Jackpot! Cark County Dog Park and the Lauretta Norene Forest Preserve

I was disappointed about the "no squirreling"

Yesterday was a great day. I got to go to my new favorite dog park in Brush Prairie AND explore the forest next to the park.

What a wonderful place! The wooded preserve was established by the daughter of Lauretta Norene to honor her. I'll bed she had a dog that liked the woods as much as I DO!

So the good thing about enjoying both places (this is a 2 for 1, houndy friends!) is that there is a gate on the northwest side of the dog park that you can go through to get to the preserve. Now I run up to the gate and stand there until my owner opens it!!

It's really pretty in there.

I have to have my leash on to go into the preserve but I just pretend it is a tracking harness and I AM AN EXPERT ANIMAL TRACKER! You might notice that there is a big sign at the entrance to remind me to be on a least and NO SQUIRRELING.  That doesn't mean I can't sniff and chase, though! (I never would kill one anyway!)

So when you get inside the preserve it is like another land. The trees are tall and the green ferns line the paths. There is moss on branches. If it is raining at the dog park, you might stay pretty dry in the preserve as the trees will shelter you. I like that.

There are many animal smells in there so I go kinda crazy as soon as I get on a path. I love it! There are circular paths. I don't think you could get lost, anyway, because the preserve is located between two huge fields.

Lots of animals hide in here!

So my new favorite thing to do is enjoy the dog park, say hello to everyone and then head over to the dog park for a little fake squirreling!

More Information
Brush Prairie Dog Park
Lauretta Norene Preserve

Free Giveaway from Cinnamon: Lighted Dog Leash

This leash is great for everyday safety OR Halloween!

Yes! It's my first giveaway!!!

My good friend Walking Wendy was sent some things to review. Among them were some things for DOGS. Now Wendy doesn't have a dog so she asked me, Cinnamon, to test the lighted collar and leash. 

I'm keeping the collar but I'm having a drawing for the lighted leash. It is over 6 ft. long and 1 inch wide. It is brand new. The leash is orange with a white stripe down the middle.

Here's what I wrote about it.

The Nite Beams L.E.D. Pet Leash can be seen in the dark up to 1/4 mile. This gear runs on replaceable batteries. They are water resistant and hand washable. 

My owner pressed the button once and the whole thing lit up! It was bright but it didn't bother me. It was even OK when she pressed it a second time and the silly thing started blinking like a traffic light! Blink, Blink, Blink... Here comes Cinnamon!

Here's the leash on me (you don't get the collar)

I tried out a safety orange color. I like Orange. It goes beautifully with my gorgeous black and tan coat.  The collar and leash were very sturdy. You could tell they would last a long time.

The clip for the leash was very strong and well-made. You could tell these were meant for classy dogs like me.

The lights are so bright you can read by them!

You can see for yourself on the Nite Beams website. 

Here's how you can enter my drawing. I'm using Rafflecopter to make everything fair and square.  It is only for people in the USA because I can't afford the postage out of the country. 

You can enter as often as you wish and winners will be notified on Monday February 3rd, 2014. That's the day after the BIG GAME (Go Seahawks!).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Forget the kitten... I WANT A CLYDESDALE! (Budweiser Commerical Video)

I thought I had a soft spot in my heart for kittens. I do want a pet, a companion. But when I saw the Budweiser Superbowl commercial this year, I was hooked..... ON CLYDESDALES!

Wordless Wednesday: Running

Here's ME... Running FREE!

She thinks she can trick me!

Here I am in the car. Doing errands.

I'm getting bored because my owner has things to do today that DON'T INVOLVE ME!

I'm not going to the dog park. I'm not walking on the greenway. I'm not walking through the neighborhood hunting for cats. And, I'm NOT going to the beach.

So she goes on errands and invites me in the car to go too. She thinks this will trick me into thinking I have been somewhere I want to go. She thinks it will make me happy. BUT SHE IS WRONG, WRONG, WRONG.

I eagerly jumped in the car thinking we were off to the dog park. But instead we went to the Post Office, Grocery Store and the Pharmacy. I patiently waited outside at each stop. I was devastated when we headed home after the errands. No dog park... no nothing for Cinnamon.

So she thinks I had fun and liked the ride. BUT I DIDN'T.

I'm not dumb. She can't trick me! It is still a nothing day for me, Cinnamon.

Are Your Dog Treats Safe?

Here I am getting healthy treats at the Country Cousins' house.

I am a great fan of DOG TREATS and just assume that if my owner gives me a treat it is safe. Sometimes a man at the dog park hands out treats but they are the hard biscuit type treats and I assume they are safe. But I don't know for sure.

I just gobble up any treat they make!

But wait! I was on the Internet this morning and read this article on the foundanimals.org website. It was titled Dog Treats: Made in the U.S.A. It got my attention because I remember the scare awhile back that involved jerky dog treats made in China. So this got my interest.

The author, Kimi, did a rather good review of the pros and cons of dog treats and reviewed some healthy snacks she recommends. She enlisted the help of her 12 year old Westie (that's pretty old) named Yuki. Yuki reviewed some treats that are all made in the U.S.A. with natural ingredients and, she admits, are available for purchase on the website, adoptandshop.org

Here's a pile of MY TREATS!

There were some treats there I had heard of and some I haven't heard of. But I was relieved to find that my Zukes treats were on the list. I also like Sojos treats which are pretty healthy. Sojos products are made from scratch with REAL ingredients. No fillers, no preservatives, and no artificial colors or flavors. I lean toward the grain-free treats.

Here's Yuki and Kimi's full article.

So my point is... we dogs trust our owners to look after us and feed us only GOOD TREATS. So please tell your owner to read the article and keep up on the research. We deserve the healthiest, the best and the safest food and treats.

Healthily yours,
Cinnamon

The Beach is for Relaxing!

Yes, I was so excited when I got to the beach I got up before dawn the first morning to go glass float hunting. Yes, I was all wound up.

But once I got to explore and sniff every inch of the beach and go for many walks during the day, I began to relax. All I wanted to do was rest on my cushy round bed at the nice Inn. I loved it when we left the door open and the sun streamed through the glass storm door. I stretched out in the sun to rest up after the long walks.

The last morning of our stay I was sound asleep when my owner decided it was time to go out onto the beach. After all, she said, it was light outside. I opened one eye and looked at the clock. It was 7 a.m. 7 a.m. in beach time is still early. I tried to go back to sleep.

It's TOO EARLY!

She proceeded to put on her coat. I knew I had to make a decision. Sleep more or go for a beach walk and hunt agates. It took me awhile, but I finally got up and stretched.

We headed out the door into the cool, dampness. I smelled the ocean and perked up. It was my last day at the beach and I was going to take a long walk and see what had washed up overnight. You never know!

It's morning on the beach. This guy is already out
hunting agates.

So our last day ended just the same as our first day began.... with a walk on the beach. I always say... "A Walk on the Beach Puts Life in Perspective."

And at the beach, life is always good.

Agate Hunting Tops Glass Float Hunting in Lincoln City

This is how you hunt for glass floats. You check out all the driftwood.

I was so excited about looking for blown glass floats that I got up at 6 a.m. this morning. That's before dawn! The moon was out lighting our way to the beach. I started looking around for blown glass orbs but had a little trouble seeing.

After all, it was still dark. So I gave up and went back to bed. Of course I enjoy my cushy round bed at the Looking Glass Inn so it wasn't hard to persuade me to go back to the room.

So after my owner showered and we had breakfast, we decided to try again. By now it was bright and sunny out. People were out in their shirt sleeves (this is January on the Oregon Coast mind you!).

We started looking under drift wood logs. We started looking in the dunes and grass. But we didn't find anything... well, quickly, anyway.

But in the distance we saw people all hunched over looking at something at the water's edge. When we got down to where the people were looking we asked them what was going on. Come to find out the tide was going out and they were finding AGATES. Now that sounded like something to hunt. So I bagged the glass float hunt and decided to be an agate hunter! It was fun. I had to dodge the waves to make sure we found the wettest stones, but I FOUND AGATES!

This is how you hunt for agates.... in wet sand.

I decided at that point that I'd be an agate hunting dog. We ended up with a cup full. I don't know what I'll do with them, but at least I WAS A SUCCESSFUL HUNTER!

Now I hear there is a whole beach devoted to agates. I don't know if that is true or not but I should check it out.  It is called Agate Beach. I want to go there sometime and hone my skills.

More Information
Agates at the Oregon Coast

Hunting on the Beach in Lincoln City Oregon



Me and my shadow at the BEACH!

Hi. It's me, Cinnamon, writing from THE BEACH!

Yep, we finally got to the sunny beach after driving through fog and drizzle in the Coast Range and down the beautiful Oregon Coast for what seemed to be forever.

Once we got to THE BEACH (Siletz Bay) I hopped out of the car and decided to go hunting. I remembered fondly how I went tide pooling in Haida Gwaii, crunched on crab shells and tasted dried fish. So what was I to hunt here?

Here's one of the seagulls that I scared!

We walked along the beach, hopped over driftwood and skirted the incoming waves. The tide was turning in Siletz Bay and I found my first thing to SCARE! I went after seagulls. They were wading in the incoming tide looking for stuff to eat and didn't notice me until I was pretty close to them. That was fun.

Then I looked out in the water and saw some bobbing heads. Was it dogs swimming? No, it was sea lions. Sea Lions cavorting in the tides and looking for some fish to munch on. They were pretty far out so I didn't go after them.

Here's the sea lions bobbing around in the bay.

So I went back to the car and we unpacked and took everything into our room at the Looking Glass Inn. They even gave me a cool round bed to sleep on.. and TREATS.

So once I got to the room I did some research on Lincoln City. I found out that we were smack dab in the middle of Glass Float Hunting Season. Now that was something I could hunt. There were shiny orbs on all the beaches just waiting there for ME TO FIND THEM! Float season in Lincoln City takes place through May 26th. I can't wait to go hunting! And like they say, it's FINDERS KEEPERS!

This is our really nice room at the Looking Glass Inn with the really nice round dog bed.

I'll let you know if I find one. But for now, I'm going to rest up on my nice round, cushy beach bed!

Wordless Wednesday: A Dog Park with a View

When the fog clears at the Dog Park in Brush Prairie, WA
you may be surprised by what you will see.

Cinnamon Celebrates National Squirrel Appreciation Day

This bratty animal is celebrating today.

Yes, it's real. This truly is a whole day set aside for my arch enemy, the squirrel! So I have to appreciate those pesky little beasts that come into my yard and taunt me. But I do appreciate them and here is why:

1. Squirrels keep me alert

2. Squirrels give me something to look for when I am walking by trees.

3. Squirrels plant seeds and acorns (sometimes in my potted plants).

4. Squirrels are job security for ME

5. Squirrels are better than RATS!

Here I am smelling
where the squirrel has been

So I am going to celebrate by patrolling my yard for Squirrels. And If I see one, I will chase it away.... but not until I wish it A HAPPY SQUIRREL APPRECIATION DAY!

More on National Squirrel Appreciation Day

I am Featured on About.Com

Here I am modeling the Collar

Remember when I reviewed the lighted collar and leash? Well, I did such a good job, I was featured in the About.com article, Nite Beams LED Dog Collar and Leash. It showed a picture of ME and quoted ME.

I still have fun wearing that collar, especially when it flashes!

About Walking is a great site where you can read all about walking... for people! I would like to suggest that they feature more stories about DOGS.

They do have some. I really liked the article 10 Tips for Walking with Your Dog. Walking Wendy says, "Dogs are great walking companions, great personal trainers, and great nags."

Saturday Volkswalk in Hillsboro Oregon

This was a huge Klicky soldier and I didn't get scared

Saturday morning was a good morning because I got to GO TOO! I hopped in the car and we were off into the fog and down the road to Hillsboro Oregon.

Now Hillsboro is the county seat of Washington County but it's also a good place to walk and SQUIRREL HUNT!

We parked about three blocks from the registration point on Main Street because all the spaces were marked 2 hours only. And, I wasn't sure I could finish a 10K walk in under two hours. We headed down Main and found the registration place and THEY LET ME IN! They were really nice there. Carol held my leash while we registered for the walk and got the maps.

We walked down main street and saw a toy store, a hobby shop and some tasty looking restaurants. We didn't stop in and check out the cuisine. Drats!

So then we were off. I was pulling ahead because I was excited. Hillsboro is a rural town and there were plenty of good things to sniff along the streets and in the parks. I found SQUIRRELS! I chased them up the tree and barked at them. Soon, the word got out that I was in town so the Squirrels became few and far between. But just in case, I LOOKED UP EACH AND EVERY TREE.

I went up the steps of this majestic old court house

After the first 5K loop we were back to the registration point to pick up the next map. This loop was fun too because we went by the old County Courthouse and saw the huge Sequoia trees. I thought tons of squirrels could be hiding in those trees but I didn't smell any.

I was getting pretty tired by the time we reached the Rose Garden. I wanted to stop and take a little snooze but no, we couldn't do that. I chased one last squirrel in that park.

And then we were back in town to finish up. They were serving soup and rolls but I didn't get any. I did, however, get a nice packet of treats when we got back to the car.

I was so tired I SLEPT ALL THE WAY HOME!

Thanks to the Cedar Milers for another nice volksmarch.

Here I am in the car sleeping ALL THE WAY HOME!

So here is how many volksmarches I have done:

2014
5K New Years Day Walk in Vancouver - Vancouver Volkssporters - Website

10K Loops and Soup Walk in Hillsboro - Cedar Milers - Website

2013
10K Vancouver Land Bridge Walk - Vancouver, WA - Vancouver Volkssporters - Website

10K Columbia River Walk - Columbia River Volkssport Club - Website

10K Sherwood - Soup Walk - Sherwood Merrywalkers - Website

10K WSU - Vancouver Cougar Views Walk - All Weather Walkers - Website

10K Halloween Walk in Yachats - Yachats Coastal Gems - Website

I don't care if chickens wear vests....

Hi, it's me, Cinnamon. I've been making fun on Facebook of a dog in a vest and rainboots. I got a bit of flack for that from the dog owner. I still don't like vests!

So you can imagine how surprised I was to see safety vests for chickens! Why did the chicken cross the road? Answer: So she could wear her new safety vest! (BOL). So what do you think?

It's Party Time in Tempe Arizona: Pop Up Pooch Parks

I think I'd like to be a snowbird type of dog. Should I? This winter the dogs in Arizona are having a great time in dog-welcoming Tempe. Tempe is the home of Arizona State University and is not far from PHX airport (not that I'd want to fly.)

So what they are doing in Tempe is having a concert series in the fun Mill Avenue District. Not that outdoor concerts are that unusual. But what makes my ears perk up is that they have a dog theme for each concert (How about a "Pugly Sweater Contest?) and during the concert they have a Pop Up Dog Park just for fun loving social pooches and their owners.

Imagine, walking down to Hayden Square Amphitheater on Thursdays to socialize and listen to music. I'd love this!

To top it off, Tempe lists all the restaurants in the area that are dog friendly. And, there are quite a few.

I could wear my turquoise!

Here's what they say on the website. "The popular Pop-Up Pooch Parks are located in the Mill Avenue District! Bring your furry canine friends down to Hayden Square Amphitheater every Third Thursday at 5:00pm for fun and socialization while listening to live music and taking photos in the FREE photo booth. Dress your pups in fun and crazy outfits to add to the entertainment."

It's PARTY TIME in Arizona! Here's where you can get the scoop (pun intended).

Photos courtesy: Mill Avenue District - Tempe

Neighborhood Cat Patrol

It's kind of boring in the house today. We're waiting for a repairman. So I decided to go upstairs and stand watch.

And what did I see? A CAT! It was one of the neighborhood cats who freely roam right by MY HOUSE any time they want. In fact, this cat sits on any porch he chooses to INCLUDING MINE!

So you could imagine how enraged I got when I spied the cat from my 2nd floor lookout. The cat nonchalantly walked over to a neighbor's porch and plopped himself down on their doormat like he owned the place.

Here's the cat allegedly sitting on my neighbor's door mat.

So here's what I did:

I stood up on my hind legs to give the cat "the evil stink eye"

I bayed and bayed and bayed. Arooooo!

And then I watched to see what would happen.

Gone!

Job done! Time for a break!

So I took care of that cat in short order. Let's see if he DARES to return!

On Hot Dogs, Hot Dog Logos and Huge Moving Hot Dogs

When I was walking in downtown Vancouver USA, I got really scared. You see, there was a food cart there selling hot dogs. And in front of the cart was a huge, people-sized hot dog. 

So when I heard that Wienerschnitzel, the world’s largest hot dog chain, had announced the return of its beloved hot dog mascot, affectionately known as “The Delicious One” aka “TDO,” my thoughts turned to HUGE HOT DOGS and how they scare me.

 TDO first made his debut in 1999 and was last featured in 2008. Due to popular demand from loyal fans and franchisees alike, TDO is making a huge comeback as the face of the Wienerschnitzel brand in 2014. So I rather like this guy. And I certainly like hot dogs.

Here's the new TDO running after me. Oh no!

The question remains, will they be putting huge moving hot dog figures on street corners.... or in their restaurants? Oh please... no!

Wienerschnitzel’s newest commercials can be viewed at www.youtube.com/mostwantedwiener and for more information, visit the company’s website at www.wienerschnitzel.com. 

This made me hungry. Hot dog for lunch, anyone?

Now this TDO looks afraid of ME! He's kinda cute.

Love, Starving Cinnamon