An Upgrade to the Ramp In the Dog Area

Here's a recent photo of Sammy & Isabelle on the ramp outside the doggie door, in the small fenced dog area. You might not be able to tell, but at least one of the dogs is a little nervous because the ramp is a little slippery. So their mom suggested doing something to add traction, to make it easier for dogs to use the ramp in inclement weather.

It was a great suggestion, actually made by another guest earlier this year, too. Due to a miscommunication with the contractor, the enhancement wasn't made before, but now it has been. I snapped a photo of it with my camera today, and this is what it looks like. That's my dog, Tester, modeling the new indoor-outdoor carpet on the ramp:

Oct 22-28 Week - Newman & Seven

Jack russell terriers Seven and Newman are accompanying Michelle and Mike on their week long vacation at Paws & Reflect. While there is a lot to do in the Shenandoah Valley, it's most common that vacationers spend a weekend or a long weekend there in one of the many vacation rental cabins. So when people come for a full week like Newman & Seven's family, I usually guess that they are a family of hikers, coming to take advantage of the Shenandoah National Park.

From the guestbook at Paws & Reflect:

Thanks for a place where the four legged kids are welcome! Seven and Newman quickly figured out the doggy door, but were later denied access because Seven dug her way under the back porch (Jack Russell Terrier on a mouse hunting mission!)

Leaves were beautiful – think we timed it just right J

It rained for most of our visit, so we opted for indoor activities – Endless Caverns, Luray Caverns, Shenandoah Market & a foggy trip down part of Skyline Drive.

The “Terrier Terrorists” had a great time! Maybe they will bring us back again

Oct 20th Weekend - Max

Mike & Kara are back with 2 year old Max, their buff colored cocker spaniel, just like they said they would be when they stayed at Paws & Reflect at this time last year. That trip was Max's first time away from home, and it sounds from their guest book entry like he enjoyed it as much as they did. They shared a lot of their experiences in the guest book. Here's to another nice long weekend getaway at Paws & Reflect for Mike, Kara and Max.

Oh here's a photo of sweet little Max taken during last year's stay at the cabin:

Follow-up: It sounds like Max remembered the cabin from his visit last year. Kara wrote that when they were on the driveway approaching the house, Max began to squeal with excitement!

From the guestbook at Paws & Reflect:

We enjoyed our second stay here. When we arrived here Thursday our cockapoo Max cried when we pulled up at the cabin. I think he remember being here last year. It was a very relaxing time for us. We went to Staunton on Friday and toured the Woodrow Wilson Library. It was excellent! There is a pamphlet on it in the basket on the stand by the door. We enjoyed walking through downtown Staunton and especially enjoyed the glass blowing place – Sunspot.

Saturday we spent the day at Luray Caverns and in the town of Luray. We ate at Dan’s Steakhouse on the way back. If you leave there hunger, it’s your fault. Everything was delicious. Go early though or you have to wait. We saw some deer on Saturday coming back to the cabin. Max is anxiously anticipating coming back again next year!

Thanks for another nice stay!

Mike, Kara & Max

Oct 15th Week - Available For You

Awwww, the guests that had Paws & Reflect the week of October 15th just had to cancel! If you were wishing you could have the cabin at such a good time of the season, contact me and I'll hook you up. The nights of Monday Oct 15th through Wednesday Oct 17th (departing Thursday) are now up for grabs!

I'm looking forward to meeting many new dog lovers on Saturday, October 20th at the Fidos For Freedom annual Stroll 'n' Roll event. If you are convenient to Columbia MD, please come out to enjoy the event, and support this wonderful organiztion!

Oct 13th Weekend - Cody & Sophie

Cody turns eleven in early November, encouraging his mom, Sheila, to plan a getaway for them and Cody's "sister" Sophie. Sheila had to hold off planning their Paws & Reflect getaway when she first learned about the cabin lat year because she wasn't driving a 4WD vehicle then. She replaced that car with one that is does have 4WD, as she told me: "literally last week, and it didn't take long for the light bulb to go on!" I'm so glad she remembered Paws & Reflect in time to plan a mid-October getway, and celebrate Cody's birthday in the process.

Oct 8th Week - Isabelle & Samuel

An upcoming anniversary provides Margaret and Ron with a specific reason for their Paws & Reflect vacation this week. Isabelle and Samuel are the lucky pooches being included in this getaway; she's a jack russell/dachsund mix, he's a beagle/hound mix. If you want to see what those mixes look like, Margaret has photos of them on her business website, handsculptedfurniture.com.

Follow-up: I just got some awesome photos of Isabelle and Sammy, one of which shows them both on the Critter Couch looking out the windows, in the great room.


These photos show just how pooped they got from all the hiking they did during their stay.

From the guestbook at Paws & Reflect:

Thanks for a nice stay. Sam & Isabelle loved watching the deer. We all enjoyed some beautiful hikes together and will take some wonderful memories home.

Ron, Margaret, Samuel & Isabelle

I also want to say how much I enjoyed meeting many dog lovers that came out to the 2nd annual HART Dog Walk on October 7th. It was a hot, hot afternoon, but it was worth it because I love to tell people all about Paws & Reflect!

Oct 6th Weekend - Buffy

Buffy, from Alexandria VA, will be the first border terrier at Paws & Reflect, so I hope I get pictures! Buffy is catching a ride with Ted and Gloria, who have planned this family getaway for months. The cabin is all theirs this weekend, and it sounds like they plan on some relaxation.

Follow-Up: Ted and Gloria shared a photo of Buffy out on the front deck, along with a statue of a hound dog.