It’s an exciting weekend here at beachdog.com.  Not only is it Rod Run AND Perdita’s 2nd birthday, Dr. Roof is giving the building a fresh coat of paint.  Watch for more changes this fall; we’ve got a few surprises up our sleeves and think you’ll be pleased.

Karl brings a wealth of experience as a tech guru in the public and private sectors and we are absolutely delighted to have him in the kennel.  Not only is he a Mac expert and a networking master, he brings an extensive background in database design & development.  This guy’s toy (er, tool) box runneth over.  We know you’re going to enjoy working with him as much as we do.

As the Executive Director of Destination: The Pacific, the signature event for the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commemoration, we had the opportunity to work with Cyndi Mudge on a variety of projects.  When she became the Director of the Astoria Sunday Market, we started talking about her needs for that site.

She’s been doing a great job with her email newsletter and already had a logo in place so our task was to translate that effort into a brand-enhancing web site.  Because Cyndi speaks html herself, it was important to have a simple, html-based design that she could keep updated herself, which she does regularly.  Way to go, Cyndi!

The web site is a small slice of the work being done on this classic Astoria motel.   Sitting almost underneath the Astoria-Megler bridge, the views of the Columbia River ship traffic are spectacular.  That red building you see in the masthead photo is the Red Building, home of another one of our clients, the Bridgewater Bistro.

We’ve done a quick blog build for Sima Patel without too much branding because the property is under remodeling construction and it is premature to settle on colors, images and the like.  The plan is to be giving the whole site a face lift once the dust settles.  In the meanwhile, they’ll be aging their domain and able to give information to their clientele. Smart lady, that Sima!

This project was a first for our web team: build a site for a vacation rental home owned by a couple who does not own a computer and has never been in the transient lodging business before.  We love a challenge!

Because we have extensive tourism experience, we were able to walk the owners through the process of deciding on rates and policies with which to get started.  We set the site up in WordPress, which allows for easy editing by other family members and also offers some advantage in terms of online marketing.

We walked the client through a third party vacation rental-specific online reservations system, where they set up their own account.

We’re delighted to report that they’re having a great first season and have been very pleased with how the site is working for them.

June 20th is take your dog to work day. Here at beachdog.com every day is Take Your Dog to Work Day (TYDTWD)!

TYDTWD was created to promote the joys of pet ownership to the non-pet owner. When bringing your dog to work those who live a pet-less life can see the fulfilling relationship you experience with your furry friend. TYDTWD also promotes shelters. There are plenty of furrballs waiting for forever friends at our local shelter.  A rescued dog will be the most loyal companion you could ever have!

We have proof here in the office. 14-year old Karadog is the original beachdog.  This smart-as-the-dickens lab/malamute/who-jumped-over-the-fence dog was rescued from a shelter in Eureka, California.  Perdi is our resident 130-lb pup, a purebred Great Dane advertised for sale at our local shelter when her owners couldn’t keep her.

Wendy

Graeme and Sabrina were spotted doing a little souvenir shopping in Scotland. If you are lucky they may bring you back some canned haggis or a Rodger Whitaker CD from Thistle Do Nicely. Or, if you’re really lucky, a bottle from The Wee Whiskey Shop. Next on the agenda: pony rides on the Shetland Isles.

Click the photo to enlarge.

If you squint your eyes you can see Sabrina & Graeme under the far right leg of the Eiffel Tower.

Sabrina, our GEEK DOG, is on a month-long journey through France, Scotland and England. After a long, hard, wet, cold, winter on the Peninsula, Sabrina and her husband, Graeme, needed a drizzly, damp get-away.

The first leg of their journey began in Paris. They chose a pup tent and VW bus for their romantic getaway. With motorcycle helmets in tow, the journey began on 3-31-08. We, who are left behind, to endure the spring-like weather, tulips, daffodils and whale watching, will just have to deal with her absence.

Wendy