THE RESCUE

As I put in the application, she is a stray I found.  It looked like she had had puppies, and she was drying up.  I had her checked to see if she was pregnant, and she was not, so I had her spayed on July 15t.  I have had her Rabies shot, and I had planned on taking her back to get the rest of her shots, too.  My vet did a heartworm check, and she tested negative.

I wanted to give you a little background on her.  We found her wandering on Highway 200 in Ocala on Saturda evening, June 27th.  It was during the time when we had been having scalding temps in the 100s.  She was unbelieveably filthy, exhausted, and her pads were raw and blistered so badly it pained her terribly to stand on them.  She had given up and collapsed on the side of the road.  She is so loving and sweet and she is a talker.  She is not a barker, but a talker.  She tells you when she needs to go out, and she tells you if she feels the need to tell you she loves you.  I guess I am telling you this because I really want her to have a home where she is inside as part of the family-not stuck outside. 

This dog had a micro-chip placed pror to getting lost.  Unfortunately, the family did not register it.  We never found out who the owner was. 

Would you like to know what happened next?

Meet Sophie, our newest Mermaid.  Head Mermaid Diane Kaufman adopted Sophie and on the way home in the car Sophie moved closer to Diane and placed her head on Diane's lap-just as Max, Diane's black lab that just recently passed away, had always done.

Your new best friend is just waiting for you to come meet him or her.  They're waiting patiently at your nearby animal shelter or pure breed pet rescue. 

And you want to know the best part?  You may think your're rescuing or adopting an ophaned or abandoned animal and that you're saving them.

What you'll soon discover?

They rescue you right back!

Right, Sophie?

Welcome SOPHIE!

Say AHOY! to our newest member of the Mermaid Cottages Team, SOPHIE!

Sophie is a Black Lab Rescue and she joins Danny, our Yellow Lab, at Mermaid Manor.

Along with the usual Mermaid duties such as meeting and greeting our guests and providing world class customer service to everyone on Tybee, Sophie will rise to super model status as she poses for photos, PR layouts and guest spots just like Danny.  She already has her super model smile perfected (don't you love her toothy grin)!

Already this week, Sophie has been featured on Doggie of the Day and has developed quite a fan base on PEOPLEPets.com!

Sophie attributes her super model figure and dazzling smile to her favorite new treats, Beach Bum Biscuits!

Contact Sophie at mermaidcottages.com and she'll help you get your supply of Beach Bum Biscuits and you too could be our Beach Bum Biscuits Eater of the day!

STRIKE A POSE!

PULIS? Are You Pulling My Leg?

I saw two of these awesome, but curious looking dogs recently in Los Angeles.  I couldn't help but laugh to myself about how cool they must be and I'd bet they'd keep my floors spic and span!

This breed is know as Puli, a type of Mop Dog.  It's a Hungarian, medium small breed used for herding and protection.  Not to be confused with the much larger Komondors which are always white, the pulis are smaller and most often black.  Their coat naturally grows in cord like dreadlocks.

If you don't own an active livestock farm for the Pulis to herd and protect just know they will soon regard your family as their herd and will keep you and your brood in line without hesitation.

This active dog is not well suited to in-home living and definitely not for confined spaces, but if you're looking for a fantastic security dog that will get lots of exercise and love you, to boot, get a mop!

HAIRY PUPPER!

How 'bout a nice, big, sloppy, wet kiss!

Friday, January 21 through Sunday, January 23, Coastal Pet Rescue will have a booth at the Lowcountry Living Home and Garden Show at the Savannah Trade Center.

Come to Dogwarts to meet Snifferin, Kittendor and Ruffentuf and Ravenpaw and other residents of area foster homes and hopefully you'll make a magical match!  If you're not quite ready to adopt, donate 50 cents for a kiss from a puppy and all proceeds will go towards veterinary care for rescued pets!

Admission to attend the Home and Garden show is $8 and you can even get a $1 off coupon at http://www.showtechnology.com/coupon_reg.html.

Volunteers to help with the event are always welcome!

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=138161182910791 for more info!

YUMMY YUMMY YUMMY In My Beach Bum Biscuit Tummy!

YUMMY YUMMY YUMMY in my BEACH BUM BISCUIT TUMMY!

One of the brand standards at Mermaid Cottages on Tybee Island, GA is a supply of  BEACH BUM BISCUITS for our visiting furiends!

Lots of lucky dogs have gone BOW WOW over our all natural dog biscuits and we love it when our friends and guests send us photos of their dogs and the fun they had while visiting us-especially if the photos include Beach Bum Biscuits!

If you've got photos of your coastal canines getting Tybee-ized send them to us and your dog could be our Beach Bum Biscuits Eater of the Day! 

I'm Ready For My Closeup!

I can see it now!  The marquee lights blinking to beat the band!  All my favorite stars!

Rin Tin Tin!  Pluto!     Scooby Doo!  Lassie!  Toto!    FANG!  Hooch!  Lady!  Tramp!

I'm rushing out to get my tickets early because I know the lines will be around the movie theatre!

What?  Sweden?

The world's first movie theatre for dogs recently opened in Sweden!  FOX Home Entertainment pitched the idea to the organizers of the annual pet exhibition and it was met with barks of approval.  Pedigree provided goody bowls filled with doggy snacks and the result was a howling success!

If you're like me you'd probably enjoy more places and activities where our dogs could be with us and this is a fantastic idea.  The organizers were so pleased they plan to offer doggy cinema again next year!

Thanks to PEOPLEPets.com and our own Mermaid, Melissa S, for sharing this doggone great idea!

Tybee Bark Parks-It's a Dog's World

When you visit Tybee Island, GA you'll find a city that cares about the welfare of dogs and their owners.  Dogs are not allowed on the beach at any time, but their are two Bark Parks on Tybee Island.

Make sure you make arrangements for the proper care of your dog before you head to the beach.  Cars get deadly hot after only a few minutes.  Dogs found left alone in locked cars will be rescued, even if it means breaking the window glass.

The Tybee Bark Parks are located at the intersection of Van Horne and Fort Streets, between the Police station and the River's End Campground and RV Park.  The Bark Parks are open from dawn til dusk each day.

For a complete list of Bark Park Rules and a map of the parks' location visit http://www.cityoftybee.org/Recreation.aspx#Dogs

Your visit to Tybee Island will be safe, relaxing and magical.  Make sure your pet's visit it, too!

Be Our Guests!

At Mermaid Cottages, everyone is welcome and that includes your furiends, too!  As with all house guests, the key to getting invited back is to be a conscientious, thoughtful and polite visitor.  Here's some information about bringing pets to Mermaid Cottages and Tybee Island that will surely win you points in the good manners department.

We love dogs, and many of our cottages are dog-friendly.  Please check the cottage listings to determine which of our homes allow dogs.

Mermaid Cottages Pet Policies and Island Rules for Dogs:

•Barking: The Tybee Island Noise Ordinance includes dogs barking. The fine is $300 per incident, and the city will fine you if any of the neighbors complain of the noise. Please be very aware of this ordinance.

•Pet Fee for Mermaid Cottages is $100 for up to two dogs ($100 for each additional dog).

•Pets are not allowed on the furniture or beds.

•Please clean up any pet "poo" in the yard.

•Dogs must be on a leash when walked.

•Crates-- if you are bringing puppies, we do ask you to crate when you are not home, or at the very least do not let them have the run of the home.

•Flea and tick protection : fleas are here on Tybee in full force, so please be sure your pets are current on their flea protection medicine.

•Dogs are NOT allowed on the beach, and again-- the city will fine you if you are caught. $300 per dog.

Tybee Island is a fantastic place to take long walks and your dog will enjoy it just as much as you.  It's all part of the magical experience of Mermaid Cottages.  Come practice the art of slowing down.  For you, your family, your friends and your pet!



Sandy Shells For Your Pet Pals

Our mermaid, Melissa S., spied this fantastic new pet bed from Nautical Luxuries on Completely Coastal!



A hidden zipper makes washing this durable canvas collection of seashells a snap and the inner filler can be washed, as well!

It's shown here in slate blue on natural, but it also comes in white on sand.

And remember, your local animal shelters and rescue groups can always use your old pet beds, towels, sheets, newspapers, toys and your donations of puppy, kitten, cat and dog foods.

Shouldn't your pet match your coastal decor?

Vote for Max!

Hi Everyone! We need your vote to help Max win! Our good friend Barb entered her little cutie in the Tybee Breeze's January Pet Contest. Isn't he the embodiment of cool? Voting ends on the 15th of the month, and Max needs your help. Head on over to the Pet Contest website and cast your vote today! We thank you, and Max thanks you too!

Berkeley Update!

Berkeley as just a pup!

     We are always so excited to hear from our friend Sandy, especially when she has news about the guide dog puppies we sponsor! Sandy recently shared this email with us about our star pupil, Berkeley:

Berkeley Springs- They are now working on him taking more responsibility for the walks. He has begun traffic training and will start their blindfold walks soon. They are working on his being able to concentrate while coming under more pressure to make decisions that lead to a successful and safe walk. The trainer has no problems to report at this time. He is still a great dog to work with and his trainer is very much enjoying him.

     We couldn't be prouder of Berkeley! He is going to make someone a wonderful guide someday soon...I can feel it. Remember, you can help us with this great cause. Your stay with Mermaid Cottages will continue the efforts to support Southeastern Guide Dogs' Puppy Sponsorship Program. Contributions made from Mermaid Cottages rentals make it possible for a disabled individual to realize their independence through the use of a service dog. These programs also assist returning soldiers soldiers with a variety of needs including stress and post traumatic disorders. We also support The Guide Dog Foundation For the Blind. Since 1946, the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc. has provided guide dogs free of charge to blind people who seek enhanced mobility and independence. Contributions from Mermaid Cottages rentals help make it possible for disabled individuals to realize their independence through programs like this!

     You can also help by purchasing our Beach Bum Biscuits! Proceeds from each bag of bakery-made biscuits goes to support this wonderful cause as well. You can visit our website for more information, or pick up a bag of Beach Bum Biscuits next time you're on Tybee at Seaside Sisters! Thank you so much for enabling us to continue our sponsorship of our guide dogs...and Berkeley thanks you too!