Mother's Day - A Doggone Good One!

Well, my heart sank when the doorbell rang and the florist handed a lovely arrangement to my owner. I looked, but there was nothing for me. Doesn't anyone remember that I had a litter or two of puppies before I was adopted? I lovingly cared for those puppies. I don't know where they are now and obviously they don't know where I am. :(

I looked so disappointed that my owner went into her garden and picked a special bouquet just for me. And she put it in a special blue vase just like the one her mother used to have. I brightened up a little. But it still wasn't enough.

My special bouquet

Later my owner, seeing that I was still sulking, suggested a visit to the Dog Park for Mother's Day morning. I hadn't been for a long time and I got very happy about going. Yay!

The next morning I got up very early and even jumped on my owner's bed (she was resting, but was awake). She petted me and then said she'd get up and we'd go to the dog park right away. I followed her around expectantly. Soon I was getting my harness and leash on and we were on our way to the Brush Prairie Dog park, my favorite.

Sniffing is part of the fun at the dog park!

We got there and saw lots of dogs! They were chasing balls, chasing each other and, in general, nosing around. I couldn't wait to join them. Once I got inside, I started sniffing everything because that is my favorite thing to do. I trotted around and greeted the owners (sometimes the dogs annoy me) and made it 3 times around having a great time! On the fourth time around I spied some friends who are regulars at the park. I went up to them and was very happy to see them. I even hung out with their dogs for awhile.

The sun was coming out so I got hot and tired. It was time to leave. But I have to say I had a marvelous time!

After that we stopped at Chapman's Greenhouse to purchase a couple of plants for my backyard. I stayed in the car and rested because I was tired. I never care what type of plants she puts out there as long as she keeps my squirrel chasing path free of plantings. And she does!

We got home, planted the plants, had breakfast and then I took a nap. It was a perfect Mother's Day!

Love, Cinnamon

Unauthorized Room Decor

If you've read my blog for any length of time, you know that I am fussy about my room and where I sleep. Now, I've accepted sharing an office with my owner as long as I have my bed of choice in said room.

But this week, she got the decorating bug. AND SHE DIDN'T ASK ME! It turned out that my room is now decorated with Guatemalan weavings and embroidery.

Now I haven't been to Guatemala (BUT SHE HAS) and it means nothing to me. So I was not pleased. I'd much rather have a collection of dog paintings gracing my walls.

Shouldn't I be consulted? After all, its where I sleep!

This wall hanging clashes with my coloring.
Don't you think?

Love, Cinnamon

Does Your Dog Need to Be Vaccinated Against Leptospirosis?

I just got back from the vet’s office. It was time for some of my regular shots. I was surprised when the vet asked me where I might be traveling. When I said I like to hang out on the beach and also drink out of puddles, he suggested including a vaccination against leptospirosis.

So I started reading up on Leptospirosis. It’s kind of scary. It’s an infection of bacterial spirochetes, which dogs acquire when subspecies of the Leptospira interrogans penetrate the skin and spread through the body by way of the bloodstream. (1) Yuck!

And how I can get it is yucky too! The bacteria are spread in the urine, often making their way into water sources and remaining infective in the soil for up to six months. Rats, pigs, raccoons, cattle, skunks, and opossums appear to be the primary reservoirs. (2) They didn’t mention squirrels.

My vet said even sea mammals can spread Leptospirosis. So that’s why he inquired about my beach habits. And I have some pretty disgusting beach habits!

You can do something to help avoid the bacteria. Exposure to leptospirosis can be reduced by preventing your dog from drinking from puddles of standing water or from swimming in lakes, streams, or other bodies of water that may be contaminated.

If you have questions about the vaccine or the disease, please talk to your veterinarian. 

References

(1) http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_multi_leptospirosis
(2) http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/canine-leptospirosis

And here’s an article about the vaccine: http://www.vetstreet.com/care/leptospirosis-vaccine-for-dogs

Wordless Wednesday: I Love the Beach!

I'm kinda wishing I was at the beach right now!

Feliz Cinco de Mayo from Cinnamon

Most of you know that I, Cinnamon, am bilingual. I speak Spanish and English. I enjoy celebrating Mexican and New Mexican holidays. So today is Cinco de Mayo! And look what I found! It's a modified Jimmy Buffet song, for us dogs! Gracias Teddy el Perro!

2015 Humane Society for Southwest Washington Run and Walk for the Animals (Photos)

Well, it's over... my favorite big walk event. The 2015 Humane Society walk was even more fun than last year. One of the best things was that I saw friends I met last time and they recognized me, Cinnamon. Now I had to get up early to go. But once I got there I perked up and went begging (I call it asking nicely) for treats, got petted and learned about some new dog services and products.

Here's my photo journal of today's exciting event:

I was pre-registered but had to go here to pick up my walker packet.
I didn't get a number because I wasn't running.

Here I am in my official walker scarf.
This year they were turquoise. I like turquoise because I am from New Mexico.

Here's my friends from Battle Ground Barkery
They recognized me from last year. They are from the school program that
makes the dog treats. I went after those great treats and then, later, greeted my friends.

I'm walker Cinnamon and this is what I do!

Here's the guy from Animal Control. Here in the picture I was
telling him that I am licensed but my license was on my other collar.
I wore my Chile Pepper collar to the event so I'd look extra spiffy.
He gave me a special dispensation.

They had a special agility course set up. Dogs were running the course.
I didn't get to go in because I'm not all that good.
However, the Clark Dog Paw dog parks have courses and I
get to do them when I visit the dog parks.

This model was showing how comfortable the dog beds were.

I eyed the purple bed on the bottom but my
owner wouldn't buy one for me.

Look who I saw at the walk event... My dentist!
Here's Dr. Meyers from Forever Pet Dental. She was really happy to see me.
I made sure I kept my mouth closed so she wouldn't look at my teeth, though.
She gave me a Greenie anyway. Yay!

This is the Forever Pet Dental booth.
I found out they have expanded and are going to
offer general vet services soon!

My owner was very interested in Unsinkable Dogs.
Ever since I got my life jacket she's been talking about swimming.
I am still not all that sure about swimming.

They even let kids into the walk event!

Here I am at the start point waiting for the walk to start.
Notice how well behaved I am. I think
I had too many treats from the vendors.

Yep, I had too many treats. I was about to fall asleep waiting for
the walk to start. I looked spiffy in my turquoise scarf, though.

And we were off... walking along the Columbia River
I saw these fishing boats and thought I might like to go salmon fishing!

Here are some of the walkers. There were lots of dogs and people.

In less than an hour the race was over and I was back in the car.
Here I am watching the rest of the walkers go by. I got finished
pretty quickly. I was fast during the first half and
was tired during the second half.

Here I am on the way home.
Tired Cinnamon!

I hope the Humane Society for Southwest Washington made lots of money. It sure was a great event. I am looking forward to 2016!

Here's my photos from 2014.

More Information
Humane Society for SW Washington

Cinnamon is available to review your products and services and/or visit your Clark County business. Just e-mail her.

She Went to Central Oregon and FORGOT the Dog Treats!

I have my sources.

This has been quite a week. I attended Spring Camp at Running Pond Acres boarding ranch in Washougal Washington. Why? My owner went to a conference and writing trip in Central Oregon. Now, I didn't mind so much because I got to run free in the play yards and meet new friends, BUT...

My dog contacts in Bend clued me in that she went to Zydeco Kitchen in Bend, enjoyed their Barbeque Shrimp and Filet Au Poivre and even dessert. She had so much fun with her writing friends that she, apparently, forgot all about me.

Here's the shrimp appetizer at Zydeco. Looks good but I'm waiting for the dog treats!

You see, Zydeco Kitchen offers "Lady's Homemade Dog Biscuits." Since the restaurant is held in such high esteem (my Bend friends tell me), I thought that the treats would be extra good. I was looking forward to seeing my owner AND THE ZYDECO DOG TREATS.

But no, she forgot to get some for me. SHE FORGOT!

I guess I will have to talk to the folks down there and arrange a dog trip to the area. After all Bend is one of the most dog-friendly towns in Oregon! It is a well-known legend among Bend locals that they  have one of the highest per capita dog populations anywhere in the world with 49 percent of Central Oregon residents owning a dog.

They love dogs so much they even have a dog mural!

In fact, Dog Fancy magazine claimed Bend as DogTown USA in 2012 and runner up in 2011. With over 40 restaurants ready to accommodate ME for an alfresco dining date, a plethora of dog friendly businesses and events, more than 51 miles of urban trails in town, and over 13 off-leash areas in city parks and National Forests, Bend, Oregon is literally a paradise for man and woman's best friend. (from the Bend Visitor's Guide).

Yep, I'm goin' to this place!

And then there is Sunriver with trails, the Deschutes River, chipmunks and squirrels galore.  (Don't get me started)

After my nap, I'm going to read the Central Oregon Visitors Website and take notes. And when I go, I'll be stopping in to Zydeco Kitchen for sure!

Love, Neglected Cinnamon