Classic Cardigan on Giving Thanks: The Time I Made the Dogs Wear Thanksgiving Costumes in Gale-Force Wind

Speaking of gale-force wind, I don't know how Dug didn't get blown straight off the porch in this scene. Do you see how high off the ground they are? It's a good thing Carl likes dogs!

See below for a reminder of what happened right before Dug jumped on Carl.

*sigh*

Oh, and by the way, I still have a couple other Dug GIFs left to share this week! ☺

So, this is "Classic Cardigan on Giving Thanks" week! (Remember, from Monday?) And that means, it's time for another classic Thanksgiving-inspired post from the archives!

Once again, going way back to the beginning...originally published on November 23, 2011...

I'm thankful for 32 mph wind gusts...

...that usher in clear skies and cool temperatures. It's not supposed to be warm and muggy in Virginia on Thanksgiving.

Good times!

And I'm thankful for vacation days from school. Because there's no way I could've taken this shot without four extra hands. 

Turkey and Pumpkin

But the thing I'm most thankful for today -- especially as the out-of-school girl children and I were balancing ourselves in a wind storm at the end of a long pier, trying to get a couple decent shots of the adorably adorned dogs, who, incidentally, need to work on their sit-stays --  

is ALL OF YOU, DEAR READERS!

You make it so totally worth it. Today and every day. :)

That's me with my head cut off and hair in my mouth. :)
It's possible that Jon Farleigh's pumpkin hat blew into the river. 

Happy Thanksgiving to all our American friends!

To everyone else, Happy Day!

xo

Elizabeth, Jon Farleigh and Dewi

^^^^^^^

Another Thanksgiving-inspired blog classic (full of adorable photos) is coming up, tomorrow!

Tacky Cardigan With Words on It: If Looks Could Kill

Next time you refuse to indulge your dog in a bite of your BLT? An extra 5-47 ball tosses? A romp through a tall, grassy meadow full of goose poo? See if you don't feel a cosmic hole being bored through your back. Just saying.

Hehe. Bogey (Jon Farleigh's half-brother) didn't want me to take his picture in the tunnel at the Cardi party. ☺

He was totally fine with me taking it outside the tunnel, though.

Now, there's a handsome smile!

If you'd like me to consider a photo of your pet(s) for a tacky cardigan, just post it to the Facebook page*.

* Full disclosure: I asked Bogey's mama if I could use his picture, not the other way around. ;)

Tacky Cardigan With Words on It: Dog Networking Illustrated

So, this weekend, I went to Jon Farleigh's sister and half-brother (by a different mother)'s house for a Cardigan Welsh Corgi (plus one Pembroke) get-together (slash) reunion (slash) cookout (slash) dog networking event. There were 24 +/- corgis there (over 50% puppies) and it was so much fun!

I took a bunch of pictures, which I've already started sharing on Instagram (the ones I got with my iPhone, anyway), and slowly* but surely, I'll share the good ones I got with my real camera. But for today, I'd like to share with you a diagram I created with one of the less-than-good ones. You might consider sharing it with your dog(s), since it's really for their information, and not yours.

Here it is.

What kind of networker is YOUR dog? 

FYI: Dewi is the CONFIDENT one up there (with his head completely up Isabelle's behind). I have no idea where Jon Farleigh was when I took the picture, but I'll venture that he's a boy cougar (or would that be a manther?).

* By "slowly," I mean as soon as I stop getting distracted by making diagrams and other similar endeavors.

If you'd like me to consider your pet(s) photo for a tacky cardigan, just post it to the Facebook page!

Yes, It's a Yawning Dog (vs a Whooping Party Animal) - Wherein I Debunk 5 Outrageous Photo Memes

Let me preface with my motivation for this post (something I tweeted during a BlogPaws "party"):

Ayeeeeee! Ack ack ack! (Not to be outdone by his party animal brother.) #Dewi'sGettinLoud #blogpawty pic.twitter.com/GA1uSsRVPn
— Elizabeth Keene (@ChroniclesCardi) February 16, 2014

Followed by a legitimate question from a reader, regarding the photo (and its context)...

Shhhhhh!!! Blowin' my schtick, gurl! (Of course it's a yawn. But he is loud.) @kgoak201
— Elizabeth Keene (@ChroniclesCardi) February 16, 2014

But--in my defense--he DOES look like he could be whooping it up at a party, doesn't he? ;)

Seriously, though, y'all know Jon Farleigh and Dewi are just "regular" dogs, right? I mean, for instance, this:

It's obvious that Jon Farleigh's not really constipated, but instead, having some sort of euphoric daydream*, isn't it?

Or, here:

Dewi can't be dreaming of roast turkey (I hardly ever make it), so he's got to be dreaming of bacon! Duh.

Or, this:

[In the vet's parking lot.]
Dewi to Jon: "Hey, dude, how's my drivin?"
Jon to Dewi: "I think we're parked, man."

You know they're not really channeling Cheech and Chong, don't you?!

And, what about this?:

It would be preposterous to think Dewi could be that excited about a pile of fresh kitty "brownies" in the mulch**. Besides, my cats don't even go outside!

And, here, this last one:

Jon Farleigh, upon seeing the human bring out the beer keg. 

What human in his right mind would bring out a kegger at a dog's birthday party?! No, no, no! It was BACON***! DUH!

So, there you go! No more pretending! My dogs are just plain old boring, okay? (And, if you believe that, I've got a no-bake, gluten-free "brownie" recipe I'll sell you for real cheap.☺)

* Euphoric = Bacon

** It wasn't brownies; someone probably brought a BLT outside.

*** Let's get real; all dog memes--when broken down--are probably about bacon. ahem.

WAIT! DON'T LEAVE YET!

Gotta tell you about the GIVEAWAY during this Sunday's  #CARDICOMEDY:

BOTH delightful novels**** by bestselling author Jackie Bouchard:

Yep, one lucky participant is going to win both (in her choice of medium)! I hope it's YOU!

Put it on your calendar (THIS SUNDAY, 2/23)...

**** I've read them both; I KNOW! 

Look for other #CardiComedy giveaways in upcoming weeks, straight off this guide I published in Decmeber:

NJN53SUFAGF5
b5925a2464375f9f986a75b6eb4e4fd4ff51ba0bd2ceb3d710

Classic Cardigan: When Dewi Made Like Charlie Brown and Crushed on the Little Redheaded Girl (Tabloid Edition)

I'm not too tired to post something original today. It's just that the original I wrote today has to wait until another day (soon). But that's okay, because this humdinger gem of a story is due to come out of hibernation. Especially since the "season of love" is just around the corner. ;-)

Originally published on June 10, 2011, please enjoy the classic (with cheesy, 80s musical interlude)...

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.

*****
In memory of Sam, a very good red dog, and Rufus.

It Does NOT Rhyme With 'Hump' Day: Astounded

And grateful.

I hope this meme isn't freaking you out as much as it is me. ;) I had to cover up the baby's head, OK? The baby was MORE freaky.

So, after making the friendship offering Monday, I might have done a little "courting" of (exactly 2) Nunavummiut (citizens of Nunavut, Canada) on Twitter. At first I was ashamed of my forwardness, but then, this happened...

Hi, @myles_dolphin, guess what? U ROCK! That's what. TY 4 being my 1st Nunavut viewer! #BestDayEver #SmallThings :)) pic.twitter.com/D9FKHn1K9v

— Elizabeth Keene (@ChroniclesCardi) January 8, 2014

...and then, I made a fist like that freaky, half-baby meme up there and shouted, "yes!" in my inside voice.

Astounded and grateful. I am these things. 

P.S. You ALL rock. And don't you forget it! :))

Dear Arctic People of Nunavut, I Offer Hams and Warm Fuzzy Dwarf Dogs...

And by hams, I mean hammy, warm fuzzy dwarf dogs (also known as corgis). And please, the Americana
is only here by coincidence, not by statement. Unless you find it hospitable, in which case, I totally meant to include it. 

I've been meaning to write this letter for months, actually. The thing is, dear Nunavummiut, you, - unlike Canadians in all 12 other provinces and territories (whether by accident* or not) - have eluded my catchy titles and strategic social-sharing maneuvers for the entire. existence. of this blog. And, it's about time that I extended a friendship offering. 

This makes me sad. 

The timing of this letter couldn't be more appropriate, honestly, since the only thing on the news for the last few days has been the "polar vortex," which, from its rightful axis in the sky (over you, weather-withstanding people of Nunavut), has come unhinged (so to speak) and will be spreading ungodly cold air southward, wreaking havoc among those of us who (almost) never see temperatures this extreme. (Note: We are scared poop-less, and tips would be appreciated.)

Yes, after this week, we will share an atmospheric (weather) bond that (before I installed the Flag Counter widget on my blog) I might never have known otherwise. 

I'd also like you to know that I appreciate your kindred love of companion animals, namely dogs and cats, and knowing this, I hope you might find joy in observing the finer, furry things my two low riders have to offer - like good face...

Hello, my name is Jon Farleigh. I like to kiss people on the lips.

....and posture.

Hello, my name is Dewi. I am a spooner in bed. 

Shoot, they can even hula dance...

...take themselves for a walk in the snow...

...and, boy, do they love their rescue kittens.

Mmm, the smell. It's intoxicating.

So, you see, we are here (24/7, at the beck and call of your mouse, or your finger on a touch screen) to make your day a little brighter, more tolerable...and yes, warm and fuzzy (the opposite of cold and prickly). And, we'd sure love to meet you!

Affectionately yours, 

Elizabeth, Jon Farleigh, Dewi, and even all six of the kitties

* It is possible that the one visitor from the Northwest Territories was led astray by Google. However, since I'm an optimist, please forget I told you that. ;)

P.S. If you are in Nunavut reading this, I heart you. Please leave a comment!

P.P.S. If you are not in Nunavut reading this, I heart you, too. And I will heart you even more if you can bribe get a Nunavummiuq to visit us! ☺

Stay warm, friends!

Classic Cardigan: The Time I Pretended the Dogs Redecorated the House, When They Really Tore It Up

Wait, that wasn't fair to the dogs. They didn't tear it all up; they only tore up some of the really nice stuff - that can't be repaired. And besides, they were puppies, so they get a bye, right? ;)

Please enjoy (at my expense entirely, oh, and in case you need to know, it got worse. Also, cats. Also, I don't care anymore.)...originally published January 31, 2011:

How to Clean House So Guests Won't Suspect You Own Indoor Dogs

(Please, people. If I actually knew how to pull that off, I'd start a consulting business, and could afford to pay a housekeeper.) [sigh]

So, I've decided to bump my usual Monday "training" post until tomorrow, as I've got larger fish to fry today: [read] How the hot fudge do I clean my house so none of my friends - who are coming over for coffee at 10 in the morning - will know that I have a couple hairy, mouthy, slobbery, barky, and who-couldn't-care-less about cleanliness corgis in the house?  Yes, I know. To the seasoned dog owner, this post is absurd. Why on earth would I want to give the impression that I don't have dogs; how superficial is that? Maybe, instead, I should find some better friends who won't care that I've started serving dog hair as a condiment, or who won't disapprove of my using fluff as an accessory?     

Ugh! This wouldn't be nearly as traumatizing if I'd had the tennis *balls* to invite these friends over a little more often than once, since the dogs joined the family last spring! (You know; to gradually "break them in.") It's just that we've been so busy with "redecorating" that it's never really been the right time.

Honestly, who'd have thought Jon Farleigh and Dewi were that much in tune with farmhouse decor? I mean, now that I think about it, it makes perfect sense that my dream kitchen - with buttery white cabinetry set against sleek stainless appliances and old-fashioned hardwoods - was simply missing "authenticity" before the treatment it received from my two, all-purpose farm dogs? For example, these improvements:

Distressed Cabinetry

Faux-Finished Stainless Appliances 

Weathered Wood

Color-Coordinated Gating with Abstract Wall Art

Why stop when one is on a roll?  Let's move into the family room area:

Catch-all Basket After *Antiquing*

Footstool Fringe Is "In"

X-pen as *Furniture*

And, in the bedroom (note: improvements have since stopped in the bedroom, due to "creative" differences with the dogs, in other words, they're banned from going in it):

Out-of-fashion Textured Frieze Carpet Transformed into "Lived-in" Trashy Fugly Unraveled Carpet

Oh, for the love of peanut butter, it's just coffee with the girls, right?!  I guess I should at least wipe the dog drool off the appliances...  Mr. Clean, Brawny Man: H.E.L.P meeeee! Calgon: I need to get away! Helloooooo; anyone there?!