The Budweiser Clydesdales came to Vancouver Washington, my
home town, and I was there to see them. I've loved these horses ever since
seeing the Super Bowl Budweiser commercial with the puppies! Horses and dogs
are made for each other and so I thought I'd go visit them.
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Here we are waiting at Mon Ami for the Clydesdales. I was so excited! |
We were told they would start at Uptown at 4 p.m. so I went
and sat in front of Mon Ami Coffee Shop with my friends. They kept me
entertained as we waited and waited.
The word was spreading that they were actually in downtown
Vancouver and would be starting from there, so we headed down Main Street.
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Here I am waiting for the Clydesdales at the Kiggins Theater Downtown. |
Soon after we got to Kiggins Theater THERE THEY WERE. The big red beer wagon was HUGE! The
horses, clopping along the street were HUGE! When the horses got close, I was
scared for a minute... but then I remembered the puppies. They weren't scared.
I stood in awe as the horses passed.
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There they were! Look at those HUGE hoofs. I got scared for a moment but then calmed down. |
They stopped at the intersection and I got a good look at
the lead horses. And then they turned toward me and STARTED TALKING ABOUT ME!
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"Look over there! It's Cinnamon the Coonhound!" |
As I looked up on the wagon, next to the drivers I SAW.... A
DOG! It wasn't a puppy. It was a fully grown beautiful Dalmatian dog. He was
riding with his horses. Once I saw the beautiful dog I decided to walk fast and
follow the horses and enjoy them some more.
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I saw a dog riding high above me on the wagon.
Look at his beautiful harness... just like the Clydesdales have! |
I looked at them and they looked at
me. The dog had a good look at me but was too involved in being a famous Budweiser
Dog to pay much attention to me trotting alongside them.
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Here's when the dog noticed me. See? He's looking down. |
I learned that the Dalmatian breed has long been associated
with horses. Dalmatians were referred to "coach dogs" because they
ran between the wheels of coaches or wagons, were known to be good companions
to horses once in the barn. Why they have the spots? I don't know. I always
thought those were reserved for fire truck dogs... but then that is probably
part of the history. Fire equipment used to be pulled by horses and where there
is a horse, there is a dog.
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Here's the Dalmatian taking a break. Notice he has his blue water bowl up there with him. |
In the early days of brewing beer, Dalmatians were bred and
trained to protect the horses and guard the wagon when the driver went inside
to make deliveries. The dogs were swift enough to keep up with the wagons, and
their light colored bodies and distinctive marking made them easy to see during
twilight hours. So that's why Budweiser has a dog and the Clydesdales.
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The dog's harness brass is as pretty as the horses wear. |
Most people don't know it but on March 30, 1950, in
commemoration of the opening of the Newark Brewery, a Dalmatian was introduced
as the Budweiser Clydesdales' mascot. A Dalmatian travels with each of the
Clydesdale wagon teams (East Coast, West Coast, St. Louis) perched atop the
wagon, proudly seated next to the driver.
The one I saw is named Chip. He's the
West Coast dog. He had a special brass harness that gleamed in the sun, just
like the harness brass the horses had.
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I'm jealous. Look what Chip gets to wear! |
As I ran alongside the Clydesdales toward Uptown I thought
that a hound like me would make a great mascot too. If I was on top of that
wagon I would be proud and my ears would flap in the wind. I don't have enough
spots to qualify, unfortunately.... but I can dream.
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The handlers take good care of the horses. Here one is having his face wiped! |
Once we reached Uptown, we had taken tons of pictures and I
was really tired. I stopped trotting and tried to pull into a cool (as in
temperature) antique store.
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At Uptown I said good-bye to Chip and the Clydesdales |
The Clydesdales kept on trotting up the street but
it was time to say good bye to Chip, the Budweiser Dog, and head home for a
nice cold bowl of water. (I'll bet you thought I'd say a nice cool Bud!)
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Here I am, afterwards, falling asleep in the car on the way home.
What a Day! |
Love, Cinnamon, the horse lover
More Information
All About the Budweiser Clydesdales
Photography copyright: Elizabeth R. Rose
So cool ya got to see da Clydesdales!
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