Meet the new Mayor of Muttzanita!
Posting on behalf of Kim Rosenberg
loretta.kim.rosenberg@gmail.com
I sat down with the new Mayor of Muttzanita, Ms. Nina Kahnie, after the recent election to talk with her about how she plans to use her platform in the coming year.
Ms. Kahnie is a local gal born in Bayside Gardens to Tiny and Benjamin and adopted by her human family Ben and Kim. Her brother, Jasper, lives nearby and the two enjoy playing hard on the beach, in the dunes and by the bay where they practice sumo wrestling moves, old school hip hop break dancing and fast ball figure 8 racing.
At our interview on a lovely September afternoon, Ms. Kahnie wore a stunning red harness from 4 Paws on the Beach that showed off her athletic build. While we talked she nibbled on a late lunch of dehydrated elk liver and sauteed chicken hearts.
K.R. Congratulations, Mayor Kahnie. What would you like to say to the folks who voted for you and those who did not?’
N.K. It’s an honor to be nominated and run with a pack of such talented and charismatic dogs, let alone win. I’m thrilled and excited to represent all dogs everywhere!
K.R. What passions and interests do you bring to your term in office?
N.K. As a dog, I’ve always been interested in trees, plants and all the creatures that call the outdoors home. A few years ago, my humans replaced the ornamental grass in the front yard with trees and plants that attract and feed a variety of birds and pollinators. The goal is to eventually have year round food and shelter for a variety of creatures.
K.R. Why are trees so important to you?
N.K. Well, trees are a dog’s community message board. We have super-powered sniffers. We pick up all the local news and events, kind of like the BBQ but using trees not computers. After checking my pee mail, I know who’s in town, how long they’re staying and how they are. I know if a coyote or bobcat has been around or if the elk are in town. All us dogs do. But it’s not just about the trees, it’s what you humans call GREEN SPACE. I’m color challenged so I don’t know what this ‘green’ deal is all about but I can tell when a place is home to a critter. Wild creatures can only live in places where the conditions are right. So I like to keep my eyes open and my nose to the ground. When I’m walking my humans I’m constantly giving things the smell test to see what’s going on. Sometimes I even find snacks like road pizza! A great perk.
K.R. What do people get out of trees and plants?
N.K. You miss my point! It’s not just about trees or plants. Everything is connected. In my short life I’ve noticed that humans don’t seem to understand this. You aren’t separate from nature; you are part of it. Do you dig me? Without one thing like trees, other things like bugs and birds don’t exist. For us dogs, whether we’re sniffing the wind, digging a hole, chasing a squirrel, barking at hummingbirds, it’s all connected to nature and how we live. We’re happy if we’ve played hard outside. I think humans are the same. I’ve noticed that after I get my humans outside for some fresh air they’re calmer, sleep better and don’t get into as much trouble. I’ve heard that working in the yard even lowers blood pressure while elevating moods. I know that’s true for me. Getting my paws in the dirt on the daily for a do- it-yourself excavation project relaxes me. Plus, a chance to chase rodents!
K.R. What are a few of your favorite trees and plants?
N.K. There are so many! I’m a big fan of twin berry bushes. They get to to be about 10 ft tall and have yellow flowers in the very early spring that bees and hummingbirds really like when there’s not much food for them to eat. The blooms go for a long time. Dark purple berries form later and they don’t fall off the plant so no mess! There are so many other great native plants like kinnickinnic, loosestrife, salal, Oregon grape and huckleberry that do well here, even in poor sandy soil.
K.R. If a person isn’t much of a gardener how do they know what plants would grow well here?
N.K. A couple of things I think are helpful. The first is to ask friends and neighbors who garden what’s worked in their yards. You can also do some researching on-line or ask a Tillamook County Master Gardener. They have a great website and you can submit questions or give them a call. Also check out Aldervale Native Plants on North Fork Road. You can find more information about Aldervale on-line. Last but certainly not least, you can visit the Wonder Garden Plant Sale on September 20 from 10-12 at 595 Laneda where you’ll find a variety of beautiful plants.
K.R. What’s your final message for the readers, Mayor Kahnie?
N.K. We live in a beautiful place full of all kinds of wild living creatures. They benefit us. They need our support. You don’t need to do something big. Start small. Be mighty, not bitey. Like me. Nina Kahnie.
