At Mermaid Cottages the mermaids really do make a difference…even the mer-puppies we sponsor make a difference since they are to be trained for service as Guide Dogs and Service Dogs for persons with disabilities.
Our current puppy in training is Boomer, a now 16 month old Golden Retriever. Boomer has spent his early development under the tutelage of his “Walker”, Sandy. Sandy, a very busy and accomplished executive, has raised and nurtured several puppies through their public socialization training and early harness skills development and now it’s time for Boomer to enter “Guide Dog College.”
By the time you read this Boomer will have boarded his flight from Orlando, FL to New York and upon completion of his studies he will be matched to a person with disabilities who is anxiously waiting this very gifted young lad.
Yes, Boomer is getting closer and closer to fulfilling his destiny. If we could ask him what he thinks about his life of service we imagine he might even quote Lady Gaga, “I was born this way!”
Boomer is leaving on a jet plane. His higher calling requires higher education and he’ll be trained and handled by the best. He’s got a very important forever friend waiting for him. He’s also got all of us wishing him well,too.
At Mermaid Cottages, we love it when you’re our guests…and that includes our pet guests, too!
With a little pre-planning and a handy checklist you’re sure to have everything you need and your pet will thank you.
* Calculate your traveling time so you can prepare to take pet rest stops at least every 2 hours.
* Don’t feed your pet before starting out for a long journey to reduce the chance of motion sickness.
* Make sure you have your vet’s contact information and that you pack any pet meds needed.
* Make sure your pet’s ID tags are up to date with their vaccination information and your correct address and phone number.
* Pack both wet and dry foods your pet is used to. Vacation is not the time to experiment with your pets digestion.
* Pack leashes, toys, rawhides, treats, grooming supplies, food and water bowls, etc.
* Definitely make sure you pack waste bags and clean up after your pets potty breaks.
Once you get to Mermaid Cottages you’ll find fresh, all natural Beach Bum Biscuits Dog Treats and our now famous Guest Pet Tags. Just taking a little extra time to make sure you’ve thought of everything your pet needs to enjoy his vacation will make for lots of pet smiles for everyone!
BARKING NEWS! We have a new column that debuts today.
One of our frequent pet guests is the wonderful Madeline Belle Reed (“Maddie” to her fur pals on Tybee).
Since her first visit to Tybee, Maddie fell in love with our wonderful Tybee Tides Cottage. Graciously, Maddie allows us to welcome other guests to this marvelous marsh manor in between the times she brings her humans to visit.
Last week, Maddie shared some of her most recent Tybee adventures with our readers and she was such a hit we’ve offered her the position of ROVER reporter. The final terms of her contract are confidential, but let’s just say a girl can always use a few extra Beach Bum Biscuits. So, here for your enjoyment is Maddies’ new blog!
Pets And The City…Confessions Of A Tybee Pawty Girl!
By Madeline Belle Reed, ROVER Reporter
While munching a Beach Bum Biscuit and day dreaming about Tybee Island, I realized some of you may need more detailed information before feeling comfortable. Even though Miss Diane and the wonderful Mermaid Cottages staff can help your humans with ANYthing, they really can’t give the proper pet perspective. I have decided it is up to me to share what I’ve learned on my six visits.
Today I’m going to talk about something you can never have too many of….Beach Bum Biscuits! Wait, sorry, I meant to say friends. As I mentioned in my last blog it is very easy to make friends on Tybee. I like to meet both guests to the island as well as locals. When meeting a new friend always ask where they are from. Telling others you have friends from all-over makes you sound very worldly around the water bowl at your local doggie park. I personally have met friends from such exotic locals as England, Canada, and Ellijay, GA!
My favorite friends are the locals because I get to see them each time I visit. Last trip I got to meet Miss Diane’s dogs, Sophie and Danny. Sophie was very friendly and I think could have been fun to play with if we just didn’t have to keep our humans on a leash. Danny was very nice, but he is a bit of a celebrity and has an image to maintain.
Sophie (L) and Danny (R)
Dudley is one of my favorite friends. He has very long ears and short legs. My mommy says he is a basset hound. Dudley is a world-class sniffer. If you have any questions about sniffing on Tybee he’s the one to ask.
Another friend is Remy. He is a doberman but don’t worry, he’s very nice. Remy’s parents own a store named Latitude 32 that my mommy and daddy like. I like it too because they always say it’s okay for me to come inside!
Finally there’s Olivia. My mommy says she’s a Great Dane. I think that is some breed of horse. She is VERY big but really sweet. Her mommy recently purchased the old Hunter House and is renovating it. If your human is like my mommy and loves to talk renovation be prepared to find a nice shady spot for awhile and insist you need a Beach Bum Biscuit while you wait.
I hope this has been helpful to you and who knows maybe some day we’ll meet on Tybee! Until next time, keep your tail up and your nose to the ground!
Just in case you hadn’t noticed, Mermaid Cottages loves our pet guests! We love them so much we always make sure there’s a fresh supply of our famous Beach Bum Biscuits and complimentary Guest Pet Tags to welcome them.
One of our recent pet guests had such a howling good time we invited her to be a Guest Pet Blogger for our Beach Bum Biscuits Dog Tales on Facebook. Here to share her terrific Tybee adventures and tales from her most recent Tybee Tides Cottage visit is Maddie. Take it away, Maddie!
Miss Diane asked my mommy if I’d share my Tybee trips with other dogs so they’d be as informed as their human parents. As you can see from the pictures I like to stay at Tybee Tides. There is a great fenced yard for playing ball and I even know where to look for the tennis balls Mom left on our first visit two years ago. The front porch is perfect for naps and dog watching. Because it’s on the marsh my parents love the view, especially the sunsets. I prefer to check out all the dogs that walk past with their humans.
It is easy to make new friends on Tybee, both human and dog. I have met a lot of guests on the island, as well as locals. On my last visit, May 26-June 5, I finally got to meet Miss Diane’s dogs, Danny and Sophie!
A good way to make friends is to take your humans on very long walks. I always enjoy the back river pier where my parents usually see some dolphins playing and get all excited ( this is a good time to ask for another Beach Bum Biscuit because they aren’t paying attention to how many you’ve already had!).
On the subject of Beach Bum Biscuits, and it is always a good subject, be sure to locate the fresh jar that will be in your cottage. This is important so you know where to sit and look expectedly. My Mommy always stops at Seaside Sisters to buy bags to take home and also buys extra bags to take as gifts for my friends back in Orlando, FL. I’m glad she doesn’t expect me to share mine!
Tybee Island and Mermaid Cottages is my #1 choice for vacation. I give it 4 paws and a tail up! I hope to be there this fall and will tell my parents to take more pictures. Until then, happy sniffing to all!
Join this wonderful get together to help build a new low cost community pet spay and neuter clinic and enjoy great food while you’re having a howling good time!
Get your tickets now and come join the fun and good works being done this Saturday, June 18! There’ll be a Bark-Gun Golf Scramble, a Hush Puppy Silent Auction and fantastic pet vendors and pet activities at the Tour de Woof!
