Traveling with Dogs & Cats

I must admit that the primary reason I am not traveling far and wide is my dogs. … Not to mention Moon (aka, Big Mean Kitty).

There are countless places I would like to see that I think they would also enjoy. But traveling with pets is not simple.

The vaccinations alone present a risk. My Doris is the only one for whom this would probably not be a big deal.

Aiko’s allergies make vaccinations a bad thing. Moon (aka, Big Mean Kitty) hasn’t had a shot since he was 5 months old, and he will be 7 years old in June. Posy is 13 and has a heart condition.

I am actively seeking a way for us all to take a few months together exploring someplace outside of US.  Ok, honestly, Posy will very likely have to stay behind. It simply isn’t fair to put her through the physical stress traveling requires. But I am hoping to keep the rest of my fur family together.

I know it won’t be simple or easy. Heck, here in US finding a hotel that will allow three dogs is nearly impossible. And much to my shock, restrictions are even more stringent when it comes to campgrounds.

This aside we cannot have our feet nailed to the ground. There is a world to be explored. There must be a way that allows a grand adventure for all of us.

New Neighbors

The new neighbors were very curious about the camera.

After nearly six weeks of staying in other people’s houses I arrived home on Monday to find I have new neighbors. Lots of them.

After the fiasco with the bulls in 2011 (another story) we had no cattle on the property last year.

This year a different strategy is in play. Instead of hosting multiple bulls we have one bull and about a dozen cows.

The ladies are all curious but rather shy. The bull gave me the hairy eyeball — the warning look. As I am well aware of how easy it would be for him to plow through the barbed-wire fence I did not push my luck.

It was definitely entertaining to see them all line up to look at me and then start jostling for position. They have no decorum at all. They just shove each other around. I guess that’s ok in their society since they also scratch their itches on each other (and the trees, the fence, and anything else they can find).

Curious girls

These neighbors are only with us for the spring, after which they will return to their owner down the hill. In the meantime they will keep the tall grass mowed down for us.  This is very helpful as cool, rainy nights followed by warm days are causing the wild grasses and weeds to multiply very quickly. The ticks are already abundant, and before long we’ll have to watch our step because the rattlesnakes will be back.

The cattle aren’t my only new neighbors. A sure sign that we are finally done with winter is the return of the Kildeer. I saw a pair of them running in the driveway the day I came home. Then I noticed two of them hanging out between my house and the barn. I thought that was odd because in the 4 years I’ve lived there these little birds have always chosen a more central spot on the property to nest.

Mama Kildeer sitting on her nest

Day before yesterday I was out back with the dogs when one of the birds darted off down the hillside, and the other ran a few yards the other direction. It hunkered down, fanned it’s tail feathers, and did the butt dance at me while crying “Dee Dee, Dee Dee, Dee…” That’s when I knew for sure that there was a nest nearby.

Kildeer nest in the gravel because it is perfect camouflage for their eggs which are grey with black speckles. But in our world with many vehicles, animals, and equipment it is a bit treacherous. My landlady and I always try to spot them early so we can set up a bit of a barricade to prevent them being squashed. We can’t do anything about natural predators but we can at least keep them safe from our human existence.

I always get a chuckle out of the dance they do to distract intruders from the nest. I realize their goal is to lead us (and any other predators) away from the eggs but I just don’t see fanning the feathers and doing a dance as being a strong defense mechanism.

In a few weeks the babies will arrive and that will provide a whole new level of entertainment because they are born with all their feathers, but don’t fly for several weeks. They will run willy-nilly around the property with their tiny little bodies on very long legs. It is clearly a lot of work for the parents to keep them all in a group. There are usually four babies, and three will stick together while the fourth has to be constantly corralled. It is fascinating to watch the adults work together to keep them all safe. The current nest only has three eggs in it. Maybe that will be a bit easier for Mom and Pop.

The cattle and the Kildeer aren’t the only new neighbors. As I sat on my front stoop Friday evening I noticed a flock of birds gliding and swooping over the pasture. They were so synchronized that on a hunch I stepped into the barn, and sure enough the Swallows have returned. That realization lifted my heart. There are only about 20 of them so far, but if this year is like years past we will have about 200 before the babies start to come.

As much as I want to travel to far away places this week really made me pause and appreciate the beauty of my present location. Being away from home for six weeks didn’t hurt either. It made me look at where I live with new eyes. That is a gift.

The setting sun from my front porch – April 2013

Dahlia

Dahlia, Lillie, and Tulip at the dog park

Dahlia and Tulip only ended up staying with us for one night unfortunately. I wish they could have stayed for the full 6 days as originally scheduled because I’m certain Dahlia would have been fully integrated with Moon the cat by then. The contact they did have went very well. But due to Mother Nature, and the way the airline industry functions these days, Dahlia and Tulip’s visit was cut short.

Their person departed for her vacation at 4:30am last Thursday. She was headed to Santa Fe, New Mexico for an outdoor adventure. As her plane was descending into Salt Lake City, Utah the plane just ahead of hers slid off the runway. Her flight had to abort the landing attempt, circle around and take a second pass. Once her plane was on the ground the airport closed due to an ice storm.

After many hours of waiting two things became clear. First, they weren’t going to be able to get her on a flight to Santa Fe until late Saturday night. And second, there were no available hotel rooms in Salt Lake City. So Dahlia’s person made the painful choice to turn around and fly back home. She arrived back in Medford around midnight. Instead of a vacation she took an expensive 18-hour journey to nowhere. Her luggage on the other hand went on vacation to Santa Fe without her.

Having not flown since 1998 I can’t really imagine how frustrating it must be for anyone to go through all the indignities currently forced on airline passengers to not even make it to their destination.  But Dahlia’s person took it in stride. It was clear she was disappointed because she’d been looking forward to this trip for a long time, but she didn’t sulk about it. She loaded up the dogs and took them to the beach instead.

Dahlia and Tulip definitely approved of the change in plans.

Local Travel

Though it would be refreshing to get out of Southern Oregon for a few days, that probably isn’t going to happen this holiday season. Still I’m not complaining. Neither is Aiko. We are spending Thanksgiving week at a particularly sweet spot in Ashland, Oregon.

The front of the house is 30 steps below street level and secluded by landscaping. There’s a swimming pool, indoor hot tub, porch swing on the lower rear deck, stunning views from the upper back deck, a fireplace, and even a piano. Best of all it is inviting. Some homes feel like my mother’s formal living room which was only used when we had company, but not this one. It’s quiet and peaceful. It feels like a retreat.

The resident dogs are a pair of Corgis. Dodger and Dylan are brothers – litter mates as well as pack mates.

Dylan and Dodger

The boys are very vocal, and Dodger can be a bit of a bully. But my dogs love them. Doris and Posy can both be bullies to0, so they are a natural fit with Dodger and Dylan. As a gentler soul I don’t know why Aiko gets so excited about encountering them, or why he is so in love with this place but he’s always vocally enthusiastic about being here whether we’re just stopping by or staying for the night.

The dogs all get along well. Even with their mutually pugnacious personalities they don’t fight with each other as long as you don’t throw food on the floor between them.

They enjoy romping around in the steeply sloped backyard. All of them except Aiko charge the fence and bark like mad when the deer and other wildlife pass through the vacant lot next door. Aiko is usually digging a hole in search of whatever lives underground here.

We are also within walking distance of downtown, several hiking trails (including the one in Lithia Park that is dog friendly), a couple of city parks that allow dogs on leashes, the dog park, and the bike path. So when we want to explore past the back gate we have a lot of options.

We have days of fun ahead of us. Hopefully it won’t rain too much!

Coastal Adventure: Day 6

Leaving the dogs tucked in bed I arose at 5am and began loading the truck for our journey home.

Doris and Aiko sleeping in.

There are more options than one can easily count for hikes and adventures between Bandon and Brookings so I had big plans for an array of outings on the way back.

As daylight arrived it brought a lightly sunny morning. It was one of those days where there’s hope it will become brightly sunny and warm.

The morning view from the motel parking lot, early on 10/14/12.

We lingered around the room til nearly 9am. And still the sun showed promise.

Prior to wandering down to the beach I indulged myself in a Crab and Shrimp Omelette at The Station.

The Station — a fabulous choice for breakfast!

The Station has a nouveau feel about it, which is to say I can’t imagine the building has been standing there for more than a few years whereas most of Old Town feels like it’s been there for generations. But The Station offers delicious food, and the portions are more than generous. I should’ve had this meal on a day when doggy bagging the leftovers was a realistic option.

After breakfast the dogs and I took a last walk around town, bought a gift for our cat sitter, and then headed for the beach. By the time we got there the day had become gray.

Gray day at the beach.

The day remained gray, and also rainy until we reached Grant’s Pass several hours later.

In spite of the weather we dawdled on our journey as much as possible.

We were late leaving Bandon. We did hikes in the area until about 1pm. Only then did we roll toward Gold Beach.

We made a brief stop in Port Orford (or as some locals call it “Port Orful [Port Awful])”. From the outside Port Orford looks like a sweet tiny coastal town but I think that’s a surface perception. Though for me as someone passing through it’s not a concern, the police reports in the weekly paper would be very disturbing if I were living there.

On this gray Sunday we didn’t stop at the Battle Rock view point, where most people stop. Instead we drove to an overlook above the Port of Port Orford (Yes, it’s really called that). Though my (bad iphone) photo doesn’t begin to do it justice the mosaic bench pictured below is truly spectacular.

Overlooking Port of Port Orford, 10/14/12.

From Port Orford we continued down to Gold Beach in the hopes that we would find sunshine there. Instead we took a walk in the gray chill to the Curry County Animal Shelter. I visit this place each time I pass through Gold Beach. This shelter is special. For a start it’s truly a no kill facility – so they don’t just wait for the dogs to go crazy and then send them to the next municipal shelter for the dirty work to be done by someone else. And though the dogs are in kennels many are outside, accessible from the street, so anyone walking by can encounter with them. My experience of the county staff who run this shelter, as well as the dogs who are housed there is superlative. It’s not a pound… it’s a home.  The desperation that pervades most shelters is not relevant here.

On our walk back from the shelter we were greeted by a full moon. By which I mean naked elderly fisherman ass. (Yes Sir,  I did notice you changing your pants [sans undies] in the parking lot of the Port of Gold Beach. In future please avail yourself of the public restroom that is always available. Though nudity is legal in Oregon, and you are full form and not saggy the rest of us really don’t want to view your bare bottom.)

After surviving geriatric man-ass the dogs enjoyed one last beach romp in the fog at the south end of Gold Beach.  Doris went nuts for what appeared (to me) to be a tiny tumbleweed rolling down the beach.  Though she was on leash at this point I let her make chase. When she caught up with it she was immediately disinterested.

The drive from Gold Beach to Brookings was uneventful. As it continued to be gray and I didn’t want to drive through the narrows at night we didn’t stop until we got to Port of Brookings. Even on a rainy day it’s always worth the time to walk around the wharf.

Our final stop at Madrona along the Smith River was definitely the prize moment of the day.

Bad iphone photo of Doris and Posy playing in the Smith River.

There is something about fresh water in the late afternoon. The Smith River is amazing at any time of day but the late afternoon/early evening stops are the best.

And though I wanted to linger we didn’t.

Driving through the narrows in the dark is scary. I’ve done this so I know what I’m talking about. The road leaves little room for error and there are no lights. Get stuck back there after dark and you’ll have to wind your way out, maybe in scary solitude or maybe with a pushy 18-wheeler riding your ass. No matter the individual experience it will not be fun.

In any case the dogs were spent. They slept the 2-3 hours from Madrona to Grant’s Pass.

We rolled into Grant’s Pass as the last of the day’s light was fading. And wow! The fall foliage was startling. Did I miss those colors when I rolled through a few days prior? But when we finally arrived in Ashland it was clear to me that fall had arrived in the mere 6 days we were away.

Snapshots – Bandon, part 2

A few more snapshots from our beach adventure.

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Coastal Adventure: Day 5

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Oct17 by aikosadventures

Day 5 was a kaleidoscope day. Simple little pieces combined to create a very beautiful whole.

We began our day by walking to a viewpoint south of our motel and hiking down to the beach. Almost immediately we encountered a pair of horses.

We took the high road, literally, and went up the beach to wait for the horses to pass because Doris was in a barking frenzy. To me this was strange because we live with four horses and she never barks at them.

When the riders turned their skittish horses back in our direction and sheltered behind a large boulder rather than continuing on I was confounded. Then I saw the couple with two children and six off-leash dogs proceeding up the beach in our direction. Suddenly everything from Doris’ barking to the spooked horses made sense.

Aiko making friends!

My pack of three quickly merged with the pack of six. The greater group ran together for an extended span of beach while we humans chatted. I figured with such a large fur family they were Bandon locals, but it turns out the family lives about 7 miles from me. I was impressed that they were able to find a hotel that would allow them to lodge with all those dogs.

Aiko, Doris, and Posy definitely enjoyed encountering with the group of three small and three large dogs. But what was more fun was what happened after we parted ways. Posy, Doris, and Aiko played with each other. That just doesn’t happen.

Aiko and Doris are a natural fit (like Ozzie and Harriet). Posy changed their dynamic when she entered our household last January. She has a way of stifling them that I deeply dislike. When they get raucous she races over barking at them as if to say “Knock it off! Now!!” This was the first time I saw the three of them actually play together.

After our first beach outing we went to Barktoberfest. Ok, more correctly I took Aiko to Barktoberfest (a fundraiser for the Coos County Animal Shelter). I worried that walking through with all three dogs would be overwhelming to the locals, so I only took Aiko to view the array of booths and meet the dogs. He is a social butterfly so had to introduce himself to every dog he saw from the tiniest terrier to the poodle with the pink tail.

While we were there we met an older woman of European descent who travels with 8 little dogs, and two large birds. When we first crossed paths she was walking two very small dogs on leashes. When she opened her van door and revealed the rest of her pack I’m not sure who was more surprised, me or Aiko. Her dogs all shouted in protest when they saw us. Maybe they thought the woman was going to add one more dog to their pack!

After our trek through Barktoberfest we took a stroll around Old Town where we encountered a man with long white hair and a guitar grugging on the sidewalk. He was singing 60s era rock and Mowtown songs in a voice reminiscent of Tom Waits. Though I at first thought he was a talented panhandler, it became clear after listening for a while that he was out there showing his stuff to drum up an audience for a performance that night at a local bar called Lloyd’s.

From Old Town we meandered over to Oregon Islands (Coquille Point) and took a hike on the cliff-side path. Even though it was a blustry, sunless afternoon the view from the cliffs overlooking the beach is always quite spectacular. And Aiko, Doris, and Posy enjoyed smelling the smells and encountering other dogs. Based on the number of other dogs and the protracted sniffing this path is obviously an important pee-mail center.

As the afternoon was wrapping up we went back to the motel where we ventured off for one last beach adventure for our Saturday. By this time the fog was rolling in and I was a little afraid that I’d lose the dogs but that fear was unfounded, and they had a fabulous time chasing sticks and each other.

As we walked back up the hill Aiko had to take a grass bath. This is something he only does when he is particularly happy. Most people would just call it rolling but it’s really more than that. It’s clear from the way he dives in with his head and chortles with delight that he is bathing in the scents and sensations of the given environment.

When the last of the daylight faded we returned to our room for a hearty supper followed by a final leash walk in the coastal darkness.  After that we bedded down to the sounds of the surf.

Coastal Adventure: Day 1

After much procrastination (hey, I was afraid to try to start the truck so now I have a very clean house to return to) we rolled out of Ashland at about 10:30am on Tuesday.

I hate to admit it but I white knuckled for most of the drive so, other than a brief pit stop for fuel in Cave Junction, we simply kept rolling.

Five hours later we arrived in Bandon.

After checking in at the Sunset Motel, which has turned out to be a stellar choice (more about that later), we had a walk in old town and absorbed the views.

Walking behind a local kid wanting to go to the Dairy Queen to visit a girl I wondered about his out of place black hat, black suit, and white socks. At first I couldn’t figure out why his geeky outfit worked. And it really niggled at me because it did work. Then I recognized he was dressed as a Blues Brother. And I grinned big.

As we strolled along I noticed a tourist fisherman having his photo taken with his very large catch. In all my visits to Bandon I’ve never witnessed this particular moment. Again I grinned. This is vacation.

My grinning is mild compared to the response of the dogs to being in a coastal environment. Can you say “amped up?” The hard part is convincing Aiko and Posy to be quiet in the room. They are both shouting their joy at every opportunity. He at least sings a song. She just yells. …. Oddly, Doris who is nicknamed “Talky Tina” is being uncharacteristically quiet. Thank you Doris!

That said…. Can we stay here forever.

Face Rock at sunset – Bandon, Oregon, 10/09/12