Jun

04

2015

Camping At Mallard Marsh, Deschutes National Forest: A Brown and White Chihuahua Terrier’s Perspective

camping / Chihuahua / fun / summer / teardrop trailer / Uncategorized  Posted by / 0 comments
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Hello Make Room readers. I’ve been asked to recount a portion our camping trip for your reading pleasure. I have graciously accepted the offer and taken time out of my busy day to offer you the following commentary:

It was another long trip in the car. But I didn’t mind.  I had my bed, my dearest love Baby, and both Baby and were turning a delightful shade of dirty grey. My crate was positioned so that I had a view of the passing scenery and could take advantage of the sun:
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Petie was also there, but mostly I just pretended he was a warm throw pillow. My name is Spanky Aspinall-Heinzelman, I am a Chihuahua-Terrier (somedays more one than the other) and the best looking member of my family. My fur is ridiculously soft, my nose and tummy are, what I have been told, a mesmerizing shade of pink and I have a disarmingly endearing floppy ear (which I know how to use to full advantage). I am highly skilled with a tennis ball and have almost mastered the art of Jedi mind control. Soon all the time will be kibble time…

We were headed to our next camping destination. As we drove on the elevation rose and the trees grew closer together, I heard the
Call of the Wild.  The terrier in me longed to run free, chase rabbits, howl at the moon, and then sleep peacefully in my warm comfy bed (okay the last part might be the Chihuahua in me).
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We finally arrived. The air was brisk and cool, I instructed my humans to set up camp while I made myself busy alerting the inhabitants to our arrival and showed Baby the sights. Petie and leaped through the tall grass and chased a RABBIT. A real life RABBIT. Because I was feeling generous I let the rabbit live. I was just settling in, feeling wild,mighty and free when this happened:
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All the wind was effectively taken out of my sails. So much for reconnecting with my ancestral roots. But I was not deterred for long.The next morning I started fresh and renewed with a dust bath. Filthy, sun drenched, satisfied, and surrounded by my favorite items  I eagerly anticipated the day:
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But, yet again disappointment was riiiight around the corner. Just as I thought I’d be getting in the car, adventure bound, I found myself on top of the picnic table being bathed. I am certain I heard that rabbit from the day before snickering. Petie was smirking too, but then it was his turn. Not so smug after that.
I managed to salvage my dignity on the car ride. A mere 30 minutes until we treated the people of Bend to a march around their downtown. Many heads turned as they watched in awe as a most handsome specimen of a dog proudly walk by leading his humans. I would have been more proud if the humans had had a bath. I really don’t understand this hyper concern with my hygiene when theirs really left something to be desired.
We made a few stops in Bend. And the last one Petie and I got out to enjoy a pint at Crux Fermentation Project. Nothing really ends a satisfying day out like a icy cold frosty brew dog.
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As much as I enjoyed Bend, I was pleased to return to camp. Nature was calling. I longed to run free across the marsh and through the Pine forest. It was a little chilly though. And the humans really did need my protection. Certainly I could not let Petie shoulder all the responsibility. It was a hard decision, but in the end I made the sacrifice and curled up in my warm bed tucked up with Baby and my fleecy blanket. Creatures of Deschutes  Forest, we shall meet again.