Eva's Debut on Richmond Pet Lovers (dot) com

On this last day of adopt-a-shelter-cat month, Eva (pictured sunning her spoiled self above) has agreed to make a guest appearance over at Richmond Pet Lovers (dot) com's blog. (Note: She is a hard gig to book.)

Why not pop on over there, hear her out and maybe shoot her some fan mail?

Some not so great photos of some really great dogs - at the dog show

I have many other great photos from our Cardigan Corgi "social" this past weekend, but those are saved for another day this week. These photos were taken inside the dog show venue (which, by the way, was painted an off white color and had poor lighting; therefore, my camera was struck dumb and only managed these poor excuses for pictures) and I'd really like to share them with you. :)

Jon Farleigh has just asked me to "pinch him because this can't be real."  :)

Jon Farleigh's sister, Georgia, in the show ring. Such a pretty girl!

Dewi still under the influence of Oscar Mayer wiener (after the CGC test)
(If you click the photo to enlarge, you'll see that Dewi's got a Belgian Sheepdog wanting some of that "good stuff" too.)

The pretty Pembroke Welsh Corgi who was Best of Breed on Sunday

This lovely rear end belongs to an Irish Wolfhound. Oh, by the way, that was no small Doberman Pinscher either.

Three little pigs French Bulldogs - so cute!  (Not as cute as Benny and Lily though.)

German Shorthaired Pointers

I JUST ADORE...

Wirehaired Dachshunds!!!!!

This is the devastatingly handsome Rush (the Cardigan Welsh Corgi) and his owner/handler, Heidi.

Rush was Best of Breed on Sunday, which earned him a place to compete in the Herding Group. He placed fourth! Here he is lined up with the other Herding Group winners: the Pembroke Welsh Corgi (3rd), Old English Sheepdog (2nd) and Border Collie (1st) - all gorgeous dogs! We had so much fun!

*****

I hope you get to do something fun today!

It's Almost Wednesday Wordless Wednesday???

It is late here and I am unable to string coherent thoughts. So here is a photo of Dewi:

This was taken right after we left the CGC test venue on Sunday.

Just so you know, he would've had the same expression even if he had failed. :)

Angel-faced, poop-eating squid-dog is also a Good Citizen (with the help of Oscar Mayer's miraculous powers)

If you read last Friday's post to the end, you might recall that I mentioned the dogs and I would be attending AKC all-breed conformation shows this weekend (as spectators to cheer on Jon Farleigh's sister Georgia). (I also promised photos from the event, which, incidentally, will have to wait until another day because I'm still sorting them out and mulling over them.) Anyway, what I did not mention - because I was chicken - was that Dewi and I would be taking the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test - being offered to the general public - on Sunday afternoon at the show venue.

Some of you - who've been following the blog for a while (at least since February) - might remember that I had a bit of a struggle with Dewi in his Basic Obedience class. But in case this is news to you, let me summarize: Dewi is a brilliant little spaz dog, who loves other dogs and people more than they might love him. On the last day of obedience school, however, under the influence of an Oscar Mayer wiener, he transformed into the obedient dog I paid $90 for him to be, and graduated like a champ.

But enough background.

So at 2:12 p.m. (not that I was cognisant of the exact time) yesterday, Dewi did it again. That is, despite huge odds against him in Vegas (okay, not really, but I wouldn't have bet on him) and in spite of himself (and my huge nerves), he passed. He is a Canine Good Citizen. :) (Yay!)

Now, let me tell you what happened before the test
(remember the test was administered within a dog show venue crammed with hundreds of dogs and people):

1. Dewi dragged me halfway through the parking lot toward the first dog he laid eyes on.
2. Once inside the venue, Dewi continued to pull toward the faces (and butts) of most every dog in our path.
3. I had serious doubts about going through with the test.
4. Dewi spotted a familiar dog (Jon Farleigh's sister) and lost all his marbles.
5. I decided that humor would be the best response to Dewi miserably failing the test. (I might as well give the evaluator a good laugh, no?)
6. Dewi's fairy godmother (aka: Oscar Mayer wiener) popped out of my bag.
7. Dewi temporarily forgot where he was and performed a brilliant sit-stay.
8. I slipped Dewi some fairy dust (courtesy of Oscar Mayer "pharmaceuticals").
9. I repeated #s 7 and 8 several times.
   
   30 minutes and 1.5 wieners later...
   
   
   
   This is Dewi's brain on crack Oscar Mayer wiener.
   
   
10. I plunged my left hand into the wiener baggie and coated it with "Eau de Smoked Hot Dog."
11. I gave Dewi one last hit of crack fairy dust wiener the second before entering the test ring.
12. The test evaluator reminded me of the "no treat" rule and then (somewhat playfully) motioned for me to show him my open palms (which I did). He also (visually) examined my person for pockets/treat dispensing devices.  

So let me just recap
- for those who might have a dog with similar temperament to Dewi and have aspiration to get your dog CGC certified:

• Attend obedience training with your dog.
• While in obedience training, experiment with drugs treats.
• When you find one that makes your dog look at you with the expression in the above photo, stockpile it (if needed) and use it ONLY when you need a miracle from your dog.

*****
Happy Monday!

Fight, Flight or Turn into Jell-o?

Answer Key

Cat: Fight

Jon Farleigh: Flight

Dewi: See below.

Dewi????

In the relatively short time that he's been in my family, I only know of three things that Dewi isn't fond of:

1. Going in the x-pen when the humans are leaving.
2. Going "night-night" in his room crate.
3. The Dremel.

However, instead of running away and hiding from these things (like Jon Farleigh - who, incidentally, is perfectly okay with the x-pen and going "night-night" ), or scratching my eyes out (hyperbole), like the cats, Dewi prefers to drop to the floor, roll over and transform into a tentacled, gelatinous blob, as illustrated below:

"Did you just say 'Dremel'?"

"I won't look."

"Aieeeeeeeeeee! Help meeeeeeeeeee!!"

"I'm still not looking."

So Dewi chose to lie on the floor like a limp squid. It was his only defense.

And because Corgis are long-backed dogs, needing proper hind-quarter support when being lifted, it is impossible for me to get him out of this position (without risking spinal injury - to us both) unless I roll him back over and hoist him up -- like a wayward barn animal on a cliff being air-lifted by a helicopter. 

It is hilarious. :)

What does your dog(s) do to get out of doing something "unpleasant"?

*****

Hope your weekend is pleasant and "squid"-free (unless it's battered and fried, with a squirt of lemon)!

(P.S. The dogs and I will be ringside this weekend watching Jon Faleigh's sister Georgia (Dewi's old flame) compete in an AKC all-breed conformation show. We can't wait to see her and all the other dogs (of all breeds). Look for photos on the blog next week.)

On the Road Again with Jon Farleigh and Dewi

This is how dog art happens.

All photos in the slideshow are courtesy of Oldest and Youngest Children.

If given the choice, would your dog(s) stick its head out the window, like Dewi, or watch from inside the vehicle, like Jon Farleigh?

(P.S. The windows were only down for a short, neighborhood portion of the ride.)

Of course it's dog art!

It's even layered...over a cityscape...

And a concrete overpass.

What?! You disagree?? :)

Okay, so Youngest Child took a bunch of photos from the backseat of the car this morning. (More photos - with dogs - to come later.) I hadn't realized the dogs had been doodling so much on the windows. :) I wonder if it's obvious from the outside?

Oh, who cares. :)

Are your car windows decorated?

The Face of an Angel Dog



Dewi at 19 weeks

This dog would never pick up poop and then force his mom to pry it out of his mouth with her bare hand. No, not this dog.

Ew.

(Personal note: The Kids, as of yesterday, are officially on summer break from school. Madness ensues and I am upside down with the blog posting/visiting. Please bear with me while I attempt to recover some of my marbles.)

An Attempt at Humility and Grace (and a shameless plea)

Oh geez, I've broken out in splotchy red hives all over my chest and neck. If you could actually see me, I think I'd hyperventilate and then throw up. But, here goes...

I am honored (and humbled) to have been recently recognized by three separate peers, on three separate occasions, as a blog/blogger of particular merit. :) Here are the particulars:

Kristine, the amazingly articulate author of the highly engaging blog, Rescued Insanity, called me a Versatile Blogger. (Secret reveal: I'm honored that she, along with many of you, even subscribes to my blog :).)

I'm supposed to now tell you seven random things about me to illustrate my versatility. Here you go:

• Cooked spinach is a favorite vegetable.
• I can hold my breath swimming underwater for 25+ meters.
• I have never been without a pet.
• My first pet as a legal adult was a "pound" cat named Buster.
• I have terrible handwriting.
• I liked to write plays when I was little (and forced friends and siblings to act them out, in costume).
• I only read the ending of the last Harry Potter book,  and would do it again. :)

Now I'm supposed to name some other Versatile Bloggers, but since a few weeks ago I already did (and it included all of you), I'll just be moving on.

*****

So then last week, Hawkeye (Hawk), the handsome and multi-talented Chesapeake Bay Retriever at Brown Dog CBR, and Oscar, the adorable and pawsome young student-Miniature Schnauzer at Oscar the Pooch, both said I was inspirational.

Now that was humbling, since the only things I hope to inspire, with my blog, are a few smiles - and a laugh or two, if I'm lucky. Thanks again, Hawk and OscarBlogger, you inspire me, too!

Speaking of being inspired, I must also pass this award along to 10 other blogs. But let me tell you, there are way more than 10! But rules will be rules, so I went down my list of blog subscriptions and picked 10 blogs that have actually inspired me into action. Yep, these blogs/bloggers have had some tangible influence over me in some way, and here they are, in random order:

• Life with The Horde - Author, Red Dog Mom, is one of the main reasons I'm still around. She, her red dogs and her sense of humor inspired me to tap into my own [sense of humor], and all I can say is, "Who knew?"
• A Tail of Two Cardis - Author, Taryn, inspires me to be a better leader for my dogs. She is passionate about training, her dogs adore her and she makes everything look so easy!  
• Darby's Daily - Author, Boo's Mom, makes me want to spin yarn out of my dogs' shedded hair. (Well, not exactly - although I did roll some hair into a cute ball once - but she does make me want to make pretty things - and I'm not exactly crafty.)
• The Daily Corgi - Founder and editor, Laurie Eno, is a dog blogging phenom. Her selfless outpouring of all-things-Corgi and for-Corgis is simply unmatched in the pet blogging world. She makes me want to be a better person. You'll just have to see it to believe it.
• CorgiPals - Author, Paige Davis, started this blog - a sister to The Daily Corgi - purely out of a desire to help Corgis (including mixes) in need. From the homeless to the infirmed, she, along with her vigilant community, is there for the dogs. How can that not be inspiring?
• Little Dogs on Long Leashes - Georgia Little Pea and Her Typist are hilarious (and so doggone smart). How can I say this...they both inspire me to just be me (and by that I mean the me who is crude and probably offensive). They rock!
• According to Gus - Author, Lori, is one of the best reviewers I've ever encountered. I can't wait to follow her gang - including Gus the pooch - on their travels across the U.S. If you've seen (or see) a review on my blog, it's by her example (although, I'm not nearly as good at it as she is).
• Something Wagging this Way Comes - Author, Pamela, inspires me to put on my Thinking Cap (yes, I sometimes have to take off the Dunce Cap first). I always look forward to her insightful (and often amusing) tales about Honey, her Golden Retriever.
• Of Pit Bulls & Patience - Author, Jenny, is a dog trainer, owner of rescues, Skye (the Pittie) and Parker (the Schnauzer mix), and a sometimes foster dog-mom. Let's see...she has the "patience of Job," a heart of gold, is funny and takes amazing photos. She inspires hope in humanity. :)
• George The Lad - George (the Welsh Terrier) and his Mom are among the best tour guides in Great Britain. Not only are they witty, but they have a way with photographs that makes me want to sell bloody everything and move across The Pond! (Is that wrong?) 

*****

Lastly, but definitely not the least, Oscar the Pooch's person, OscarBlogger, has kindly nominated me for one of these, in the category of Funniest Blog or Blogger:

I have to admit, I didn't know much about Dogtime's Pet Blog Awards until recently - and I would have simply accepted the nomination quietly - except that the winners each get $500 to donate to an animal shelter of choice - and well, since somtimes I'm funny - I'VE DECIDED TO BEG FOR MORE VOTES. :)  How's that for humility? :)

P.S. You can nominate as many pet blog/bloggers as you like, in any category. I have even nominated another blogger in the same category in which I've been nominated. Nominations close on June 29, 2011. Thank you.

*****

And, thanks for being the best blog friends and readers a girl could ask for!

'In the throes of a mid-life crisis, Tigger decided to cover her pesky gray hair'...

...was the phrase that came to mind when I spotted Tigger like this, but...

Don't hate me because I'm beautiful.

...then I found this photo of Ann-Margret on Tigger's iPhone*:

Image Source
Ann-Margret: "Kitty, I have a catsuit in that same spotted pattern."
Kitty: "Nice dye-job, Girlfriend."

...and I thought, well, this explains a lot; at least she [Tigger] has good taste in style icons.

And then I remembered June is officially
 Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month,
so maybe I should tell people to go adopt a shelter cat...

But then I remembered that I write a mostly dog blog and that no one's gonna want to hear me preaching about adopting cats.

Tigger working her "best" side

But then I decided that I shouldn't care so much about what people think. ;)

Aerial View

Okay, so for all you "dog people," did you know that cats and dogs make excellent sparring partners, and that cats can assist with dog training make excellent dog cushions, and are easily entertained?

Still unsure about mixing dogs and cats? Well, do not - I repeat, DO NOT - look HERE!

Can I take this off now?

* I actually found the photo of Ann-Margret on Dewi's iPhone. You might remember he once had a thing for redheads.

(Tigger photos courtesy of Middle Child :).)

*****

Grab a friend (human or animal) and do something rejuvenating this weekend!

Shiny Happy Dog

I dare you not to smile back. :)

P.S. He got the tongue from his dad.

Mission Not-So-Impossible - Toilet Paper Heist (M:nsi-TP)

AKA: Why We Keep the Bathroom Door Shut at All Times
AKA: Bad (yet cunning) Corgis

Oh, just see for yourself.
Hint: Best viewed in Full Screen mode.



Or, click HERE if you prefer to watch at YouTube.

Begging, Coveting or Simply, Wishful Thinking?

What do you think?  :)

Captions are welcome (but not required)!

Because I'm Dragging My Feet, Here Are Some Feet

Dragging my feet regarding today's post, that is.

It's hard to sit in front of the computer thinking up stuff when it's sunny and 78 F (26 C) right outside my window. (Last week, in comparison, was 20 degrees warmer.)  So, I've decided not to think, but to show you some feet. :)

Don't you just love furry feet (animal not human )?

^--^

When Dewi Met Georgia (A Red Hot Cardigan Love Story)

Quote for the day: If your camera hands you trash for pictures, call "Dwayne."

The following blog post is rated NC-17 (No Corgis over 17 admitted), due to highly ridiculous content. Reader discretion advised.

As reported by "Dwayne"

(Identity changed to protect the doofus.)

For back story, look here or here.

Cast

Sam.......................................The Patriarch (and Birthday Boy)

Georgia........................Hot Sister/Precocious Daughter of Sam
Bogey............................Georgia's Overprotective Half-Brother

Jon Farleigh (JF)..................Georgia's Nonchalant Full Brother

Dewi........................Jon Farleigh's Flirtatious, Hot Roommate 

Ginny..................................Endearing Eldest Daughter of Sam
Nick...........................................Adorable Sam Great-Grandson
Rufus............................................Nick's Sweet Old Housemate
At the party, but not on camera...
Moira..................................Super Athletic Sam Granddaughter
Bee..................................Georgia's and JF's Bashful Full Sister


It began as a sea of red (and one blue) at the watering hole...

Jon Farleigh to Rufus (with tail): "You seen any beer around here?"

JF to Georgia (under chair): "Hey, wanna meet my roommate, Dewi?"
Georgia: "Is he cute? Does he have a job?"

Georgia to Dewi: "Hey, I'm Georgia, but you can call me Princess. Wanna come under here with me in the shade?"
Dewi: "Do you like bacon?"

Dewi to Georgia: "Your coat reminds me of sweet potato jerky and a stuffed Kong. Will you be my girl?"
Georgia: "That's the sweetest thing anyone's ever said to me. Wanna play tag?"

Georgia to Dewi: "You got me; now I'm 'it!'
Hey! Whatcha doing up there?!"

*We interrupt this blog post for "Cheesy Eighties Love Songs" as selected by "Dwayne."*

(Hint: Right click link and open in a new window to play in background.)

Dewi's Song: Don't Disturb this Groove (1987) - The System

Georgia's Song: I Get Weak (1987) - Belinda Carlisle

*And now for the exciting conclusion of this blog post.*

Bogey to JF: "Dude, Dad's ticked. You better do something about that blue boy or there's gonna be trouble.
JF: "I think we're gonna have to lock her in the wire tower, man."

Nick: Check out the moves on Dewi...

Sam to Ginny: "I smell trouble in a merle coat. Have you seen Georgia?"
Ginny: "Bogey's on top of it, Dad."

Georgia to Bogey: "Is that coconut cake up there?"
Bogey: "Yeah, and bread, too."

 Georgia to Dewi: "Would you be a dear and fetch me a snack?"

Georgia to Dewi (again): "Hey?! Are you listening? I'd really like a snack, please!"
Dewi to himself: Man, those are some loud mosquitoes. Mmmm, caaaake.

JF to Dewi: "Good day, eh?"
Dewi: "Yeah. You gonna eat all that?"

~The End~

The dogs in this post are real; however, the story is fictional. Any resemblance to your Cardigan Welsh Corgi or real-life events is purely coincidental.

*****

Hope you get something sweet this weekend!

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