6A COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL MAY 24, 2017
Biker buddies
It was by divine intervention
that Maureen found little Yogi.
The universe “litter”ly placed
the dog in her path!
“My girlfriend, Shelly, and I
were wearing snow gear while
riding our Harley Davidsons
on a bitterly cold day,” said
Maureen. “We were driving
down a long empty rural farm
road. In the center of the road, I
saw a cold baby rabbit shaking
and shivering. I pointed to the
animal, so Shelly would avoid
it. We could not believe what
the ‘bunny’ was! In the middle
of nowhere was the cutest one
pound Pomeranian/Papillon
puppy! I pulled over and placed
it in my jacket to warm it up.
I sent my cousin a photo of
him and she said, ‘He looks like
Yogi, the dog Granny had when
we were kids!’ So I named him
Yogi Bear-A after the baseball
player, Yogi Berra, and gave
him the last name Ryder be-
cause he rides with me.”
Since Maureen “saved” Yogi
on a bike, he holds the experi-
ence close to his heart. Initially,
he rode in her back pack until
she bought him a leather pet
bike bag that she harnesses
him into. This way Yogi out of
the wind, buffered behind his
mama. It has a compartment
for ice, for summer air condi-
tioning, a drawer for a water
dish, leash, ball, snacks and his
swimming towel. He wears pro-
tective eye Doggles while rid-
ing, and the bag is big enough
for him to curl down for a nap
or watch out its windows.
Drivers honk, smile and wave
when they see Yogi. They love
it when Yogi stands up with his
paws on Maureen’s back to see
where he is going!
One summer’s day, the riding
duo rode for eight hours. They
returned home for dinner and
Maureen thought that Yogi
would purr-fur staying home,
but he insisted on going for a
night ride with her. So off they
went, riding into the sunset.
When they stop, people line up
to take his picture!
"I'm thinking of getting a Hu-
mane Shelter donation can for
his pictures,” laughs Maureen.
“His fans ask about him, talk
about the bag, and ask if he is
safe. I never leave Yogi on the
bike when I go shopping. He’s
so cute that I don’t want him
stolen.
And talk about being safe!
How about on dry land? Once
a curious crow swooped down
and pecked Yogi. After that
incident, I am watchful for owls
and eagles.
Yogi ‘purr-furs’ sleeping in my
bedroom closet, snuggled under
the leathers that we wear for
biking. As a puppy he was so
tiny that he slept in the bike’s
helmet.”
Maureen made her little Ryder
a coat and knitted a Cowichan
sweater to keep him warm on
winter outings.
A few other fun facts on Yogi
are: He swims UNDERwater,
and is a better ball fetcher than
Maureen’s Golden Retriever.
Also, little Yogi is a ball-ahol-
ic, who tries sinking his teeth
into any ball, big or small. And
his favorite toy is his rubber
squeaky.
“I love biking, traveling, and
Yogi,” adds Maureen, “We
enjoy each other’s company
and there is something mag-
ical, inspirational, and joyful
about biking. There is a sense
of freedom fl ying down a road
with the wind in your face. This
summer, we are planning a rode
trip down the Oregon coast.”
TIPS
Are you a member of the ADS
club? Sonja Wilkins, who is
involved in pet rescue, laugh-
ingly said, “My friend admitted
that, ‘When we see a cute dog
we turn into suckers every time,
anywhere!’ I responded with,
“Well, I guess that makes us All
Day Suckers!’ It is a big club!”
Not to be out done by this cute
dog’s article, Linda Diaz’s cat,
Mittens, was sitting on her lap
as she typed me an email, “Ex-
cuse the typing,” wrote Linda.
“The last part is from Mittens.
Who is learnibg ti typeeeeeeee.”
Tell us your pet’s adventure.
angelscribe@msn.com
“Follow” Pet Tips ‘n’ Tales on
Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/Pet-
TipsandTales
Humane Society for Neuter/
Spay Assistance Program. (541)
942-2789
Cottage Theatre presents
A trivial comedy for serious people
Stay
In Control
on Memorial Day
As we look forward to an extended holiday weekend, our area
merchants encourage you to celebrate responsibly – for your own
safety and the safety of our entire community. According to National
Highway Traffi c Safety Administration (NHTSA) statistics, Memorial
Day weekend ranks second only to New Years in percentage of alcohol-
related traffi c deaths. Whether you’re driving a car or a boat, it’s
important to remember that alcohol impairs your judgement and
slows reaction time. You can help prevent drunk driving tragedies this
holiday weekend and year-round by staying sober behind the wheel
and keeping friends from drinking and driving.
Th is message brought to you by these sponsors:
B RAD ’ S C OTTAGE G ROVE C HEVROLET
C OTTAGE G ROVE P OLICE D EPARTMENT
S OUTH L ANE C OUNTY F IRE AND R ESCUE
G RACE O LSON
P INOCCHIO ’ S P IZZA
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A UTO A RT B ODY & P AINT , I NC .
N ORTH D OUGLAS F IRE AND EMS
B USTERS M AIN S TREET C AFÉ
F ORT R OCK C ONSTRUCTION
B IG S TUFF BBQ
C OTTAGE G ROVE S ENTINEL
The
June 9–25
Importance
of Being
Earnest
By Oscar Wilde
Directed by Alan Beck
Sponsored by:
Tickets available online, by phone, or at the door one hour before performance
Thursday−Saturday 8:00 pm; Sunday 2:30 pm. $25 Adult, $15 Youth (age 6−18)
541-942-8001 • 700 Village Drive • Cottage Grove
www.cottagetheatre.org