Looking Glass Inn: Oregon Coast find

Beautiful Siletz Bay

When looking for a place to stay on the Oregon Coast, I ran across The Looking Glass Inn, a family-owned Inn on the Siletz Bay in Lincoln City.

What attracted me was the location and the amenities. What made my stay memorable was the warmth of the people and the discovery of a beautiful, driftwood-strewn beach where it wasn't unusual to find myself in relative seclusion as I took my dog on her morning stroll.

The Looking Glass Inn is one of three Westover hotels in Lincoln City.  The Inn is located at the south end of the Central Coast town of Lincoln City, in the Taft Historic District. Rooms range from whirlpool suites to one-bedroom suites. Each bedroom has a very comfortable pillow top bed, flat screen TV, microwave, coffee maker, refrigerator, hair dryer, DVD player & free Wi-Fi.  Some have stocked kitchens. The inn is set up so that you can easily bring friends or family members.

The rooms are "beachy" in decor and very clean. The inn is at the end of the street that leads to the beautiful walking beach along the Siletz Bay and to the ocean. Tidal activity and wildlife (I saw harbor seals and pelicans) make for fun and interesting walks on the beach.  October to May, take advantage of the "Finders Keepers" glass float program and look for locally blown, colorful glass floats as you walk. If you don't like the difficulty of walking in sand, there is a nice grass path running the length of the base of the cliff all the way to the Inn at Spanish Head.

Looking Glass Inn

Some rooms have nice views of the Bay and some have fireplaces. Off season would be a delight at The Looking Glass Inn.

The staff, from the front deck personnel to the housekeepers, are friendly and genuinely interested in making your stay a pleasant one. This is a rarity nowadays.

Dining
Another draw for the inn is that they are located across the street from Mo's, the famous seafood restaurant that serves up an amazing chowder. There are a couple of other places to eat in little Taft as well. The Inn has a daily free breakfast which includes wrapped pastries, fruit, yoghurt, juices, cereal and, of course, coffee.

Cinnamon begging for treats

Dog Welcoming
The Looking Glass Inn welcomes your dog with open arms. They truly love dogs and provide a doggie welcome basket upon check-in. They even have dog beds that you can use. It is rare to find a hotel that really LOVES dogs. Most just tolerate them. The fee for your dog when I was there was $10 per night. It is well worth it. There is a doggie area out back and, of course, the whole beach to for Fido to play on! My dog got so excited, she covered the stay in her blog!

Not to worry, if you don't have a dog, you won't be subjected to the sounds of barking dogs in rooms or clean up issues. This place is clean and your dog must follow certain rules.

Recommendation

I highly recommend the Looking Glass Inn for the comfort of the rooms and the friendliness of the staff. And, the location can't be beat if you want to get away from it all on the Oregon Coast while remaining in driving distance of local attractions.

More Information
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Looking Glass Inn Website
Lincoln City

Photography copyright: Elizabeth Rose Photography

Note: As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with a complimentary accommodations  for the purpose of review. While it has not influenced this review, the writer believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest.

Hope, B.C.: Pet-friendly, reasonable and scenic

Hope is known for its wood carvings

Hope, British Columbia is considered a gateway to some of B.C.'s most scenic destinations. The town is located only 45 minutes over the border north of the United States.  Hope is a great place for a vacation in itself, especially if you have a dog traveling with you.

Hope is surrounded by beautiful mountains and some of the accommodations overlook the confluence of the Fraser and Coquihalla rivers.

As you wander with your dog through the parks and along the sidewalks of Hope, you'll see the iconic chainsaw carvings that Hope is known for.  The carvings all began when some of the large trees began to die due to disease in the early '90's. Pete Ryan, the woodcarver, was instrumental in this effort. You'll see bears, a tribute to a police dog and so much more amongst the beautiful carvings.

There are motels that accept dogs. One excellent place to stay is the Swiss Chalets Motel, with little cabins dotted throughout the grounds. The pet charge is $10 per night. The owner is attentive and helpful. We were directed to a two-bedroom cottage with private picnic area and lawn. Cinnamon, the blogging hound, was ecstatic!

Of course the rooms and furniture were dated but there was evidence of renovations being done. Our cabin with two enclosed bedrooms, living room and kitchenette was under $100 per night. The accommodations were clean and, even though some of the units are close to the road, we weren't bothered as we slept.

As you leave Hope, be sure and drive the scenic Frasier Canyon with its seven mountain tunnels. Yes, Hope is a crossroads for B.C. travelers, but spending a few days there would make for a great mini-vacation.

More Information
Hope, British Columbia Travel Information

Photography copyright: Elizabeth Rose Photography

Hound Dog Traveler: At home in the Land of Fleas and Ticks

By Guest Writer Cinnamon (Canela) Rose

I've been so busy exploring my new home and, especially, the new dog park, that I have been remiss in my blogging. So here is what happened the day we left the La Quinta at the Portland Airport and ended up in our new home in Vancouver, Washington. 

Here I am in the backyard of my new home. See the woods?

It was a tough night in that small cubicle of a room at our last La Quinta, so my owner decided to treat me to a run in a dog park across the bridge in Washington State. She'd been reading all about the Vancouver dog parks and how a group, DogPaw, had worked with the City of Vancouver to create five dog parks in preparation for my arrival. We selected the Dakota Dog Park. It was named after a Police K9 hero.

So we headed out over the huge Columbia River to the other side and went east for a bit. We soon saw a huge dog park with two paved parking lots and two fenced entrances. I could hardly contain myself, I was so excited. It was early and there was still mist in the air. There was only one other dog there so I had the place almost to myself. We headed out on the gravel pathway toward a little wooded glen. There were great smells there and a hollow log to explore. After that, we walked along the perimeter trail doing two loops. I took my time sniffing and running. Soon we ran into two white dogs. They were very friendly and warned me NOT to come to the dog park on weekends because it was uber crowded. 

I decided this would be MY dog park and hoped my new home would be close-by. As we left the park, my owner got a phone call. The house was ready for a walk-through. So we headed over there. It wasn't too far. 

We pulled up in front of this ginormous house! I had to stay in the car while my owner toured the house. It seemed like forever. Finally she came out and said good-bye to the man. She had the keys in her hand and invited me to come on in. Once she closed the door, she let me off the leash and I took off exploring the main floor. It was carpeted! I didn't slide on anything! Then I found some stairs. Wow! My old house didn't have stairs.

Since I had stair climbing practice at the Canine Social Club, I easily ran up the stairs. Once I got up there, I bounded from room to room, getting more and more excited. I wanted to pick "MY" room. I wondered which one it would be. There were rooms with a view of the woods and rooms with a view of the neighborhood. I just enjoyed running on the soft carpet. 

So we unpacked the car and she put my bed in one of the upstairs rooms. Was this MY room? One with a view of the neighborhood? I hoped so. The window was low so I could look out and watch the neighbors, their dogs and their cats. I could even sound the alarm if a stray coyote showed up! Once she put everything away, I got to explore the back yard. There wasn't much there... a patio, bark dust and a new fence. But beyond the fence, in the woods, things looked really interesting. I smelled a kitty out there and there were tons of birds. Two crows flew overhead.

By then I was pretty tired. I guess we were going to stay because my bed was there. So I climbed the stairs and went into the room with my doggie bed and took a very long nap.

 I have so much more to tell about this new place the locals call "The Couve." So look for some updates soon.  By the way, I haven't run into a single flea or tick... YET!

Later.... Cinnamon

Photography copyright: Elizabeth Rose Photography

Hound Dog Traveler: Along the Oregon Trail

I'm getting very organized. Here I am ready to leave the motel.

By Guest Writer Cinnamon (Canela) Rose

I've been told I'm slacking off in my travel writing. So I will try to get everyone caught up on my trip from Santa Fe to Vancouver, WA.

After a pretty mellow day cruising around northern California, going to dog parks and buying olive oil, it was decided that we could make it from Redding, California to Portland, Oregon where yet another La Quinta Inn awaited us.

I knew this part of the trip would be good scenery - wise. The day before I had a glimpse of the mountains and was really excited about actually getting to those mountains. Gone was the dry and dusty land and now I found grass wherever we stopped.

As we approached the first mountain, I encountered fog for the very first time. It was like riding through a cloud. On this part of the trip I stayed alert and sat up. It was foggy and then it rained and I was not at all sure she could make it through the slick winding roads without my help. And the trucks were still there and they added to the problem, kicking up water wherever they went. While it was raining we didn't stop and, since my new raincoat was packed, I didn't want to stop either.

But I have to admit that Lake Shasta and the rivers were pretty. I'd love to dip my paws in them on a hot sunny day.

Soon, we broke out of the rain and it was sunny! We stopped at the rest stop in Weed, California and I got to sniff around. I noticed there were daffodils growing. It was spring in northern California. It must be close to Easter. Last Easter I wore bunny ears for my Easter picture. (But I digress).

So the weather was a lot better as we headed into Oregon. I was so excited. I was told this was "the promised land... the Eden at the end of the trail." Or so the pioneers said.

There was green grass everywhere.

As we drove, we went over more mountains. That is when I was ready to throttle my owner. She wouldn't stop singing... "The dog went over the mountain, the dog went over the mountain, the dog went over the mountain... to see what she could see." And at the end of this tedious song, the dog only saw the other side of the mountain. Grrrr.

We made a few more stops and at each rest stop we were near a river. Rivers have water in Oregon, unlike many rivers in New Mexico. I walked around at the rest stops trying to avoid the damp grass. It was always damp.

Here I am sniffing around in the wet grass.

We stopped for gas at a Fred Meyer store. That was really cool. In Oregon people can't pump their own gas so they have an attendant. And THIS attendant gave me a dog biscuit! Lucky day!

We pushed on into the green valley and we saw daffodils everywhere... growing wild! But she didn't let me out to sniff them. We kept driving. Soon we were entering Portland and turned off at the Airport Exit. Oh no! Was I now going to be subjected to a plane flight after all this driving?

But no, our La Quinta Inn was right there. We were both tired. It was more like a hotel than a motel. And, since our first floor room was actually a floor above the lobby, the desk clerk helped us by carrying in my bed and bag and I got my first elevator ride. An elevator is a little room. You go in, the door closes and it feels really weird, kind of like you are off balance. And then when the door opens again, you are on another floor. I was very brave for my first elevator ride. A lady in the elevator said so.

I trotted down to room 116 and we went in. Boy was it tiny. I had to have my dog bed over by the air conditioner. I was feeling claustrophobic so we went for a walk. It was a horrible neighborhood. It was a place where there were offices and lots of trucks... all parked. We went a couple of blocks and found a vacant lot. I sniffed around and ate a few blades of grass but I really didn't like it. That evening I asked to go out about four times and only once "did my thing." I was missing having my own yard. I slept well, but heard airplanes overhead all night. When I'm outside I like to look up at the airplanes and helicopters and wonder how many are carrying dogs and cats.

The next day was to be my first day checking out my new town.... one full of trees, few trucks and close to a huge river. But best of all, I was told, there would be no more long distance driving. Yay!

Hound Dog Traveler: Good Times in California

By Guest Writer Cinnamon (Canela) Rose

I have to admit that I've been a little depressed since being kidnapped from my normal life in Santa Fe, New Mexico and forced to live a life on the road.

But today was a good day. We stayed at a La Quinta in Stockton, California and slept in a little this morning. We then found that there was a dog park, Barkleyville Dog Park, a few minutes from the motel. As we drove up to Barkleyville, I let out a yip (yes, hounds can yip). I couldn't believe my eyes. The fenced park had landscaping, sculptures and some huge trees. It was divided into a tiny dog section, a normal dog section and... get this, an agility course.

No one else was around so we went into the normal dog section. I sniffed it out and then decided I wanted to play. There were some tennis balls left at the park so she threw them for me. I chased balls from one end of the park to the other. I even jumped and caught a few mid-air. It was a cool morning and I was having a great time... running, playing and being out of the car!

My only complaint about the park was that they didn't have still water. They had a doggie water fountain and running water reminds me of baths and being squirted by the hose so I stayed away. What a great outing.

Soon we packed up and headed north. The farmland in northern California is much greener and healthier looking than what we passed through yesterday. The produce growing there needed a good washing, in my opinion.

I laid down and dozed off a bit but we stopped at a couple of rest stops so I could sniff around. (That's what I do at rest stops.) After that I was a bit more alert and watched the trucks. The best truck was a flatbed hauling bee hives, stacked four high. Now that is not so interesting in itself, but this truck had the bees too! On each side of the truck it had yellow signs with black lettering.... BEES. The hives were covered with black netting. And inside you could see the bees crawling around. I'll bet they were really mad about THEIR trip. I rolled up my window just in case there might be a few loose angry bees.

I was having such a great day that I didn't even complain when we got off the freeway at Corning, the Olive City. We saw a sign guiding us to the many olive shops in the area. She selected Lucero's and we drove in to see a large tasting room and olive press and processing room. I had to stay in the car, but she came back with some gifts for friends and a large bottle of olive oil for our kitchen. And, as is usual, there was nothing for me!

Soon we were seeing mountains and had reached Redding, California where we pulled into our 4th La Quinta Inn. We got a first floor room again and unpacked a bit. Since there was a dog park in town, we got back in the car and headed over there. It was a fun dog park with lots of dogs playing together but I was tired and just walked around the perimeter sniffing things. I liked the Stockton dog park best. In fact, I wouldn't mind living near there. (I wondered if having such a state of the art dog park was the reason the city was going bankrupt).

It was a shorter trip today and I had a fun time. I liked looking at the green crops, orchards in blossom and the real rivers (most rivers are dry in New Mexico).  Maybe I can become a good traveler. I'm trying, anyway.

I'm going to take a break now and rest on my bed. I am looking forward to seeing the mountains tomorrow. I'm starting to get excited about my new home.

Hound Dog Traveler: Tehachapi to Stockton, California

Here I am in the In and Out Burger Drive Through

By Guest Writer: Cinnamon (Canela) Rose
This is now day number three on the road. It is becoming tougher and tougher to remain interested in this moving process.

Last night we stayed in a very mediocre La Quinta Inn behind a gas station and across from an interesting field. I slept well as the motel was quiet but I suspect that was because they didn't have too many paying customers.

In the morning, we went for another walk in the field across the road. And then, much to my surprise, we went looking for the community dog park. Boy, was I excited! We turned into the park and saw some ball fields but were not sure where the fenced dog park was. We gave up looking and decided to follow a trail. It was a great trail for two reasons. One, I saw a Jackrabbit hopping across the trail and into the brush. And second, the trail actually led to the dog park. We went through the gate and I was off my leash. I loved that but where were the dogs? I spent my time in the dog park alone... eating grass and sniffing around. Why don't the dogs in Tehachapi, California come to the dog park? I am missing my friends from the dog park in Santa Fe. Snif..... snif.

And then it was back on the road. As we went through the mountain pass I saw some of the beauty of California... green rolling hills. But all too soon we were down into the valley... the Central Valley of California, where all that food is grown. It was kind of overcast, or was it smoggy. The roads were in poor condition so I laid down and snoozed. Yes, some of the orchards were in bloom but I was feeling down. The ride was not too different from yesterday and it was just too much for this hound dog to remain positive about.

About mid-day, I had had enough of the trucks (no mas camiones... no mas!), and the bumpy roads. But we decided to stop and try an In and Out Burger. I got a few tastes and that bouyed my spirits a bit. By afternoon, it was back to the same.. trucks, traffic and poor roads. I don't want to live in California!

There was a place where you could stop and go wine tasting and nut tasting. Pistachios were their specialty. But we didn't stop. Grrrr. We did stop at a couple of Rest Stops but I wasn't sure what I should do there. We walked around, but that's about it.

Here I am in the motel on my own bed with my fav toy.

I was getting pretty depressed when we pulled into the next La Quinta. We were in Stockton, California (the town that is going bankrupt) and the area where the motel was turned out to be rather nice. There was a rose garden, grass and pine cones. We got a room on the first floor with no hallway. Best of all, she brought in one of my "long lost" toys for me to play with. That helped my spirits. After writing this, I'm going to lay on my bed and play with my squeaky toy. Life is only OK. I will be glad when this is over. If I could, I'd go back home to Santa Fe. Enough of this "adventure!"

Later,
Cinnamon

Hound Dog Traveler: Flagstaff to Tehachapi leads to a strike!

I was at a rest stop admiring the Ocotillo. I decided I didn't want to live here.

By Guest Writer: Cinnamon (Canela) Rose

Yesterday I was "the watcher" and I worked hard. I thought, since I loved the pine woods, that Flagstaff was to be our new home. I found the Flagstaff La Quinta really plush. They had windows where I could look out and see the parking lot and the arriving dogs. Then in the morning they provided a continental breakfast in a spacious lobby. At dawn we went hiking in the pine woods near the motel. I think I would like to stay in Flagstaff.

But oh no! She checked out and we were off down the highway again. I started out in my "Watcher" role and saw some cows and a huge crow. As we left the beautiful pines, I was sad. I put my head down and dozed. Soon we were pulling off to Williams, AZ. I perked up a bit. I saw a sign, Bearizona. I thought I might like to go visit the bears. There was also a deer farm in the area. But we didn't get to go there either. I won't even mention the Grand Canyon. I was getting depressed at that point.

Here I am nosing around the engine at the Grand Canyon Railway.

But then she pulled off onto old Route 66 through Williams. I had fun looking at the old buildings and sniffing around the old locomotive at the Grand Canyon Railway. After gassing up with over-priced gas, we were off again.

Soon, the beautiful mountain forests gave way to flat desert and then to sandy desert. The only saving grace there was that it had rained recently and the ocotillo were leafed out and the wildflowers lined the road. I liked those butter colored little flowers.

We drove and drove. Finally we were in California and stopped for lunch. It was hot out. I needed the a/c on and drank more water. At a Dairy Queen I sat up with my front paws at the ordering window. I thought, perhaps, I would like an ice cream cone. But a treat like that wasn't in the cards.

We headed out toward Barstow and I went on strike. I quit being the "Watcher," and just curled up on my seat. Being a "Watcher" was really boring since there was nothing but dry desert and trucks to watch. I was bored and I went on strike. I just dozed. As I dozed, I dreampt that this was my life... on the road all day, every day and no home to return to. We were homeless!

Once through Barstow we stopped for gas and I went walking in the sand. Boring!

I perked up when I saw those wind turbines on the hillsides near Tehachapi. Now that was interesting. Soon, we headed off the freeway to our home for the night... the La Quinta at Tehachapi. Now more experienced, she asked for a first floor room. Our room was smaller and more worn than the home last night in Flagstaff. I don't think I want to live in Tehachapi.

We unpacked and I had my dog food (I won't dignify it by calling it dinner) and then we went walking in the field across the road. I liked hearing the birds in the reclaimed water reservoir there. Then it was back to the room and to bed. I was tired again. When will this lifestyle end?

Hound Dog Traveler: Santa Fe to Flagstaff

Here I am riding shotgun and being the best "Watcher" I can be.

By Guest Writer: Cinnamon (Canela) Rose

Day #1 Yesterday... Santa Fe to Flagstaff. All in one day! Can you believe it? I was so exhausted. It was such hard work.

Yes, I got to ride shotgun. But that also meant that there was no real comfort involved. I missed my spacious car but she packed everything into that space and all that was left was the front seat. So I had to work! I decided, since it was very windy on the trip, that I would force myself to stay awake and help her drive. I watched all the trucks. I decided that if one swerved into our lane, I would bay my houndiest bay. And, even though I often looked like I was drifting off to sleep, I made myself stay awake to help her drive safely.

She gave me the official job of "Watcher." You know, I watch when it says "Watch for Falling Rocks." I watch when it says "Watch for Deer." And, I watch.

So how was the trip? Well, once we were out of Albuquerque, the ugliest desert city I have experienced, I thought I would enjoy the open spaces. But soon I was bored. It was pretty dry and deserty out there. There weren't any animals to "watch."

It was fun stopping for gas at the Route 66 Casino. Not that I got to gamble, but I got to get out of the car and use their "pet comfort area." It was a small fenced enclosure where we dogs could, well.. you know. I did my business (off leash) and came to the gate immediately. This was kind of like using a porta-potty. Then we got gas and I waited a bit for her to do her thing, inside. I decided to curl up on the seat and sleep but she was back all too soon! It was back to work for me. "Watch" on!

I thought we might go sight-seeing. As we drove past Grants, I saw a billboard advertising "See the Wolves." I thought I might like to visit them. But we didn't stop. :(

Here I am at the Continental Divide in New Mexico

We kept driving I-40 and it got windier and windier. I couldn't sleep because I had to watch the trucks, car carriers and boats that were cruising down I-40. I was really glad when we got to the Continental Divide and I could take a break, smell around a bit and have my picture taken. Then it was off to Gallup.

The Turquoise Room truck graphics made me really hungry. I wanted to stay at La Posada.

I was relieved when we got off I-40 and drove down Route 66. We passed El Rancho, Richardson's and many more interesting places.  Then we pulled into a place that sold Native American jewelry wholesale. I had to stay in the car while she shopped for Santa Fe Rose. So I curled up into a nice "coonie ball" and had a snooze. When she came back (finally) I hoped that she had bought a new turquoise necklace for me ... but I was wrong. Nothing, Nada!

We stopped at Winslow where she does volunteer work with the Adopt a Native Elder Program. I got to get out and walk around at La Posada, the former Fred Harvey hotel. I love that place. They allow pets and have lots of grass and a view of the trains that pass by. When I saw the Turquoise Room truck with some great food emblazoned on its side, I really wanted to stay. But we had to leave.

We were then off to Flagstaff and the winds subsided. I was excited when I started seeing pine trees. Soon we headed off the freeway into Flagstaff to the La Quinta Inn. This was my first night in a hotel. We were assigned a really nice room on the second floor. I helped her make four trips from the car up to the room. I helped by showing her the way up the stairs. I learned it the first time around. Then we walked in the pine needles before dinner in the room. I hit the sack early and snoozed until dawn. I was so glad she brought my bed... so glad!

Later, Cinnamon

Hound Dog Traveler - Are we there yet?

Well, as promised, she picked me up and I got to ride in the front seat! Little did I realize what I was in for. I would never have signed up for this adventure had I known how long it would be! In fact, I am on my bed at the La Quinta Inn in Flagstaff, AZ nodding off. I'm bushed. I've got pictures to share and a long story to tell. But for now... Buenas Noches.

Later, Cinnamon

Hound Dog Traveler: Welcome from La Quinta

By Guest Writer Cinnamon (Canela) Rose

Well, I'm almost exhausted and it's only been one day at The Canine Social Club. It may be that I am getting too old to play with these young pups or it may be that I now know, for sure, that we are moving.

You see, I got an e-mail on my cell phone this morning. (Yes, I have a cell phone for emergencies - like when my owner isn't home at 4pm sharp to feed me). There was a bright yellow and orange e-mail from La Quinta Inns welcoming ME to their Flagstaff, AZ inn. It was a great e-mail giving me directions and everything. Flagstaff, eh?

Maybe we'll go play in the snow there or go shopping at Babbit's Backcountry for some hiking gear.

We're testing out La Quinta Inns because I hear they accept dogs like me and don't even charge my owner. I also heard they accept cats. Grrrr.

I do know that she's picking me up bright and early tomorrow morning. It should be a nice trip to Flagstaff. Boy, I hope I get to sit in the front seat!

Later,
Cinnamon

Hound Dog Traveler: A turn of events

By Guest Writer: Cinnamon (Canela) Rose

I thought we were leaving but maybe I am wrong. I am now headed for the Canine Social Club which is the place I go when she is out of town.

Maybe this is just another press trip of hers. Maybe she'll pick me up and we'll go back home and resume our normal lives. 

She packed my food, instructions and a check and dropped me off at this huge place I call, secretly, "The Doggie Play House." I exhaust myself playing with the other social dogs, stay up all night and try to eat the other dogs' food. It's a really fun place. But I am always happy to go home to my own bed and sleep off the "partying" for about two days.  And, she pays the people for this! Heck, they should pay ME for playing with all those dogs who are boarded there!

Entrance to the Canine Social Club in Santa Fe, NM

So now my mind is off moving. Lord knows what she's doing, but I'm having the time of my life being a hound!

Hound Dog Traveler: Leaving for the land of fleas and ticks

Guest Writer: Cinnamon

By Guest Writer: Cinnamon (Canela) Rose

She doesn't think I know. We're leaving. I grew up in New Mexico and am used to running through the dusty desert, having fun on The Plaza in Santa Fe and, in the summer, wading in Tesuque Creek to cool off.  I'm a bi-lingual perro. So why would we leave? Porque? And where are we headed? Donde? I know we're leaving. She's packing my toys and food.

I'm sticking close to her these days just in case. She adopted me from the Santa Fe Animal Shelter just over a year ago. I want to make sure I'm on board when she leaves and not left behind.

She has a special plastic bin for my treats and medications. She doesn't think I noticed it when she dripped that stinky flea and tick medication on the skin on my back. We must be headed for a land full of insects. I don't like the idea of getting bitten by insects. We are flea and tick free here in the mountains of New Mexico.

And today, I suffered through yet another bath. Doesn't this new place have tubs? Is this my last bath before I head for the land of fleas and ticks?

I'm feeling a bit sad these days. I'll miss my friends from the dog park and my bestest dog and people friends from the neighborhood. I won't miss that yappy little dog across the street and I won't miss those stinky cats that roam the neighborhood at night like they own it.

It's been a good life here. How could it be any better?

I'll be writing more when I know more.

Later, Cinnamon

Have Dog Will Travel - Pet-friendly Travel

I recently adopted an amazing hound mix from our local animal shelter. Like many shelter dogs, she had been on her own for quite awhile before being picked up. Once in the shelter, she was spayed and then, after a brief recovery, was ready for adoption. I didn't know if she would like travel or not... but I am learning.

Finding Cinnamon

I had been going to the shelter for two weeks looking for a canine companion. While there, I signed up for volunteer training to walk the shelter dogs. I visited the adoption area several times a week and actually got to know some of the dogs. I spent some time with Cookie, the Bloodhound who had been abused and Zola, the wary escape artist. She was also a hound.

But when I got down to the last cage one day, I saw big brown eyes and huge feet that clawed under the door wanting out, out, out. I researched this hound-mix named Cinnamon and was told they didn't know much about her. She appeared, they said, to be 4 years old.  I asked to take Cinnamon out to the exercise pen. She was friendly and just leaned against me for warmth in the snowy pen and loved being petted. She seemed to be a quiet dog. I visited her two more times and on the last visit, I asked to adopt her. Of course I had already made her a bed of old quilts, purchased a dog kennel and a leash. I bought the same food that she was served at the shelter so that her tummy wouldn't get upset during the transition.

I was ready and I knew Cinnamon wanted to be sprung!

Home with Cinnamon
With a few enticements of chopped hot dog, Cinnamon easily went into the kennel in the back of my car. As I closed the door and began to drive off, she howled. Oh no! She hated it, I thought. But by the time we go to the end of the road leaving the shelter, she had quieted and I didn't hear a word from her the rest of the way home.

The next few weeks were busy with a vet appointment, tons of walks up the Arroyo, learning about each other, and realizing that Cinnamon loved being adopted. I learned that she was not a morning person and liked to sleep in to about 9am and that she loved playing ball and tug-o-war.

At the vet visit, I learned that Cinnamon was closer to 2 years old. The vet looked at me askance and said, "Are you sure you can handle her?" I knew what he meant. She was energetic and, like the teenager she was, she tested me constantly. She spoke to me with those deep brown eyes, and I believe she understands everything I say!

Traveling with Cinnamon
At first I took short car trips with Cinnamon in the kennel in the back of the car. It was for her safety. But as I found out more, I tried allowing her into the front seat. (Yes, I know I need to buy a harness). What I found out was that she loved going for car excursions... anywhere. Cinnamon gets bored easily and, like her travel-writer owner, she enjoys looking at the scenery, the people and the dogs we pass on our journeys. She sits quietly, entranced. She's even happy to drive to the store and remain in the car while I buy dog treats and dog food!

The Decision to Plan a Road Trip
What Cinnamon enjoys about riding in the car, is the changing scenery.  I decided at that point that I could plan a cross-country trip with her to visit my family in Florida. With their permission, I started planning.

I'll be writing a series of blog entries about pet-friendly travel and let you know how she does. My first important article was on what pet owners fear most... losing a pet on a trip. That is also my fear and I am doing all I can to ensure that I do not lose Cinnamon on our first trip. I've enrolled in dog obedience classes at the local community college and have several months to train Cinnamon and myself so that doesn't happen!