when we got here, we were greeted by the welcoming committee... first, star bear, a very large dog (part Malamute and border collie) put his paws on the car and peeked in to say hi... then irene the hound dog said hello... jenny rose the lab joined in and then we made our way out of the car and harry met cici,  it was puppy love at first butt sniffing...

Harry is a six month old Queensland Heeler...  and cici is still a young gurl, so they bonded instantly, jawing, wrestling, licking and rolling in the dirt and there is quite a lot of that here... cici's new halter is quite dusty now... she immediately jumped into the filthy pool and swam in the water.  really warmed the cockles of my heart. and i was greeted to find out that we would have to leave early this morning... a fine welcome...  I came here to find out about becoming a caretaker, I think not...

still, there are two yurts going up, a fabulous view from this mountain, cool fresh air and we had turkey burgers for dinner, after dinner entertainment was provided by harry and cici... and soon star bear wanted to get in on the action... jenny rose was the only one who did not seem to appreciate the attention that cici garnered from the two males... irene was not all that thrilled, either. 

we visited the yurt after dinner and all was fine until two neighbors dogs came along and looked like they would attack cici, we hightailed it through the garden, as a precaution and made our escape back to our tiny cabin... it was off to bed at about 8 but of course we did not actually fall asleep until about 3 am, and we got up around 6... cici does not seem to do well sleeping when windows and doors are open and she can see wildlife... star bears came and sat on our porch to protect us and cici wanted to play with him... and she was restless... there were two tiny beds, one a couch, and i thought she would sleep on that and i on the bed... she ran around, trashing the blankets, trying to get settled to no avail... then she decided to come visit me in my narrow little bed, plop she goes... we have not slept together in a tiny single bed since last year, she cradled my legs... then she was off again to the couch... then back to me at some point, where she cuddled my head... and took over the bed... i went to the outhouse, actually it's a small bathroom with a compost toilet, and came back and there was cici in her usual place in the middle of the bed... the bed is a little high off the ground and i did not want her to jump off of it, so i tried to move her, finally got her and me where i wanted, cuddled in my arms, she was shaking slightly, and we finally fell asleep...  had some weird dreams...

this morning, we arose at the crack of dawn, and I went outside to go up to the main house to go to the bathroom, and the dogs greeted us good morning... star bear first, of course. then we had a nice breakfast, cici and harry played and chased cats and we were ushered on our way... 

we were going to hang out in Mariposa but I was utterly unimpressed (been there before, too) and decided to take the 140 to merced which I thought was madera... we had stayed in a motel there last year. got to merced and realized I was in a different place and decided to head up the 99 a bit and we got off in Turlock, saw a sign for a motel and they take pets, and here we are... my back will mend, nice to stay in a non dusty queen bed, with wireless internet and all of the amenities of modern life, a  tv, phone, etc.

we may go back to the coast in the morning, we shall see... for now, we will rest... cici needs a bath and she met a new friend at the gas station, where they have a taqueria and pizza place.  the pizza guy took care of her while I ran in to get a burrito... very nice... 

don't forget Gone with the Wind... who played Bonnie Blue?

she only wanted to go out and out and out and out... we went to a lake and she ran up to the top of some hills and wanted to jump off some rocks to visit a fisherman but I did not let her do that ... duh...

and then we went to visit and she got to lick everybody and then we went out a few dozen more times...

she met a little girl named Sophie, a real cutey about 3 years old, dressed up like a princess, and Sophie giggled when cici licked her feet and face... 

I took her out before we went to sleep and she was too enthralled with bugs and lizards to do her business...

so why did it surprise me when she woke me up at 1 am and had to go out?

she let me know by sticking her head under the bed and moaning... 

so we went out at 1 am and she did her business and i could not fall back to sleep and stayed up until 3 am... 

the joys of being a dog parent... 

so here is a new photo of my cutey mccute that i took yesterday, she was actually getting into posing for me so there is hope yet that she will become a doggie model... and earn her keep around here...  what do you think?

don't forget to answer the burning question so that you can win this week's free giveaway....  who played Bonnie Blue Butler in the movie gone with the wind? 

If you want to promote your pet friendly inn, let me know, perhaps I can help  you... win win win... for more info, visit this page... with helpful tips...  

http://celiasue.hecht.googlepages.com/innkeeperswelcome

Here's our new free giveaway contest for the week...sponsored by Doggytug...Kelly now has an instructional video on how to use the toys... on the product page, upper right hand, click on the photo... 

http://Doggytug.com

Dottie the traveling bikini dog panties (you do remember Dottie) says: Answer this question and win... who played Bonnie Blue Butler in Gone with the Wind?  (hint: i recently had breakfast with her)... 

if no one gets the answer to that question, then the first person who names three of the nine inns I recently wrote about (in May 2008) will win the free weekly giveaway contest...  so you've got two shots at winning a great goodie bag filled with wonderful doggytug toys... send us your answer before Friday, May 16, 2008... 

Doggytug toys are the tug toys that dogs love to play tug of war with...  just ask Lainie... who is Lainie you ask, check her out playing with her tug toy... from her free giveaway package... she is playing with the floatie that is for swimming with, by the way... 

http://olgathetravelingbraotherstuff.blogspot.com/

Today, we are going back to Little River, we just love that town, to the Little River Inn. 

Tomorrow, we will stay, for the first time, in the town of Mendocino. And Tuesday, we will be leaving this area a little bit and go north about 30 minutes up to a town called Westport. Wednesday, we are supposed to meet someone in the big city, San Francisco, and stay overnight near the airport, in a city I used to live in called Burlingame at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. I was surprised to find out that they are pet friendly. 

To Market 

the market/deli in Little River is a wonderful place to eat... They gave me free dogs treats, and have a wonderful selection of foods from enchiladas to salads, spinach spanokapita, egg rolls, sandwiches, cheeseburgers and more... 

 Little River Inn

Everyone needs to be pampered every once in awhile. The Little River Inn is just the place to indulge your senses, unwind, and relax. I'll tell you why. When you go up the driveway to the Little River Inn, you get a sweeping sense of history and tradition. Just as the trees have deep roots in the earth, the Little River Inn has been here for almost 70 years... six generations. And there are a lot of reasons why. The family. The food. The customer service. Da views, da gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean. The pet friendliness. Visitors come here year after year, generation after generation to celebrate holidays, anniversaries, birthdays and other special occasions. 

Cici made friends with the dog next door, a poodle mixed with Jack Russell... those poodles are sure getting around... seems like every day you hear about another poodle mix, poodle lab, poodle cocker spaniel, poodle terrier, etc. 

Family

In 1850's, Silas Coombs, a lumberman from Maine built a family home. In 1864, he married Margaret Boyd, they raised four children, including twin girls, Cora and Margaret. The twins grew up in Little River. Ole Hervilla grew up in a boardinghouse run by his Finnish/Swedish immigrant family in Utah. He came to Fort Bragg to join his brother and ran the Windsor Hotel. He married Cora Coombs in 1939 and they purchased the Little River home from her parents and on May 27, 1939, opened the Little River Inn.   The inn has become known for its old fashioned family hospitality...  Some of the staff members have worked at the Inn for 30+ years. Now, Cally Dym runs the Inn. She grew up in Petaluma, went to Columbia University, lived in New Orleans, Colorado and makes ongoing contribution to the community including the boys and girls club, animal organizations, and other charities. 

Cammie Conlon played Bonnie Blue Butler, the doomed only child of Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara, in the 1939 classic movie Gone With the Wind when she was just 4 years old. She remembers that she loved the pony and said that Clark Gable was very kind to her. She only had two scenes with Vivien Leigh and one of them was cut.  Cammie and I had a delicious breakfast together and she regaled me with interesting tales of the Inn and the family. 

Eco Friendly

Solar panels, recycling, composting, and more innovations to come. 

Food

I had three of the Inn's specialties... Crab Pot Pie and the Olallaberrie Pie for dessert for dinner. Makes me want to sing that pie song from the movie Michael. Pie pie I love pie my oh my.  Fresh picked berries...Fresh tasty ingredients. the Olallaberrie Pie is made from Calli's grandmother's original recipe. yum-o as Rachael Ray would say.  For breakfast, I had Ole's favorite breakfast, his Swedish pancakes, two eggs and sausage. Quite delicious, and a nice hearty and light way to start the day.

Customer service

check-in was prompt, easy and friendly. When we arrived at our cabin, waiting for us were several very nice touches... a doggie bowl and treats for Cici. A bag filled with towels and sheets to put on the furniture. A  book about the history of the Inn along with a handwritten note and information package. Dinner and breakfast were superb.

Room at the Inn

Deliciously comfortable bed that I stretched out in, a jacuzzi tub, a large screen TV with cable, wireless internet, a fireplace, fridge, and da view da gorgeous view... through the glass doors and the deck, I could see the ocean waves gently lapping away. 

Pet friendliness

Susan (Calli's mother) rescued three premarin horses that are kept in a beautiful green fenced area across from the Inn, behind the market/deli... Dogs and cats and other pets are welcome at the Inn.  Below are some of the pet friendly opportunities happening at the Inn currently

Yes, Dorothy, Toto Too

This package includes:

Two nights in a luxurious room with a fantastic ocean view

AND

A day at Doggie Day Camp for your pet

ENJOY A WINE TOUR, A STROLL ON THE BEACH OR A LLAMA TREK

 take a day to explore the redwoods, ride the Skunk Train or shop in the village.

This package is available Tuesday through Saturday nights only.

The rate for this package is based on a two night minimum, double occupancy, and

ranges from $472-$580 depending on your choice of accommodation.

Fourth of July Pups on Parade 

And the Little River Inn's official dog Rosie welcomes other pups to join her in the upcoming July 4th Pup Parade with a two night, July 3 and 4 stay at the Inn.. dozens of dogs will walk along Main Street, receive a red white and blue kerchief and transportation to the parade from the Inn. Call 1888-INN-LOVE to make your reservation. Or go to http://www.littleriverinn.com