I have been incredibly fortunate in my business life. I have a thriving, successful business that I genuinely enjoy. I work hard and I am tired and happy at the end of most days. But my hard work alone isn’t responsible for this success. Many people have contributed in countless ways to building and sustaining The Bark & Call Inn. It is astounding and humbling to me that offers of help, expertise and labor pour in and often come when they are most needed and least expected. I am so incredibly grateful to have wonderful people in my life who constantly show me the best of humanity.
John Lavin
Licensed Contractor, Owner of Small Changes, Ashby
Dogs are hard on homes. Anyone who owns a single dog, and has gone through all the puppy stages, knows how quickly damages occur. Running a doggie B&B means there are always repairs, touch ups and alterations needed. John Lavin, also known as Dad to me, has been the backbone of all the construction projects and repairs for all these years. He never fails to come up with novel solutions for the myriad issues that arise. He is endlessly patient with me and the dogs, is never too tired or too busy and he even makes the projects fun. It is with tremendous gratitude that I include him here as a contributor to the Bark & Call Inn.
Claire Lavin
Broker, Realtor, Owner of Charron Real Estate, Ashby & Rindge
I came to love gardening later in life and mostly because it was an activity I did with my mum, Claire to everyone else. She created beautiful spaces that I loved spending time in. Knowing that, she began helping me create my own gardens and window boxes and as the beauty emerged, it was impossible not to fall in love with an activity that created such glory. The gift of gardening joy is small compared to her other contributions. She gamely grabbed a paint brush and worked alongside Dad and me, she is an incomparable editor, without whom I would still be working on the website, and you would not be reading this. She has an incredible eye for detail and she and my friend Chris are responsible for the lovely décor that brought the intention of each room to life. My mum is the type of person who is there when needed no matter what and her contributions to my work life are surpassed only by her contributions to me personally. I’m awed by her and grateful for her steady constancy of love and support.
Alec Mayer & Phil Davenport
Lakeview Nurseries, Lunenburg
Life sometimes brings you into contact with people as a gift from the universe. Alec and Phil were most definitely unlooked for, but much needed and appreciated gifts. There is not a single aspect of my garden that does not bear some mark of their expertise and guidance. There is no end to the generosity they have shown in teaching me, helping me design (or designing for me!) and trouble-shooting, diagnosing and curing the pests, mildew and every other trial and tribulation my gardens have faced. As if that weren’t enough, they are simply the kind of people who restore your faith in the goodness of others. They are kind, genuine, thoughtful and full of good humor and cheer. My heart lights up and I come out all smiles every time I see them. It is with deepest gratitude that I offer my thanks to both of you.
Barry Swanson
Wildwoods Photography
Photographing dogs well takes a person who can see the soul of an animal. Barry is such a person. It is an anxiety inducing endeavor to have someone else interact with the dogs in my care. Barry filled me with confidence from the moment of his first interaction. Dogs immediately saw a kindred spirit and felt so at ease around him. He captured the essence of the dogs and their personalities shone through in each portrait. His high-quality photos , displayed throughout this website, stand out against all the others. I’m so grateful to have such gorgeous, rich, complex photos to include. I am so very grateful for the time and skill you gave me.
Cherished Friends
Some people are rich in wealth and others rich in friends. I am happy to say I belong to the latter group. So many friends throughout the years I’ve been operating have offered the strength of their arms and the sweat of their brows and special skills specific to their natures and personalities. This year in particular has been a flurry of activity and I have relied on my friends for their help and true to form, they pitched in time and again, reminding me how valuable good friends are. They offer solace in bad times, council in times of crisis, laughter in the good times and companionship always. I am so grateful and take not one minute of my time with them for granted. My thanks to you all. You have made my life rich beyond measure.