Wordless Wednesday: Dog Friendly in Lincoln City, Oregon

When we went to the beach we stayed at the
very dog friendly Anchor Inn
There's lot's to look at there... even a fake sheep dog!!

What do you do with a dog who suffers from Obsessive Squirrel Disorder

This is what she thinks she sees

It isn't easy living with a dog who suffers from OSD. Yes folks, that's Obsessive Squirrel Disorder.

Now I understand all about coonhounds and their prey instinct. After all, I have that too. But I know when enough... is enough.

Francesca does not!

First, let me tell you what it's like at home. We go out into the backyard and I, of course, take care of going potty. Francesca, on the other hand, may be crossing her legs and needing to go but the first thing she does is scan the trees. And, if a leaf moves, WATCH OUT! She ASSUMES it is a squirrel and goes nuts!

I, Cinnamon, only get wound up when I actually SEE a squirrel. I use the backyard for sunning, playing ball, digging for things and listening for people who might prove a threat to our peaceful home.

Here's Francesca looking
outside for a squirrel

Francesca is totally and obsessively looking for squirrels 24/7. And if she should see one, it only exacerbates her OSD. Jeesh!

And, at the dog park, the one that has squirrel trees, she has all but given up playing with other dogs. She won't trot around the trail like everyone else does. She heads for the stand of trees in the park and stays there the whole time.

This is what she does. She goes from one tree to the next. If she doesn't find a squirrel she repeats the process all over again. Sometimes she tries climbing on a sapling to see if she might just reach an elusive squirrel. And, if she doesn't find a squirrel she starts looking through the fence at the woods in the distance looking for squirrels. And if she sees one I have no doubt that she could scale the fence and go running after it (although, she'd never be able to catch the squirrel).

Here's the squirrel section of the dog park.
This is where Francesca hangs out.

So now you see what I put up with. Do they have a support group for families of dogs suffering from OSD? I would attend!

Anyone have any advice for me?

Love, frustrated Cinnamon

Wordless Wednesday: Weird Dog Sleeping Position

Believe it or not, Francesca is sound asleep

Happy National Dog Day

What a day it is! I am celebrating by relaxing WITHOUT FRANCESCA! She is celebrating by whooping it up with the dogs at day care. Make sure you do something special today to celebrate.

National Dog Day is celebrated August 26th annually and was founded in 2004 by Pet & Family Lifestyle Expert and Animal Advocate, Colleen Paige (also the founder of National Puppy Day, National Mutt Day and National Cat Day ...to name a few).

National Dog Day serves to help galvanize the public to recognize the number of dogs that need to be rescued each year, and acknowledges family dogs and dogs that work selflessly each day to save lives, keep us safe and bring comfort. Dogs put their lives on the line every day - for their law enforcement partner, for their blind companion, for a child who is disabled, for our freedom and safety by detecting bombs and drugs and pulling victims of tragedy from wreckage.

Let's celebrate!

Klippy Dog Tag Quick Clip Means More Fun Collars

Francesca's tags

I’m getting in to decorative collars for seasons, holidays and just for fun. However, I need to keep my dog tags on me to be “street legal” here. I need to have my license tag on when I’m at the dog park. So what to do?

Well, you know me, I research almost everything on the Internet. So I started nosing around and BINGO! I found Klippy Clips on Amazon.com.  They were just what I needed. A lightweight, easy to use clip was being sold at a reasonable price. So I ordered two. Francesca is quite the fashion plate with her new turquoise collar so I figured she’d want one.

My tags

They arrived in the mail and we put our tags on the clip. It was great! Now I can easily have a fun collar for the day and not worry about my tags. In seconds, the tags can be switched to the collar I pick out for the day. And my owner has no trouble at all using the clip.

Here’s the specs:

•       Use Klippy To Quickly Move Pet Tags Between Collars

•       (7/8" H x 9/16" W)

•       Choose From 5 Colors! Comes With A Split Ring Attachment (I got silver)

•       Works On Virtually Every Collar Size (max 11/64-inch, the diameter of a D-ring on most large collars)

The Klippy is compact and the versatile design works perfectly for cats and dogs of all sizes. Just click on the photo to the left and it will take you to Amazon.com.

I’m really pleased!

Love, Cinnamon

City of Vancouver Washington: Please care about the animals - BAN FIREWORKS NOW

It's been awhile since the National Headquarters of Dogs Against Fireworks (DAF) was open. Young Francesca came into our lives soon after the 4th of July mayhem ended here in Vancouver, my hometown. So I've been busy.

But I just have to say something on behalf of myself, Francesca, the 23,700 dogs licensed in Clark County and the 77,595 unlicensed dogs. We dogs can't vote. But we are the ones who suffer in a city where personal fireworks are allowed to wreak havoc in our neighborhoods and explode over our homes. I'm scared of noise and I'm scared of fire. We look to the Mayor and City Council to protect us, our owners and our homes.

Before the 4th of July, veterinarian's offices are filled with owners purchasing sedatives and tranquilizers for their dogs. Some dogs, especially older ones, shouldn't even be taking this medication. And sometimes it doesn't even work.

For over a week we dogs suffered due to the noise, light and smoke from fireworks set off by our  unthinking neighbors. Some of the scariest noises were many blocks away. It was so loud I curled up in my owner's shower in the tightest, safest ball that I could make for myself. A couple of weeks later, when it finally all ended, I breathed a sigh of relief and swore I'd find a place far, far away next year. I don't have the freedom to enjoy this national holiday in my own home. I can't invite dog friends over for a picnic or have special patriotic treats. We just cower in the corners, shake with fear and endure. 

Here I am hiding in the shower praying that it will stop!
I was in there so long, my owner put a blanket on the floor.

So I am upset to hear that our Mayor and City Council have not yet taken the leadership to protect the animals and vote for a complete ban on personal fireworks in Vancouver, Washington. 

I am upset when I hear them talk about sending the issue out to the public to vote. That would mean a delay of one year in implementing a ban.... TWO YEARS OF SUFFERING FOR THE ANIMALS!

Dear elected officials of Vancouver. Please consider us.

Be our voice, protect us and vote for AN IMMEDIATE PERSONAL FIREWORKS BAN for Vancouver.

Sincerely,

Cinnamon

Executive Director, Dogs Against Fireworks

Francesca's Trip to the Beach

I'm so excited! Cinnamon assigned the beach story to ME! So I can tell you about my trip to see the ocean for the very first time. It was quite a journey.

So here's my story:

Road Trip!
It was morning and things were different. We weren't getting ready to go to the dog park. We were packing and loading some things into the car. Toys, food, towels and some of my owner's things all went into the car. I just paced around wondering what was happening.

I grew up in Yamhill County and just hung out. I didn't get to go on trips, to the park or anywhere. So I was surprised when our owner said, "We're going to the beach and you're going too, Francesca!"

Road Trip! I'm the one in the "box!"

I had heard about the beach from Cinnamon. She said it was full of good smells and soft sand. And, she said, the water was different from inland water. It MOVED! So I was curious about the ocean and the beach. And happy to jump into the car and head out on the highway.

We stopped for gas after we got through Portland. Was this the beach? No, it wasn't. And we didn't get to stretch our legs or anything.

About another half hour down the road (the beach must be really far!) we pulled into a place called the Tillamook Forest Center. Yep, there was a forest all right. But the best part was that we got to get out and go for a little hike. Soon we turned down a trail, went down some stairs and found a rocky beach and water. THIS MUST BE THE OCEAN! But it didn't have much sand and the water didn't really move. Maybe not. Later, I found out this was the Wilson River. We sipped the cool water and then got back into the car.

We got a sip of water out of the Wilson River

Down the road we went... for a long, long time! We wound through the forest, passed dairy farms (I could smell them) and finally we pulled in to a little town called Neskowin. Was this the beach? We parked and got out. I smelled something different and heard a loud roar in the distance.

THIS WAS THE BEACH!

My First Look at the Pacific Ocean
We walked through some sand and I peered over some rocks and there it was! It was blue and it moved... with lots of noise. I was excited. I could smell things like crab shells, old beach fires and drying kelp. OH BOY!

Here I am seeing the Pacific Ocean for the very first time

We walked right down onto the beach and out to the water. I dipped my paw in. It wasn't too cold. I waded up to the top of my paws but Cinnamon said, "Don't go any farther!" She was scared. She thought the waves might pull me out in the BIG OCEAN.

We walked along the water until we came to a magical place. It was a big rock with mist swirling around it. Cinnamon told me it was Proposal Rock.  I thought it might be something exciting. But the water was coming in and we had to turn back.

Here's Proposal Rock. It looked very mysterious in the mist.

On the way back I tried to take some bleached crab shells I found but my owner made me drop them. Drat! One even had a pincher on it!

Soon we were back in the car (all too soon) and headed for the Anchor Inn. That was to be where we were going to spend the night and see our friends. FRIENDS! I was getting excited. I just knew they would want to pet me!

So this is as far as I want to write today. I have so much to tell you. So much excitement. So watch for more tomorrow about my overnight at the scary pirate motel and an even bigger beach with big swimming animals!

by Francesca, the Intern

Photography by Cinnamon