Wordless Wednesday: Looking Pretty on the Porch

When I was staying with the Country Cousins I really missed my blue bench. But I made do with their back porch. Here I am!

Sometimes you just gotta make do!

Plenty of Dog Fun in Vancouver, Washington on August 2nd

It's time for Bark in the Park at Ross Dog Park, one of MY dog parks here in Vancouver, WA. There will be plenty to do and see. It sure looks like fun. Unfortunately I will be out of town for a wedding in Idaho. Another road trip for me. Another fun day in my home town missed.

Love, Traveling Cinnamon

Kitsap Penninsula Volkswalk for a Hunting Dog

Well, I know I said I wasn't going to do any more volksmarches until fall because the summer weather is heating up. But on the way home from the Country Cousins on the Kitsap Penninsula I decided to stop in and check out a Saturday volksmarch just outside of Gig Harbor.

This nice lady volunteered to hold me!

I read that the event was at Gig Harbor so I had visions of walking beaches, eating dead fish and chasing crabs. Well, the actual walk was held at the Key Penninsula 360 Park, not exactly on the beach. We did pass some great looking beaches on the way.

We pulled up to the Start/Finish point staffed by Lions Club volunteers all decked out in purple. They were nice and helped us out while we registered.

Here I am scouting out the trail and following the arrows

They weren't too clear on the markings for the 5K option (my choice) so I decided to play tracking dog to find the route. But that didn't last long. Those woods, at 8:15 in the morning, were just full of WILD SMELLS. I went crazy. I was having a great time.

I had to leave it up to my owner to follow the arrows. Luckily she figured out that the green arrows would take us on the shorter route because after an hour in the woods, I was starting to pant.

But sooner than I thought, we were back at the finish. Another volksmarch to put in my log (see the tab above this story and click on it... you'll be impressed!).

The woods were full of WILD THINGS!

I slept ALL THE WAY HOME!

Love, 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!

Helping Your Dog Cope with the 4th of July

This is last year!

Pop! Boom! Crackle! What the heck is this? I HATE 4th of July. I can't stand the sounds. I want this TO STOP NOW!

Here are some tips for helping your dog cope with the 4th of July.

Prepare for the "holiday" by checking with your veterinarian if you think your dog will really freak out. I don't need medication if I have access to my crate. I feel safe there.  I've been told that sedatives like Acepromazine don't really help. Some people think Thundershirts are helpful.

Keep the normal routine. I love a routine. I am a hound!

I like my crate during a "fireworks attack." Know where your pet feels safe and provide that space for them during the 4th of July holiday. Usually the center of the home, away from windows is the best hiding place. Find a substitute cave like the crate or under a table.

Feel free to turn up the music or TV. It masks the Pop! Boom! Crackle!

Be at home with your dog. Secure exits so your dog doesn't run outside in a panic. Make sure the yard is secure and your dog cannot jump the fence. This is not the time to have your dog run away. Often they will run really far away in a panic.

Be loving and sympathetic to your dog's fears.  Talk to them, comfort them and give them extra attention. Maybe even let them sleep on the bed with you!

So I will be sequestered in rural Kitsap County over the 4th of July. I'll be with the Country Cousins and my owner is joining us. I'll have all the love I can handle.

Even so... I wish humans could find a better way to celebrate Independence Day!

Love, Cinnamon

Wordless Wednesday: Coonie on the Back Porch

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