Adventures in Forest Park

[2crazycairns]

Hi Everyone!

This is Gus. I have commandeered mom's computer for a minute so I can tell you of the great adventure I had today!

What with all the sunshine we have here in Portland right now, mom decided we'd have a special treat today and she said we were gonna go for a walk in a wonderful place called Forest Park. It's in the heart of the city and it's over 5,000 acres! What a GREAT place! We started early and walked in for 6 miles over wonderful trails and I got to chase butterflies, sniff all kinds of new smells, play in LOTS of mud and chase squirrels. I really had a fantastic time. Mom took some pictures so I put some of them up here so you could enjoy them too.

I want SO much to go back some day but mom says it may be a while before we do. We got back to the car and I got this lecture about wrapping HER legs up in MY leash what seems like a million times (hey, I told her I didn't need the darn thing but SHE insisted) and she also said something about not enjoying the 'full body face plant' in a big mud hole when I went chasing after a bird . I TOLD her I didn't need the leash. I can't help it if she won't listen! Besides....it washes off.

Anyway, she said I have to do some 'behavior modification' before we go back. I don't know what that is but it doesn't sound like something I'll enjoy. We'll see. After all that fun, it's time for a nap. Hope you enjoy the pics!

Gus

P.S. since I can't seem to get the pics to upload (*$@*!) you can see them on my mom's facebook page.

Rita Roetker, Portland, OR

[jodi0553]

Hey Gus,

Lucky you!!! I used to live in Portland and there were SO MANY great parks with lots of smells and other dogs. Now I live in New York and all the smells are covered in a blanket of white stuff! No worries, I can get a great back scritching rollin' around in the white stuff! I think my squirrels might not like the white stuff since they have been hiding for a long long time! I miss chasing them so much! Lucky lucky you!

Watch out for that behavior modification stuff. When I lived near you, my mom took me on a bunch of car rides towards the big mountain to a place called "Boring" and where we went to "obedience school". They fitted me up for a training collar and whenever I wear it I feel like I just gotta behave and walk like a gentleman on a loose lead cuz I remember the pops I get if I don't. I sure hate it but they really brainwashed me!!!

Currey

[2crazycairns]

Hey Currey!

I'm sorry to hear that you have so darn much of that white stuff where you live. We got some of it here around the time that "Santa" dude showed up but thankfully it didn't stay very long. If I could pack up some squirrels to send you I sure would but I think mom might get a bit P.O.'d if I tried such a stunt.

You are right about Portland. There are SO many cool parks around here! I've been to quite a few but the one mom keeps talking the most about is Thousand Acres. I've had lots of other doggies tell me that you can run all you want and you don't have to wear that darn "leash" thing around your neck. They say there's always lots of other doggies to play with too! But again, mom keeps talking about the mud. I just don't understand her issues with it!

Boy I'm glad you told me about that collar thingie. That things sounds downright horrific!

I love going out for walks SO much that I'm usually on my best behavior but that day in the park.....oh my gosh! There was just so much too see and so many smells and, and, and.....I guess I just forgot myself. Mom seems to have forgiven me tho so it's all good for now.

Here's hoping you see some sunshine soon and that your squirrels come out to play!

Later Dude!

Gus

[oscar's mom]

Hi Gus,

This is Oscar here. Never been to Portland, but there is a Forest Park in the next town over. I've been there a couple of times. Mom won't let me off the leash either, she says she's afraid of me going after the ducks in the lake.

I hear there is a Cairn girl named Ms MoneyPenny that goes swimming in the lake daily during the summer. This is a picture of her:

http://photos.masslive.com/photogallery/2009/02/ms_moneypenny_taking_her_daily.html

Can't wait to meet her

[bradl]

Heh, small world! I used to live at the edge of Forest Park (in Mass) during high school. Grew up in East Longmeadow and moved to Longmeadow in high school. I know (well, knew) that park well. Now I live a few miles from another Forest Park.

[Zekey's Mom]

Oscar -- looks like someone finaly got a photo of the elusive Cairn Retriever!

[Hawkeye]

Heh, small world! I used to live at the edge of Forest Park (in Mass) during high school. Grew up in East Longmeadow and moved to Longmeadow in high school. I know (well, knew) that park well. Now I live a few miles from another Forest Park.

OMG Brad. I lived in Longmeadow Mass for many years before moving to CT. We took our kids and very first cairn to Forest Park all the time. It is a small world.

[oscar's mom]

I grew up in Forest Park section of Springfield, and now just relocated back to Longmeadow, MA. Very small world. I love this site!

[dinib]

I grew up in Forest Park section of Springfield, and now just relocated back to Longmeadow, MA. Very small world. I love this site!

You left the Bay Area?

[oscar's mom]

Yes moved back to the area i grew up in. 3 months later, not feeling this was the best decision ever made.

[lindasue]

OK all you Mass people - I live in Fitchburg! Looks like lots of cairns around this state!

[oscar's mom]

I think we need to have a cairn get together this summer. Any one have a fenced in backyard?

[lindasue]

Don't have a fenced back yard, but would love to have a get together! Haven't seen a single Cairn around here since we got Pegi on Nov. 1!!!!