Beach Bum Biscuits: EASTER Reminds Us To Give Thanks

Today will be filled with lots of wonderful food, love and laughter and the renewal of time honored traditions we wish to pass on to our families and friends.  One tradition at Mermaid Cottages we will always honor is the opportunity to serve, to give back, to celebrate and to carry on.

Thank you to everyone who helps us sponsor puppies to be trained as Guide Dogs and Service Dogs for persons with disabilities.  By staying with Mermaid Cottages and promoting Beach Bum Biscuits you help continue this tradition.  Our own Berkeley Springs recently graduated from Guide Dog School and is now paired with his Forever Friend.  They'll have a beautiful journey together and for that we are grateful and thankful and proud!

Berkeley Springs

CELEBRATION SUNDAY

Pomp and Circumstance.  Rite of Passage.  The Pinnacle of Achievement.  Graduation Day.   Fulfillment of Destiny.
Behind all the pomp lies the most important circumstance.  Unto every life a time comes when each soul is called to serve a cause that's greater than himself or herself and it represents everything that is good and honorable in this wonderful life we share.
Behind all the pomp stand many dedicated supporters and caretakers and remarkable talents that make a difference and make their lives a testimony for achievements .  They know that what we earn is our living and what we give is our life.  They have learned that a life of service is a life best lived.
THEY are the people who make up Guidedog.org.  Since 1946, the Guide Dog Foundation For The Blind, Inc.   has provided Guide Dogs to blind people who seek enhanced mobility and independence.  THEY include the sponsors, the trainers, the puppy walkers and their many supporters from all across our world.
In our particular circumstance, this includes Mermaid Cottages and our commitment to sponsor Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever puppies to be trained as Guide Dogs and Service Dogs for persons with disabilities.  We even have our own special Mermaid At Large, Sandy Leandro, a very busy travel and hospitality executive who is our Puppy Walker.  Sandy has raised and nurtured and socialized our latest puppies to become the best at what they do.
Recently, Sandy travelled to New York for CELEBRATION SUNDAY to attend the graduation of  Berkeley Springs, one of the dogs she
was puppy walker to and one of the puppies we sponsor.  If you've ever attended a milestone event for someone in your life you can appreciate the pride and love and hopes and dreams and all the emotions that swell up inside as you witness the recognition of  a worthwhile endeavor.



Thanks to Diane Kaufman and her devotion to championing the best that Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers have to offer through Mermaid Cottages, Beach Bum Biscuits and the life that she lives.

In this circumstance the pomp is well deserved and we honor Berkeley Springs for achieving his Celebration Sunday and meeting his forever companion as he walks through life.  This is our celebration every day!

Serving With Honor: TONY

One of the puppies we sponsored for Guide Dog training, Tony, is about to be paired with his new owner.  Tony has spent the first years of his life learning and training to be of service to someone in need.

Tony excelled during his first 18 months of being socialized by his "walker" where he learned proper etiquette in public.  Next, he moved up through the ranks of training and apprenticing and he's now ready to change someone's life forever.

Of course, this comes as no surprise to us.  You see, Tony is a namesake.  He is named to honor  and in memory of Tony Patrea, JR.  Tony was a brilliant young man from Tybee who was well known throughout the island for his citizenship, courteousness and helpfulness.  He volunteered for many Mermaid Cottages community service projects and he also loved animals dearly.

Tony Patrea, Jr made the most of his life while he was here and we know Tony, the Guide Dog, will make his mark on someone's life just like his namesake.

We remember Tony Patrea, Jr and we honor his legacy through our Tony's life of service!

BOOMER And The Journey To Service

BOOMER, our youngest Golden Retriever puppy in training to be a Guide Dog, dropped by for a visit, recently.

He just turned one last month, so our young lad is growing up.  He'll soon be returning to Guide Dog School for more training.

Boomer paid us a visit at Seaside Sisters and he gave their new expansion several tale wags!  He also posed for pictures with everyone and even did a little modeling for our Mermaid Cottages section in the shop.

He has a very passionate soul and is super vigilant, so he will be the perfect service companion to a person with disabilities some day.

We're  just glad we get to be his biggest cheerleaders and we're honored to take this journey with him.  We love having Boomer in our neighborhood for visits!

Take a look at Boomer's visit to Seaside Sisters

Boomer\'s Journey

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!

Berkeley in Harness Training!

     We just had to share these pictures of our sponsored dog, Berkeley! He is doing so well training in his harness, and we couldn't be more proud! These were taken on a training outing in October with Berkeley and Shelby. Way to go guys!

Boomer's Costume!!!

     Poor Boomer! He looks like he is thinking "Hey, I'm a guide dog, I shouldn't have to do this!"

But how festive! We hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween, and wish you a very happy November!

A Visit from Boomer!

I was so excited the other day when Boomer came to visit! He is 6 months old now, and just the best student he can be! He is going to make a wonderful guide dog for someone some day. Thanks for stopping by for a visit Boomer, it was great to see you!

Don't forget, you can help sponsor guide dogs too! Proceeds from our Beach Bum Biscuits support dogs like Boomer! They are available for your pets in every cottage to enjoy for your visits, and you can pick up a bag to take home at Seaside Sisters here on the island. Thanks for helping us support service and guide dogs!

End of Summer Fun

     Summer might be ending but this picture brings the memories back! This is a late summer shot of one of the dogs we sponsor. Imagine decided it was time for a break from the heat! We shared this picture on the Weekend Getaway: September 2010 album on The Atlanta Journal-Constitution website, but we thought we'd share it here too!

What a great picture...doesn't it just embody the fun and carefree feeling of summer?

Thanks from Cosmo!

We got the best email this morning! I can't do it justice, so let's just let Cosmo do the talking...
"Good Morning!
     Yesterday, Paul and I attended the Walk for the Animals to benefit the Nebraska Humane Society. It was quite festive and lots of money was raised to support animals in need. And let's face it, we couldn't have done it without you!
     Thanks so much for supporting me! You might be able to tell...I tried to do something nice in return, but... Well, things just didn't go as planned!

Thanks again for donating! We really appreciate it, and many animals will live better lives because of it!

Cosmo and Paul"

Thank you Cosmo and Paul, for your efforts to help animals in need! Keep up the great work!

Boomer is a Star!

     We are so proud of all our sponsored dogs...but today we have a star on our list! Boomer, along with our sponsorship program here at Mermaid Cottages, was featured September 16th as a Dog Star over at Dog Star Daily!

     Dog Star Daily is a cool site for dog lovers, with tips and advice on everything from welcoming a new puppy to behavior and nutrition. They also have the Dog Star photo section where you can submit a dog for star status, or vote on stars already posted. Of course, we are just elated to see our pup on the list of dog stars!

     We couldn't be prouder, and what a great way to help get the word out about our Beach Bum Biscuits. Congratulations Boomer...way to go!

Where the Beach Bum Biscuits Will Be Available!

I will post a legend here shortly of where the biscuits will be available! Please stay tuned!