Lucky Bugs

We’ve got a new favorite place here in town – Lucky Bug B&B, art gallery, and restaurant. The description from their wepage says it all. http://www.luckybuggallery.com/ (Check out our other CR links on the right side of the page too.)

In 1999, the Krauskopf family emigrated from Mt. Shasta in northern California to the shores of. Lake Arenal and started the Restaurant "Caballo Negro", a restaurant featuring both hearty German fare and organic vegetarian specialties. Then in 2000, what began as an effort to finance the rescue of a single dog grew into the well-known Lucky Bug Gallery. The profits from the unique and whimsical tropical art done by the talented Krauskopf triplets triplets - Alexandra, Katheryn and Sabrina - are used to support animal rescue, adoption and welfare. Since then, the gallery has expanded to include artwork and artistic furnishings done by the entire family and the work of talented Costa Rican artisans. Donations also are made to Costa Rica’s Children’s Hospital in addition to those used for animal rescue, adoption and animal population control. Finally in 2005 the Lucky Bug B& B was opened. It is a charming four-room boutique “inn” tucked into the rain forest and decorated with art and handcrafts from the gallery. Since it’s opening it has become a popular place to stay on the shores of Lake Arenal. The Restaurant Caballo Negro, the Lucky Bug Gallery and the Lucky Bug B&B together form an oasis to nurture both body and soul.

It is inspiring to visit the their eclectic haven; the art they house and display is amazing – painted ceramic vases and sink basins, tables and chairs in colorful mosaics, beaded jewelry, tiled mirrors, stained-glass boxes, mushroom lamps, wooden sculptures of nudes with flowing barbwired hair... It is a wonderful assault on the senses.

And the 17-year-old sisters are quite amazing. When we were there dining and visiting there tonight, Sabrina and Katheryn took off to find another dog to “steal.” They have a practice of scouting local neighborhoods for dogs, capturing them, and taking them to a local veterinarian who spays or neuters them for a benevolent sum. When the procedure is done and the dog is healed, they return the dog safely and secretly back to its home and owner. Since most folks leave their multitudes of pups outside, apparently it’s not a big concern if a dog is missing for a few days. What a surprise when it returns from its absence with stitches in its belly!

We are currently in “negotiations” with Katheryn and Sabrina to adopt an amazing little house-pup named Phoebe (in Greek mythology, Phoebe is the Goddess of Wise Counsel, Thoughtful Replies and Snappy Answers). We weren’t looking for her; in fact, we were actually thinking of getting a large, outside dog to help guard our property (which we will still probably do). But when we told Katheryn that we were looking for a dog, she trotted out Phoebe, and we were hooked. She’s a 9-month-old black and white spaniel mix not much bigger than Calvin. She’s spirited but mellow, well trained, and is friendly with cats. We’ve visited her several times now and she greets us with great love and follows us around. Another couple is interested in her, but the girls say they want to adopt her out to us. They’ll be brining her to our house this weekend and hopefully she’ll stay, though we’re not quite sure what the cats will think about the new addition to our family!