Moving trade-offs: New Park

Well today I explored the park across the street. My new neighborhood is like a park... full of trees. But in the actual public park there are lots of trees and a few smells to sniff. It isn't as big as the Burnt Bridge Creek Parkway which was the closest park to my old house. And it lacks ponds, rabbits, frogs and the like. I miss the creek, dipping my paws in the soothing water on a hot day and the expectation of finding a rabbit on the path.

Here I am in the park hoping to spy a few squirrels

Such is moving. I love my new house with the BIG BACKYARD but I had to give up the best park ever. So I have a little park to explore. It's one of those suburban city parks.

Here's the park and the SHORT trail.

What I found out today was that there were NO SQUIRRELS IN THE PARK! I figured out why. There are many squirrels in my yard just across the street. The lady who lives behind us feeds peanuts to the squirrels. So why live in a park? They just live close to their food source.

Here's a pile of branches from the last storm. It's worth a sniff or two.

Well, that's ok but know what they do with the peanuts? They litter my yard with the shells. And they bury some in my yard digging little holes. Of course when I find the whole peanuts, I dig them back up and EAT THEM!

So the park is different (that's a nice way of putting it). There are quite a few trees. There is a playground for small humans and a bench or two.

Here's the playground for small humans.

I love my new house and my yard but am only slowly adjusting to the teeny park in my neighborhood.

Thats all for a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Love, Cinnamon

Cinnamon breaks the silence - Moving and Doing Errands

Well, I finally got permission to use the Internet. My owner doesn't have cable yet but she's using a Verizon signal to get some Internet. She said if I didn't use too much data, I could write and blog. YAY!

I hate not sharing the ups and downs of my life. So now I can tell you what's really been going on and let you know that I am ok, really!

So as most of you know we moved. It was a gradual torturous transition. I got to play in the yard at the new house about an hour a day... that's all. All she did was pack and unpack and talk to Mike the painter.  Finally we said good-bye to Mike and it was MOVING DAY. Moving Day was the most boring day I have experienced to date. 

Here's the truck in front of our old house. They did a great job!

At 8:15 a.m., a BIG truck pulled up in front of our town house. It was BIG Al's moving service. Out of the truck came three guys. And two of them were REALLY BIG. You see, the company is owned by a Samoan family and these Samoan men were REALLY BIG. They could lift anything.  I have to say that the average sized guy was strong too! They were very careful and even asked that we wrap my dog bed in plastic.

I got put in the car while they loaded up our furniture, including my crate and cushy bed. I didn't get to help. I didn't get to say hi to them or ANYTHING. I just stayed in the car and slept. I was so bored.

Within a couple of hours, the BIG AL van was loaded with all of our furniture. We headed over to the new house. I thought I'd get to romp in the yard for the rest of the afternoon. BUT NOOOO!

I got only one break and then it was back in the car while they unloaded our furniture. Since they were SO BIG it didn't take them much time at all. I got to play in my yard a bit before we went back to the old house to clean. Boring!

So what's life like in the new house? Well, we started doing something instead of going to the dog park. It's called "doing errands."  I guess there is lots to do in getting a new home fixed up. We go to Home Depot (where I get to walk around and see my friends in the orange aprons). We go to Pier 1 imports and I have to stay in the car. We go to the glass company, and I have to stay in the car. Mostly we just ride around and I HAVE TO STAY IN THE CAR.

Here's my friend at Home Depot. We do lot's of errands there.

I'd much rather be in a routine where we go for walks, shop at Petco, and go to the dog park. WILL IT EVER HAPPEN? I guess not as long as there are things to do for the house. WHEN WILL IT EVER END?

Here I am enjoying a sunbeam in my new home. This is a rare opportunity because
we are ALWAYS OUT DOING ERRANDS!
See the artwork on the floor? It isn't hung yet because we have to
DO AN ERRAND to get picture hooks. Jeesh!

As always, sympathy is welcome!

Love, Cinnamon

Exhausting Day: Running, Shopping and Napping

This new house stuff is getting really tedious. Basically I get to visit my new home daily, run like the wind in the yard, scare squirrels and stay out of the painter's way. But aside from that, I don't get to do much.

But all that changed today. Today I played in the yard, ran like the wind, and got pretty tired but there was no place in the new house to sleep. So I forced myself to stay awake.

Then my owner asked if I wanted to go to Home Depot. Of course I said yes because I couldn't take a nap, anyway. Home Depot is where we go to buy stuff for the new house, to get treats and, of course, to get some attention.

I know exactly where to go when I get to Home Depot. I trot towards the back of the store, stopping only for compliments and pats on my head. Today I smelled really good because I had a bath. I looked really cool in my leather dress collar too! I was a four pawed people magnet! It was all fun and games until we got to Sue's desk. She's the one who helps us with blinds and carpeting and stuff like that. But she is all business.

I don't really like that I have to stand still while she works on our orders. And today, my patience was really tested. My owner decided, without conferring with me, to do a photo shoot. I was tired and didn't want to have my picture taken. So I turned my rear to the camera! That fixed her!

Here's Sue trying to get me interested in the photo shoot.
NO DEAL!

So, she finally quit trying. Just when I was getting really tired, two things happened. My Home Depot friend with the pink watch spied me. He is my favorite because he really loves dogs. He petted me and told me about his friend who had a blue tick hound.

Here's my friend who owns the pink watch.
He's very nice to me but I was starting to worry about the jets overhead making so much noise.

OK, the second thing was really scary! I know what airplanes are and what they look like. They roar and I look up to see them. I'm not afraid of them. But something really weird happened at Home Depot. I heard fighter jets. I looked up but didn't see anything. I just saw the high ceiling. Then I go scared. Was it a tornado? Was it fireworks? I couldn't see anything. It was just noisy. AND VERY SCARY.

Fortunately it was time to leave, any way. I was ready to get the heck out of there! I was tired, stressed and starting to get hungry. As much as I like the people there, I was ready to head home for a nap on my bed. In fact, I fell asleep in the car and didn't realize we were headed for the new house, not the house where my comfy bed was.

When we got there Mike, the painter, was out in front loading his car. What? Mike never leaves. He's always there! I slept.in the car while my owner said good bye to Mike. I WAS TOO TIRED TO SAY GOODBYE TOO.

Then she came to get me. We went inside. The new house looked new for the very first time. No painting gear. No tools. And no Christmas music. I looked at my owner who wanted to get some work done. I pleaded with my eyes... Please let me take a nap!

Here I am with the new designer bed. I still have my old one.

So she went in the garage and brought out a brand new round dog bed. NEW! She brought it into my new room. As soon as I saw it, I jumped on it and curled up and took a nap. My first nap in the new house!

This moving stuff is exhausting.

Love, Cinnamon

Cinnamon's New House: It's Good for Me!

After being pretty disappointed last night, we went to see the new house again in daylight. I wasn't prepared for what I saw.

MY YARD IS REALLY BIG! As soon as I got outside, I started to run. I ran down one side of the yard and back on the other. I hopped on the decks. I sniffed for squirrels. I rolled in "whatever" and most of all I had a great time.

Here I am running and leaping off one of the decks

I was having such a great time on my new lawn (filled with fall leaves) that we decided to play ball. I had my favorite squeaky ball there and I ran with it... like the wind!

Here I am all wound up with my ball.

Wind? Oh yes, today was an extremely windy day. I am sure it set some sort of records. The trees were all moving and lots of branches came down. When branches weren't coming down, I got deluged with branches and evergreen needles. It was kind of exciting.

Here I am rolling around having so much fun!

I played ball like I have never played ball before. I ran and ran and ran! I was loving my yard. And after that, I was ready for brunch.

Today I ate brunch outside on the deck. It was sunny for awhile so I thought it would be fun.

Here I am eating brunch ouside.

Later on it got rather chilly. The cold weather was moving in. So I asked to come inside and I found a nice warm sunbeam to sit in. If we had nice carpeting, I would have laid down. But all we had was the laminate flooring.

Found a sunbeam. Yep, I did!

I got so much exercise that, when I returned to my old home, I fell asleep on my turquoise bench. Then, after dinner, I went upstairs without even getting the zoomies. I was ready for bed!

Love, Cinnamon with the big yard

Cinnamon's New House: Not What I Expected

Well, I finally believe I have a new house, although I'm still sleeping in the old one. So it's a bit confusing. Let me tell you what I know and.... I HAVE PICTURES!

So last evening, about sunset time, we loaded some things in the car. As an afterthought, I was loaded in too. I had to fit with the plants in the back seat. And, I had to play limbo with a rake handle... but that's ok. It was a short ride.

Here I am playing limbo with the rake handle while we get gas.

We stopped at Freddie's for gasoline. I thought, since gas prices were so low, we should go on a big road trip. But nooooo, we were going to see the new house!

We pulled up in front on the real estate office and I waited and waited. I finally laid down. All of a sudden the door opened and it was my owner... with the keys!

By the time we got to the house, it was dark. We opened the garage with the garage door opener. It was empty! I got out and sniffed around. Then, I got to go inside the house. I trotted from room to room checking things out. I found "my room." It was smaller than I had hoped and had 1980's carpet in it. The window was too high for me to look out and see anything. So I was disappointed. It was cold in the house. I yearned for my big house with the wall to wall carpeting and furnace.

Here's my new room. The carpet needs updating and the walls need a paint job.
Other than that, it will have to do.

I've never had a fireplace like this before.
Is this where Santa Claus comes with the presents?

Then we went to the sliding glass door. I was kind of excited. But didn't expect much. It was dark so I couldn't see but, you know me, I sure can sniff! So out I went... on to a huge deck! And then I took off like a flash. I smelled squirrels and there was grass to romp around on. I ran lickety split down the long grass toward the bushes. I was in hunting mode and thought the squirrels were hiding in there.

Here I am checking out the yard. That squirrel must be somewhere!

It was fun. I COULD ACTUALLY RUN IN MY YARD! I checked out all the bushes, poked around behind the shed and finally gave up. I LIKE MY NEW HOME. I HAVE A REAL YARD!

Here I am checking the bushes in one of the corners. No squirrel.

So I'll ignore the small rooms, and the laminate flooring that I might slide on. I'll ignore that there is a bath tub there and I'll ignore that the window in my room is too high. I think I'll like it. But I want to see it in the daylight to be sure.

Today we're going to rake leaves. I'll help by running through them and compacting them.

Love, Cinnamon the gardener

Is Cinnamon Moving?

Something happened today. While we were at the dog park and I was sniffing around, things moved in the world of real estate. All I heard was that our documents were being sent to the title company. Well, that doesn't mean a whole lot to me, Cinnamon.

So I asked. ARE WE GETTING A NEW HOUSE? The answer was YES! Now the details are not, and have not, been forthcoming, so I'll share with you what I know and what is important to me.

This house has a regular yard and TWO DECKS to sleep on. It has grass like the Country Cousins yard. You know, that's where I hunt for frogs. The little ones jump around in the grass after a rain.

I don't know where my bed will go. I don't know where my crate will go. But I'll bet I don't get my own room. Such is downsizing!

So here's the front:

See, it has a "portal" just like in New Mexico and grass in front.

And here is the side deck:

This is where I plan to lounge when it is sunny out. I'll need some shade. The other deck has lots of sun.

And here is the back yard:

I guess my owner will be mowing the grass
because I can't eat all this! Also note that there is an anti-squirrel
device on the bird feeder. You know what that means!

Here's the shed where we can keep my outdoor toys!

So that's all I know. I will be glad to romp around on that grass and chase a ball in the yard. I can't do that here. I just chase squirrels and cats out of the yard. That's all the fun I get!

Now I think I'll go take a nap. Too much excitement!

Love, Cinnamon

Preparing your Dog for Moving: A Dog's Perspective

I've been house hunting for a couple months now. Sometimes I see a house that would be perfect for me but we don't even make an offer on it. No one explains it to the dog!

She'd better not leave without ME! I don't know what's going on!

Sometimes we make an offer on a house that seems perfect. And then my owner says there is something wrong with it? No one explains it to the dog!

So now something is going on and I don't know what it is. We are packing but no one shows me the new house or the backyard. There seems to be a big waiting game. No one explains it to the dog!

We go to Home Depot to look at carpeting. I have fun playing with the guy wearing a pink watch. But we haven't ordered the carpet yet. No one explains it to the dog!

I'm sleeping in strange places nowadays

I am confused. We have packed some breakables. Pictures have been taken off the wall. The curio cabinet is empty. The plants in the backyard have been moved. It's unsettling. I'm showing the stress. I sleep in strange places. Sometimes it is at the top of the stairs where I can watch her. Sometimes it is by the door so she can't leave without me. Today she found me sleeping in her closet. I've never ever slept there before. In fact, I'm not allowed in her bedroom!

I'm scared. Will I be left behind? These are the tough times for Cinnamon. I just want to be settled SOMEWHERE!

It is important, that during a move, the dog is informed. It is important that schedules are not changed and the dog's bed is still there in the right place. It is important that play time with toys and trips to the dog park continue. 

And in the new house, it is important that your dog's things are put in place first!

My crate is important to me. If we move, it had better be there!

So what can I do? I just want to be settled. I have started feeling sorry for myself.

So I went on the Internet and looked at what was going on with my peers. I read about a German Shepherd pining away for his owner who didn't come home. His owner was the soldier that was killed in Ottawa, Canada .... So unfair.

I read about a black an tan coonhound that lost one eye yet was watching squirrels with the other one right after his surgery. Could there be dogs who have it worse than I do? Yes, I believe there are.

But I am Cinnamon and I still feel unsettled!

House Hunting Cinnamon Style - And Rose Cottage is the Winner!

The last time I blogged, we were house-hunting ala HGTV. There was House #1, House #2 and House #3. It turns out none of those would work out.

So what did we do? We looked at HOUSE NUMBER 4! And, #4 is the big winner.

Here it is.... Rose Cottage!

It is right down the street from Ross Dog Park. I love Ross (well, next to the Brush Prairie park with the Mt. Hood view). Yesterday we went to Ross Dog Park and it was like old home week. I ran in, ran up the hill and greeted each and every dog and owner.

Here's me running at Ross Dog Park (I am the one in front, of course!)

I noticed something about Ross Dog Park. There were new gates and new bark chips on the paths. It was really spiffed up. I hadn't been there for awhile so there was lots of sniffing to do. But know what? My squirrel trees were still there. I've missed them.

I had a great time and didn't want to come home. But finally I gave in and what did we do? We drove by MY NEW HOUSE. If everything works out ok, I'll be moving in to House #4 which we call Rose Cottage.

Let me tell you the pros and cons of House #4.

PRO
It is right down the street from Ross Dog Park.
It is right up the street from the Burnt Bridge Creek Trail
There are big trees across the street
There is plenty of room in the kitchen cabinets for treats.
There is a big covered porch and deck for me to relax on.

CONS
I don't get my own room. I'll still share the office
The yard is small.

I'm kinda excited because I might get to go to the dog park more often. There isn't anyone on my street now that I will miss. All we have are pesky cats and coyotes!

So that's the end of house-hunting (we hope!)

Love, Cinnamon

House Hunting Cinnamon Style

Houses with Squirrels
Good!

Well, I made my owner promise we wouldn't move last year and we didn't. I had a hard time moving from my birthplace in Santa Fe, NM to Vancouver, WA. I had to adjust to rain and had to realize not too many people spoke Spanish. I did adjust to my new home... after awhile.

So now we are house-hunting BUT WE WON'T LEAVE VANCOUVER! I've been participating in the ride-byes and sometimes we do a neighborhood walk. So I am getting the hang of house hunting and have very definite opinions on the homes we look at. Here's an example:

House Number 1 (if you watch HGTV, you'll know where I'm going with this)

I call this the garden house

This house has a small fenced garden area and a huge vegetable garden on the side and a nice lawn in the front. It has plenty of room for MY BED in the family room. It does not have a garage, because that is where the family room is. So we'd have to get out of the car in the rain and snow. I'm not sure I like that.

But here's the big PLUS on this one. House #1 is just around the corner from a big park with BIG trees. And you know what lives in trees, don't you? SQUIRRELS! I walked this neighborhood and chased a bunch of squirrels up trees and even saw a rabbit. So far, I like House #1!

House Number 2
Now I haven't seen this house yet but it looks like it has a really big yard. I like that.

Big yard but a big hilly driveway

I hear the yard has trees in it so that is promising. There might be some squirrels there. It also looks big enough that I might get my own room!

House Number 3
I haven't seen this one yet either but it is even closer to the park than House Number 1! Yay! It looks like it has a shady back yard and enough room that I might get my own room.

This is the shady house close to Squirrel Park!

I don't know about these houses. I haven't been allowed to tour them yet. I do like the idea of being close to a park and I do like the idea of TREES IN MY YARD!

Now for my downtown friends, let me tell you ... WE ARE looking there but the houses seem to be either weird (too weird) or close to the freeway. So no luck there yet!

So, I'll keep y'all updated on what happens. Will we move? Or will we stay put? I just don't know. But I do know that I am getting less dog park time due to all this looking at houses.

Love, Cinnamon