BostonZest, a terrific blog about “enjoying a full-flavored life” in Boston, has only good things to report about Portland, Maine — on a recent trip, the author’s dog Maggie Mae was welcomed in stores, coffee shops, and on Casco Bay Lines ferries. Read the post for more information.

I’m island-mad, so I’m particularly intrigued by Casco Bay Lines, which ferries “passengers, vehicles and freight between Portland, Maine and Peaks Island, Little Diamond Island, Great Diamond Island, Long Island, Chebeague Island, and Cliff Island. We also offer scenic cruises, summer-time music cruises, private charters and lobster bakes.” CBL has a tempting write-up about each of the islands it serves, and all of its scenic cruises sound lovely. The company’s dog policy states: “Dogs (except service animals) require tickets to board and must be kept leashed at all times.”