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Pet Friendly takes on new meaning at this beach hideout
Tails a-waggin’ and guests a-gellin’ at this hotel. Who would ever think dog meets man at a paradise hotel at the heart of George Town, Exuma, Bahamas this summer?
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Peace & Plenty Beach Inn did. And (bow) WOW! Masterminds Lynne Sutton and Bette Francis surely did not bark up the wrong tree approaching resort Vice President Barry Benjamin with the perfect pet-lover solution.
Lynne rescues stray dogs or lost puppies around Exuma and keeps them in the pen. Guests at the Peace & Plenty property at the Beach Inn get very involved, taking dogs to the beach with them for an entire day, petting and playing with them on-site.
On property, there are a total of eight island dogs called Pot Cakes. They are a mixed breed, each one different than the other.
“Due to our program, families and children like to stay at the Beach Inn and get involved,” she said. “Guests are not charged for participating and taking them out for a walk. I take donations though,” she added referring to the fund-raising events they launch such as the 10-kilometer Wagging Tails Sponsored Walk on the old airport runway. Sponsors and members of the public and private business groups raised over $3800 in February. Peace & Plenty donated generously towards the construction of the Bette Lynne Animal Shelter. Over 50 participants raised the monies that grew enormous awareness for the organization.
Barry Benjamin thinks the program with canines offers a unique sort of therapy, as do dolphins swimming and frolicking with divers, guests or kids with special needs.
“It’s an experience all its own,” he said.
“A lot of people have left pets behind. Having dogs here, they say, really help them not miss their pets so much. Stroking the animals help relieve the stress of leaving their pet companions while on vacation,” said Lynne. At the property, dog-training classes are held every Saturday. If guests are not directly involved, they do come and watch the fun happening at the Club Peace & Plenty. “So much of this goes on right here!” Lynne said.
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