Cinnamon is Called a Little Puppy

Cinnamon Roll #3

This story about Cinnamon happened on Labor Day as I was walking him around our neighborhood. We approached a house with 3 little boys playing on their porch on their walk and heard this conversation.

"Look at that cute little puppy", said one boy.

"That's not a little puppy that's a big dog", said the other boy to him.

Then as we were leaving sight the first boy had a change of heart and said, "Look at that big dog."

This might be the first time that Cinnamon was called a little puppy. Ultimately I think he helped educate a boy on the difference between a little dog and a big dog.

Cinnamon Makes Jonathan Laugh

Cinnamon Roll #2

On Tuesday evening, July 23, 2013. Jonathan and I were walking our Golden Retriever Cinnamon around our city block. Half way through the walk, Jonathan picked up a stick to play with as he is accustomed to doing. I don't necessarily think that is an autism trait, but maybe boys just like to play with sticks.

After a while Cinnamon snatched the stick out of Jonathan's hands and started eating the stick. I think Cinnamon thought Jonathan was playing with him or feeding him. This made Jonathan laugh. I reminded Jonathan after this that Cinnamon was his very own dog. After that I got Jonathan to hold Cinnamon's leash (with me also holding the leash as well) for a while as we continued our walk. This made both boy and dog (and Dad) happy.

I have wrote about this incident because Jonathan seemed to be genuinely happy with his dog. Sometimes seemingly small moments can make a tremendous difference.

Cinnamon Goes on a Road Trip

Cinnamon Roll #1.

On Saturday, June 29, 2013, I left my home in Pittsburgh and said goodbye to the "Mommy" who rescued me after I was abandoned and left wandering the streets as a little guy. She gave me such a good start in life and I will always remember her. I met my new family and went on a long and fun road trip.

I got to ride in the back seat of a car next to my new brother. I didn't understand some of the energy and anxiety my new brother with autism was expressing in the car, but I didn't bark and let him touch me if he wanted too. I tried to remain calm.

I barked just once on the trip, when I saw a mean looking Rottweiler outside of our car at a rest stop on the highway. I heard an ambulance go by and didn't bark. I also heard fireworks in the neighborhood of my new home and didn't bark. People walking on the sidewalk near our house after midnight bother me though until my parents tell me it is okay.

The trip took all day because of frequent stops and the sunset was beautiful when we were getting close to my new home. When we pulled off the highway into the city where I will live, I stood up in the back seat and looked out the window to see all the new surroundings. When I got to my new home this little cat ran into hiding. She ran so fast I don't know what color she is. I stayed up past midnight and got up at 7am. I can already see I'm going to have to grab cat naps during the day when the family is out doing things without me. Did I say cat naps? I mean dog naps. Until next time.

Cinnamon Roll chronicles special days in the life of the Golden Retriever Cinnamon.