Cinnamon's Revenge

You all remember when I had to have a bath, right? Well, one of the worst parts of that experience was having Francesca make fun of me. She told me I smelled like cheap perfume. She said I was a big baby and should smell like the hunting dog I am.

She made fun of me when I had a bath!

 She ran around in circles around me when I came out in the yard to dry off and she barked at me. It seems like she was excited that I was the one having the bath and she wasn't.

It went on and on. So when we got back from our trip to the Village Cousins (formerly known as The Country Cousins), we picked Francesca up from the Doggie Country Club. And she was so dirty! I think she had been playing in the mud.

Francesca was jealous that I got to visit my Village Cousins
in their new home.

 So when we got home my owner went easy on her. She allowed her to rest and to sleep on her dog bed, even though she was muddy. But the next day... Bwah ha ha ha! Francesca was told she was going to have a bath. Our owner ran the water in the tub and went to get Francesca. Francesca didn't want anything to do with the bath. So then our owner walked her down the hall by the scruff of the neck and put her in the tub. All the while I was watching and laughing! Bwah ha ha ha!

Francesca got scrubbed with perfumy soap and rinsed over and over. She was looking at me and her eyes said... "Help me!" But I walked away with a smirk on my face. This was my revenge!

Finally she got wrapped in towels and had to dry in the TV room because it was chilly outside. She was so happy the ordeal was over. 

Here's Francesca after her bath.
She was white again and smelled like cheap perfume for sure!

Love, Cinnamon

We have Beach Cousins!

Francesca told me to expect special visitors. She can sense these things. Me? I wasn't all that excited. It seemed like most visitors came and went and didn't really visit with us. They wanted to visit our owner.

So we were very surprised to find out that our visitors were coming all the way from Florida and were flying their own plane. Our owner told us she was headed to Pearson Field to pick them up. And, then we found out that they were our "Beach Cousins." Now we have "Country Cousins" who live in the same state as we do. We didn't know that we also had Beach-type cousins and that our beach dog cousin was named Reina. I started to get excited, too!

This is the airport where my Beach Cousins landed.

I wasn't invited to go to the airport to greet them. I was told there wasn't going to be much room in the car. Jeesh. How many were coming?

I waited and waited and then my owner arrived with two girls... and I was told there would be more! Of course we got excited. Both girls greeted us but were hungry for lunch so they started making sandwiches.

After lunch, and after the rest of our Beach Cousins arrived, things started to happen... good things! Mary, the youngest cousin, started playing with us. She knew all sorts of things we would like to do... tug of war, ball throwing, and toy hunting. We played a lot!

Mary played with us every day.

Sometimes they all went sightseeing. But we always looked forward to Mary coming back because, no matter how tired she was, she'd play with us!

Mary knew how to rub my tummy.

We had a great visit but one day they said it was time to leave. They said they wanted to come back because there was so much more to see and do. But I think they wanted to come back and see me and Francesca.

These are my Beach Cousins from Florida
having fun at OMSI

So over my objections they did fly home. I sure miss them. I especially miss Mary who knows how to play with dogs just right!

Life just isn't the same without Mary

Love, Cinnamon

My Country Cousin Goes Over the Rainbow Bridge

This has been a rough couple of weeks. First the terrible fireworks and then the news that Country Cousin Remi headed over the Rainbow Bridge. Now Remi was 14 years old, but that doesn't make the news any easier.

Beautiful Remi

If I hadn't moved to Washington State I would have never met Remi. Now I have to admit our first meeting wasn't all that pleasant. He growled and barked at me. Imagine!

But after we spent some time in the backyard and pasture together and got treats from Tom together we became pretty good friends.

Remi was privileged because of his advanced age. He got to sleep in the master bedroom. I had to sleep with Cousin Indy in the den when we visited. What I remember most about Remi was that he had a beautiful shiny coat. It was soft and pretty. And, he tried to play balls with us in the pasture even though he was, well.... old. He had the spirit of a puppy.

So I'll bet now that he's Over the Rainbow Bridge, he's running and chasing all those rainbow colored balls... and getting treats too!

Farewell, my cousin....

Cinnamon

On Packages and Deck Colors

Hi Guys:
I haven't written much lately because I have been busy with my new package and with a visit from my Country Cousins.

Firstly, I got an interesting package. But what was inside, was TOO BIG FOR ME! Fortunately, the company is a good one and will exchange the item. More later on THAT!

But then, the big news. My country cousins, sans canine companions came  to town. I always love to see Tom and Glenda as they spoil me mucho! But this time they had a mission. THEY WERE GOING TO CHANGE MY BACKYARD!

Well, you know how I avoid change. When they started putting a treatment on the deck I was appalled. I was wearing my pink collar and THE DECK LOOKED HORRIBLE WITH MY COLLAR! Of course they didn't ask my opinion, so there is the new deck.

Tell me the cedar color of the deck looks good with my pink collar. Ugh! Not!

Then they started putting lattice up on the fence. MY FENCE! This is where I carefully scare the squirrels. Now that there are TRELLISES ALL OVER THE SQUIRRELS CAN GET INTO THE YARD EASIER. Arrrgghh.

Why doesn't anyone talk to me about changes. I HATE CHANGES!

But it was fun seeing Tom and Glenda and getting all of that attention!!!

Saved! Another Dog Rescued from a Fall in the Columbia River Gorge

It really scares me to read the stories of dogs who fall in the Columbia River Gorge. The trails are steep, the gorge has deep drop-offs and it can be wet and slippery this time of year.

So I winced and blinked my coonie eyes when I saw the news. A dog broke his leash and ended up falling in the Gorge. Luckily the good folks from the Oregon Humane Society rappelled  down to him and SAVED HIM. Read the whole scary story here.

So, of course, you will want to re-read my hiking safety article, right? I guess I should add to the list of things.... "wear a strong leash and harness."

Don't do this!

Meanwhile, I'm packing to go visit my Country Cousins. I hope to have a great time visiting and will tell you all about it.

Love, Cinnamon

Walking Liberty Bay in Poulsbo, WA

There are Vikings
all over the place in Poulsbo.

I'm still in Poulsbo, the little Norwegian town, dog-sitting the geriatric country cousins of mine. I keep busy exercising them, scaring frogs, scaring rabbits and making sure the place is secure.

But I am used to getting out and about much more. So this morning I asked to go for a ride along with my owner to the pharmacy. Yep, I was bored enough that the car ride sounded like fun for me, Cinnamon. Besides, sometimes the people at drive-up windows give out TREATS. One never knows.

So we headed south to Silverdale. We pulled in to the drive up window to get the prescriptions. There were no treats offered. DRAT!

So to make up for it all, my owner drove me to Poulsbo and we parked at the harbor. I love the harbor... all the boats and all the smells.

We took a walk along Liberty Bay and ended up on a really neat boardwalk. I thought maybe I should go down on the beach and check out the sea life but there were signs all over that the SHELLFISH WAS POISONOUS! So we didn't go down to the water or the beach.

Here I am on the boardwalk gazing
longingly out over Liberty Bay.

It was warm out, we had a nice walk. I wished I could have gone on a fishing boat but I can't always have my way, right?

I got hot so now I'm going to lie under the dining room table and take an afternoon nap.

Love, Cinnamon

Cinnamon Loses the Game of Lumpy Balls

Hi, it's me, Cinnamon. I'm here at the Country Cousins' house taking care of the two geriatric dogs. Usually they are pretty easy to fool, they sleep a lot and aren't much trouble at all. But yesterday Indy surprised me. Indy beat me at a game of "Lumpy Balls!"

Lumpy Balls are just that... round balls that have lumps on them. I think the Country Cousins got them on sale or something. They squeak and they throw OK but they fall short in the rolling department. Lumpy Balls.... good for certain games.

So Indy invited me to play a game of Lumpy Balls. The object of the game is to have both the balls in your possession. The dog with the most Lumpy Balls wins the game. Other than that, there are no rules... well, except, no biting!

Here's how things went:

Indy has the yellow and I have the blue. Let the game begin!

This is getting boring already. I wonder who will make the first move?
Maybe she'll just fall asleep and I can grab her ball?

Hey Cinnamon... there's a squirrel over there. Go get it!

Now that was easy! Score 2 for Indy and 0 for Cinnamon!

What? How did this happen? She must have cheated!

Please Indy. Can we try it one more time. Wasn't that just a practice round? Pleeezzz!

So that's how the game went. Indy tricked me! I didn't see that coming at all. I guess there is one benefit to being a geriatric dog... experienced at playing Lumpy Balls!

Love, Cinnamon

Traveling to Idaho for my First Visit

I've never been to Idaho before. I never even drove through Idaho when I came to Washington from New Mexico! So I have no idea what it's like there. I hear they have potatoes, lots of them. I don't like potatoes and I am not sure they are good for dogs anyway. 

Here's Cristina and Jace. They are getting married on Friday.
I won't see the ceremony or have dinner at the reception.
I am a DOG!

So why, during a hot summer week, am I going to Idaho? Well, my Country Cousins are having a wedding. Cristina and Jace are getting married. It's at a big lake named Coeur d'Alene. And that's in Idaho. They are nice to us dogs... except they didn't invite us to the wedding or the reception. 

That's humans for you.... so inconsiderate of our feelings. Oh well.

It's a huge lake. I hope to go wading

But I do get to go and stay in a motel. So I'm packing. So far I have the La Quinta Hotel brochure (they always take dogs and don't charge extra), a map of the local dog parks, my food, my travel bed (uncomfortable as it is), my harness and leash and my bowls. Oh yes, I'm going to select just one special toy to take so I feel at home there.

Which toy should I take?

So what are my hopes for Idaho? I want to go to a beach and dip my paws in the lake. I love to wade. I don't know if I can swim but I'm not risking it. It might be too hot for a hike so I'll just sniff around one of the local dog parks.

And, when my owner is at the wedding, I'm going to watch MOVIES! I might start with "Hotel for Dogs." That sounds appropriate. And, I'll get some dog biscuits to snack on. 

Hopefully I will have fun in Idaho and I'll report back in a couple of days.

Love, Travelin' Cinnamon

I'm Back! I'm Home! And I have Tales to Tell!

Here's Uncle Tom threatening to
pick me up by my ears a la Lyndon Johnson.

I was gone over two weeks. My owner had out of state company and they were so busy they had NO TIME FOR ME! So I was sent off to stay with the Country Cousins in Poulsbo, Washington. Now, I've been there before. In fact, I helped care for their two old dogs when they went away. (Humans seem to go away a lot!)

So today was MY DAY. I got to go home. I had a pretty eventful time with the Country Cousins. I had many adventures.

Squirrel Hunting - When I got to the Country Cousins' home I checked out every corner of the yard, the pasture and the gardens. One day they left the barn door open. JACK POT! I went in to the barn and snooped around. I found out there were squirrels there. In fact, although they won't admit it, I smelled mice too! I added the barn to my list of favorite places to check out daily.

Here's the place where the squirrels hide out.

Scaring Joseph - One day this little dog arrived with two human women in tow. His name was Joseph and I met him once in Santa Fe. He is a spoiled little dog. He gets carried around in his owner's purse every where he goes. So I decided to scare a little reality into him. I bayed at Joe. Then Indy and Remi got interested in Joe. Pretty soon, Joe joined our pack. He got scared into being a real dog! GO JOE!

Taking Over Tom's Den - I am used having my own space. I have a corner of my owner's office. I keep my huge bed there. I also have my crate there. So, needless to say, I needed a space of my own at the Country Cousins (since I had an extended stay). Remi and Indy spread out in the living room. Remi had his bed in Tom and Glenda's bedroom while Indy slept under Tom's desk in the den. So I sniffed around and found the perfect place. There was a WHOLE CORNER in

I took over this corner of Tom's den.

Tom's den that was unclaimed. In fact, there was a dog bed under a desk there. So I TOOK IT OVER. MY BED! MY CORNER!

Breaking Bad - Each time I went into the yard and pasture I checked for wildlife. They always seemed to be just beyond the fence. I sniffed. I bayed and I wished I could chase them. One day I found a loose wire in the fence. I pushed my way through. FREE AT LAST! I scared Glenda because I took off in a flash. I was out for adventure. I WAS ON THE RUN! I headed through the woods and down the road. I was ready to hunt, chase and have fun. But, all of a sudden I got a little tired and stopped to rest. Glenda caught me and took me back to their house. BEFORE I KNEW IT I WAS BACK BEHIND THE FENCE. Drat!

Here I am demonstrating how to probe the perimeter of the pasture for a way out.

Eating Bunny Poop - This was a new hobby that I developed at the Country Cousins. Indy and Remi showed me that the bunnies that hopped around the pasture left little round presents. Well, they looked like dog kibble so we all gobbled them up. Needless to say, my owner was not thrilled with my new hobby.

Helping Glenda Walk - I was lying around a lot so Glenda asked me if I wanted to help her walk. Well, I am very skilled at 5K volkswalks, so I knew I could help her with this task. After, all I am an experienced walker! So we walked. One day we walked FIVE MILES! That was too much. I resigned as her training partner.

Here I am resting after the 5 mile forced walk!

Ignoring the Fireworks - Last year in my home town of Vancouver, WA, I endured two weeks... TWO WEEKS... of 4th of July Fireworks. Since I was up in Poulsbo, I didn't have to go through that. I heard a pop or two on the 3rd, but the sound was so far away I didn't care. So when the 4th rolled around I was pretty complacent. I watched Tom barbque and heard a few pops in the distance. I was so calm and cool, I just about fell asleep standing in the warm sun. So when it was almost dark, I went into my corner to go to sleep. AND I SLEPT RIGHT THROUGH THE REAL FIREWORKS!

Here I am back home on my bench. I am exhausted!

I was really glad to see my owner. I had thought, perhaps, that she had abandoned me (they call it re-homing). But she didn't. I hopped in the car this morning ready for another adventure. I WAS FREE AT LAST!

Thank you Country Cousins for letting me stay with you BUT I AM HAPPY TO BE GOING HOME!

Good News! I'm going home!

I'm going HOME!

I'm so excited! My stay, alone, with the Country Cousins is coming to an end... soon! Tomorrow is the 4th of July. While I hate being in my home town of Vancouver around 4th of July because of the fireworks, I've heard it might get popping here on the Kitsap Penninsula on the 4th too. But at least people refrain from setting them off before the 4th. That helps. My coonie nerves can get shot with a week or so of their celebrating.

So back to my homecoming.... What I am looking forward to most is my dog park. I love running at the dog park, meeting old and new friends and sniffing all those smells. I like eating grass there and standing on the mound playing "queen of the mountain."

I miss my yard with the squirrels

I also miss my cushy bed and my comfy carpeting. I like to scratch my back on the carpeting in the morning.

I miss my owner who lets me in and out, takes me places and feeds me... alone, without any competition from other dogs!

Let's see where do I want to go. I want to go to the Dog Park, of course. But I also like to go wading in the Columbia River. Or maybe we'll find a creek to wade in.

Most of all, I miss my Dog Park!

If the weather is cool, I might even want to go on a volksmarch. I don't like volksmarching in the heat. But I'd consider it when the sun is not out. Volksmarches are a great place to meet people and get patted on the head.

Oh yes, and then there is the Farmers Market. In my home town of Vancouver, they let dogs visit the market and I often get samples and, of course, more pats on the head.

I'm GOING HOME!

Wordless Wednesday: Coonie on the Back Porch

Here I am on the back porch at the Country Cousins House
Can I go home now?

OK, So What Happens If I Want to go Home?

Can I find a hole in the fence?

I always thought it was exciting to go visit the Country Cousins. They have a pasture to run in, two old dogs that can be amusing at times and lots of treats.

But this is the second week I have been here. I am feeling a bit trapped. When I'm in the mood to go to one of my dog parks, I can't go. When I want to romp up and down my stairs, I can't do it. No one drives me anywhere. I miss my cushy bed.

So lately I've been looking for holes in the fence. I think I want to TRY AND GO HOME. Maybe I'll find a way out. Now, I don't know how I'd get home but I dream of trying. Maybe home is just around the corner. I am not sure.

When can I go home?

Love, Cinnamon in Poulsbo

Competing for food in the dog pack

I'm still up at the Country Cousins house where I am sharing the lair with the two old dogs and a pushy little dog who is visiting (I hope.) This is getting old. While I still have my own bed, I've found that most everything else is shared.

Here I am like a common dog having to beg for my share of treats!

And when you have to share that means there is competition. I am afraid we will run out of food. I brought a whole bag of food with me but now with four dogs in the house, the pickings could get slim.

I've had to work out in the forest and put up with the THREE other dogs. That is tough because I am used to being an only dog with all the food, love and attention for myself. Here, everything is divided by FOUR!

Yes, we get treats, but I'll bet I'd get more if the other dogs weren't there! I MISS MY HOME!

Love, Homesick Cinnamon

Cinnamon is put to work in the woods

Well, I'm up at the Country Cousins house. You know the place in the woods with the elderly dogs. I'm staying there while my owner entertains out of state company. In other words, she's too busy to spend time with me so I am banished to the land in the north.

Well, it's been pretty good here. I took over Uncle Tom's den where my bed is and spend a lot of time there sleeping, taking naps and using the Internet. Once in awhile I let him come in to use his oak roll-top desk for some retirement planning he is doing. Other than that it's MY ROOM!

So yesterday, I was told it was time to GO TO WORK! They took me out in the woods where they were clearing some brush and moving some logs. I thought I was just going to go sniff around and chase rabbits. But noooo... I ended up hauling branches! I suppose it is a good thing. They don't have horses to do the work so I'm being tolerant and helping out.

Here I am helping out in the woods.

The weather's been nice... not too hot and not too cold. And the treats are good. So I'm happy to have some time with cousins Indy and Remi, the old dogs.

I'll write more later. But for now I have to rest up after my work in the woods!

Love, Cinnamon

Cinnamon's Dental Experience Update

Hi everyone! I just wanted you to know that I feel very, very much better. I can even write and spell now! I have almost recovered from yesterday's dental cleaning and anesthesia. I am running and playing with my toys and was hungry for a real meal when I woke up this morning.

I have to admit that my mind is still a little "off"sometimes. I've walked into a room and then forgot why I went there. Or maybe, it's just old age creeping up!

I'll write more later. I am off to visit my Country Cousins now and need to finish packing.

Love, Cinnamon (with pearly white teeth)

Cinnamon goes to the Fiesta and pays the price!

If this is what it's like being a party animal, I'm not sure I am cut out for it!

Here I am in the back of the car. I could hardly hold my head up.

Yesterday I got woken up at the early hour of 8 a.m. so we could drive three hours north to the home of my Country Cousins. You know, the old ones who live in the woods and sleep a lot. Our reason for this trip was not more dog-sitting, but to attend the couple's shower for Samson's owners who are getting married very, soon. I figured Samson wouldn't be there but secretly I was hoping that my romping-mate would show up at the party.

So as you can see I slept most of the way. I just couldn't keep my eyes open. We drove past the outlet malls, past the State Capitol and then across the big green bridge. Soon we were there!

Everyone was welcome including dogs!

I perked up when I got to the door. SAMSON WAS THERE! And so were Remi and Indy. The whole gang was there except for Kate and Derek's hunting dogs, whom I've never met (I'd love to tell them the story of my recent rabbit hunt!).

Here's my buddy Samson. We like to get in trouble together

I went in and had fun greeting everyone. I played in the pasture and sniffed around. It sure looked like a fiesta there with papel picado banners and tissue flowers. 

Oh oh, I should have ignored the tissue flowers. Soon Kate was affixing two of them to my collar. I DIDN'T LIKE THAT ONE BIT! If I was going to dress up, I wanted to select my own neckwear, thank you.

OMG. What is this on my collar?

Soon the food started coming out, but nothing for the dogs. More family arrived and I was getting really excited! I was hoping that there would be a huge cat pinata for us to break... with tons of dog treats cascading down on the grass. (I have an active fantasy life).

Here's what was going on when we were locked in the garage.

But oh nooooo! This was yet another people party. Despite my fancy flowers, I was shuttled off to the garage like the other dogs. Didn't they know I ALWAYS WANT TO BE THE LIFE OF THE PARTY?

I howled, I bayed and I barked. Samson helped me because he was really ticked. It was his family that was the center of attention and HE WASN'T INVITED!

We quieted down. Soon some nice people (there are always a few dog lovers in the crowd), suggested that we could be let out to have a little fun. AND WE WERE!  We headed for the pasture and ran, played ball and communed with the people. But we still were behind the fence. We weren't allowed in for margaritas, guacamole, enchiladas or pasteles. It was clear it wasn't our party.

We ran free in the pasture. I did a little hunting.

Here I am making a sad face behind the pasture gate.

We made sad faces and finally we got to visit with the people. I politely went to each person and got admired and petted. I didn't jump on anyone. I didn't steal any chips. I was the epitome of cultured behavior.

Here I am getting lots of attention.

Here I am getting more attention!

I even jumped in and played a throwing game with the guests. I am not sure how the game is scored but I should have racked up a few points for grabbing the balls!

I played this game. I think I won, because I wouldn't let the people have the balls back.

I ended the night by running and playing with Samson. I was having fun and finally, it was MY party!

I don't know why the dogs have to be shut away during the beginning of the party. I just don't understand it.

It was past my bedtime when I turned in. Remi and Indy had already gone to sleep. I was tired. I could hardly keep my eyes open while the people talked about all the good times they had and nice gifts that were received.

So I slept hard. But on no..... soon it was 5 a.m. The birds were chirping and it was starting to get light. I was told we were leaving to go home. My owner likes driving at the crack of dawn before anyone else is on the road. I did as I was told and got into the car. Of course I slept most of the way home. I didn't get to say good-bye to Samson. I felt badly about that.

As we left, we noticed the mailbox was still decorated.

Soon we were home. Home, sweet home! I had breakfast and immediately went up to my cushy, cozy bed. I love my bed! And, I slept most of the day.

Don't bother me. I'm recovering from the Fiesta!

I feel more rested now and just wanted to say thank you to everyone for letting us dogs out to party a little with you. Viva Cristina y Jace! Felicidades!

And now, I'm going to take another little nap. 

Cristina and Jace enjoying the gifts.

Love, Cinnamon the party animal