Happy Christmas!

Happy Christmas! This is Libby the Lab. Cute isn't she?She spent the holidays with us. She is very young but very nice (when she is not being very obnoxious.) We made her wear this Christmas outfit. Bark out loud with laughter! We sure did. We told her all the dogs were wearing them. She even wore it to the coffee shop! The jokes on us, however, cause Libby got more treats and attention than Cordy and I put together. No matter. It's still nice and cold and crisp outside. Perfect. Welll....Happy Christmas to you (and all the other holidays too. We are Secular Caninists but we still enjoy all the holiday spirit. If people can be this nice and generous when they are all stressed out, why can't they be nice and generous the rest of the year? I dunno. Anyway, we enjoyed our holiday stockings which were FILLED with yummy snacks. Cordy and I hope your stockings were filled with snacks or you got lots of good gelt (either the chocolate or cheese varieties or maybe even the real silver kind) and you got to spend lots of time with your pack AND your spirit is refreshed. And check out our tree. Its decorated with tennis balls and a pheasant. Perfect for us!

We survived the BIG BLOW!

We were without power for several days! It went out Thursday night and came back today. It was very fun!. We don't mind the cold - even Tamara likes it! Tamara says the temperature was 41 in the living room and 44 in the refrigerator. That's barking funny, sort of. And it was nice and dark and quiet at night. We had a fire in the fireplace and Tamara boiled water there for tea and soup. (I LIKE soup! With noodles and meatballs!). At night we all slept under the covers and got too warm even. We all had to stick our feet and our noses out from the covers. Anyway... here at OLA,we're all about ADVENTURE and making our own fun. Humans are too passive, you know? To hear the people talk at the coffee shop, you'd think happiness was dependent on flicking a switch! No Adventure there! (I must admit though, it is nice to sit in front of the heater now that it is back on!)

Think SNOW!!!!

There's lots of SNOW in the mountains! And lots of trees that have blown down. It smells like Christmas! Did you make your Christmas wish list? I want the usual - tennis balls and cheese snacks. Cordy has asked for warm sunny weather 'cause her feet hurt. Tamara is holding out for some chimerical political miracle -whatever THAT means. She also said a new car might be nice. THAT I understand. Car is a word that dogs learn right away. Most great Adventures start in the car. Anyway.. I check our stockings every day but nothing yet. I'll let you know...in the meantime, holiday parties mean lots MORE cheese snacks. Its all good!

Urban Adventure

Hello, hello. Cordy Brown here. How are you all? Today we had a City Adventure. We went to Seattle. We walked the trails in Discovery Park, we went to U-Village for 'socialization', we had snacks at Mud Bay Granary, and we stopped at the dogpark at Magnusson Park (those poor city dogs have to play in a MUDPIT). Long Day - but very fun. Dawson and I grew up in Ballard which is a very cool urban place. So, we are very hip dogs. But some of the other Adventurers were a little stunned! But everyone had a great time. Sometimes you can get as tired on your leash as you can romping in the snow! Its all good.

ice and bumper cars in Redmond

We like snow and we like it cold and sunny. But BRRRR. The roads here are all covered with ice! Like at a ski resort except this is Redmond! Tamara and I walked and slid down the hill to Mercury's Coffee Company this morning. (Mercury's is where Carissa works making Tamara's coffee everyday and handing out Milkbone Biscotti for Cordy and I.). After we got our coffee, we stood around and watched people in their cars slide through the intersection and into each other. Tamara said it is called bumper cars. Tamara said she did not want to play bumper cars in the dog van, so we cancelled Adventures for today. Cordy and I played chase in the snow and found frozen tennis balls. Then we had a nap by the fire. More fun than playing bumper cars, for sure! Stay warm!! Have your People stay home too. (unless they WANT to play bumper cars. )

Voting

Look - two entries in our journal in one day! Tamara and I went to vote. Cordy sat in the car. Tamara went in this booth like thing but you could still see her legs! I could sit right next to her and look all around but she couldn't see anything! It was like hide and seek. Anyway...the nice ladies at the Happy Valley Grange ARE happy and they gave me cookies. I think we should go vote every week! (Is that allowed?)

The waters are rising fast

Because of the rain and flooding, most of our favorite local Adventure destinations are under water. Carnation and Fall City (the Tolt, Snoqualmie and Raging Rivers) are flooded - even the roads! And out by Camp Charlie, the roads and pastures are all flooded too. I am worried about the cows and horses. I hope someone collected them up and put them on higher dryer ground - preferably indoors! I hate going out in the rain to go to the bathroom but at least I can run back inside and sit by the fire. Those horses and cows don't get to do that. Poor things. So far the Dog Park at Marymoor is still above water but the River is pretty high there too! Stay dry. Wear a raincoat. Cordy says just stay inside and nap or make your People take you for a nice dry ride in the car. (That's cause she's older, you know..I still like to go out and play in the rain.) But I also remember how horrible it was after the Katrina flooding. My snout aches just remembering the smells. I hope the levees don't overflow in Carnation.

It's raining

It's raining finally. We've been wearing our raincoats. In my puppyhood I was embarassed to wear a raincoat. I was a foolish puppy! Tamara says the weather people where she used to work (NOAA) are saying there won't be much snow this year. This is bad on many levels. We like snow adventures! (For these we wear our fleece coats not our raincoats.) Do you have a fleecey sweater? Don't be embarrassed. BE WARM! We get lots of treats and attention from strangers when we wear our fleeces or coats! Some of our clients wear really nice coats too. But not JoJo. Sometimes he just wears a rainhat. Seriously..we'll post a picture on the website. A dog in a hat...

Tamara went to training class

Guess what? Tamara went to training! Not for bird hunting or obedience or even agility. She went for Dog Walking! How funny is that. Come on now..its not like she isn't already a great dog walker! But Tamara says even old dogs can learn new tricks. (Of course they Can! I am 10 and I learn new tricks to get in the garbage all the time! ) So Tamara went to a Dog Walker Certification Class for a weekend. And next month she wants to goto California (thats another state) for Dog Whisperer school with some guy on TV. I suppose its ok for her to go. I'm pretty sure she'll come back. She willcome back, right? If not, who will make the cheese snacks? And tuck us in? And drive the truck...this is a disaster! Oh wait. I forgot. She's coming back.

Make your Holiday Adventure plans ASAP.

How are your holiday plans? Holidays around here are like summer - we have lots of company. Anway...ears up! We have Adventure on Thanksgiving but all the dogs go in the morning. It's pretty barkin' fine cause when you get home the house is all clean and smells like FOOD and the cheese snacks are usually out already. Same thing on Christmas Eve and on New Years Eve. This year Tamara says Christmas is on Monday so we'll have a Christmas Eve Adventure and an extra Super Adventure on the 23rd (so the People can clean house and go shopping for your presents!). Sign up now 'cause last year we were FULL!

I am Cordy. I am 10.

Hello. Today was my birthday. I am Cordy. I am 10. What do YOU do on your birthday? I had a really wonderful day. Tamara sort of took the day off to spend with me. I swam laps in the warm therapy pool. Then, I had a whole cheese danish at the Mercury's Coffee Shop. Then, we drove to Seattle and I had a toenail clip/grind and file at DoggieStyleSeattle ( Iwas due but still,it was my birdthday). Then we went to McDonalds for lunch; then a few of the clients came with us to Camp Charlie - I had two warm sunny hours to hunt in the field for moles and pheasant. Then we dropped the clients off at their homes. Next, I had a professional massage; then Tamara and I went for a boat ride at sunset on Lake Sammamish and I stood in the bow and played King of the World and let my ears blow in the wind. Then I had a really great dinner with my family and read my cards - thanks for sending all those e cards; now I am really tired. After all I am 10. But I did want to say thanks. Goodnight- CordyBrown.

Cordy's birthday is coming - send stuff and cards

Dawson here. Cordelia Brown has asked me to remind everyone that her birthday is October 4. While lavish gifts would make her uncomfortable, 10 is quite a milestone and she understands that her friends will want to spend time with her and bring tokens of affection. She is registered at McDonalds and Eastside Dog. Quality cheeses, hamburgers of any quality and duck jerky are among her favorites. However, it is the company of her friends she values the most. Also on her list are activity gifts: rides in a car, someone to throw the ball so she can catch it without running, and invitations to come over and watch animal planet since we no longer have cable. ( Psst. Cordy drafted this statement herself. She thinks she is such a Top Dog...I think she is silly.)

Indian Summer

Today was the first hint of fall. We've been enjoying what Tamara calls Indian Summer. (Yet AGAIN these humanisms! No Indians - just warm dry days with crispy leaves.) Anyway - here's a reminder to all of you Dogs. Find your raincoats and lay claim to some of your People's towels. That rain is coming and Adventures don't stop just 'cause its wet out there!

Beefeater's Cocktail

Beef broth ice cubes. In the water dish. Yum. (P.S. you could float a few pieces of bacon in there too, you know...)

Hot weather hazards

Did you hear that there was a small fire at Marymoor? It started from a cigarette butt in the dirt. The fire fighters had to dig deep in the ground to put it out because fires smolder under the loose stuff on top. Scary! We don't go to the dog park very often but if it burned up, we'd NEVER get to go. So please be careful. Other hot weather hazards - bare paws on hot blacktop (ouch, you try it!), lots of bugs and giardia critters on the grass we like to eat, lawn chemicals, oily dirt on driveways and parking lots that gets on our feet and then into our mouths ( a little damp rag at the door is a nice touch, you know)... but summer is just SO nice. Especially for us older, stiff dogs. Nothing like a nap in the warm grass....followed by a dip in the river...come on an Adventure and see for yourself! Stay safe and cool! Sincerely, Cordelia Brown

Canine Coolers - water beds for dogs

It's Dawson! HI! I love summer but it sure is hot! We have these great dogbeds in the truck called Canine Coolers. You soak them in the tub and the little polymer crystals swell up with water. Then for two or three days they sort of evaporate and stay really cool. They are cushy soft so you know they have water in them but the surface stays dry and cool. Humans are sometimes pretty smart. This is one of those times. What a great invention. If you are hot, have your people check out Canine Coolers or some of the other cooling beds. Dogs don't sweat you know! That little breeze that cools you People down does zip, nada, nothing for us unless you hose us down first. We need EXTERNALLY provided coolness. Canine Coolers are it!

Dogs and Baths

Let me say up front that we are not fond of baths. We rarely have to bathe. We are German Shorthairs so we are fastidiuosly clean,and, we have no odor even when wet. However, some of the clients - especially the hairy ones - have an odor. And occassionally even unscented dogs roll in dead fish or manure. So...if you have to take a bath, get your people to take you to Ruff House in Redmond. We went on Thursday. (Don't ask why.) Ruff House is a self serve dog wash! It is spotlessly clean and doesn't smell like dogs have been there. They have waist high tubs that you walk up a ramp to get into, waterproof aprons for your People, lots of different shampoos and very nice dog dryers. To us a bath is a bath...but if you go to Ruff House, your People won't have to wash the towels or clean the tub..so maybe they won't be cranky that you rolled in that nice pile of manure. And it costs less than $20 for the tub, the shampoo, the conditioner, the towels and the dryer. And get this..they have Cheese Snacks! Ruff House..Dina owns it. Tell her that Dawson and Cordy sent you. (We like the tea tree/aloe shampoo. Let us know which shampoo you like best.)

Prep now for Independence Day

Hello everyone. Cordelia Brown here. As you may know, Independence Day is fast approaching. We Love the Fireworks! It sounds like hunting season! However we realize that lots of dogs don't hunt and lots more don't like fireworks. Tell your People not to leave you along on the 4th and have them crank up the stereo and give you some Rescue Remedy. Also, it's not to late to get a microchip from your vet if you don't have one yet - Just in case you freak out and bolt! But TRY not to bolt. You are safest with your People. Get 'em to grill you up a burger or a frankfurter...(we don't use that other name for sausages).

Disaster Preparedness for Pets

Did you know that June is Disaster Preparedness for Pets Month? We're talking serious disasters here -not running out of cheese snacks. You can get some tips at the Humane Society and even better at the Red Cross. The Red Cross also offers a cool Pet First Aid class and some articles on preparing a disaster plan for you and animal kin. Your people should definitely take notice of this. We dogs are pretty smart but if you People are going to leave us locked in at home, you have to have a plan to take care of us! Tamara and I saw lots of dogs in Louisiana whose People did not have a plan. In our neck of the woods, disaster is most likely earthquake so the first step is to be sure that your dog bed is in a safe place away from potential falling objects! Can you imagine if your People are at work, you are asleep and an earthquake comes and a big mirror or lamp falls on your head! Not good.

Super Adventure on Bainbridge Island

We went on the ferry! Super Adventure on Friday was GREAT. We took the ferry to Bainbridge Island. What a great place to be a dog. We drove to Pt Townsend too. They love dogs there too. We went to the beach and several Bark Parks and we had dinner at a cafe where the people ate outside at tables and the dogs could eat with them - but on the floor. Need a weekend away with your people? Go there. it's more fun than a cheese snack!

WE SAW A HUMONGOUS BEAR!!!

Hello, hello. Cordelia Brown here. Hello! Today I went on Adventure. (I don't often go anymore EXCEPT for Doddering Old Dogs.) Anyway...we saw a BEAR!! In ISSAQUAH!. We always wear bear bells just in case anyway, but still...a bear! Tamara blew the whistle. (this means come right away for SNACKS!) and all the dogs ran back with me. I am a leader, after all I am almost 10. The bear ambled off the trail and we all put on our leashes and we went the other way. It just goes to show there is room for everyone. But, it was very exciting! Tamara gave us all extra snacks 'cause we were good but, really now.....what dog would take on a 500lb bear! Even Chloe, who was on her first Adventure, smelled the bear then heard the whistle and ...doh.... of course she made the right choice! If 6 other dogs are running toward Tamara what self respecting dog would run the other way? Really..... Anyway...bears are cute. They are the same color as I am...Do you think that means anything?

This is Dawson. Don't let Cordy fool you. That bear was soooo far away and sooooo big...not even a question. Of course we came when we heard the whistle. That whistle means 'COME'. And...it means CHEESE SNACKS... of course we came. It has absolutely nothing to do with Cordelia Brown's leadership abilities. Don't tell her that though. She'll kick my cropped tail butt!

Be a smart dog.

Greetings Everyone! Cordelia Brown here. Dawson is resting. She has worked herself into 'a state' playing too hard in the sun. Silly girl! As we mature dogs know, it is important to rest and lie about in the shade. Not a difficult concept. Humans would do well to listen to me. Anyway....check out our new Camp Charlie link. You can also get to it from the Prep School page. Stay cool! Nap often! Adventure wisely...

It's too HOT

Well... it's HOT! Sorry we haven't written more but we've been HOT. And we've been working tons and tons. (Of course work for us is going hiking at some really great destinations - and lately all these destinations have terrific water features!!! For SWIMMING!) We'll be going to Camp Charlie some more this summer too! There is great swimming at Camp Charlie - 2 beaches. (Of course you don't have to swim. You can just wallow in the shallows like a water buffalo or a Rottweiller.)

Let me tell you about my birthday..

Wow. We've been so busy being outside. Neither Cordy nor I has had time to write in the journal! The big news is that last week was my birthday. I am eight. Tamara gets all gooey every year on my birthday and gets out the puppy pictures and tells everyone how cute I was. I am STILL pretty cute, I think. Anyway, I got to go to McDonalds and DQ. At DQ we got free cones for all the Clients. Tamara had to hose out the truck later. Then I went to Whole Foods and the butcher gave me a humongous meaty bone for free cause it was my birthday. (These are the same guys who clean the pheasant after we go hunting. They are really nice.). Then I opened up the cheese snack box and had a few of those. Then I had a Pepcid AC. This week we are exploring swimming destinations everyday. Ain't life great! Cordy says hi too. (Her birthday is in October and it always rains.) All week, we've had a houseguest named Bodhi. He's pretty fun but he is only One. Kind of new, you know? Especially compared to Eight. We are having lots of houseguests in June. Tamara says their people are going on vacation and we'll have guests all summer because that's when people go on vacation. What kind of vacation is it without the dog? I dunno...

I'm an Instructor Dog at Prep School!!!

Hi y'all. (I learned this when we were in Lousiana for Katrina Rescue. It's called a drawl. All the dogs there bark with one). We are now gearing up for the spring and summer schedule which starts May 1st. This means Friday Super Adventures are coming back! On Super Adventures we get a 7 hour trip with 4 hours of play in really great places AND a dinner picnic. I love to see what the other clients eat. We also have a new service called Prep School for new dogs who aren't quite ready to hit the trails. Check it out! I am going to be an Instructor Dog! Cordy too! (Though she is more like a drill sargent dog, if you ask me.) AND we have replaced the stolen truck with a Dog Van just for us. So all is good here. How about for you?

Our truck was STOLEN..really!

Sorry we haven't been chatty or barky. We've been soooo busy. Our truck was stolen! It happened while we were sleeping and then we found out and we've been borrowing and shopping and still working. Phew!! Tamara is tired. WE are tired. We have to go along on each shopping trip to try out the new wheels. After all, this is the dog bus, right? So....that's that. We are in the last month of winter season. In 4 (count em - 4) weeks, we will move back into Spring and Summer schedule with Super Adventures on Fridays and lots of swimming. We have a few new website things in the works - mostly for people. And we are planning our anniversary PARTY!!!! Great fun. Stay tuned. Oh yes... we need two terriers for the terrier group. If you know a good one, tell them to apply....

Happy Valentines Day

Hello - Dawson here! Hope you all had a Happy Valentine's Day. We made yummy, heart shaped, cheese snacks. All of you clients who still have Adventures scheduled for the rest of the week are going to get some. BTW- We have two openings in our MWF afternoon group for dogs who like to hike and swim. We also have an opening in the All Terrier Group (TTh). If you have friends who are stuck at home - have 'em call us. All the other groups have waiting lists but we can fit you right in these groups. We also have one opening on Saturday March 4 in a Super Adventure. Must like snow for this one! I LOVE SNOW!!! I burn up lots of energy and then--- I get MORE cheese snacks!!!!! Cordy too. Cordy says thanks for all the get well cards. They must have worked 'cause she is all better and back in charge.

I almost forgot....we are having a Valentine's Day overnight slumber party! If your people need some alone time, come be OUR Valentine. We'll make heart shaped cheese snacks, go on an Adventure, hang out in front of the fire and ...dunno....maybe paint our nails red...give your people a break and come hang with us... we love you too!!!

The Year of the Dog

Happy Chinese New Year everyone. It is the Year of the Dog!! How great is that!!! Phew...what a busy few weeks to end the old year. Tamara and Dawson went to the NFC championships and saw the game from one of those great suites. What fun! We have had lots of snow adventures and believe you me- THERE IS LOTS OF SNOW UP THERE! Our truck was STOLEN! No worries though. We have alternate transportation while we search for a really great new truck. I had surgury. Who knew you couldn't eat tampons,a ziploc and a dishtowel - not me! I am recovering nicely now...You'd think I would be afraid of the trash can after this. But it just is sooooo intriguing. We are having the Adventure Bowl on Super Bowl sunday. We are all going to the beach! Contact us ASAP if you want to go. The Beach is GREAT fun. Invigorating is the right word, I think. No one cares if you run and bark and bite waves and chase the birds. GREAT FUN! Send us emails- we love em. Especially me now that I am a little laid up...Love, Cordelia

Marymoor DogPark is closed

Marymoor is effectively closed. It is under water. SODA has asked that everyone go elsewhere for their workouts. Please comply. Not just to spare the park but also FOR YOUR SAFETY. We met a dog today who was injured on a submerged obstacle and had to go to the Vet for lots of stitches. Now I love, love. love my Vet( his name is Dr Price but I call him Dr. Priceless). But I know that Dawson and most of our clients do not love the vet. Also, Tamara says DO NOT DRINK THE WATER cause it has all kinds of nasties that have washed into it. We'll keep you posted on the condition of Marymoor Park. Today we went to Grandview Park. Its Grand and has a View too. Its a very nice, very large clean dog park. No water for swimming or drinking but there is plenty of mudfree fenced in space to run. The dogs and People there were really nice too. You should get your People to take you there. It is one half hour from Marymoor right near I-5 in Seatac and Kent. Dawson's lawyer Larry lives nearby. Maybe you'll see him! He's a really nice human. Go SODA for more info on this or other bark parks that are not underwater.

My life is incomplete

All of our January Saturday Super Adventures are fully booked. We are still taking reservations for February. This is great news for Dawson and Tamara!For me, Cordelia, this bites. It means I am on my own for Saturdays. When Tamara and Dawson get home from Super Adventures, they are so tired, they fall asleep right after dinner. What good is working at the dog version of Events and Adventures if you don't get to go on the best Events and Adventures! Because of my arthritis, I'm stuck with the canine equivalent of It's Just Lunch or Elderhostel. I'm going to take out a personal ad. "Svelte, sweet, solid brown F German Shorthair, with shiny coat and good teeth seeks fun, non aggressive M or F medium sized friend for Saturday barks. No buried bones to pick, please, and NO whiners!" Whadya think? (BTW-am I a whiner?)