'She was part of our family': Smudge the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald dog dies at 14
The Fairmont Hotel Macdonald's canine ambassador Smudge will be fondly remembered as a calming presence, said general manager Garrett Turta.
Talking about his dog Smudge, the beloved Labrador Retriever that greeted guests at the hotel for the past nine years, brought tears to Turta's eyes.
"[She was] brought in to give a sense of welcoming and calm into the hotel," he said. "She was really…"
Smudge was paired with Turta and the Fairmont from the Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind (CGDB) organization while he was working at the Fairmont Algonquin in New Brunswick.
"It was an immediate connection, I couldn't have had a better friend," he said.
The Fairmont's canine ambassador program started in Boston and Vancouver, and slowly became what it is today.
Turta and Smudge went on to work at Fairmont St. Andrews before coming to the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald in 2013.
"Out of the 13 years that she worked with me I would say two to three people who were afraid of dogs," Turta said.
He recalls one time that he left Smudge at home because a group had indicated a guest was afraid of dogs.
"We had so many complaints from the people that were attending that said, 'Where's the dog? We came cause we wanted to see the dog,' so I actually had to go home during the middle of the day to pick her up and bring her in."
He said having Smudge around was so relaxing for guests that he'd often see men in business suits lying on the lobby floor petting her.
"Can't even count it on two or three sets of hands, that's how many times I've seen it. It happens a lot," he laughed. "It's just that warm greeting."
Smudge always knew how to get a snack, it was the Labrador in her said Turta.
"Every once in a while she'd sneak in the lounge too and if someone wasn't watching she'd get a piece of fish or hamburger so that was also funny too, those are the little chuckles that we'll always have."
Turta is also proud of the charity work they did together.He estimates they raised between $25,000 and $30,000 throughout the years.
The CGDB reached out to ask if the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald would like another canine ambassador. Turta said he hopes the hotel continues the program, but said he doesn't know if he personally will participate again because it's "been tough" losing Smudge.
"She was part of our family, she was part of everyone who was here."
Smudge was 14 years old.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
TD penalties expected to be higher on alleged drug money laundering link: analyst
A banking analyst says TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
DEVELOPING Foreign interference inquiry to report today on alleged meddling in federal elections
A federal commission of inquiry into foreign interference is slated to release a report today on alleged meddling in the last two general elections.
Magnitude 4.8 earthquake recorded west of Vancouver Island
A 4.8-magnitude earthquake was reported west of Vancouver Island Thursday evening.
Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
How falling for a stranger she met on a beach led this woman to ditch the U.S. for the French Riviera
Niki Benjamin, from the U.S., had travelled to a paradise island to do some soul searching, and her life ended up going in a very different direction when her dog ran up to a stranger.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Princess Anne to take part in B.C. ceremony bringing new ship into Pacific fleet
Western Canada's first Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel will officially be brought into the Pacific fleet today and Princess Anne, the sister of King Charles, is scheduled to take part in its commissioning ceremony.
BREAKING Winnipeg man accused of killing four women will be tried by jury
A Winnipeg man accused of killing four Indigenous women will have his case heard by a jury.
Wally, the emotional support alligator once denied entry to a baseball game, is missing
Emotional support animal registrations in the United States reached 115,832 last year, by an industry group’s count. But in the eyes of reptile rescuer Joie Henney, there’s only one: 'Wally Gator.'