The things I put up with to look good!

What I do for this place! Last night I spent 2 hours getting my dreadlocks done so I can look good for the guests. Granted they were a bit tangled and could use a brushing - but I hate having this done. Mark holds me while Amy works on my hair and I let them know I don't like it by whining the entire time. And they got them done just in time for all this rain. My dreadlocks take a long time to dry so I don't get to stay out too long and when it is coming down this hard I don't like going out at all. Actually, the wind is scarying me a bit so I think I will stick close to Amy and our guests all day. The guests staying in the Packard Room absolutely love me and make such a big fuss everytime they stay - I really look forward to their visits!

What is a welcome?

After all these years I think I finally figured it out - barking from the upstairs window and at the garden gate is not the "official" welcome Amy and Mark are looking for from me. I wondered why they always were correcting me or bringing me inside from the garden. I think I need to tame it down or have an "official" welcome - cute me, ready to be patted and fussed over - and my own version which involves a lot of barking. I need people to know I am here. And I need to let those other dogs in the neighborhood, especially the ones that walk by, that this is my house and yard! Not that people can really miss me - sometimes they think I am a rug on the patio and then I get up and start moving and scare them a bit. Imagine, someone thinking I am scary. That is pretty unheard of in my world.

Been watching a lot - out the window at the neighborhood happenings (it is pretty quiet) and the t.v. A lot going on there with the Olympics (way to go Maine's Seth Westcott) and the big dog show. Of course, my breed, Bergamasco Sheepdogs, are not accepted by the AKC so we are not allowed to show off at the big event but I do always root for the herding/working dogs. We must stick together.

Back to work -guests arriving so I will try to tone it down.

Make Everyday Romantic

Even I enjoy a romantic Valentine's Day and I am a cuddler by nature so hopefully some cuddling is on the agenda for this weekend. But any day can be romantic if you just put a little thought into it - you don't have to wait until the calendar falls to February 14th. A little note in a briefcase, doing that daily chore that your significant other always does (like feeding the family pet), or setting a pretty table for dinner can make a big impact and let someone else know you are thinking of him/her. At our B&B my owners work hard to make guests' weekends romantic, especially on Valentine's Day, and they always say it is in the little things, the details. Take this romance basket that comes with the Valentine's Day Package - packed with little things - a romantic CD, traditional candy hearts, a potted miniature rose, champagne glasses and a gift certificate to one of Bath's great restaurants. Nothing over the top - just a few small gifts to add to the stay.

Our B and B Kitchen Remodel

My owners were very busy today with the continuing remodel of the kitchen. I stayed upstairs in our living quarters away from the noise and dust. I heard the sledge hammer on the tile floor (good thing that is gone it was so slippery when I came in with wet feet) and when I went down for supper it was all gone. Amy got the kitchen almost all painted - just a couple touch ups and the radiator to do plus the last of the cupboard doors to finish. I am loving the new colors and I think guests will too. Of course, this coming weekend they will have to forgive the unfinished floors as the new one will not arrive for a couple weeks at least. Good thing my hair provides good padding to lay on the wood floor boards that will be our floor for the next couple weeks. I've posted some pictures so you can all see the new colors!

I'm Back at Work - Innkeeping!

I've had to shake off that lazy attitude and get back to work with guests here this weekend. My innkeeping duties never end. Greeting guests is my favorite part of the job; they make such a fuss over me and my dreadlocks. Amy cooked them one of my favorite breakfast this morning - the Packard House version of Croq Madame. She grills homemade English Muffin bread then tops it with warm ham, poached eggs (poached for exactly 3 minutes to make them perfect), fresh grated cheddar cheese and chopped parsley. Unfortunately there were no leftover this morning so I was left out. Sometimes being the innkeeper is tough!

Maine Innkeeping in the Quiet Season

I am lazy in the quiet season, that time from when all the tourist leave at the end of October until they return in May. Oh there are some guests filtering in and out on the weekends at the B&B but it is much quieter during the winter. My owners, of course, are busy. Amy and Mark try to get all the maintenance done during this time and I am not much help with those things. They are currently painting the kitchen to get ready for the new kitchen floor. I tried helping and now have some paint in my dreadlocks which will probably never come off. The new floor will be nice - I love laying in the kitchen when breakfast is going on - I get lots of attention ("Lupi get out of the way - do you have to lay right in front of the refrigerator?) and you never know when a piece of bacon might be left over and come my way. Amy will be doing some things today to get ready for the big romantic holiday weekend coming up - we'll see if I can offer her some help with that or maybe I'll just curl up in front of my window on my comfy bed and dream of the coming season when everyone will be making a big fuss over me!