use Cold, not Hot in the washing machine
– Draw your curtains/blinds during the heat of the day

Save Fuel and Drive Less
– Walk, ride bikes, rent scooters or electric cars!
– Save gas and have more fun – Tybee is better enjoyed moving SLOW!

Recycle
– Glass, plastic, cans, newspapers: use the home’s green recycling container

Reduce, Reuse
– Take your own bags to the grocery store
– Use Dish Cloths and cloth napkins and less paper products

Conserve Water
– While brushing teeth, turn water off, and use a cup of water to cleanse mouth of
toothpaste
– Use dishwasher only when completely full with dirty dishes
– Take shorter showers with tepid water

What Mermaid Cottages is Doing to Keep Things Green

– Installing Compact Fluorescent light bulbs in all of our homes
– Lo-flow water-saving devices are installed in all bathrooms and outdoor showers
– All our cleaning products are eco-friendly
– Energy audits for all our homes to see how we can save more energy
– Planting drought resistant and local plants to help conserve water

 

 

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Fifi Flowers And Her Next Pet Card Collection

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Hey, Wag Pack!  You’ve got one more day to get your pet picture in to Fifi Flowers to be considered for her next Pet Card Collection!

Sunday, July 24 is the deadline, so share your favorite photo of your pet pal and it may be included in the next collection.

Mr. Fripp entered his photo and you can, too!

To be considered for the collection, post your favorite pet photo to Fifi Flowers Facebook  Page or email your photo to Fifi Flowers.  The limit is one photo submission per household and the deadline is by 12 Noon Pacific Time on July 24.

If your photo is chosen, your pet will be included in the next pet card collection and you’ll be invited to purchase a pet portrait of your furiend at a special discount price.

All proceeds from the sales of the pet card collection go to support and sponsor dogs to be trained as Guide Dogs and Service Dogs for persons with disabilities.

Fifi Flowers Pet Card Collection and Beach Bum Biscuits are a winning combination and a great way to support Socially Responsible Vacations!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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