Pace's Ponderings - Service Animals

Woof Woof:  Hi, I'm Pace',

Along The Crag's trail

   That's me hiking The Crag's trail up the Western side of Pikes Peak with Matty (Shirley & Don's grandson).  It was a couple of summers ago and Matty has grown a bunch since then.  He's got a cochlear implant now and soon to get the 2nd one.  He signs (ASL), reads lips, talks all the time, hears almost perfectly and is, in every way, a typical 5 year old.  Disability?  What disability!?!  We should all have the abilities this kid has.

  Anyway, speaking of disabilities.  We had our first Service Animal stay with us last week-end.  A cute (well, not as cute as me) puppy name Penny.  It was a challenge for an old dog like me but I handled it pretty well if I do say so myself.  You see, Service Animals are the only exception to the GuestHouse's no pet policy.  By statute, if your place is handicap accessible you have to accommodate Service Animals as well.  The wording is loose and there's room for interpretation but Don & Shirley believe it would be unkind (and inhospitable) to turn away a person who needs, and benefits from, a highly trained Service Animal.  Penny was a great guest, never barked and didn't soil the room.  I guess I'm OK with Service Animals after all.

  Well, other than that, and some guests with food allergies (gluten and dairy), it's been a quiet time at the GuestHouse.  The summer has returned to normal, warm days, cool nights and the occasional afternoon shower - I'm lovin' it!

Woof!  Bye For Now!

Pace'

Pace's Ponderings - pet policies

Woof, Woof,
  Translation: Hi, I'm Pace'

Me in Vermijo Park.

  Let me introduce myself!  I'm the house dog here at the Old Town GuestHouse.  House dogs don't have much to do other than lay around and look cute (I'm good at that) so my friend Kim Abels suggested I write a BLOG about things that go on here at the GuestHouse.
  So I was sitting there in my favorite park (just down the street), overlooking Fountain Creek and the new Midland Trail extension, wondering what to say.   HMMMMMM!

  OK, how about pet policies!?

  I'm a pet - duh, and Don and Shirley (well actually EVERYONE) loves me.  Maybe you have a pet too!  I hope you do and I hope you love your pet as much as I'm loved.  As it turns out, Don & Shirley don't take me on their trips, I'm left behind to do my house dog thing, just work, work, work.  But the truth is I like it that way.  I'm safe at home, plenty of food, plenty of company, I sleep in my own bed, take walks in my favorite park and avoid the stress of long car rides or, worse still, being caged up in an airplane going someplace I don't care much to see anyway.

  But maybe you like/need/want to take your pet along.  There are, I'm sure, any number of valid reasons why you might do this.  What you'll face at most hotels, almost all B&B's and even at Aunt Martha's house are 'policies'.  Google "pet policies for hotels" and you'll see an endless list of links to an endless array of 'policies'.  Large hotels are the most lenient (they can reserve a couple of rooms at the far end of the hall for guests with pets).  Cheaper hotels/motels are pretty lenient too, you can imagine why.  Small upscale Inns and B&B's have the toughest 'policies'.  Here's why:

  Allergies:  Pet dander is one of the most common allergies and one of the hardest to control and clean up.

  'Accidents':  Most Inns are not carpeted and furnished with industrial products - often the furniture is antique or 'one-of-a-kind', even throw rugs may have been hand picked to match the room's decor.

  Ambiance:  The other guests expect a quiet, relaxing, perhaps romantic experience.

  House Pets:  Yes, I'm the bad guy here.  I was here first.  This is my home, I'm trained to behave according to the rules.  I have a place to go if I behave improperly.

  The GuestHouse does not allow pets but they will make reservations at a near-by kennel (of which I have approved).  Inns that do allow pets often provide on-site kenneling of some sort (check first) and most always charge a 'clean up' fee and possibly a rather large damage deposit (refundable, all or in part).

  Remember:  Just because an Inn is not "pet-friendly" doesn't mean the owners are pet unfriendly.

  Well I hope this helps!

  Bye for now!  "Woof"

  Pace'