Goose Rocks Beach

There aren't many dog friendly beaches where we live. However, one of the first things we discovered when we were researching our Maine vacation was that Goose Rocks Beach was located close to where we were staying and was open to dogs before 9AM and after 5PM.

We weren't really sure how Katy would react to the beach. We'd taken Bailey and Katy to Hopkinton State Park and Bailey's reaction was similar to the Wicked Witch of the West's. He hated standing water. Katy followed Bailey's lead for a long time. We were curious to see how she'd react to a beach full of dogs.

We were surprised to discover Katy liked the water. The weather was warm in Maine. Perhaps the water felt cold and that's why she was willing to wade in the water this time when she had always refused before.

The only part she didn't like was when the waves splashed up on her and that is when Katy would retreat.

While the Inn doesn't allow inside bathing of dogs, they do provide hoses for outside cleanup. Katy got a paw rinse to get the salt water and dirt off her when we got back to the Inn.

Katy's still not hooked on water, but she is open to wading in it, which was a huge step forward for her.

Our experience was very dog friendly during our time there. People did have some dogs off leash, but they were being responsible keeping their dogs under voice control, which made the experience much more enjoyable.

The Captain Jefferds Inn

Dog Dad and Mom decided in June they wanted to have a weekend away to celebrate Mom's birthday and their anniversary, both in July. After losing Bailey Mom didn't want to leave me behind, so she started researching dog friendly options near water. Yeah Mom was a bit obsessed about being near water this summer. By the time they got around to booking, August was the earliest they could travel.

One thing Mom learned during the research is the definition of pet friendly varies widely, as do the costs. Some are very restrictive, dogs must be crated at all times. Others are far more open to pets and provide a wide range of options for owners and pets.

Mom and Dad decided on the Captain Jefferds Inn, a bed and breakfast in Kennebunkport. The Captain Jefferds has several pet friendly rooms. We booked the Baxter room, which from what Mom researched was the nicest room in the inn. The description of the room says it is decorated as a Maine Camp. Mom did question what camp has a 2 person whirlpool tub, but it was nice sized room for humans and dogs. It has a bedroom, small sitting room, bathroom, and small private porch area, with a larged dorm sized fridge. (We realized this was a big deal when one of the other couples complained their room had no fridge.) Mom said she and dog Dad kept quiet about their porch fridge. Our room was at the back of the Inn.

Those stairs went right up to our porch and room. It was nice having a private entrance. We could head right out for our walks when we wanted. I could only stay alone in the room when Mom and Dad went to breakfast, as breakfast was served in the dining room in the main portion of the Inn and I couldn't go there. However, the Inn did offer pet sitters and I met a very nice boy who took care of me twice.

I had a Moose cookie waiting for me when I arrived along with a reminder letter reminding me of the rules of the Inn. I had no problem following the rules.

My porch

I settled in with my cookie.

Settling down and relaxing

Making myself at home.

We are planning a return visit to the Captain Jefferds. Our experience was amazing.

Just to be clear we got nothing for writing this review of Captain Jefferds. I love reading about my fellow Bloggers trips and appreciate hearing about different options for visiting different part of the country.

Heading to Maine

Mom and Dad took me on my first vacation this weekend. I thought they were kidding when they said we were going to have an adventure in Maine. I was sure I was going to what they "cutely" refer to as doggy camp (kennel), but they kept promising me they weren't leaving me behind.

I knew something was different as Dad had put my fleece pillow in the back seats. Dad never puts pillows in the car. This was new and by the way really comfortable.

Dad hooked my harness in and I was ready to go. We made a few stops along the way so we could all stretch and make bathroom trips. We arrived in Kennebunkport, Maine, but Dog Dad said it was too early to check in. I wasn't sure what that meant. He parked the car and took us to a really cool pet store, Scalawags Pet Boutique. Mom found two really cool toys I'll post about later and an item we will be needing at the end of the week.

If you are traveling in the Kennebunkport area with your pets, check out Scalawags website. They have lots of pet friendly travel ideas for the area. We found it very helpful in planning our trip.

Wordless Wednesday: Playing with the Treat Ball

Lots of awesome stuff going on and we hope to share more soon. Mom decided to capture me playing with my treat ball.

Synchronized Napping

We know you've all been eagerly awaiting Blogville's Pawlympic Synchronized Napping event and it is finally here. For those of you who follow Synchronized Napping you know this is a pairs or multiple event and it has two categories Parallel Napping and Freestyle Napping. Parallel requires the animals to nap in parallel positions. Technically the animals shouldn't touch, but in our example we found that to be next to impossible. We do expect the animals to demonstrate parallel positions however. Freestyle napping allows more creativity, but the animals must be touching even in a minor point at the time the picture is taken.

Parallel Entries:

This was our first parallel entry and a great example of the skills required. Look at the lines.

Jess, Amanda, Mini and Barbarell

Cat Bro Bert, Bailie, and me, Emma

Christmas and Angel Katie



Look at the form.

Casey and Jessie

Look at these two working to hold the form.

Macy and Noodle

Jasper and Nellie

Look at the focus folks.

Millie and Walter

Great use of light and color

Artistic Freestyle Entries:

Alasandra, The Cats & Dogs

I was unclear about this entry and since it didn't include a category for the entry I went with freestyle. The cats are touching and the white cat clearly wants to emphasize the artistic head move. while they may have originally started on the path to a parallel entry, at some point they decided to explore freestyle napping. An great entry in our freestyle napping category.

Dory and Jakey

The bum cuddle is a popular artistic move beautifully illustrated here.

easyriderpup

Mom agreed to help since this entrant didn't have another animal to enter the event with but really wanted to participate.

Lassie and Benji

Not that the judges are supposed to be biased, but Shelties did invent this event.

Frankie and Ernie

Look at the complete stretch they put into this nap. Ernie puts an artistic curl into it for just the right effect.

Tip Tail and LG

You're getting very sleepy

Casey and Jessie
Look at the beautiful integration of space

Mr. Bailey and Hazel

These two are playing for the cute points

Macy and Noodle

Look at the use of couch and blankie

Eddy and Evan

Going for the extended paw stretch

Jasper and Nellie

Look at the study in compact to extended napping poses.

Princess Leah and Maggie Mae

These two teamed up as a virtual team to compete

Millie and Walter

Look at the use of curves in this entry.

Addi and Oreo

These two contestants show such love

Wordless Wednesday: Chilling

Friday Flowers: Orange Oriental Lily

As I told you Mom loves the Oriental Lilies. This one oddly popped up in the Veggie garden. No idea how it moved there.

Friday Flowers: Orange Day Lily

These came out right before the July 4th holiday. Grandma used to call them 4th of July Lilies. It was a long time before Mom knew they were actually Day Lilies.

Wordless Wednesday: Rascally Rabbits

Katy Update

Mom has been preposting a bunch of flower pictures but she hasn't been writing many posts lately. So, I told her it was time to get back to the work of blogging.

We've been working on getting our event all set up for the Olympics. Lots of people sent in their entries and we are so grateful that so many people wanted to enter. It really is a memorial event for Bailey as he inspired Mom to ask about offering it.

I've been exploring life as a single Sheltie and learning so much. Without Bailey's help I've had to work extra hard keeping the critters in control. A new groundhog has moved into the area and he's a bit grumpy. The bunnies have exploded. Thankfully, Dog Dad managed to remove an area they were using to hide behind and that seems to have made them less aggressive. We now have chipmunks and squirrels!!

I've also been making more friends in the neighborhood. When Bailey was alive he was the social one. When we'd meet dogs, he'd greet them and I'd shyly hold back until he was done. Now I'm doing the greeting and I have specific dogs I like to find on my walks with Dog Dad. I also have humans that look forward to seeing me when I'm out as well.

Mom and Dad are also continuing to look for another Sheltie friend for me. Mom has started contacting some New England area breeders to see if anyone has any adult dogs. She's contacted the local Sheltie rescues in the areas, but nothing is happening so she's moving forward. She's made a few contacts and those contacts keep leading to other contacts. Mom is patient, so I am hopeful she'll find a good friend for me.

Friday Flowers: Lily and Gnome

Katy's number one informant is using the flowers for cover.