We were in our second year of business and every once in awhile we would get a little fearful of who would show up.

Grant would sometimes think "What if they steal from us?" and my reply would always be; "We don't attract those kind of people".

One day we received an unusual call from a young man who wanted to create a getaway for his wife.  They both worked strange hours and carving time away together was a tricky balancing act for them.  He wanted to check in for breakfast and check out after dinner.  It was a bizarre request, but typically you check in the late afternoon and check out at 11:00 am the next day.

I went on a hunch and decided to accommodate their strange request.  I felt a little unsettled at the strange request for it meant having to do something outside of the box so to speak.

Our guests arrived first thing in the morning in time for their breakfast.  When they walked in I think my mouth dropped down to the floor.  They were both adorned with piercings and tattoos.  I have absolutely nothing against body adornment, it's just that it was so unexpected.  This is not your typical type of person who wants to come and stay at a b & b.  I could hear my mother's voice in my head saying oh they must be dangerous.  Funny how our parent's beliefs will sneak out of your sub-conscious every once in awhile.

When it came time to pay their bill, they were wanting to go out for dinner first, then check out and pay.  Grant was feeling unsettled about the timing of this and had thoughts of them going out for dinner and not returning to pay their bill.  I myself was starting to wonder if we would ever see our tattooed guests.

The guests did come back, they paid their bill, and thanked us for accommodating their strange request.  After they left that night, I did not bother to check their room as it had been a long day.  So I left the cleaning till the next day.

First thing in the morning I walked into the room, and there laying on the bed was a big gift bag and a card.  Our guests had given us a card with a hundred thank yous written in different languages.  The card was signed with a beautiful note thanking us so much for the lovely stay.  They were grateful that we chose to accept their strange check in and check out times.  In the gift bag was the most beautiful bird bath that you could hang in your garden.  They wrote in their note that they really enjoyed the birds during their stay.

Never judge anyone by how they look or by their unusual requests because it does not reveal the truth of who they are.  Our guests gave us a beautiful gift of a birdbath, but honestly, the most valuable gift was the lesson we received of not judging a book by it's cover.

A number of years ago we received a reservation from a couple from Switzerland.  Oh I remember how excited I was and remember thinking who needs to travel when the world comes to your doorstep.

I remember the middle aged woman, with beautiful skin and a quiet, gentle demeanor.  Her profession was to work with dogs in some capacity.  My memory escapes me at the moment, but I believe she trained and showed dogs.

During the time of the couple's stay we were having lots of problems with Luna and Trudeau's behavior when we took them for walks.  They would never listen and I found myself frustrated all the time.  In fact I would even go as far as saying that I disliked walking them.

Our lovely dog whisperer asked if she could join us for a walk one night.  I gave her Trudeau's leash with all the warnings; he pulls, he doesn't listen, blaa blaa blaa.  She smiled and we started to walk.  As she walked, Trudeau obediently walk along side of her with his full attention and not having to correct him in anyway.  I couldn't believe my eyes!

She gracefully explained that our animals (pets) are an extension of our energy field, if you are tense so are they, if you are agitated so are they.  The BIG light bulb went off in my head.  Of course why had I not made the connection before?  I was already teaching humans energy work and explaining how other peoples energy affects ours why wouldn't it be the same for our pets.

From that day forward my walks with Trudeau and Luna became much more peaceful, always checking and clearing my energy prior to my contact with them, and making sure that my awareness and mindfulness button was turned on.

Thank you to our Swiss friends!