Luxurious Inn at Little Washington Snags Furry New Greeter

After years of being without a four-legged host to formally welcome visitors, the tony Inn at Little Washington has rectified the situation by welcoming three-year-old rescue dog, Luray, to the family.

Chef and founder Patrick O’Connell, who outfits the kitchen staff at his Michelin-starred restaurant in Dalmatian-print gear in honor of two pups that previously graced the grounds, tells Eater Luray officially joined the fold on May 7. And the mascot is well on his way to following in his predecessors’ famous footsteps.

“Luray will begin greeting guests in the lobby this week,” O’Connell said. His late dog, Rose had been trained to escort guests from the front door to the dining room — wearing a string of pearls, no less — while companion, Desoto, occasionally trotted about sporting a bow tie.

Staff presented O’Connell with the first Dalmatian nearly three decades ago; he estimates that both dogs lasted about 12 to 13 years. Although O’Connell had recently been searching for a younger animal, Luray evidently charmed everyone. “We met him at a meet and greet and just knew,” O’Connell said.

At least for now, O’Connell seems inclined to stick with a single house pet. “He is still skeptical around the llamas, but he’s friends with Blue, the old farm dog that wanders around outside. They run around together,” O’Connell said of Luray’s built-in social network.

Any chance of hunting down a lady friend for the new guy?

“We will see,” O’Connell said.