each room has a fireplace, phone, internet access, complimentary breakfast and afternoon tea with goodies in the lobby, this is the pet friendliest inn with llamas, cats, dogs, raccoons, ducks and other animals... and the wonderful conducive to healing environment, includes a sauna and pool with 24 hour access... ahhhh...

when you check in with dogs, you are given pet bowls, sweet potato treats, and pet sheets...

to make the treats: they slice jumbo sweet potatoes, cook them briefly to soften, then dehydrate them for 16-22 hours... the benefits of sweet potatoes , Okinawans who have the world's highest proportion of people over 100 consume a diet very high in sweet potatoes...

there is a Stanford cookbook available in the gift shop for purchase with enticing and delectable vegan recipes.

The food is incredible.  Finally, had a huckleberry muffin... the eggs are organic, everything is fresh, I don't even like veggies that much, but the food is soooo very tasty... the Raven's Florentine with poached eggs and hollandaise sauce was amazing.  I don't even like hashed brown potatoes or scones, but they have the BEST scones on the planet, plus the hash browns are not greasy and they are also made with sweet potatoes and regular potatoes. Plus,  at 4 pm, there was a knock at the door, and I was given two warm fresh from the oven chocolate cookies, with another dog treat and a handwritten note from Joan and Jeff... now, that is class and superb customer service !

cici enjoyed meeting other dogs, cats and other animals... and it was really easy to walk her around the property and fun to meet so many other dog friendly visitors such as the family with two rescued greyhound dogs and these two furry black and white terriers named Willie and Ziggy (zig zag)....

our room was in the Forest area not far from the duck pond and lobby.

the very real and moving tale about Jeff Stanford's 12 year old dog named Gypsy also speaks volumes to the Stanford's commitment to their animals... recently, Gypsy was diagnosed with cancer and is now recovering ... much of the ordeal and recovery is outlined at Jeff's blog... basically, Gypsy was given a very bad prognosis two months ago from the doctors. He is now doing well on a vegan diet with supplements, nori rolls and lots of tlc.  Jeff also had a 'miracle' horse who was diagnosed with cancer in 1988 and lived until 2004 because of a leg injury.  His dogs Murphy (black lab shown above) and Gypsy have been on a vegan diet for four years now.

http://www.stanfordinn.com/blog/

Jeff gave me some tips for other pet owners facing a grim prognosis for their dogs.  He says:

1. do what the doctors tell you to do

2. Find a trusted healer, holistic vet and create a healing environment; be calm and present with the dog

3. put the dog on a whole foods diet. (Jeff feeds his dogs Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance veg. food)  Dogs are omnivores, read the China Study by Colin Campbell

4. get rid of the toxins

Nori contains porphyran which has been shown to cause the death of cancer cells. (Nori is a red seaweed. Red seaweeds are the source of carrageenen and agar agar.) Algae are also an important emergency food. Spirulina contains compounds which help the body extract toxins (similar to brown seaweed) and in a variety of ways assists in killing cancer cells.

5. supplement the diet

BioPreparation for pets from Optimum Choices, check our their web site at BioPreparation_for_animals The founder of the company believes that the anti-cancer properties are due to realignment and re-balancing of the body through the metabolism of the algae.

Jeff is feeding Gypsy Nori rolls with BioPreparation supplements

Nori rolls recipe:

avocado

carrot

almond butter

tofu

nori

Jeff also suggests that the grain quinoa is good for dogs... boil for 15 minutes, cool and feed with veggies.

and you too can create your own dancing dog movie... see the link below...

http://dogtime.com/dancing-dog

Do's

* provide dog treats, dog bowls, dog beds and other doggie amenities, it is very much appreciated

* if you want pet owners to clean up dog waste, please provide plastic biodegradable bags as well as nearby waste containers...

* please provide a safe, easy access, clearly marked grassy area, fenced, if possible, where dog owners can take their dogs

* keep guests coming back by making your guests feel special with little extras, gifts and goodies for pets and pet owners

* make our stay memorable, for instance, the MacCallum House breakfast was divine and so was the unique hot tub in the private yard not to mention the private limo to the wine country that allows dogs

Sally's breakfast at Howard Creek Ranch inn is also memorable because it is hearty, no skimpy or stingy portions, guests can eat as much as they want and the food is fresh and down home delicious

Best memorable views is a three way tie between Agate Cove Inn, Little River Inn and Greenwood Pier in Elk...

* the Stanford Inn was the first in the area to offer pet friendly lodging before it was popular and their zenlike property is memorable, as is their pet friendly dining with superb award-winning vegan cuisine

* offer amenities such as WIFI and phone so that guests who want to stay connected can and those that don't do not have to take advantage of the service

* offer complimentary breakfast and afternoon tea and cookie...  the Sea Foam Lodge delivers piping hot muffins to each guest's door, a breakfast to remember...  the Doubletree Hotel in Rohnert Park and other locations that provides guests with fresh hot baked cookies daily and complimentary wine and cheese in the afternoon

* have pet friendly and knowledgable staff available (concierge, front desk) to answer questions, arrange tours and make suggestions

* stand out, be distinct, give us something to write home and tell our friends and associates about

Don'ts

* please don't discriminate against certain breeds and sizes of dogs

* why nickel and dime visitors to death with extra charges for phone calls, tempting treats and foods in the fridge, and charges for other amenities, if you charge $200+ a night?

* make us wait forever to get into the room and rush us out of the room in the morning

* housekeeping is important and necessary and so is landscaping but please have staff be as quiet and unobtrusive as possible, no one wants to listen to lawnmowers all afternoon. you want us to enjoy our stay, right?

* please don't use chemicals, green, enviro safety is in, please use safe nontoxic odorless products to clean the room

Remember, if your guests have a choice between staying at a clean fresh modern motel with internet access in the room, free phone calls that serves breakfast with lots of options (eggs, cereal, muffins, bagels, english muffins, and toast)  for $50 a night or paying $100-250+ a night at your inn with no internet access, no phone and no breakfast, why do you think they would choose your inn even if they can afford to do so just because your inn is located in a popular destination, was successful in the past, is historic or?

The cottage we stayed at was like an upscale home with all of the modern amenities... It is both kid and pet friendly.

Six of the nine cottages are designated pet friendly (see below). Upon checking in, guests staying in one of these cottages receive a pet welcome kit that includes a pet towel, treats and hot pink waste bags. Each of the pet-friendly cottages comes with a pet bed and there is an outdoor pet shower to rinse away the sand from a day of play on the beach.

The nine cottages are all named for nearby towns, we were supposed to stay in Ignacio but instead are staying in Albion. There is Elk, Humboldt, Caspar, Dillon, Farllon, Jenner, and Gualala.  As we drove onto the 2 acre property, we saw a bunch of deer, including several does and wild turkeys.

The Albion cottage is very modern and features upscale amenities and conveniences, from the
comfortable, contemporary décor - including stainless steel appliances and
granite countertops in the kitchens - to plush robes and an optional
grocery service, where guests can have personally selected staples
waiting for them upon arrival. Amenities include 32-inch, flat panel
TVs and DVD players, along with free Wi-Fi.

Guests can enjoy additional comforts, including in-cottage massage and spa services as well as a concierge
service.The concierge service can help book a sea kayak tour, rides on the
Skunk Train, a fishing trip out of Noyo Harbor, horseback-riding
tours or set up a luxury wine tour to the nearby Anderson Valley.

The  smoke-free property is located at 7533 North Highway 1 in Little River, just two miles south of
Mendocino.

Tony, the manager has a brindle dog named PJ and an orange and white dog named Oliver. Both are mixed mutt rescues.

Oliver was rescued from Placencia, Belize. He was a sweet, but beat up young dog who instantly began hanging out around Tony's cabin. They loved his personality and began feeding him chicken and rice, eventually allowing him to sleep on the couch during the daily heavy monsoons while inquiring with the locals about his story.

A month later, after a complete check up and clean bill of health, he was shipped to San Francisco airport where he became part of Tony's family. He and PJ got along quickly and aside from what appears to be his occasional longing for warmer weather, he seems to be quite happy and most certainly has a brighter future than if he stayed in Belize.

PJ was an East Palo Alto rescue, adopted 8 yrs ago as a puppy from the San Mateo County Peninsula Humane Society. She is a very close companion who has traveled all over the country and part of the world including NYC, Boston, Miami, Denver, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands. PJ has lived in some of the finer hotels in the world, and experienced a lifestyle that most dogs dream of (sailing, swimming in warm Caribbean waters, cross country travel, hurricane parties, room service, going along on the job, down comforter dog beds, visiting restaurants and bars, etc).

Both dogs are very well adapted to the hospitality industry lifestyle, and handle themselves very well on the property.

They are very excited to warmly greet guests that arrive.

There are tentative plans to build a dog run/park area on the property, but that has not been finalized. They want feedback from pet owners that have stayed at the cottages.  They also plan to upgrade some of the pet amenities offered in the units

Due to popular demand, they have recently increased the pet friendly units from three to six of the nine cottages on site.

They are as follows:

Albion, Caspar, Dillon, Elk, Gualala, Ignacio

http://www.cottagesatlittlerivercove.com/pets.php

five creative uses for a bidet

they left out washing the dog in a bidet...  if a cat can drink from the bidet, then certainly you can wash your dog in a bidet...

now you can also wash your cat, these photos are hilarious, so just had to include this... cici thinks they're funny, too...  is this kitty cat turning on the faucet for her bath or the dog's bath???  hmmmm....

http://lumq.com/10/washing-a-cat/

you can also wash the dog at the dog groomer, petco has a handy dandy dog washing place. and other doggie dog wash places offer do it yourself service, there was one in Florence, Oregon where you can take your car and dog and wash both of them, probably not at the same time, and at this cottage, they had a place to wash your dog off before you bring the dog inside, wash off the sandy beach, mud and grass from their paws... good idea, and they supplied towels, too...

am looking for other creative ideas, to get my dog washed, she does not like to take baths, i usually take a wash cloth to her... and rub...  perhaps she'd like a bubble bath... ahhhh, smells woof...

there is also a product I will review soon that is supposed to be like a big sponge with soap that you can wash your dog with, especially handy for when you are traveling and don't want your dog to be dirty and you also don't want to make a big mess in a hotel, inn, b and b, cottage or motel ...

any other ideas for washing the dog???   well, it is raining outside, raining cats and dogs... should I just bring shampoo and we will have a party?

getting them to like taking a bath???   where is my dog's rubber ducky when you need it???

here's a few tips and video from a vet:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/06/30/earlyshow/contributors/debbyeturner/main1768209.shtml

and here is what martha stewart says, including nontoxic flea control...

http://www.marthastewart.com/goodthings/healthy-pet-grooming-tips

blair house

given the new name of my blog, does it surprise anyone that we stayed in mendocino at the blair house B&B, a Victorian inn which was filmed as jessica fletcher's home in murder she wrote starring angela lansbury from 1984 to 1994?  didn't the sheriff Tupper, tom boswell's character have a dog in the series?  what was the dog's name?

Numerous television and movies have been filmed in Mendocino including Summer of 42, Overboard, Frenchman's Creek, Forever Young, Wired, Johnny Belinda, Pontiac Moon, East of Eden and others.

cici and i stayed in the pet friendly cottage, where i imagined jessica fletcher writing her books and heard the music in my head. This cottage once was the carriage house and it is very quiet and peaceful with some grass behind us for cici's walks as well as a yard out front. There is a kitchenette with mini fridge, stove, microwave and breakfast bar, very convenient. We could have lived there. There is a loft accessed by a ladder for children to climb up and enjoy.  there are four rooms in the house, Angela's two room suite and three others, nicely decorated with antiques, persian rugs, and four poster feather beds, stenciled walls, bay windows and fireplaces.

History
Elisha Blair built the house in 1888. He was a lumberjack from Maine which is why the house has a New England look.

if your dog is itching to get out of the city, needs fresh air, nature and some peace and quiet, this is a great place to stay. although right on a major street of the village, Blair House B&B is located on the peaceful side of the historic town of mendocino. There are 7,000 acres where your dog can stretch its paws, an easy 7-10 mile hike is nearby at the Big River Estuary, starts at the beach. There are benches outside shops where dogs can sit and wait for a bone.

For a trip you can make on one tank of gas from the Bay area, visit Mendocino, there will never be a McDonald's here say the locals, it is a village where you can come back in time to a quieter gentler place. Population is 2,223. Advertising signs are kept to a minimum. Visit the Ford House on Main Street to find out more about this historic unincorporated place.

Meet the Whinemakers

Whinery dogs have been bred for centuries with a natural tendency toward making just the right heartbreaking sounds that evoke human sympathy  and generosity. Nature has  blessed these  distinctive dogs who innately know how to look and sound in order to attain whatever they want.

The premier whine-making regions of Northern California include the birthplace, Sonoma County, where it all begin, with one renowned pup named Napaw. Napaw's whinemaking skill is famous worldwide. Napaw whined until all of the cows and sheep literally came home.

Growing up a Whinery Dog

Young puppies master the fine art of whining by the age of three months  (in dog years), in human years that is equivalent to the terrible two's. Puppies whine to ensure their mom properly takes care of them. Whining is similar to the cry of human infants. Whining is an automatic response whenever the pup is cold or hungry. But pups soon learn to whine whenever they want attention.

Through mastering the whine, puppies are fed the most expensive food on the planet, have chefs cook for them, go for frequent walks, receive delicious treats from bankers, gas station attendants, and other strangers, obtain all of the toys,  belly rubs and head scratches and other attention they want. The whine combined with an adorable looking smile can lead to sleeping in the same bed as humans despite frequent woofing, paws kicking in the ribs, sleeping on the dog parents head and/or exuding doggie breath in the human's face.

Whinery dogs have sensitive noses that pick up the aroma, scent and whiff of a cat, squirrel or chipmunk from miles away. If their hunger for chasing said prey is not satiated immediately, they will employ whining techniques until they get what they want.  Some whinery dogs (persistent bull dogs, pit bulls and terriers) are particularly known for this..

Essential forms of communication

Barking is an enthusiastic shout to canine friends near and far.

Growling is a warning or a way to express dissatisfaction. Some whinery dogs growl whenever their human caretakers aka as dog parents misbehave.

The howling of a hound dog at the moon, sun or whoever is in their vicinity has been known to drive humans mad but is an extremely effective long-distance communication alerting other hound dogs to express their inner wolf.

Whining can be a cry for help or a plea for care.  Answering your whinery dog's every whine and whimper will ensure their lifelong devotion.

Whine Clubs and Whine Tours

Popular whinery dogs enjoy sharing the nuances of whining with like-minded packs of canines. Some of the most famous names in American whinemaking live in Sonoma County where you can enjoy the full range of whines from Napaw's line including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Zinfandel.

Tours are guided by well educated whine enthusiasts. Wannabe whinery dogs swirl the information around their palate,  testing out the latest  successful techniques such as the sad eyes and whimper combo, a deliciously fragrant red whine. White whines are much more subtle with just a hint of dramatic flair.  Imbibing complimentary sparkling whines while learning about the whinemaking process has become a favorite pasttime of savvy canines everywhere.

Types of Whines

Instinctual

Recovering from surgery or following a trauma is an innate and spontaneous reaction to pain. Milking sympathy for all it's worth is learned later.

Nervous Whines

Whining to express separation anxiety is a way to alleviate stress and break down  barriers. Whinery dogs are very social creatures. This type of whining expresses the dog's desire to be with you 24/7. Dogs just wanna be #1 in your life. You should feel flattered and act appropriately.

Animated Whines

Sometimes dogs whine as part of the adventure of life.  If they see another canine, they may whine until they can play together on the beach or at the park.

Whines For All Occasions

Praising and  petting your whinery dog constantly is the key to happiness. Responding to the demands of your whinery dog promptly instills a sense of security, purpose and power important for the dog's  self-confidence, self-esteem and self-worth.

Dessert and Special Occasion Whines

Every whinery dog develops their own unique repertoire of whines.  Whines can be used to signal many different desires. Your whinery dog's special whines are a passport to instant gratification.

Whine pairings

Food and whine pairings are natural. Staring at the humans and/or the food until said culinary delight is administered is a basic ploy. Whines can be joined with eye and body movements, paw touching, shaking and shivering until the perfect whine has produced the sought after outcome. Bones, treats, walks, toys and squirrels are all excellent reasons to whine.

To sample the best whines of expert whinemakers, visit an acclaimed whine show where all of the variations are represented. Becoming a fine whine connoisseur takes time but one can learn the delicate differences between a fiery red whine and a softer more gentle white whine.  Each whine bouquet offers its own  perfume.

Whine and you whine alone

Some humans do not appreciate whinery dogs. Whining should be viewed as a  communication device to achieve a canine goal.    Cater to your dog's every whim and you will attain nirvana and peace of mind.   Pampering a whinery dog with treats, doggie ice cream and a steady diet of belly rubs, massage and spa treatments, dog yoga classes and attention will ensure a gratifying life.   If you employ the strategy of feed the dog not the whine then you are sending the wrong message. Your whinery dog has put a lot of effort into fine tuning just the right whines for your listening pleasure, the very least that you can do is respond favorably to their performance. Bravo, Fido, bravo !

here are some pet friendly wineries in napa/sonoma

http://www.winetravel.com/article/20080701/WINETRAVEL/71101013/winetravel02

and anderson valley has a few wineries that are also dog friendly, navarro was the best according to cici, not only did they let her in the wine tasting room but they also gave her treats...

oregon dog wine labels

http://www.cherryhillwinery.com/papillonpinotnoir.shtml

***

october 25, 2008 is pit bull awareness day... visit this site, plan an event and mark your calendars !

http://www.blessthebullys.com/id111.html

this is a fabulous idea... pit bull awareness day... sponsor an event in your community... educate, raise awareness, have fun and funds for the pit bulls in your neck of the woods...

why do we need a pit bull awareness day, you might ask, well, here are two good reasons why... yesterday, a maniacal woman on the beach near Westport in Mendocino flipped out because my Cici ran over to her two dogs and wanted to play with them... the nerve of my dog, imagine wanting to play... I was very tired and got there in time to take Cici away, I discourage Cici from running up to strange dogs but on occasion she gets away from me ... I proceed with caution, but before I could even get to Cici, this woman starts screaming and yelling about my out of control pit bull and how she will take care of the dog if I don't, threatening my sweet gurl and laughing crazily, she was scary... as I walked away the crazy bitch was still laughing and ranting.... I told her that she did not own the beach and that my dog was just being friendly, to no avail...  finally, I screamed at her to shut up, not the best response...

other dog owners appeared on the scene with their dogs and i warned them about the loony tune who had walked on down the beach... cici played with a couple of cute dogs and then we left...

cici has played with easily over 200 dogs and there were 3-4 incidents where other dogs attacked her but you don't hear about scary jack russels or terrifying poodles or cocker spaniels in the press...

the other day, we met a sweet handsome pit bull in gardnerville who had been badly burned in a meth house, this dog was just the sweetest... and had horrible scars on his back ... the owner of the store was taking care of him and nursing him back to health... including socialization... he has dog issues... but seemed really friendly to me after those mean people hurt him so badly...

bless the bullies on october 25, 2008, pit bull awareness day and send your lab, poodle or german shepherd out to trick or treat and raise funds for their bully friends on october 31...

Donate to an animal shelter to show u care.

Haha very adorable.

Pup Puppy

Yup a free happy pup

Dogs are still cure though. A friend of mines is thinking of getting one. Any suggestion on breeds?

Did you know

Dogs have been used as guards, hunters, draught animals, eyes for the blind, drug and explosive detectors, rodent controllers - and even weapons!
In Roman times and the Middle Ages, mastiffs wearing light armor, carrying spikes and pots of flaming sulphur and resin ran into battle against mounted knights. In World War II the Russians trained dogs to run suicide missions between the tracks of German tanks with mines strapped on their backs.

http://www.greenwoodpierinn.com/

Greenwood Pier Inn & Cafe
California & Tex-Mex.
Address: 5928 S. Hwy 1, Elk, Ca. 95432
Phone: 707-877-9997
Toll Free Phone: 800-807-3423
Fax: 707-877-3439
Rates: $130-$300

We stayed in the Loverly Starfish room, double bed, jacuzzi tub, fireplace, ocean view from private balcony, microwave, fridge, cafe, pet friendly, no phone or internet access in room but in office... the next night, we stayed in the East Valley room, with two beds, a real fireplace, Internet access, and no ocean view...

http://www.greenwoodpierinn.com/inn/eastgallery/eastgallery.html

The folks here in Elk are very friendly, feel like we're back in Oregon again... :-) this is a small town about five miles south of the cutoff from Highway 101 to 128 and it is on Hwy 1. You can drive south all the way down to San Francisco along the coast... the weather was delicious and sunny, then rainy and cloudy and warm and cool... very peaceful and delicious food in the cafe... complimentary breakfast was scrambled eggs, country potatoes with toast, orange juice, fresh fruit, and tea or coffee, you could also get quiche of the day, there were three kinds, veggie, spinach and feta, and a tex-mex kind.

Cici met a few dogs along the way down the coast from Westport to here... a lab named Chester on the beach, she was kind of tired from her adventures with M the night before, but she did manage to chase Chester a bit down the sand... there was a couple from Austin, Texas with two schnoodles (poodle and schnauzer mix), who said hello, until cici saw the two kittens running around here, the dogs distracted her a bit...

here's a few photos of my royal dog lazing on the bed in the Starfish room ... pampered pooches, it's a dog's life, ya know...

from now on, when I talk about the various inns we stay in, will try to give them a new category such as:

furs class

pampered pooches

farm and country k9

doggone fun

affurdable

pack leaders special

ruffing it

whaddya think?

we think the Greenwood Pier Inn is four paws up, K9 approved and furs class, and special thanks to Mike, Steve and the innkeepers of this inn also have the Sandpiper down the road (not pet friendly), but thanks to Jaci for recommending us to Greenwood and they also own The Inn at 17 Mile in Pacific Grove...

they also do small weddings here, tomorrow is one and hopefully the weather will cooperate...

http://www.greenwoodpierinn.com/

Seldom in this world today does one find a location which ingrains itself upon one's very soul. Where one can remove oneself from the chaotic modern world and return to a simpler time of peace and tranquility.

Plato called beauty a privilege of nature; Carneades, a solitary kingdom; Aristotle, that it was better than all the letters of recommendation in the world; Homer, that it was a glorious gift of nature, and Ovid, that it was a favor bestowed by the gods. Beauty is Howard Creek Ranch Inn....Nita and Peter von Sintzenich

Whether you seek a romantic getaway, a peaceful healing nature or spiritual retreat, or a pet friendly farm to bring Fido and Fluffy with you on vacation, come to  howard creek ranch in westport, ca about 15 - 20 miles north of fort bragg...

it is about an hour and a half south of the Avenue of the Giants and same distance north of the Anderson Valley wineries along highway 128.

I was not feeling well, an upset tummy and a bit dizzy and after a few days back at the ranch, have gotten my equilibrium back... it was dicey for awhile there.  I have never had motion sickness but I felt like I could not drive one more mile.

Cici and I stayed in the lovely Willow room suite... two rooms with a king sized bed  in one and a queen size bed in the other, front and back doors, modern shower, small kitchenette... lovely quilts and tree motifs on the redwood walls....

The blue balcony room is a nice alcove type space for a lone traveler or couple but is not pet friendly and has a microwave and sink in the adjacent living room.

Another pet friendly room is a boat house made from a former boat. A couple from San Francisco stayed there for their honeymoon 11 years ago and come back to visit from time to time. The SeaView is also a very romantic location with ocean views and is pet friendly as is the Meadow room.  Hello young lovers... wherever you are, with stars in your eyes... The Beach House is the perfect place to while away your time together.

Beautiful fragrant award-winning gardens make your heart sing and soul soar. There are numerous trails and acres of Nature conservancy to explore and sheep, llamas, a horse, and other creatures are plentiful. We saw a lovely deer and doe on our way to the beach, could not find a way to drive to the beach, but you can walk... the beach is 300 yards from the Carriage House and is accessible along a short path.

Sally makes the most flavorful hearty home cooked breakfast on the coast... scrambled eggs, sausage, country potatoes, fresh fruit, muffins, mint tea straight from the garden, and if she does not have something you want, she will improvise. I needed ginger tea and she made me some from the spice ginger she had on her shelf and it worked.  Just a spoonful of ginger makes the tummy ache go away. Mint is wonderful but doesn't make my tummy ok.

Another morning we had french toast, salsa quiche, turkey bacon, fresh fruit.

For other meals, bring your own sandwiches or stuff to barbecue or there are restaurants within a few miles down the road.

Cici met a new boy friend named the Divine Mr. M(arshall) who is a 7 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel obsessed with sticks. They ran on the beach together, mostly Cici trying to take the sticks away from M, but he prevailed, burying one big stick to hide it away from her. Bark softly and bury a big stick is his motto. Cici also played with a girl dog named Callie who loves to fetch balls. Finally, she got some good exercise, burning off all of those treats people fed her in Sutherlin, Oregon.

then we drove past eureka and arcata to near garberville... past the avenue of the giants, before the one log house...  it was foggy and cold along the coast and hot in garberville... we stayed at richardson state park where there are redwood trees and a very small river, there's been a drought.  the benbow campground was closed and this was the next nearest place on our way to leggett, now we are back to westport and the howard creek farm... stay tuned, next post !

Thanks to the good folks at dogcars.com for their post about us...

http://dogcars.com/blog/?p=244

I was strolling through the Internet one day and lo and behold I found this blog... about dogs and cars... what a great idea... and filled with great tips and info about traveling with dogs in cars...  what cars are the best, how to travel with a Great Dane, fuel friendly cars, police cars in living color and much much more...

so I reached out and emailed and voila... a pet connection was made :-)

next time you want to know about the best car to drive your puppy around in, go visit dogcars.com and tell them CeliaSue and Cici sent you !

http://www.dog-breed-picture.com/cici.html

last night my Cici-bug was the star of a party outside the inn... a bunch of Canadians who came here by bus on their way to Reno to gamble were having a time outside in the courtyard, I took Cici out for a walk and she was instantly photographed and passed around, given belly rubs and head scratches, no treats, but had a grand old time, showing off her tail wagging abilities to all the partygoers.

and speaking of pit bull stars, nearby here (about an hour away from where we are) is Luv A Bull, where Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer recently did an event...

Luv-a-Bull Pit Bull Rescue is a non-profit 501(c)3, all volunteer rescue organization dedicated to re-homing unwanted Pit Bulls, located on 50 acres just outside Eugene, Oregon.

http://eugeneweekly.com/2008/08/28/coverstory.html

am going to be posting the cutest pit bull photos I can find on the Internet... if you've got a cute pit bull photo, send it now for a chance to win our free giveaway and to be entered into our calendar contest, to be announced soon !

cici and her new boyfriend spike...

Do you have a photo with your dog playing, meeting or being with an unusual animal playmate?  If you'd like to share the photos, we'd like to put them up here...

By the way, over the weekend, someone suggested that the polka dot at the top of Cici's head must be her on/off button... and that since Dalmatian dogs are kinda schizy (hyper) dogs, that it must be her pit bull side that is the sweet, loving, gentle aspect of her... she had mucho puppy playtime yesterday to make up for a few days without... first, she played with the Lab dog who was tied up and abandoned by its owner at the campsite and then she went and played with a sweet Jack Russell puppy... and met his cat friend... she went cuckoo and it was decided that she must have had some kind of bad experience with a cat, that she was sounding stressed, anxious and crying out in fear of another attack... don't know what happened for six months of her life but I suppose it's possible... am hoping to get her to stop going wonky every time she sees a cat... suggestions are welcome...

Here's a rescued baby moose with a dog... how cute is this...

The people here are truly nice people.  I got a rain check from the McDonald's and in Florence, the McDonald's would not honor it and in fact the guy there was RUDE and obnoxious.  Plus, the McD's was dirty and loud and chaotic. Apparently that is acceptable there, ugh.  I wrote to corporate three weeks later am still waiting for a response. None so far, and I went back to this McDonald's in Sutherlin and they honored the meal courteously.

There are three motels here clustered with the fast food places (Burger King, A&W, probably KFC and a few others)...  the other two motels, one looked seedy (relax inn) and the other looked snooty with a sign that said no dogs on the grass ever. So we chose to stay here at the Sutherlin Inn...  the rooms are small and compact, FRESH sheets, big TV, wireless and FREE LONG DISTANCE PHONE CALLS... I've never come across that before plus they are pet friendly, too...  they will soon be having microwaves and fridges in the rooms, too...

there is a lovely back yard with grass for the dogs to cavort and do their business.  Plus, it is affordable, about the same as we have been paying, only BETTER ROOMS AND SERVICE !!!   why doesn't Motel 6's step up to the plate??? If one motel can do it, so can the others...

Plus, Tasia, the front desk clerk who will soon become Assistant Manager, was the sweetest, kindest, friendliest and just plain nicest person we've come across in awhile. (I cannot think of one other place in Oregon we've stayed at that were like this). She gave Cici dog biscuits, let Cici be in the lobby, although Cici was misbehaving so I put her in the car.  Cici was just wanting to run and play after being cooped up for a few days due to stormy weather.

I was sorry to leave Florence, although Florence DOES NOT HAVE ANY DECENT MOTELS. NONE. They are all overpriced for what you get.

Here there are 80 rooms, three floors, an elevator, free breakfast from 5 to 10 am, and the nicest people, which makes all the difference. Cici and I would definitely stay here again.  Four paws up !

http://www.microtelinn.com

Microtel is one of the fastest-growing budget hotel chains in the US and the recipient of many awards and accolades over the years. Take it from those who know. For an unprecedented sixth consecutive year, Microtel Inns & Suites has been "Ranked Highest in Guest Satisfaction Among Economy/Budget Hotel Chains"*. This recognition is just one testament to our long-standing dedication of offering quality service and unmatched conveniences to our guests.

1400 Hospitality Place
Sutherlin, OR 97479
Tel: (541) 459-6800

hugging a baby...

waiting for dinner...

saw the cutest bunch of kittens over at the Humane Society, near to the beach. One little tabby that truly won my heart... She and her brothers and sisters are just edible.

although many people have dogs and cats in Florence, there are not many houses or apartments that take pets. Plus, some of the inns and motels do not take pets. A few do and they are overpriced for what they offer. One inn told me that they only take 20 pound dogs. Have not stayed at the Best Western or the Holiday Inn Express but I heard through the grapevine that the Holiday Inn Express has waffles along with their other usual fare for breakfast. Yum.

This is one of Curt Peters lovely photos from Digital Dunes....