A Dog Bed Thanksgiving

Well, I was completely surprised when the mail arrived today. Two huge boxes were on the porch and they were for Francesca and ME!

Gone are the times when I got to pick out my own dog bed. Gone are the times when I got to post a poll and take reader input on the color. When we need a bed, they just appear!

So, I figured it was about time. Francesca had started tearing in to her bed. The cover was so thin she could see the foam underneath. They were big beds, but the top layer was thin. (You get what you pay for!). And she started digging at the foam. There were little pieces of foam all over the floor.

Here's Francesca trying to get comfortable.
Note the little piece of foam on the floor to the left.
That's what she did to her old bed.

So we opened the boxes. Inside were two pretty beds with Fair Isle printed covers. They were deeper than the old ones and cushier. But, oh dear, they were smaller. I think our owner is tired of our beds taking up over half of the office. It leads to lazy writing!

I'm not sure this bed is big enough!

So we are testing these smaller beds. They are good for coonie balls, but what if we want to stretch out? You don't suppose we'd have to sleep on the floor do you... on the rug?

Stay tuned and I'll let you know if I can adjust. Francesca seems to have adjusted just fine.

Check this out. Francesca can stretch out to about 5 feet tall on her hind legs.
But she's managed to take only half the bed up when she gets in a coonie ball.

I might be thankful this Thanksgiving. Or I might not!

Love, Cinnamon

Cinnamon's Diet Thanksgiving Meal

Which is Cinnamon's

We had our thanksgiving dinner. We had canned pumpkin, kibble and turkey from our friend Wendy's dinner. Can you tell which dinner is my diet dinner? My tummy can.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Love, Cinnamon

Cinnamon's Weight Loss Program: Thanksgiving Update

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Arooooo!

Well, Thanksgiving is here and everyone is going to be over-eating today except me! I know better. I am hoping for a bit of low calorie turkey this afternoon. No dressing. No pie. No mashed potatoes. Just some low calorie turkey!

It's really cold out so Francesca and I haven't been too keen on spending time outside. That means that my exercise program is not going well. I have been good about limiting treats, however.

Here we are sunbathing on Thanksgiving morning.
We didn't want to go outside until the sun hit the fence!

I talked to Francesca about what we are thankful for. One thing I'm NOT thankful for is my diet! Oh well. I hope to get weighed soon to see if I have lost weight.

Do I look skinny yet?

So what we are most thankful for is a warm home. It never gets cold inside because we have wall heaters. Yay! We are also thankful that we get fed on a regular schedule. Morning and evening... like clockwork.

And we are thankful for Clark DogPaw, the non-profit organization that ensures that we have beautiful fenced dog parks where we can romp with our friends.

Oh yes, Francesca says she is thankful for A Dog's Best Friend Day Care. I don't get to go there but she does. She said it is one huge playfest. And, they have a BIG jar of treats there. (Maybe that is why I don't get to go!)

So have a good Thanksgiving, everyone. And, I'll just sit here and hope for some turkey!

Love, Cinnamon

My Thanksgiving

Two trips to the new house, a nap and..... NO TURKEY! So was my Thanksgiving. We didn't cook here because all the pots and pans are at the new house. So my owner went to have dinner with her friend's family and I just slept. (What's new?)

Here I am waiting for Thanksgiving dinner.
Don't I look like I am starving?

But my Thanksgiving dinner finally came... at the regular time. I'm not complaining because I have Thanksgiving dinner every day. My doctor said to eat plain pumpkin mixed in with my kibble. AND I JUST LOVE IT!

Here's my pumpkin and kibble concoction

I wait for it eagerly and enjoy the sweetness of the pumpkin. It is so good it almost makes me forget that I didn't have any turkey!

Happy Girl!

I hope all my houndy friends had a great Thanksgiving.

Arroooooo!

Cinnamon

Gettin' Wild on Thanksgiving

Here's Cousin Sampson and I getting wild!

Hi, it's me, Cinnamon. I'm home now resting up after a wild Thanksgiving at the Country Cousins' home. I could hardly keep awake on the ride home. I was so, so tired!

Well, if you read about my cousins you'll remember Sampson, the huge black lab. Sampson and I hit it off right away and liked to romp and play together. But it wasn't until after Thanksgiving dinner that we really got in trouble.

Here's what happened. We were all very good during Thanksgiving dinner. We laid on the carpet while the people ate all the TURKEY! We kept our noses off the table. We didn't whine and we didn't play. So you could imagine how much energy we had after the dishes were cleared and the people were having their pie in the livingroom.

Sampson and I exploded with JOY! We started slowly... playing "mouthy face." But then we started running around the couch. Of course we got escorted outside after that.

When we came in Sampson and I talked things over. I said, "If we go upstairs, we can play on the landing. That won't bother anyone.... LET'S GO!"  So we bounded up the stairs and romped around on the landing. We had a great time. Now the landing wasn't all that large so Sampson said, "I'll bet you can't beat me racing down the stairs!"

Here's Sampson and I after we were banished outside.

And we were off, we ran down the stairs (I beat Sampson, by the way) and ran up again and then circled the landing for a huge race down the stairs again. We sounded like the thundering hooves of horses. WOO HOO! Sampson made it down the stairs but Aunt Glenda was right there at the bottom. I was going so fast I couldn't stop. SHE CAUGHT ME! I yelped with surprise. I had to be going 60 mph! She held me tight and reprimanded me.

THE FUN WAS OVER! We were told to STOP! To calm down. And we did, reluctantly.

It was kinda like this story..... We were the best Bumpus Hounds ever!

So that is how our Thanksgiving ended.... we got in trouble.

Love, Cinnamon, the fast hound

Thanksgiving: Cousin #4 is the Best!

Late last night a dark shadow darted out of the newly arrived car. I was almost ready for bed. I wasn't quite ready for what happened.

Here I am meeting cousin #4 - The Best Cousin!

The black shadow darted into the back yard. The bundle of muscles and energy had arrived. I was told that Sampson was here!

I wasn't sure whether or not to be afraid or get excited. The other dogs were introduced first. Remi growled and was annoyed with the new arrival. Indy got excited.

Now it was my turn. The black bundle of energy made a run for me. I had to think fast... snap or play? Snap or Play? PLAY!

All at once I looked at this huge black furry animal and decided that deep down Sampson was only a puppy. AND SAMPSON LIKED TO PLAY!

Here I am playing with Sampson.

We played until we were kicked outside. And then we stopped and listened for coyotes. I showed Sampson how to sniff along the fence line for bunnies. I told Sampson how Uncle Tom would give us treats if we were good.

If we are good Uncle Tom gives us treats!

So Thanksgiving morning dawned. I gave up on watching Glenda cook as I had found a new best thing to do.... PLAY WITH SAMPSON!

We romped, we bit each other's faces and we got kicked outside many, many times! I love my new cousin. He is nothing but fun!

But right now, I think I'd better take a nap. There's going to be much eating and playing at the Country Cousins' house this afternoon!

Right now I am very THANKFUL for FAMILY!

Love, Cinnamon

Living it up at the Country Cousins'

Here I am riding shotgun on the way to the
Country Cousins' House

Yesterday I just wanted to sleep in but oh no.... it was in the car and off on a road trip! We were headed for the Country Cousins' home in rural Kitsap Peninsula.... in the woods where the rabbits and deer are.

I tried to stay awake during the trip. I even got to ride shotgun but that didn't work. I nodded off constantly and didn't perk up until we headed across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. I looked down at the water and it reminded me of my time on the island in Haida Gwaii... those were good times. I was a salty sea dog then.

Here's where my cousins live

Soon we pulled off onto a country road and headed into the woods. I could smell those bunnies waiting for me!

When we got there Aunt Glenda had everything organized. Since there were going to be FOUR DOGS in the house for Thanksgiving this weekend, she wanted us all to be carefully introduced to each other.

I got to go in first and greet Uncle Tom. Then she brought out Remi. Remi, if you will remember, is the growly old one who is not sure he likes me. He did bark a little but then remembered that I was a cousin and mellowed out.

So then it was time for her to bring out Indy, the wild one. Indy was so excited to have company she barely noticed me. Imagine!

Here's me and my cousins getting TREATS!

So once we all got acquainted it was TREAT TIME! Uncle Tom ushered us all into the kitchen where we were offered treats if we behaved ourselves.

That began an evening of treats. Glenda was cooking and gave me tidbits. I had my dinner after that. And after that I licked Remi's and Indy's bowls. I was enjoying this treat-filled house and am beginning to find out what Thanksgiving is all about.

You might be thinking... what about the fourth dog? Well that dog is Sampson and he is a Black Lab and he is really young and full of energy. I am wondering if I can handle him. We'll see. I'll let you know when he gets here tonight. He's riding all the way from Spokane.

Meanwhile I'll go out in back and sniff for bunnies again. I like it at the Country Cousins'!

More Bed Wars: It's a double this time

Here I am on TWO PADS!

Hi, it's me, Cinnamon. I'm home now. As the sun was setting over the Columbia River last night my owner FINALLY picked me up from the Doggie Country Club. I wasn't concerned, though. I was playing with my beagle friend. I was just a little concerned about who would be feeding me dinner!

Once I got home, I looked around and saw that my bed STILL WAS NOT BACK! I did find out that there is a reason for the delay and it is a sad one. But I won't go into that now.

So what my owner did was make a DOUBLE BED for me out of my two crate pads thinking that would make up for the absence of my real bed. I tried it but in the middle of the night ended up ripping the covers off and sleeping on only one pad. And then about 7 a.m. I scratched on my owner's bedroom door to see if she might let me on the furniture for the rest of my snoozing. Well, that didn't work. So I am going back to bed on my crate pad now!

I did find out that she is packing. I think I heard her say that we are going to visit my Country Cousins. Now that will be fun! I'll take pictures of me and my cousins around the Thanksgiving table and post them here. But for now, I'm still needing more sleep. The Doggie Country Club takes a lot out of me!.... all that playing.... all that socializing and networking.

Love, Cinnamon

Cinnamon's Thanksgiving: I am Thankful for the Vancouver, WA Area Dog Parks

Here I am, hunting, at Ross Dog Park

When I can run free, my ears flapping in the breeze, and spend an hour greeting every dog and human who enters the dog park, I am happy. This Thanksgiving I want to say that I am very grateful for all the dog parks in the Vancouver, WA area where I live: 

In 2005, the Vancouver City Council amended the city leash law and the Board of Clark County Commissioners amended the county code to allow development of off-leash areas.

Since then, Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation has partnered with Clark County DOGPAW (Dog Owners Group for Park Access in Washington) to help identify, develop and maintain new off-leash areas. DOGPAW also collaborates with other cities and private property owners, like the Bonnevile Power Administration, in their effort to develop new dog parks. 

DOGPAW relies on membership fees and donations to maintain its dog parks and build new ones in Clark County. Membership only costs $15/year for individuals or $25/year for families, and is tax deductible. Visit DOGPAW's website to find out more, or to sign up online: www.clarkdogpaw.org. 

Locations

Get directions to dog parks

Ross Off-Leash Dog Recreation Area (west Vancouver)
The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) donated use of nine acres on the south end of the Ross Complex for an off-leash area. DOGPAW members put up fences, installed waste disposal stations, drafted rules for canine and human users of the park, and are responsible for maintaining the park. This is the first collaboration of its kind between the city of Vancouver, BPA and DOGPAW.

NE Ross St at NE 15th Ave, Vancouver, WA 98663 (45.658046,-122.6556)

• I-5 exit #3 (Hazel Dell’s Hwy 99)
• Head north on Hwy 99
• Go east on NE Ross St to NE 15th Ave
• Parking at C-TRAN BPA Park & Ride at 15th Ave, with Handicap/Maintenance Entrance at 18th Ave

*Street parking prohibited 

Ross Dog Park

Dakota Memorial Dog Park at Pacific Community Park (east Vancouver)
This 8-acre dog park is located on the north side of Pacific Community Park, on NE 18th Street between 164th and 172nd Avenue in east Vancouver. It is fully fenced with two double-gated entrances accessible from the two parking lots inside the community park. Please note that dogs must be leashed in the parking lot and in all other areas outside the fenced dog park. The dog park features a gravel perimeter trail through open lawn and forested areas, a rustic log agility course, benches and drinking fountains. A dog rinse off area is located on the back side of the restroom on the west side of the park closest to NE 164th Avenue (Note: Dogs must be leashed at the rinse off area and all other areas outside the dog park). A separate area for dogs under 25 pounds is available on this site. 

NE 18th St at NE 164th Ave, Vancouver, WA 98684 (45.63567, -122.50388)

Dakota Dog Park

• From I-205 exit #28 (Mill Plain Blvd) east. Go north on 164th Ave.
• From I-5 exit #1A/B (Hwy 14) east. Go north on 164th Ave.
• From SR-500 (NE Fourth Plain Blvd) east. Go south on 164th Ave.
• 1515 NE 164th Ave 98684.
• Entrances off 164th Ave and 172nd Ave (south of 18th St).

Brush Prairie Off-Leash Dog Park
Clark County partnered with DOGPAW to develop this 7.5-acre dog park in 2008. It is located adjacent to the Lauretta Noreen Forest Preserve on NE 149th Street at NE 101st Place, on the west side of NE 117th Avenue (State Route 503). It includes a separate one-acre small (under 25 lbs) dog area.

The park, which is fully fenced with a double-gated entrance accessible on 149th Street, has limited on-site parking. Overflow parking is available at the nearby Center for Agriculture, Science, and Environmental Education (CASEE), at 11104 N.E. 149th Street.

NE 149th St at NE 101st Pl, Brush Prairie, WA 98606 (45.72954, -122.56973)

• I-205 exit #32 (BATTLE GROUND).
• Head east on PADDEN PKWY.
• Go north on NE 117th Ave (SR-503).
• Go west on NE 149TH ST.
• Entrance at 149th St with overflow parking at CASEE.
  *Street parking prohibited.

Stevenson Off-Leash Area
Clark County DOGPAW partnered with the city of Washougal in 2009 to develop this park, which is located at 3003 Addy St., just north of State Route 14 in Washougal. The site is 7.5 acres in size with a separate, one-acre space for small (under 25 lbs) dogs.

Westside of Bi-Mart between Main St and Addy St (45.576787,-122.340231)

• From the North, take I-205 exit 27 (Lewis and Clark Hwy/WA-14 toward Camas)
• From the South, take I-5 exit 1A (Lewis and Clark Hwy/WA-14 toward Camas)
• Turn left at 32nd St
• Turn left at Addy St
• Destination will be on the right
• Parking courtesy of Bi-Mart at 3003 Addy St, Washougal, WA 98671

Kane Memorial Dog Park at Hockinson Meadows Community Park
DOGPAW partnered with Clark County and Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation in 2011 to develop this 2.5-acre park inside Hockinson Meadows Community Park at 10910 NE 172nd Ave., north of NE 99th Street. It is fully fenced and gated. There is no separate area for small dogs at this park. Dogs must be leashed when outside the dog park, including on the main public trails and in the parking lots. Maps and other information.

NE 172nd & NE 119th St, Brush Prairie, WA 98606 (45.702043, -122.501936)

• I-205, Exit #32, Padden Pkwy
• Head east on NE Padden Pkwy toward NE 117th Ave (SR-503)
• Continue onto NE Ward Rd
• Slight left at NE 172nd Ave
• 10910 NE 172nd Ave 98606
• Please walk your leashed dog, from either parking lot, to the temp OLA north of the ball fields.
  (15 min - 6.3 miles from hwy)