I Would Do Anything for a Ball, but I Won't Do That

A few things first:

<> This is not that kind of blog.

<> There is nothing parodic about this post, other than the title, speaking of which...

<> Thanks, Meat Loaf.

<> There is a "permanent" x-pen in my family room; it has felt pads under the corners, to save the floor.

<> This is not a PSA about spaying and neutering your pets, but while I'm on the subject, please do.

<>  According to the book The Intelligence of Dogs by Stanley Coren, Cardigan Welsh Corgis are the 26th most intelligent dog breed.

* * *

'S'my ball. My. Ball. 

I might have mentioned before (about 106 times, here and there) that - aside from eating - Dewi's favorite activity is fetching, preferably his rope. No, let me rephrase that: Dewi is a rope addict and might need an intervention.

I know, I know - lots of dogs are crazy about fetching. You might be lucky enough to have one (or more) of your own (bless your hearts). It's just that I think Dewi might be "special." And by "special," well...

Have you ever seen a dog fetch like this??!

So, do you think Dewi might be "special"?

Hold on to that thought for a couple minutes.

(P.S. Did you get a load of Bertie, the cat? hehe)

Now, I'm no expert on dog IQ, but I've tried a few simple tests on both Dewi and Jon Farleigh. Here's a chart with some of the results.

Test	Passed
Finds way out from under a blanket	Yes
Answers to own name, and not to random words spoken in the same tone Ex. Responds to "Dewwwiii!" but not to "Vacuuuuum!" or Fryiiiing Paaan!" for example	Yes
Understands English	Yes
Can find a treat under a cup, in between the couch cushions, under the refrigerator, in the litter box...	Yes
When playing fetch with a tennis ball, and the ball accidentally lands in an empty (shoulder-high) laundry basket, knows to hop in the basket to retrieve the ball Example:	No
If placed inside an empty (shoulder-high) laundry basket with a tennis ball, and given the command to "bring me the ball," makes an attempt to get out of the basket (with or without ball) Example:	No

And...I don't know, y'all. Based on those results, I'm inclined to think:
they're both "special!" 
Wouldn't you agree? ;-)

Out of immense curiosity, for those who have (or have had) Corgis or any other dwarf breed of dog, would your dog(s) be able to pass that last laundry basket test?

Let me know in the poll below! Thanks!

Your Dog Might Be a Profuse Shedder if...

...your cats need to be taped off with a lint roller, lest they yak up dog hair hairballs.*

NOT a dog hair hairball, but it COULD be.
It's actually just a dry pile of Dewi's undercoat...
He sheds this much twice daily.
OK, not really. Thrice daily.
And that's NOT including his top coat.**

Speaking of hairy balls, yesterday, Jon Farleigh and Dewi were playing outside with a tennis ball (that was hairy, because they drooled on it and then shed all over it, which caused the hair to stick [get your minds out of the gutter]) and this*** went down...

Hi. I'm just making sure Dewi a hawk doesn't fly off with my ball.

Hey, Dewi, wanna play now?

Uh huh, I would love to play, brother...ever so badly!

OK...on three...

[thinking] Must get ready...

"...one, two...SIKE!!!!"

[insert maniacal laughter]

MOOOOOOOOOMMMM!

I heart my ball. And my mom person. 

Kids. ;-)

* I'm joking about taping off the cats. I rarely even tape off myself. Besides, they pass hair through their other ends, the "outcome" of which I don't inspect for dog DNA.  Ew.

** When he's blowing coat, which is most of the time. Oh, and JF sheds just as much. 

*** It really happened! I might have embellished slightly, however.

Have a smiley day!

P.S. Please do not spell "psych" incorrectly, like I did...up there, somewhere. ;-)

The Adventures of Sheercrock Holmes and the Curious Stench

Note: This three-scene parody/farce, based on a real-life event in my life, is rated G for Gross. All viewers who are not in the 8(to)11-year-old boy demographic should use discretion. 

Sheercrock Holmes and the Curious Stench

** Scene One **

Holmes (ahem, me) encounters a powerful stench upon entering her bedroom (which is adjacent to the bathroom that contains Maddox's litter box).

[grimaces and throws hands - open palms forward - in front of her face, as if to block an invisible perp from further olfactory assault]

"OOHHHH! OH GAH! [gags] WHAT'S THAT SMELLL??!" (knowing full well the smell is wafting from a pile of Maddox's prescription canned food-reeking cat poop)

[makes way back to litter box, careful to breathe only through her mouth]

What Holmes expected to find (but didn't)
Note: Hershey is code for poop.

"Well, at least he covered it this time," she snarked, noting the mound of litter in the center of the box.

[uses scoop to sift through litter]

"Hmmm. That's funny. Where the heck is it? [sifts again] So weird. Could he (Maddox) just have really smelly gas??"

(Where the flip is the hershey?!)

[sifts through last square inch of litter and after finding nothing, looks up and sees she has an audience]

Jon Farleigh: Whatcha doin' over there, ma?

Dewi: Oh hai, ma! When you're done with the sandbox, will you throw the rope to me?

[gasps and clutches chest - having remembered overhearing from the kitchen, about an hour earlier, Dewi and Middle Child playing the bouncy, bark-on-the-bed game. AND, that Jon Farleigh (her "shadow") had been conspicuously missing from the room]

"OH NO, YOU DIDN'T!" she cried, fairly convinced that Maddox had, in fact, NOT covered his poop, and that one of the dogs (while in the bedroom with Middle Child earlier) had helped himself to a "chocolaty" snack. 

[gags]

Maddox: I feel a quarter-pound lighter this morning, and you?

"OH, NOOO! That's DISGUSTING! EWWW! [gags] Oh, go play somewhere else; you're both (not knowing for sure which one had done it) INFECTED! Ohhh! Aghh! Uhhhhhhh." [gags]

** Scene Two ** 

About 20 minutes later, Holmes and Youngest Child are having a casual conversation in Holmes' "office."

 H: "If you ever see or hear a corgi messing around in my bathroom, PLEASE, run him off! I'm pretty sure one of them ate a pile of Maddox's poop this morning."

YC: "EWWWW! [becomes pensive]

Mommy?"

H: "Yes."

YC: [in all seriousness] "When a dog eats cat poop, does it go through their stomach and come back out as cat poop?"

H: [chokes back a giggle] "Oh no, no. That's a good question, though, buddy. No, it gets digested [cringes] and comes back out as dog poop. It might upset the dog's stomach a little. [scowls] But, I hope not this time." [sighs]

** Scene Three ** 

About an hour later, Holmes is in her bathroom milling around, with Jon Farleigh hovering close to her feet. (Note: Dewi is in another room at the other end of the house.)

Jon Farleigh: Pull my finger?

[suddenly realizes a foul stench - distinctly similar to that of Maddox's poop - has permeated the bathroom]

"OOHHHH! OH GAH! [gags] AGAIN?! [looks around for the cat and at the empty litter box]

But, he's not in here. What the...?!"

It's elementary. Jon Farleigh is busted.

"OH, GROSS, JON FARLEIGH! 

It was YOU who ate the cat poop! You sneaked in here earlier while Dewi was making all that noise on the bed! YOU did it, because your fart smells like Maddox's poop! Good grief! I'm outta here! Ewww!"

THE END

*****

Psst, hey you. Yeah, you out there on the internets. Will you throw me the rope? Please?

Disclosure: This post is not sponsored by, nor endorsed by the folks who make Hershey's chocolates. But if you feel like eating some chocolate, and it happens to be the Hershey's kind, I'm sure no one will mind! Mmm, chocolate...

Ruminations of a Herding Dog Who Misses His BFF

As I mentioned at the end of Monday's post, because Jon Farleigh was at the vet/doggie spa getting his yearly whole-body inspection and summer make-over, Dewi and I spent most of the day alone together. It was enlightening. 

Almost right away I noticed something wasn't quite right with him. Not that he was depressed or wandering around the house looking for his missing canine companion, but that his attention span toward the usual "fun" activities was significantly reduced. 

In other words, I think he was bored (and possibly in "deep" doggie thought).
Note: Deep is a relative term.

BUT, because he is a herding breed, and a particularly high energy specimen at that, Dewi did not sulk or use pitiful body language (think Eeyore) to give his angst (over missing his brother) away. In fact...well...why don't you see for yourself how the day played out.

(I sense something is not right, but I can't put my paw on it.)
"I would very much like to fetch this here rope. Now."

5 minutes later...

(This is not fun without JF trying to steal the rope from me.)
"I'm tired of this game and will no longer fetch for you."

[Follows me into the office where he gets a brand new chewy.]

Dewi: "Munch. munch. munch."

5 minutes later...

(Chewies are no fun when JF isn't here to steal them from me.)
"Mom, I think it would be fun if we played fetch again. I'll just stand here and  look at you
until you throw the rope."

(I wonder where Jon Farleigh is?)
"I'm waiting."

(I wonder if Jon Farleigh will be back by the time I get over there?)
"I'm coming!"

(This day is taking forever. I wonder if Jon Farleigh is outside?)
"I'm tired of this game and would like to go outside."

[Follows me back into the office, sits on my feet and looks up at me with his "I need to go outside" expression.]

After 10 minutes of fetching outside...

Dewi: (I wonder if Jon Farleigh is inside?) "Okay, mom, I'm ready to go back in."

20 seconds after eating a snack in the kitchen...

(I wonder whether Jon Farleigh will hear me in here and come running?)
"Hi, mom, it's me. I'd like to play with the rope again. Now, please."

(I need to scream so Jon Farleigh will hear me.)
"I said NOW, mom! Throw it now!"

(Jon Farleigh always tugs; maybe if I tug, he'll show up.)
"PSYCH! You lose!"

20 seconds later...

(I don't want to be an only dog.)
"WAAAAGH!"

5 seconds later...

(I think I've been looking for him in all the wrong places.)
"Mom, I'll see you later, okay?"

[Eerie silence. Then me discovering Dewi at the bottom of the stairs, looking up.]

Tigger: "I miss that dang red dog."

***

I think having only one Cardigan Corgi would be too tiring :)

Anyone else have a dog that "ruminates" like Dewi (when he's not used to being the only dog)?

Sunny Saturday Welsh Corgi Scenery

All sunny Welsh Corgi scenic blog posts should come with a butt shot. ;)

These photos were taken in my back yard last Sunday afternoon.

In case you aren't receiving the blog's Facebook and/or Twitter updates why not?, my family (plus Jon Farleigh and Dewi) visited the Busch Gardens (Williamsburg, VA) theme park yesterday (hence this rare Saturday blog post). And I'm pleased to report that the dogs' stay at the park's Pet Care Center went splendidly (as it has in the past).

Look for an update to last spring's review on the blog next week!

Hope the rest of your weekend is just as splendid as our experience was!

From Dewi Dance to Dewi Stance - How I Learned to Converse With My Dog

So yesterday I (re)introduced you to the Dewi Dance and how because we (the folks who live in my house) showered him with lots of wonderful attention whenever he performed it on command, Dewi might have started offering it up unsolicited. 

I know what you're thinking. And yes, (despite the obscene cuteness) I tried to ignore him. It's not right to reward a dog for offering up a behavior (simply to get the reward) without being told to do it. Anyone who's been through basic training with a dog should know this. ;-) So anyway, it was a battle of wills that first time (or three), but Dewi eventually got tired of waiting and wandered off. And we don't do the Dewi Dance anymore. 

That's because it's now the Dewi Stance. Dewi works with me on it almost daily, and it's possible that I might be completely trained by Christmas. 

Allow me to elaborate through pictures and dialogue.

It's hard to teach an old lady new tricks.

Dewi: Oh, for Pete's sake, would you look over here already?! Hellooooo! I'm not playing here.

Me: [stoic face, looks straight ahead, thinks] I won't look, I won't look....just ignore him....

5 minutes later

I find poop on the dining room rug; however, I fail to connect it to The Dance.

A few days later - repeat the same scenario. No poop, but Dewi is precariously positioned by the door to the "doggie snack stash."

A few days later - repeat the same scenario. Pee accident. (I begin to sense a pattern.)

The stance has many meanings.

Just like the words 'aloha' and 'shalom' - to gain meaning, one must consider the context of The Stance.

The Poo and/or Pee Stance

Dewi: One Who Has Thumbs and Lets Me Outside, I have no buttocks and, therefore, am in imminent danger of blowing (and simultaneously extinguishing) this fire in my hole.

Me: [using soprano voice] Need to go potteee? 

Dewi: [runs frantically to back door]

The Snack Time Stance

Dewi: One Who Makes Noms Appear When My Insides Are Grumbling, I don't know why, but my insides grumble at this same time every time it is not nighttime. I need noms.

Me: [using soprano voice] Need to go potteee?

[cue crickets chirping - checks watch for time - it's between 12:15 and 1 p.m (snack time)]

Me: [using soprano voice] Wanna snack? 

Dewi: [gallops to kitchen]

The Tattle-Tale Stance

Dewi: One Who Reigns Supreme Over Jon Farleigh, Jon Farleigh has stolen my chewie/toy (even though he has his own chewie/toy) and is saying "neener neener." Please get him.

Me: [using soprano voice] Need to go potteee?

[cue crickets chirping - checks watch for time - it's 9:30 a.m. - remembers that both dogs just got new chewies - notices Dewi breaking eye-contact and glancing over toward Jon Farleigh who is hoarding both chewies]

Me: [using parental voice] Jon Farleigh, give me that! [physically retrieves object from JF]

Dewi: [prances around in circles, takes object and relocates to next room]

The Fetch Stance

Dewi: [drops rope at my feet] One Who Makes This Rope Fly, I urgently need to fetch.

Me: [using whiny voice] But, we just did this 10 minutes ago (as if he can understand me).

Dewi: Must fetch.

Me: But...

Dewi: Must.  

Me: [groans and throws rope]

Dewi: Scampers to fetch rope and continues this cycle about 248 more times.

The 'Everything Else' Stance

(Note: I'm still learning.)

Dewi: One Who Can Read My Mind, I'd like a ham sandwich, toasted, with mustard and pickles.

Me: [using exasperated voice] Dewi, I don't know what you want. What do you want???

Dewi: Forget it already. Sheesh.

Notes and disclaimers:

• As I draw breath, all of this is true, including the interpretations, until you can prove otherwise.
• Dewi and Jon Farleigh are let outside to poo and pee several times/day, at regular intervals.
• Jon Farleigh can "dance," too, but he cannot balance on his haunches.
• He does not dance unsolicited.
• I used the same photo six times in this post.
• I will be posting short, non-wordy posts the rest of this week.

~~ Aloha and Shalom ~~

:)

Happiness is...playing fetch!

Oh yes, it's Dewi's day. :)

And Dewi loves to fetch (and repeat, and repeat, and repeat...) just as much as Jon Farleigh loves to try and tug the toy Dewi is currently fetching. :)

So here you have it: Dewi's fetching bliss.

"Ahem. Why is your hand not moving?"

"Teasing is rude."

"It's MINE!"

"MooooOOOooooM!!"

*****

And if you have two minutes to kill, here's a video of the boys in action, including a tandem retrieve toward the end. (BUT! Seems that I shot the video -- with my nifty new 1080 HD- and stereo-capable camera -- in portrait mode. Oops! And clearly - or I wouldn't be telling you this - I don't know how to rotate it. Soooo, if you watch the video, please be prepared to cock your head - or rotate your viewing device - 90 degrees. Yes, I'm aware posting sideways videos is tacky. Please accept it and move on.)

Dewi and Jon Farleigh Fetching the Same Rope

But wait! There's more!

I took Dewi outside today to try and get some fetch "action" shots with the Nikon (I promise not to mention the camera again - in about six months - or whenever). :)

Before you judge the camera, however, please know that since my other camera had the slowest shutter speed on earth, I rarely ever tried to take action shots with it; therefore, I suck at taking action shots. I expect I'll get better with practice. :)

All photos, but the last one, were taken in bright sun using the Sport scene mode. I also experimented with continuous shooting (holding down the shutter release button - usually forgetting to focus on Dewi first).  

Go, Dewi!

"Just give me a minute to catch my breath, kay?"

:^)