Ode to Bro

When Wayne and I came to Powell River in 2001 our first friend was John. You can't be friends with John and not love his dog Bro, Brody if you are being formal.

Bro lived a long, well traveled life. If John went anywhere, Bro was always at his side. That ended sadly this month when Bro left this earthly world to go meet his maker. As Bro would say...

I was living in a shelter on Vancouver Isle,
When John and his family came to visit awhile.
I used my best Black Lab attitude,
And soon enough they were wooed.
We took a ferry ride to Powell River,
to a loving home that would last forever.

During my eighteen years with John,
I've been everywhere, man.

I've been everywhere.

I've been to...

Theodosia
Last Chance
Powell Lake
Mahoney
Goat Lake
Duck Lake
Princess Louisa
Lund
Last Resort
Giovanni
Goat Island
The Head
St. Vincents
Khartoum
Olsen's Landing
The Eldred
Frog Pond
Rupert's Farm
Rainy Day
Useless
Hole in the Wall
Our Float Cabin
And Best of all
My Westview home!

And many more, man.
Many, many more.
I've been everywhere, man.
I've been everywhere.

Thanks John for the best life

a Black Lab named Bro could ever imagine.

"Harry: A Wilderness Dog Saga" by Chris Czajkowski

Chris signing books at the new Powell River Library.

Earlier this month I shared about having author Chris Czajkowski as a guest at my condo here in Powell River. She was on her new book promotion tour and was schedule to make a presentation at our new Powell River Public Library.

You can read more about that visit by clicking here.

As a thank you for being her host, she gave me a signed copy of her new book Harry: A Wilderness Dog Saga. Since her visit I've had time to to enjoy this wonderful new book.

Chris is a prolific writer about wilderness adventures. So far she has published a dozen titles about her rustic life in the Chilcotin region of British Columbia.

Dogs are an important part of Chris' life. They are of course companions, but also work in their wilderness home. Each one was trained to carry packs to help Chris reach her Nuk Tessli wilderness resort. Now that she lives on a homestead closer  to (but not in) town, they still carry loads on solo hikes or excursions for guests.

Harry isn't Chris' first book written from a dog's point of view. Lonesome: Memoirs of a Wilderness Dog took the reader through the early years setting up and running the hand-built Nuk Tessli resort. Now Harry and his companion Badger continue the saga.

Chris has had many dogs over the years. The book begins with Harry traveling to the homestead via airplane and a long van ride. When they arrive, he mets his new pack mate, Badger. Older and wiser, and after a shaky start, Badger took the young Harry under his wing and started to tell the tale of the other dogs that had shared Chris' life.

In addition to Harry and Badger, Chris' current canine companions, you'll meet Nahani (Badger calls her a piece of work) and Lonesome (who was with Chris at the beginning of her wilderness adventures). You'll experience the rustic resort Nuk Tessli and meet Taya (a former sled dog) and Sport (Taya's pack mate) followed by Max (the puppy) and Ginger (of two nasty habits). As one dog left, another arrived. Next was Tessa from the SPCA, but when she didn't work out Bucky (Bucket Head) took her place. Then Raffi had to be rescued from a "rescue" agency. Next came the move from the mountains to the homestead at Ginty Creek. Bucky had to leave for a new home and Nahani arrived, then Badger and finally Harry. And now we've come full circle.

Badger, Harry and the other dogs who tell the tales have a good sense of humour, interesting names for the critters and things they encounter, and tell the story of Chris' life in a unique way. You can purchase Harry (and Chris's other books) online at Harbour Publishing, Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, in BC bookstores and on BC Ferries. -- Margy

Chris Czajkowski and Her Wilderness Dog Harry

On Tuesday I had a wonderful experience, meeting one of my favourite authors in person. Chris Czajkowski is on a tour for her newest book about her wilderness dogs.

After two events on the Lower Sunshine Coast, she came to Powell River's new library.  I've read most of Chris' books including Lonesome: Memoirs of a Wilderness Dog, a book told from another of her dogs' point of view.

Chris' new book is told through the eyes and mind of her current companions Harry and Badger. Harry: A Wilderness Dog Saga recounts their years together with Chris at the remote Nuk Tessli cabin and Chris' current homestead at Ginty Creek. Both locations are in British Columbia's northern interior.

I've been following Chris' Wilderness Dweller blog for several years. When I read she was going on tour, I wrote a comment. She sent me a personal email and we made arrangements for her to stay at our condo in town. There just wasn't enough time to go up to the float cabin.

After a brief stop to get organized and walk the dogs on the Sea Walk, we were off to the library. There was a great turnout of interested readers. Powell River is a literary town, so visiting authors are warmly welcomed. After the slide show and talk, we headed home for a quiet evening.

Chris signing books at the new Powell River Library.

Chris' tour is very demanding. After a presentation on Monday, two on Tuesday, she was off to Courteay on Wednesday morning for another. I'm really grateful she had time to put Powell River on her schedule, and had time for a personal meeting.

Stay tuned for a full book review after I have a chance to read my signed copy of Harry: A Wilderness Dog Saga. Want to get a copy? It's available online in print and Kindle formats at Amazon.ca and Amazon.com. -- Margy

Swimming Pool Weather

This summer has had many great days for swimming. Our "pool" is a natural part of the lake with it's own granite beach.

We aren't the only ones who enjoy a good swim on a hot summer day.

Bro, John's faithful dog, came for a visit and really appreciated a dip to get his hot black coat cool again. Bro is an old man as dogs go, but in the water he acts like a young pup. -- Margy

Sleep Tight, Job Well Done

Last week I shared a post about our dear cat Stick Tail. I didn't have the heart to delete it. You see, Stick passed away on Saturday, January 11.  If you follow my blog, you know that Stick has been with us for a long time. We celebrated his 23rd birthday on January 1.  Since he came to us as a stray, we picked that for his special day.

Stick on the stairs in his float cabin home.

Stick wandered into our life and hearts (through an open kitty door) in 1991. He was bedraggled and had a shortened tail, most likely due to an encounter with a coyote. We invited him to stay. A visit to the vet gave him a checkup, shots, and a tail bob to fix the damage. His shaved tail earned him the lifetime moniker of Stick Tail.

David in Pomona with his kitty Jet.

Stick first lived with us in a cityfolk condo in Los Angeles. We tried to curb his outdoor ways, but old habits die hard. After Wayne and I retired in 2005, we moved north to our float cabin on Powell Lake. During that time, Stick had a live-in friend and kitty sitter, David. It gave David a nice place to live, and Stick a wonderful companion.

Constant companions.

In 2008, we sold our Los Angeles condo and moved Stick north to Bellingham to be closer to us, and to be a companion for my mom. We weren't sure if she would take to Stick, but it was a match made in heaven. Stick kept her company while Wayne and I were at the cabin. In 2010, when she became paralyzed, he became a constant source of comfort and cheer. Every night he would get into bed and wait for her to arrive. When Mom passed away at home in 2013, Stick was right there with her.

Jeanne with Mom in Bellingham.

For the last nine months, Stick has been a frequent traveler, back and forth between Bellingham and Powell Lake. We think he even learned to enjoy the car, truck, boat, and sometimes airline trips.  Like Mom always said, "It's just important to be together."  And we were, almost 24/7 for those last months. When we had to be away, our (and his) good friend Jeanne would keep him company and keep his food bar stocked.

Mom and Stick in Bellingham.

Our greatest fear was that Stick would go before Mom. But as Mom's caregiver Bonita said, his job wasn't yet done. But at the ripe old age of 23, cancer came to take it's toll. The only option was surgery and chemotherapy. Wayne and I couldn't let him end his life in suffering, even though we suffered through the decision. We will be gathering his ashes and taking him home to his float cabin.

The food bar.

Of all his homes, we think he loved the float cabin the best. He would go up and down the loft stairs twenty times a day (and night) to check out his well stocked food bar. His upstairs sleeping pillow was covered with one of Mom's handmade afghans. Stick loved to go out on the deck and nibble green grass that grew on a cedar log out back. He would lie on the warm cedar planks, or sit between us on the sofa before a roaring woodstove fire.

Stick at his float cabin home

Stick will be long remembered. There will never be another like Kitty Cat (as Mom called him) like him. So, good-bye Stick, sleep tight, we'll miss you, job well done. -- Wayne and Margy

You Can Teach an Old Cat New Tricks

Our cat Stick Tail celebrated his 23rd birthday on January 1. He's getting up there in years, and now has some difficulty jumping up onto the bed. He's a spoiled little guy. He likes to snuggle up with us, but gets up and down several times a night.


We hated to hear him land so hard on the floor on his way down, so we asked our good friend John to build him a stool.


It took several nights, but now Stick regularly uses his stool. I'm so glad you can teach an old cat new tricks, and that they can remember so well. -- Margy

Fill 'er up, please!

Stick Tail is getting to be a good traveler.  He used to be very reluctant, but now that he has more experience, he hardly seems to mind.

Once a week he takes a ride to and from town with us. Now that it's winter, we can't leave him home alone overnight. It get very cold inside the cabin without a fire in the woodstove.

We usually try to go straight up the lake, but last weekend we needed to get gas in the boat before we left the marina.  Doesn't Stick look like he is enjoying the experience? I even think I heard him say, "Fill 'er up, check the oil, and don't forget the windshield." -- Margy

Hewescraft Ocean Pro

There's nothing like a new boat. Not just new to us, but brand new. We said we would never purchase a new boat again, you usually get more bang for your buck with a gently used boat. But we fell in love with the Hewescraft Ocean Pro, but none were available locally on the used market. We saw that as a good sign.

The Hewescraft is fun to use to take lake day trips, but our reasoning was to get a boat that was safer to use in the winter going to and from our float cabin home.  Powell Lake is about 51 kilometres (32 miles) long and over 300 metres (1000 feet) deep in places. During storm winds, waves over three feet high can kick up.


While we wouldn't try to get up or down the lake in severe conditions, even smaller waves in our old Campion runabout felt uncomfortable. We made a perfect choice!

And Stick Tail gives his five claws up "paw of approval" for the new Hewescraft. He usually doesn't like traveling in vehicles, but in the new boat he can sit on the dash and easily see out of the large windows and watch the lake and forest pass by.

Would you be interested in an aluminum welded boat by Hewescraft? These skookum (strong) boats come in a variety of sizes and styles. We found the best deal at Tom-n-Jerrys Boat Center in Mount Vernon, WA. Ask for Lee, he set us up with a great deal, and a great boat! -- Margy

Famous Pooch

Bro is a famous pooch here in Powell River.  He is one of the main characters in Wayne's Coastal BC Stories books.  Bro is getting up in years now, he's about 16.  That's senior citizen range for a Black Lab.


But Bro keeps on trucking (or I should say quadding). Wherever John goes, so goes Bro in his hand crafted aft quad box.


Here's Bro hanging out on the beach after a lively frog hunt. That sure gave him a youthful glow. Pets are such an important part of lives, aren't they. -- Margy

Cruising with Your Cat

Stick relaxing on the aft deck.

Have you ever gone cruising with a cat? Last week was a first for Wayne and me. Our cat Stick Tail now travels with us. Most of the time he stays at home in the float cabin, content to sleep on his loft bed. But if we are going to be away for more than one night, he needs to go with us.

A protected sleeping spot under the V-berth.

Last week Wayne and I took our Bayliner 3058 out for a three day cruise on the chuck (ocean). Stick came along.

Traveling in a bouncy, noisy powerboat wasn't his favourite thing, but when we were at anchor, he settled in and was quite comfortable.

Stick's spot under the captain's chair.

We're already planning our next boat trip with our "chuck cruising cat." We learned a lot on this trip to make it a better for all three of us.

Here are some hints about cruising with a cat:

1. Take something that smells like home. We chose Stick's sleeping pillow covered with his favourite afghan. 
2. Set up the boat for your cat before he or she arrives. 
3. Block off any hard to reach hiding places, but leave a few spots that will give your cat an enclosed, protected feeling.
4. Pick locations for litter box, "food bar," and sleeping spots that are easy for both you and your cat. You don't want to be tripping over things moving around in confined spaces.
5. Let your cat stay in the boat while it is still docked to get used to the unfamiliar surroundings.
6. If you are in a powerboat, take it slow to begin with. It takes time for everyone to get their sea legs.
7. Stay with your cat until you are sure he or she is comfortable while under way. I held Stick on my lap, and then sat next to him in his captain's chair bed.
8. Check on your cat periodically during cruise. If it's going to be a long trip at high speed, take a break for lunch or a snack. 
9. Make sure your cat is eating and drinking plenty of water. This is especially important for senior kitties.
10. When it's time to anchor, give your little guy lots of love and hugs. It's time for everyone to have a happy hour!

Stick in his familiar bed with his favourite afghan.

Remember, Stick is an older cat (22 years and counting).  If he can do it, I bet your cat will take to cruising as well. If you boat with your cat, or plan to try, I'd love to hear from you. -- Margy

Castile Peppermint Soap Ant Spray

If you've been reading recent posts, you know Mom's cat Stick Tail has moved in with us. We call his dining area the "food bar." From the picture, you can guess why. When Stick's hungry, he heads on over to check things out. If things aren't to his liking, he'll lie down and pray to the food gods for something better.

At the cabin, Stick's food bar had unwanted visitors - ANTS! I've seen a few on the sink, but a squish and the problem was solved. But with an endless supply of treats at the food bar, they wouldn't stop coming.

I remembered reading a post at a blog I used to follow called Pacy Crochets.  She doesn't blog any more, but does have a Pinterest site.  I bought the Castile peppermint soap. I was skeptical, but didn't want to put ant poison near Stick's food (or ours). Because of the location, I just rubbed a little soap along the edge of the wall and by the stove. I did this for three days, and no more ants. Because it's the odour that deters the ants (and mice as well), I will probably have to do it over again when we return to the cabin. But no problem, the soap goes a long way and it smells nice. Well, at least to kitties and humans. I'll also make some spray to use outdoors for good measure.

1 gallon water
4 tablespoons Castile peppermint soap

Thanks Pacy for the great tip. -- Margy

Indoor Cat Heads Outdoors

Stick Tail loves his new float cabin home.


He started his indoor life twenty years ago (he's at least 21 years old now) when we lived in Pomona, California. Our Los Angeles suburb home was near a hillside with packs of coyotes. Stick's name came from a near-death experience that cost him the tip of his puffy tail.

When we moved north, Stick came to live with Mom and became her constant companion. In a third floor apartment style condo, he remained an indoor kitty. He never seemed to mind.


Now that he has moved to our float cabin, he can go out and walk around the deck. He's discovered a HUGE drinking bowl that will never run dry. Lap it up, Stick. -- Margy

A Cat Bed for Stick Tail

Stick Tail settled right into cabin life. Wayne and I were amazed how relaxed he was, and how he remembered things from his visits over two and a half years ago. The couch with his afghan from home and our bed upstairs are his favourite hangouts.

The first night he slept with us, but later jumped down to sleep on the hard floor next to the foot of the bed. I remembered this habit from his last visit. I decided I would make a softer cat bed for him to make it a little more comfortable for his old bones.

I got an old bolster I never used and cut the flannel covering to match the size of a larger afghan Mom had made for him. I stitched it into a large rectangle and stuffed it with fiberfill, also from the old bolster.  I put it on the floor where he likes to sleep and covered it with the afghan.

It's nice when things work out. That night he started in bed as usual, but quickly jumped down to his new spot. Doesn't he look comfy? -- Margy

Stick Tail's Long Journey

What an exhausting trip. Early in the morning, we left the Bellingham condo where I've lived for six and a half years with my dear lady friend Louise. Wayne and Margy explained I'm going to live with them from now on, mostly at their float cabin up Powell Lake.

Louise and I've made the trip by car and BC Ferries many times for vacation visits. This trip it's just the three of us. When we arrived in Powell River, it was raining and windy, so Wayne and Margy decided to stop at the condo in town. A nice overnight rest stop for all of us.

The next leg of the trip came the following morning. I had to ride in my carrier. Margy explained dogs frequent the boat docks. It was all a bit fuzzy in my memory, but once Wayne cranked the boat engine it came back in a rush. Margy held my carrier in her lap and opened the corner so I could look out.  She was right, it was less scary down in the bottom.

Wayne carried me into the cabin. Once Margy had my food bar and litter box set up, I got out. It was just as I had remembered from the last time Louise and I came for visit two and a half years ago. I'm always thirsty after a long ride, so I went right to the food bar. Margy was amazed I remembered so well. What did she expect?

The litter box is in the new bathroom right next to their compost toilet. I've heard some humans say they're almost the same. At least you don't have to crank mine when your done with your business. I impressed Wayne and Margy so much they let me outside on the first day. I always check out the flowers first.

Then I walked counter-clockwise around the cabin. That's the way I used to follow Louise. At the back, I jumped down to the lower deck to look underneath the float. Margy suggested I keep that for another day. My old legs wouldn't let me jump back up again, so Margy showed me an easier route back to the front. I'll remember that for next time. After all, I'm a smart kitty. -- Stick Tail

Heading Home

Wayne, Stick Tail, and I are heading home to the float cabin this week. This will be Stick's first trip since Summer 2010. After that, he's stayed with Mom at the condo in town. As an indoor only condo cat, he should enjoy the outdoor freedom.

This will be a poignant trip, the first in Mom's Buick we lovingly call Big Bertha, but without Mom. However, she'll be going with us in spirit. Mom will always be an important part of our lives. As I looked through some old photos, there are some great ones of Mom and Stick at the cabin.

I'm so glad I was able to share float cabin living with Mom in all seasons. Winter was the hardest. We had to keep the fire going day and night to keep the interior warm enough. But as I've said before, Mom was a trooper. Plus, she was a long-time camper with Daddy and me.









Mom always loved her glass of red wine at happy hour. Chin-chin!

When we get to the cabin, I will be excited to see what has happened in my float garden. On our last trip, I planted new bareroot strawberries, onion sets, carrots, beets, spinach, and lettuce. In barrels on the deck, I planted Yukon Gold potatoes from my own sets, Scarlet Runner Beans and Snow Peas. We've had both rain and warm sunshine, so in the last three weeks lots of growth should have occurred. I'll keep you posted. -- Margy