Puppy BnB

Welcome to the Puppy Bed and Breakfast.

A haven built on warmth and wagging tails! Here, weary mother dogs find a soft place to rest their paws, knowing their precious pups are safe and sound, ready to grow and explore. Imagine a cozy sanctuary where clean, fluffy bedding awaits, bowls are always full of nourishing goodness, and the air is filled with gentle coos and endless cuddles. At the Puppy Bed and Breakfast, we believe in nurturing every heartbeat, offering a tranquil retreat where moms can recharge and babies can blossom, all wrapped in an abundance of love.

Over 200 mother dogs and their babies have found temporary haven with us since 2016. The following pages share a few of their unique stories. Even those whose stories aren't told here have left an indelible mark on our hearts.

Thanks,

~Keepers of the Puppy B&B

No one's quite sure if it was the faint, festive music drifting from a nearby backyard fiesta or just the sheer, joyful chorus of happy yips that announced their arrival, but the names stuck instantly.

Little Margarita, with her bright, zesty spirit and a tail that wags with the untamable energy of a perfectly shaken maraca, was clearly the star of the show from day one. She was the first to explore, the first to greet you with a lick, and the first to start the playful "singing."

Her littermates, a bustling, adorable ensemble of tumbling paws, playful growls, and heartwarming whimpers, naturally became her Mariachi Band. There's the tiny guitarrista who gently "strums" your leg for attention, the brave little trompetista whose enthusiastic barks herald the arrival of a food bowl, and a couple of sweet violinistas whose soft, contented sighs during a cuddle session can melt any heart.

Together, Margarita and her Mariachi Band are a tiny, walking, wagging festival of fun, bringing a symphony of puppy love wherever they go. They arrived as a little bundle of joy, their tiny paws already tapping out a rhythm of happiness, ready to fill their forever homes with the sweetest, most uplifting tunes!

They were residents of the B&B in 2021 and were off to get their Fur-ever homes. 

Milly’s story began way down in the heart of Alabama, a place of deep roots, slow-drawling charm, and sometimes, hidden struggles. She’s a mama whose gentle, soulful eyes have seen more than their share, her spirit forged with the quiet resilience of the Southern earth, steadfast and strong like an old oak weathering a summer storm.

With a love as fierce and protective as any mother bear, she sheltered her precious new litter – a tiny, vulnerable promise of new beginnings, born amidst the challenges life had thrown her way in the rural depths. But Milly held onto a dream for them, a dream of soft beds, full bellies, and kind hands.

Whispers of hope, carried on the winds of change, eventually led to a journey – a long passage "up" from those familiar, sometimes harsh, landscapes. It was a road paved with a mother’s unwavering determination and the quiet courage it takes to seek a better tomorrow for her babies.

Her puppies, too young to understand the miles they’ve traveled or the hardships their mama shielded them from, are like a living bouquet of bright white Oakleaf Hydrangea blooms – clusters of pure, hopeful innocence emerging beautifully after their long journey. Their playful yips and wide, trusting eyes are a testament to Milly’s enduring love and the incredible path she forged to bring them towards a brighter, safer horizon. They've brought with them the sweet, hopeful spirit their mama carefully nurtured all the way to this brand new start.

They were residents of the B&B in 2022 and were off to get their Fur-ever homes. 

It was a scorcher of a day, the kind where the heat haze dances on the horizon and the ol' dusty western road seemed to stretch on forever. Just when the cicadas were buzzin' their loudest, a small, determined cloud of dust appeared, movin' steady and sure towards the B&B.

Now, this wasn't no lone rider or a rattling stagecoach. No sir. As it got closer, we saw 'em – a tiny posse of pups, fur caked with the red dust of the trail, ears perked, and tails held as high as their little puppy spirits could manage. They looked like they'd navigated canyons made of tumbleweeds and forded streams that were probably just deep puddles to us, but mighty rivers to them!

Led by a little fella with eyes bright as a newly minted silver dollar (we call him "Dusty Boots"), this band of pint-sized pioneers had clearly stuck together through thick and thin. You could just tell they were true pardners, sharing every last crumb of adventure and every comforting nudge when the coyotes (or maybe just the neighbor's ol' hound) howled at the moon.

They didn't mosey in lookin' for trouble, no. They trotted right up to the Puppy B&B porch, looked around with a mix of trail-weary wisdom and hopeful innocence, as if they'd heard tell of a legendary oasis at the end of a long, hard journey – a place with cool water, soft beds, and folks who understood the language of a happy tail wag.

So, we swung open the saloon doors (figuratively speakin', of course!), and welcomed them in. The Dusty Trail Pups had ridden into town, not on horseback, but on the sheer grit of their little hearts, ready to trade their dusty past for a bright, cozy future. And that, my friends, is how these little legends began their stay at the Puppy B&B!

They were residents of the B&B in 2022 and were off to get their Fur-ever homes. 

Now, when these little stars were getting their beautiful merle patterns sprinkled on, legend says the universe got a bit extra enthusiastic and gave them a double dash of that magic! That's why you'll often see them sporting these incredible, often dazzlingly white coats, sometimes with eyes so unique they look like they hold little galaxies within them.

Being "double merle" means they're extra special, and they might experience the world a little differently than other pups. Some might not catch every little whisper with their ears, but oh, they listen with their whole hearts and feel the good vibes all around them. Others might not see every tiny detail, but they can spot a kind hand or a loving heart from a mile away, and they navigate their world with amazing courage and super-powered sniffers!

They're a special edition, a limited release of pure puppy sweetness, looking for understanding homes that appreciate their unique sparkle. They're ready to prove that "Double Trouble" really just means double the love, double the fun, and double the incredible joy of having a truly special companion by your side.

They were residents of the B&B in 2023 and were off to get their Fur-ever homes. 

Carmella arrived at the Puppy B&B shrouded in mystery. The Witness Protection Program brought her in, no questions asked, just a quiet hand-off. She was a picture of resilience, a lanky Husky mix with soulful eyes, terribly malnourished but fiercely devoted to the tiny bundles of fur tumbling around her. Despite her own weakness, every ounce of her energy went into caring for her puppies, cleaning them, nudging them towards any scraps of food, and shielding them with her own weary body.

For weeks, Carmella remained guarded, a tightly furled bud. But the B&B's calm atmosphere, the gentle clinking of bowls, and Freya's quiet kindness slowly began to work their magic. As her puppies grew stronger, and the constant fear began to recede, Carmella started to unfurl. She’d stretch out in sunbeams, her tail giving tentative wags, and a deep sigh of relief would escape her. She blossomed like a flower in the garden, her true gentle nature emerging with each passing day.

When her puppies were old enough to find their fur-ever homes, a new kind of peace settled over Carmella. Instead of leaving, she approached McCoy, her eyes conveying a silent plea. She wanted to stay. She offered to be a permanent helping hand at the B&B, a quiet presence that understood the anxieties of new arrivals. Carmella found her calling cleaning up after residents at the B&B and tending to the vibrant garden, her paws carefully weeding around the blooms, and gazing with serene contentment at the shimmering koi pond, a reflection of the peace she'd finally found and holds on to since 2023.

From the moment she was old enough, her purpose was clear: produce puppies, again and again. Her lineage was impeccable, a selling point for the breeders, but for Lily, it meant a life devoid of affection, training, or even a proper name beyond a number. She was just “Number 7.”

But Lily was different. Even as a young pup, a fierce spark of determination burned in her eyes. She watched the world beyond her fence with an almost desperate longing. She saw cars zoom by, heard distant laughter, and smelled the tantalizing scents of freedom carried on the wind. As she grew, so did her resolve. She learned the routines of her captors, noting the moments of distraction, the weaknesses in the fencing.

One stormy night, a loose latch and a sudden downpour provided her chance. With a surge of adrenaline, Lily squeezed through a gap she’d been testing for weeks and was out. The open road was terrifying and exhilarating. She ran until her paws ached, fueled by the sheer joy of escape. Hunger gnawed at her, and the loneliness was a constant ache, but she refused to turn back.

She survived on scraps, her sharp Malinois instincts keeping her safe from dangers she couldn't comprehend. She quickly learned the rhythm of the highway. One morning, a kind-faced woman pulled over in a blackened truck, a “Puppy B&B” logo painted on the side. Lily, usually wary, sensed no threat. She offered a tentative tail wag and a roll on her belly, and the woman, charmed by the intelligent pup, opened the door. Lily, exhausted and hopeful, jumped in.

The BnB was a revelation. It was warm, smelled of delicious food, and most importantly, it was filled with kind voices and gentle hands. The residents of the B&B gave her space, patience, and a bowl of real food. It wasn’t long before it was realized Lily wasn't just a stray; she was pregnant. And so, the BnB became a nursery, and Lily, the determined escapee, became the first mom dog to have her puppies there, a testament to her unyielding spirit and her incredible journey from a life of breeding to a home filled with love.

Lily saw all her puppies off to fur-ever homes and also stayed on at the Puppy B&B. Lily makes her rounds, occasionally peeking into puppy rooms or lingering near the entrance, letting everyone know she's on duty. Her very presence offers a sense of safety and order.

Mazie, a brindle pitty mix with a heart three sizes too big and eyes that have seen a bit too much, wasn't always a mom. For the first few years of her life, she was a beloved companion to an elderly gentleman named Arthur. They were a familiar sight in their quiet neighborhood, Mazie trotting faithfully by Arthur's side on his slow, daily walks to the park. Arthur would share his bench and sometimes his sandwich crusts with her, and Mazie, in turn, offered unwavering loyalty and a warm head for him to pat.

Life was simple and sweet until Arthur's health took a turn. Mazie, confused and heartbroken, found herself in a noisy, overwhelming shelter. Her gentle nature, sometimes overshadowed by the unfair reputation of her breed, didn't immediately shine through the bars of her kennel.

Mazie, bless her patient soul, was run ragged. Her foster human tried their best, but the apartment was a constant cacophony of puppy antics. Sleep was a forgotten luxury. Chew toys spontaneously combusted (or so it seemed). Walks were less "stroll in the park" and more "multi-dog rodeo." Mazie, ever the devoted mom, poured every ounce of her energy into feeding, cleaning, and refereeing her "crazy puppies," but even her deep wells of patience were running dry. Her once glossy coat was a bit dull, and there were new, tired shadows under her expressive eyes.

And so, with a carload of happy yips, wagging tails, and one very tired but hopeful Mazie, they arrived at the Puppy B&B, desperate for some well-needed rest, relaxation, and perhaps a moment or two where someone wasn't trying to chew on her tail. Mazie dreams of a long nap in a sunbeam, uninterrupted by the pitter-patter (or thundering stampede) of tiny paws. Her puppies? They're just excited for new things to climb, new faces to lick, and a whole new world to explore with their signature brand of delightful mayhem.

Mazie and her crazy crew were residents of the B&B in 2024 and were off to get their Fur-ever homes. 

Anaya's first memories were a symphony of city sounds: the rumble of the 'L' train overhead, the distant wail of sirens, and the cacophony of human voices that echoed through the alleyways of Chicago's South Side. A brindle boxer mix with a splash of white on her chest and intelligent, amber eyes, Anaya was born a survivor. Her early life was a relentless hustle, a daily masterclass in resourcefulness. Food was scarce, warmth a luxury, and trust a commodity she couldn't afford.

The moniker "digger" wasn't just a cute nickname; it was a testament to her tenacity. Anaya literally tried to dig her way to a better life. She'd dig for scraps behind restaurants, her powerful paws, a gift from her boxer heritage, working tirelessly through refuse and frozen earth. She'd dig for shelter under abandoned porches, creating shallow dens to escape the biting Chicago wind and the summer's scorching sun. More than that, Anaya dug with a desperate hope, a yearning for something more than the grimy pavement and the gnawing hunger. Each hole was a silent wish for a place of safety, a gentle hand, a full belly.

Inside the Puppy B&B, Anaya was a whirlwind of nervous energy. She was wary of the other dogs at first, unsure of the playful nips and nudges. But the patient staff and volunteers understood. They gave her space, gentle encouragement, and, crucially, regular meals. The digging didn't stop entirely – old habits died hard – but now, it was often in the designated sandpit in the play yard, a playful excavation rather than a desperate scrabble for survival.

Leaving the Puppy B&B in 2024, Anaya didn't look back at the streets. Her digging days were over, at least the ones born of desperation. Now, if she dug, it would be for fun in her very own yard, perhaps to bury a treasured toy. She had finally dug her way, not through dirt and desperation, but through resilience and hope, to the one thing she'd always yearned for: a fur-ever home, a place where she was loved, safe, and finally, truly home.

Joose wasn't always surrounded by comfy dog beds and the happy yaps of fellow pups. She started her life in a bustling but loving human family with two energetic kids. They named her "Juice" because of her boundless energy – always zipping around like she was powered by pure juice! This nickname eventually softened to the more endearing "Joose."

The kids adored Joose and often shared their snacks with her (much to their parents' gentle disapproval). Joose, in turn, developed a peculiar fondness for the empty juice boxes they would sometimes leave within her reach. She wouldn't chew them destructively, but rather carry them around like prized possessions, sometimes nudging them gently with her nose or arranging them in little clusters in her favorite sunny spot.

Life took an unexpected turn when Joose's humans had to move to a smaller apartment where pets weren't allowed. It broke their hearts, but they knew Joose deserved a place where she could run and play freely. They carefully researched and found the Puppy B&B, known for its kind staff and comfortable environment.

On the day of her departure, as her humans packed her belongings, Joose, sensing a change, quietly gathered a few of her most cherished empty juice boxes. Perhaps they were a comforting reminder of her beloved kids and the happy chaos of her former home. Her humans, noticing this small, poignant act, tucked the juice boxes into her travel crate, a little piece of her past to take with her.

So, when Joose arrived at the Puppy B&B, a sweet but slightly anxious girl, a small collection of colorful, crinkled juice boxes came with her. They weren't just trash; they were a silent story of love, change, and the little things that bring comfort in a new place. The staff at the B&B, noticing her attachment, made sure Joose had a special corner where her "treasures" could stay safe, understanding that sometimes, the smallest things hold the biggest memories. Joose became a part of the B&B Staff in 2024 where she has become the recreation coordinator! 

Galantine had always been a singer of snow songs, her voice a rich tapestry of "woo-woos," yips, and contented rumbles whenever the white flakes danced from the sky. Her coat, a beautiful expanse of warm buff, was thick and plush, perfect for the northern forests she’d roamed, sometimes with a loose pack, sometimes on her own spirited adventures. This last winter, however, her adventures had taken a new, precious turn: she had puppies. Four small, wriggling bundles of fluff, miniatures of herself, nestled warm against her in hidden dens.

The storm, when it came, was a sudden, furious beast. It swept through the pines with a howling rage that even Galantine, a veteran of harsh winters, found unnerving. One moment, she was leading her curious, just-weaned pups on a short exploration near their sheltered spot under a fallen log; the next, the world was a blinding white maelstrom. Snow fell so thick and fast it stole the familiar scents from the air, and the wind clawed at them, disorienting and cruel.

Galantine’s usual joyful chatter about the snow turned into urgent, low rumbles and reassuring whines directed at her frightened litter. Her priority shifted from playful snow-romping to desperate survival. She nudged her puppies onward, seeking better shelter, her body a shield against the biting wind. For hours, she pushed through deepening drifts, her own weariness a distant ache compared to the fierce, maternal instinct to protect her young. She’d find temporary respites – beneath the dense boughs of a spruce, in the lee of a rock face – and there, she’d curl around her whimpering pups, her own warm breath and constant "murmurs" a small comfort against the storm’s fury.

They were residents of the B&B in 2025 and were off to get their Fur-ever homes. 

Born under a bruised sky, Janine wasn't destined for the manicured lawns of suburban life. Her lineage, a potent mix of the Cane Corso's stoic guardianship and the Boxer's boundless tenacity, had forged in her an unyielding spirit and a frame built for endurance. She was a dark gray brute, muscles rippling beneath a coat the color of storm clouds gathering over a distant ridge. From her earliest days, it was clear Janine possessed an unusual knack for discerning the lay of the land, not through sight alone, but through a primal understanding of space.

She cut her teeth, quite literally, on the rough edges of forgotten industrial zones. While other pups chased butterflies, Janine was meticulously charting the unseen currents of wind through decaying warehouses, mapping the subtle shifts in earth beneath cracked pavement, and memorizing the scent-trails of every creature that dared to cross her path. She wasn't just sniffing; she was surveying. Each abandoned lot, every crumbling wall, presented a new problem to solve, a new boundary to define. She’d pace out perimeters with an almost surgical precision, her powerful legs eating up ground, her keen nose gathering data like an ancient sextant.

Like George Rogers Clark, who carved out new territories with grit and determination, Janine’s expeditions weren't for glory, but for understanding. She sought to comprehend the forgotten corners of the urban sprawl, the interstitial spaces where the wild still clung to life. She learned to read the scars on the land: the tell-tale signs of recent rain, the faint indentations of past traffic, the invisible lines where one territory ended and another began. Her "maps" weren't drawn on parchment, but etched into her very being – a visceral, instinctual knowledge of her domain.

Janine wanted to stay on as a staff member of the Puppy B&B. She found her place in the security department, watching over the staff and the guests of the B&B. On her says off, she still goes out to survey the grounds of the B&B making notes of the flowers and trees around.