Achi news desk-
Nestled outside of Moncton, in Lower Coverdale NB, a large yellow house is a loving home to four large dogs and while that may seem like a full house already, those who live there say there is room always to more.
“Any number of dogs are welcome, no extra fees, they get to go to the library, they get to go on the beds, we don’t care how much they shed, that’s to all part of the experience,” said Jill Coady.
Coady, alongside her husband Rick Salisko and her sister Kathy Toner opened Sit & Stay, a bed and breakfast that not only allows dogs, but welcomes them very much.
“We tried to include everything we want when we travel with our dogs, so very secure fenced in areas, dog beds in the rooms, dog dishes, towels up there for the dogs , so we tried to do everything right. you’d want to enjoy traveling with your dogs and not feel like you’re being tolerated,” says Coady.
The B&B opened for its first full year in 2023, but not before the trio spent a lot of time converting the house and property into a safe, dog-friendly space.
“My brother-in-law, Rick, did a lot of outside work,” Kathy Toner said. “He put fence posts around, he fenced it twice so it was safe and secure. He created a paddock exit where he also fenced it twice, so it’s an area where people can bring their dogs, just go and play, throw a ball and he fenced it around, especially near the road, because it’s close to the road so he makes sure it’s high and double and safe for all the dogs, which is his main priority.”
The Sit and Stay bed and breakfast in Lower Coverdale, NB (Source: Alana Pickrell/CTV News Atlantic)The main floor of the house contains a library with three breakfast tables.
Upstairs one bedroom has an en suite bathroom and a private balcony. The second room offers more floor space and a turret with a brand new en suite bathroom which is currently being built.
The B&B shows love for dogs around every corner, from the double fences outside to the carefully chosen interior decor to even the names of the two bedrooms, which pay tribute to the some that came before.
“I call it the blue room, but it’s the Izzy Suite, it was a lifeline. I had her as a puppy and she was my soul mate,” said Coady.
A suite at the Sit and Stay bed and breakfast in Lower Coverdale, NB (Source: Alana Pickrell/CTV News Atlantic)The other room is named after Echo, a flat-coated retriever, who died last year.
“He was so lovely and cuddly and good-natured and happy, a happy, happy dog, so that room for us is a very happy room so that’s why we named it after him,” she said.
All in all, it’s a doggy paradise, but it still models a typical bed and breakfast.
“Jill is the best cook, so the breakfasts here at the Bed and Breakfast are three courses, first class,” says Toner. “Everything is homemade, locally sourced and I love the presentation.”
A suite at the Sit and Stay bed and breakfast in Lower Coverdale, NB (Source: Alana Pickrell/CTV News Atlantic)The sisters, who are originally from Newfoundland, say that this idea came to them in recent years.
Toner sold her house in Riverview NB, so she could buy right next door and be practical in the venture.
“We are installing a new fancy clawfoot tub and a comfortable standing shower. We always like to have something different so we have a black toilet, we have a blue toilet in this room, so that’s coming within the next month. In the long term, if we continue to do good business, we have the option to do a third room, which is what we would like to do,” said Toner.
The aim is to offer a place to “Sit and Wait” which is enjoyable for the two and four legged guests who come to visit.
“It’s not just dog-friendly, it’s dog-friendly,” Toner said.
The Bed and Breakfast opens at the end of May until November to give people a chance to explore what New Brunswick has to offer without leaving any family member behind.
“That’s the joy, seeing dogs happy feeds my soul and makes me so happy and then their owners on top of that, they love having somewhere to relax and enjoy with their dogs, just doing the all worth it,” said Coady. “It’s not work, it’s a pleasure.”
