Burnt Bridge Creek Trail: Scaring Frogs and Annoying Ducks

Here I am sniffing around the trail head, looking for the rabbit

Today was a good day. The rain stopped and we quickly went for a walk on the Burnt Bridge Creek Trail in Vancouver. It's only a block from my house. I usually have fun eating grass, greeting other dogs and chasing a rabbit that hangs out near the trail entrance. This wily bunny knows I am on a leash so he taunts me. But today was better than a rabbit day and I will tell you why.

At first it wasn't all that exciting. I met two pit bulls, big ones, that were very friendly. And some bike riders passed us, scaring me a bit. But for most of our one hour walk, we were alone on the trail. I like the Burnt Bridge Creek Trail because it is asphalt and I don't get my paws muddy. And it runs along a creek with wetlands. It's an 8 mile trail but I am not up to more than 3 miles at a time. 

Now let me tell you about the best part of our walk. We reached the native plant nursery and took the fork that goes across a little bridge. The water runs through there and when it rains, it creates ponds. And in the ponds are fun things. :)  I got there and started looking at the ducks. They looked at me and decided to slowly move out to the middle of the pond. They weren't all that scared. I guess if I was a Retriever, they would be scared.

Here's the ducks watching me.

But all of a sudden as I walked along the bank, big things started jumping into the water. Lots of them! These were big frogs and I scared them. Once I got over MY surprise, I started looking for them, sniffing along the bank. I was having so much fun scaring frogs that I even waded into the pond, getting my paws in the mud. I thought I might be able to see where they go. I know I wasn't supposed to go wading, but it was just my paws, really! I loved sniffing for frogs. They smell like fish, kind of.

Who me? I wasn't hunting any frogs in this pond!

If I wasn't an all American Coonhound, I might be interested in eating one. But I am not a French Poodle or anything French so I decided that cooking up a bunch of frog legs was not too appetizing. But I loved scaring them!

We wandered around some more on the way back. I got tired, from all the excitement and stopped while my owner snapped pictures of the flowers. She does that kind of thing. But, between you and me, she doesn't let ME stop and eat grass when I want to. Only SHE can stop when she wants to. 

On the way back it started raining again. But we were close to home so I didn't get too wet. 

I'm ready for a nap now. I think I'll dream about chasing frogs some more!

What am I watching for?




Watching for?

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Cinnamon - Banished from the dinner party!

Here I am outside while she sets the table for the dinner party.

I've calmed down a bit now. I got to go to the dog park and blow off some steam this morning.

But last night I was really upset. I had to stay home all day because of the rain and because my owner was grating carrots (I don't like carrots), slicing cucumbers, peeling potatoes and setting the table for a German themed dinner party.

I smelled the schnitzel, checked out the strudel and tried to figure out how to score some butter off the table but I didn't get any of it. I was excited. I knew people were coming to visit. And, next to dogs, I just love people!

So around 5:30 the doorbell rang. It was people. And they were bearing gifts... Marionberry jam and German wine. I was waiting for my gift but got so excited I ran in circles and couldn't calm myself. There were four people to play with me and I was beside myself with joy. I was leaping, bouncing and running through the house.

That's when I found out that my behavior had just earned me a ticket to "Siberia." I was told to calm down. Everyone was more interested in talking, opening wine and eating imported cheese and crackers than playing with ME. Imagine!

So I got tricked into going upstairs to "my room" and, listen to this, she shut the door. SHUT THE DOOR SO I COULDN'T BE AT THE GERMAN DINNER PARTY! I was shocked. I howled. I barked. I fumed. And if I had my smart phone I would have blogged about it then, or called the Humane Society. I was ticked! I was upset. I was BANISHED FROM THE DINNER PARTY.

Now I should know by now that I am a second class citizen. I don't go into restaurants to eat, I wait in the car when she goes shopping and I recently couldn't even get out of the car at the Nature Preserve. Sometimes I feel like part of the family but last night it was clear that I was a second class citizen.

Here's the German dinner I couldn't enjoy.

Downstairs they enjoyed fine wine and a delicious dinner. They laughed (and believe, me... I could hear them) and talked about going to Europe on a trip and about their walking experiences. They had a great time WITHOUT me. So I just sulked and went to sleep.

They left around 9 and my owner came to check on me. I was asleep. But she was feeling really guilty (I loved it) so took me for a little walk, fed me some schnitzel leftovers and petted me. The house smelled like a German restaurant and I had slept through the end of the dinner party.

But I am all calmed down today. I think I'll go take a nap.

Auf Wiedersehen, Cinnamon
Citizen, Second Class

Can Dogs be Obsessive Compulsive?

Here's my food and my bowl, just like it should be.

I think I may have a screw loose. I do things I know are weird but I don't have any control over these things. I worry that I may have some mental issues. Do I?

I fret about this Here's an example. Today my owner went walking with friends at a very early hour. Now, she was certain I didn't want to get up that early. And I agreed.

So she quietly filled my bowl downstairs, cracked the back door and took off. I continued snoozing. About 10 a.m. I woke up and stretched. Boy, was the house quiet. I ran downstairs and she wasn't there. I noticed that the door was open so ran out into the yard for awhile. When I cam back in, my tummy told me it was time for brunch. I looked over at my bowl and there was something in there. It was the usual food. But it just wasn't right so I skipped it.

So what wasn't right and why didn't I eat my food? Well, I am used to my owner opening the cabinet and taking out a bag or container of food. Then she puts my bowl on the counter and pours out some food. It makes a sound in my bowl like a slot machine paying off. Boy do I love that sound, When I hear it, I start salivating.

So the bowl today didn't make that sound. I just wasn't in the mood to eat. I need those steps... the cabinet, the container and the pouring into my bowl, or it just isn't the same.

Sometimes we watch Big Bang Theory. Sheldon is my favorite character. He likes things "just so" too. He has a special place to sit on his couch. He must knock on friends' doors three times. He's labeled a bit obsessive-compulsive. Or maybe he as Aspberger's. I like Sheldon. He would understand.

Now to be fair, I have to say I don't care if the food is in a Lock and Lock container or in the original bag. Either works for me. But it MUST be poured into my bowl and I MUST hear it.

On the Urban Coonhound Facebook page they say that coonhounds are creatures of habit. Is this all it is, or should I be labelled Obsessive-Compulsive and go to some sort of pet therapist? Hmmmm.

If you or your coonhound have any traits like this, please comment here. Otherwise I will be worrying ALL night!

Raincoat Rant: Dog's don't wear raincoats

Can you believe this thing? Isn't it ugly?

Dogs don't wear raincoats, do they? Yesterday after a full day of rain we wanted to go for a walk. Not wanting that wet dog smell in the house my owner got out the dreaded raincoat. Not only is this a people thing (dogs don't wear clothes), it is a bright orange raincoat. I don't know why bright orange... maybe she thought I'd get lost in the woods or something.

And not only is it bright orange, it has my name emblazoned on it in big bold block letters. How embarrassing. I might slink through the neighborhood unnoticed if it didn't have my name on it but, now everyone will know who is out there wearing this ugly thing. Grrrr.

So she put it on me and I didn't like it one bit. I just stood there and waited for it to come off. But no, it was velcroed on. "Oh please don't make me wear this," I thought. On went the leash (usually that makes me happy) but the coat was still there.... stuck on me! I didn't rush for the door as usual. I just stood there wincing.

So she pulled on the leash and I made it outside but, again, just planted my paws so she'd take it off. I hate raincoats!

In a few minutes it stopped raining. There IS a doggie god out there. There IS! She ripped off the raincoat and I happily went for a grand walk through the neighborhood, trotting and prancing.... sans raincoat. I was so happy!

Cinnamon can't take dog food into Canada (or her attack rifle)

OK, so I got a note from my vet that lists ALL the information that is missing from the Rabies Certificate. Thank you Dr. Hinko for doing this SO fast. I miss you!

Then I found out I can't bring my supply of dog food with me in those plastic containers. In fact, I am so mixed up about dog food, that I just won't bring any. YAY! I can eat people food. Tim Horton's here I come!

So here's what the website says about what I can't bring with me:

Q. What is prohibited to bring into Canada?
A. List as follows,
*Radar Detector.
*Live minnows, leeches, or worms (night crawlers) unless not packed in dirt.
*Dog Food.
*Potatoes.
*Fire Wood.
*Military style attack rifles.
*Large Capacity Cartridge Magazines (Exceeding 5 rounds for centre fire rifles)

I've heard I can't bring treats in either. NO TREATS! And, I thought Canadians were nice people. Grrrr.

But wait... on this site, it says I can bring a small amount of food in. A small amount? So, what will I do... starve?

Sign me confused, Cinnamon

Can Cinnamon go to Canada? Rules for bringing your dog into Canada

If I go to Canada I want a bandana from Spreadshirt.com

Can I go to Canada? I am a red white and blue coonhound born in the United States. I might want to go to Canada with my owner who is all excited about fishing. But what documentation will I need?  I am healthy. Won't they believe me? I guess not. The United States is not a rabies-free country. 

Here is what Canada wants:

Dogs may enter Canada if they are accompanied by rabies certification, which means they must have:

• a signed rabies vaccination certificate OR a signed veterinary certificate, declaring that the dog is originating from a country recognized by Canada as being rabies-free.

Rabies Vaccination Certificate

The rabies vaccination certificate must:

• be written in English or French;
• be issued and signed by a licensed veterinarian;
• identify the animal (breed, colour, and weight);
• state that the animal is vaccinated against rabies;
• indicate the date of vaccination;
• indicate the trade name and the serial number of the licensed vaccine; and
• specify the duration of immunity (otherwise, it will be considered valid for one year from the date of vaccination).

Veterinary Certificate

The veterinary certificate must:

• be written in English or French;
• be issued and signed by a licensed veterinarian;
• identify the animal (breed, colour, and weight);
• state that the animal has been in the exporting country since birth or for at least six (6) months immediately preceding shipment to Canada; and
• be accompanied by documentation from a competent government authority, stating that rabies has not occurred in the country of origin for at least six (6) months immediately preceding the animal's shipment to Canada.

A competent government authority refers to a veterinary agency or other government agency that manages a country's animal health and welfare situation, as well as handles the responsibility of veterinary certification for the purposes of international trade. The document can be either:

• a letter issued on the competent government authority's letterhead, dated, stamped, and signed by an official of the competent government authority in the country of origin; or
• a signed letter by the licensed veterinarian who issued the certificate, which must be endorsed by the competent government authority.

Animals That Are Not Certified

If a dog does not meet the import requirements for rabies certification, owners will be required, at their own expense, to:

• have the animal vaccinated against rabies within a specified period of time; and
• provide the vaccination record to a Canadian Food Inspection Agency office.

Here's the page for the Canadian government rules.