Lump of Coal

Guess who's getting a lump of coal in his stocking this year? Mr. Nick. I only took this oil-filled portable heater out of the closet about 10 minutes ago, dusted it off, and was ready to add it to the Salvation Army donation center pile. I went upstairs for less than five minutes to bring down more stuff, and this is what I found. Nick has had a love/hate relationship with electrical cords for his entire almost 11 years. He can go years without touching one, and then out of the blue, it's like he can't help himself, and he falls off the wagon... I'm trying not to be mad at him, he's probably feeling a little neglected with all the puppy-stuff going on, so at least he got some attention!

Happy 2nd Gotcha Day, Savannah!

Poor Savannah. Things have been so crazy around here, I missed her 2nd gotcha day anniversary by a few days. When people ask how old she is, I now say she's "ancient plus 2" because we thought she was maybe 9 years old when I adopted her. She has fit right into our crazy family, and she still tells everyone exactly what she thinks. I might have to call her name louder, and make bigger hand signals to get her attention, but she is still happy, healthy, and loving life (especially at dinner time). Roo-roo, Vannah girl!

Corgi Blog Giveaway

If you want to win a really cute customized blog header or illustration, head on over to Corgi Butts, Life with Gibson and enter!

http://corgibutts.blogspot.com/

Harvesters

It's that time of year again, when Harvesters brings out the blue barrels for the Harvesters Food Drive. Our company always participates and sets up some of the blue barrels in our break rooms, and we encourage everyone to donate what they can.

But leave it to the architectural firm we share our building with to go crazy and create this display in our lobby this morning! Pretty impressive! No detail was left out.

I'm u

Lunch Time with P-Dub

Today was P-Dub's book signing day in Kansas City. I just feel badly for PW that the weather turned ugly this morning, and Lori and I drove through a sleet/rain mix to go pick up our books. Oh well, she understands the weather in the Midwest!

I think I would get really tired of smiling all day, every day. It must get old, especially knowing how many days of book signing she's already done. But she never stopped smiling, so props to PW for making everyone feel like we were the only person she talked to today.

And this, friends, is what happens when you make Lori tag along and stand in a long line before she has lunch! Poor Lori, she's a great friend, I dragged her to Westminster with me (she has c*ts), and now I make her go to a cookbook signing.

Finally it was my turn. P-Dub is dangerous with a Sharpie.

OK, so truth be told, we had to do a second photo because this was the first. I think I'm physically incapable of talking without moving my hands! I was explaining to PW how I'm probably the only person at this book signing who does not cook (I like to cook and bake, just no time and no patience for it anymore) and does not have kids! :-)

The last "normal" week around here

Of course, "normal" is all relative! I'm going to try to get about three weeks worth of stuff done this week, but it's the last of the normal schedule before the excitement begins. No, no puppies are due next week, but next Monday, I got one of the very limited tickets to go to the P-Dub (aka PW, The Pioneer Woman) book signing. It should be fun. And once I get my cookbook, I will promptly go through it, mark the pages, and hand it over to my friend Jen. She loves to cook/bake, and when I was in Montana, I saw a really great recipe for pumpkin muffins on PWs blog. I emailed the recipe to Jen and asked her if she could "whip these up" after I got back from Montana. I was just kidding, but when I got back to the office, Jen came in with a big pan of pumpkin muffins! Hmm, this might work out well!

And then the second fun activity for next week is, well, you Twilight fans know, Friday is New Moon. The bonus is that this dinner theatre has an age restriction, so we are guaranteed that no screaming tweens will be in our theater. :-)

Once next week is over, then it's puppy-watch for Thanksgiving week, and again the next. "Normal" life will be a thing of the past, at least for the winter!

More Bouncing Baby News

More Bouncing Baby News from Breezy!

Careful, Bree, we didn't mean bouncing babies literally!

You may have read over at Syd's Blog that Syd (CH Kingsbury's It's My Alias NAC TN-N) is expecting puppies by "Mick," CH Telltail Like a Rolling Stone (WD, BOS at the 2009 CWCCA National Specialty from the Bred-by class!).

Well, more good news to share, Breezy (Kingsbury's Cover Girl) is also expecting babies, this litter sired by CH Telltail T For Two, "Smarty." Smarty has sired some lovely puppies, including the handsome Dickens. We are very anxious to welcome happy, healthy babies from Breezy on or about December 5th! While these puppies will be registered as Cardigan Welsh Corgis, I'm pretty sure they could be part Mountain Goat like their mother, always in the air, bouncing around, climbing, leaping.

It's going to be a busy winter in the Hurrikane household!

Who needs agility classes? This was taken through the back door window. When Bree gets this muddy, I call her the tri-color undercarriage cardigan. She loves to perch at the top of the Aframe and look out on the neighborhood. I think I need to build the dogs a wooden play gym like the kids have. ;-)

FedEx, Part Deux

This last week, we've had deliveries via FedEx again. And hopefully, we'll have more good news to report in the coming weeks. It was not my idea to be embarking on this project times two all at the same time, (Syd's announcement on Syd's Blog) . However, with my job and travel requirements, it seemed like this was the only time to make the attempt in the next two years. Our next project is local, so I would not be traveling after little ones would arrive. And with several scheduling and shipping near-fiascos, plus the given that both girls thought it was funny to schedule for weekends, the first phase for both is now over, and the waiting begins again. I believe this could be brindle-only, as so far, there have been no red pups from this stud dog, so it will be interesting.

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I'm now shopping around for the best option for a mental health facility for myself, but with Norma and Jacque as calming influences who both seem to be very positive about the possibilities, I might just make it! And bless Norma's heart, she's told me every time we talk or email not to worry, she's around to help. Now only time will tell if either of the two girls or both will be bringing special deliveries to us at Thanksgiving and beyond.

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And a HUGE thank you to Paula, who has made personal visits to just about every package carrier (FedEx, UPS, USPS), and happily reports that she doesn't anticipate any further problems with any of them. ;-P She has the patience of a saint, and a great sense of humor. Amen for that!

Thing 1 and Thing 2

Oh, my two sisters. As different as can be, just like my sister and I. One not wanting to be outdone by the other, and neither having any indication that they care about any plans I might make, they are going to both be in season around the same time. Bree came in first last cycle, so this time, Syd is now in, Bree close behind. And please, can you both *please* come in right before I have to be out of town for work? Thank you.

Voting again THIS WEEK!

So, Loki was on the bubble, and he's in the pool for voting again this week. Please vote for Loki, and help his chances of winning, and the chances that he can donate $$$$ to Cardigan Rescue!

http://www.cutestdogcompetition.com/vote.cfm?h=4FA061845477361014C8036B53708F84

Vote all week, find some friends and co-workers that you can force into voting too!!!

Vote Again! Today and Tomorrow!

Don't forget to vote for Loki today and again tomorrow. We have to make one last push to get him a bunch of votes so he can win money and make a donation to Cardigan rescue!!!

http://www.cutestdogcompetition.com/vote.cfm?h=4FA061845477361014C8036B53708F84

Please pass the word, and let's get Loki into the semi-finals!!!

Vote for CWCNRT Rescue - Loki! and earn $$ for CWCNRT rescue!

Loki's mom Julie will give HALF of his win money to Cardigan Rescue, so please vote every day, and stand over your friends and co-workers and make them vote every day too!!!!

Loki is the cutest little guy! I pulled him from a shelter and took him in as a CWCNRT dog. I fostered Loki for a short time, and then Cheri and George (with Dudley and Taffy) took over his foster care and found his fantastic mom Julie! We love Loki, and I'm so glad I've gotten to see him a couple of times in the last month. I watched him run faster than a speeding bullet at the NADAC agility trials this weekend. So he grew and grew, and definitely outgrew being a purebred Cardigan puppy, but we are still so very glad to have helped him find a great forever home!

So, if you could spare a moment, please go VOTE for LOKI in the cutest dog contest!!! Vote every day!

http://www.cutestdogcompetition.com/vote.cfm?h=4FA061845477361014C8036B53708F84

NADAC was fun

And she'll be posting a recap over in her own "Personal Space" over at www.sydneygooddog.blogspot.com Update sometime today, after we pick up her photos to share.

Ready or Not...

Tonight Hawk and Syd are heading to a NADAC agility trial. Hawk's going to just do the fun run and see how much agility he remembers. Syd will do the fun run, and maybe enter Tunnelers or Weavers tonight. She's entering in several classes for tomorrow, but tonight they offer Tunnelers and Weavers, so we'll see.

Is Syd ready for NADAC? Or should I ask is NADAC ready for Syd? :-)

Goodbye, Pewter

CH Sisterwoods Starkist Pewter

April 2, 1994 - August 25, 2009

Pictured above with her "sister" Andi, Christmas 2005

Pewter was one of those special dogs. In 2003, I helped place Pewter in her forever retirement home. Her owners, Danielle and Rich had not had a dog before, and they were interested in another Corgi I was fostering at the time, a very boisterous and active boy. That dog was placed in a corgi-experienced home, and then from time to time, Danielle would pop up at our adoption events, or send an email, just to stay in touch. When Pewter came along in 2003, I wondered if Danielle and Rich might be interested. I started off the conversation with, "OK, I know she's a little older, but really, you have to believe me that Cardigans are a long-lived breed."

Danielle and Rich took the chance on Pewter, and she moved in and took over the house . I got frequent updates, and then the best news, that little Andi had joined the family. From the photo above, you can see that the big sister role really suited Pewter. Here's the note Danielle sent to tell about Pewter's adjustment to Andi's arrival in 2005:

Just a quick note to wish you a Merry Christmas! I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and 2005 is a great year for you and Sweet Pea Foundation! We're doing very well- Big Sister Pewter is her wonderful, yet Bossy, self. She's learned that in a house with a baby- you need to be heard if you want attention. (or at least that's what she thinks... so we hear A LOT more of her lately). She's got us on a rigid schedule, but is still sweet as ever. Happy Holidays to you! Danielle, Rich, Andi and Pewter

Thank you Danielle, Rich, and Andi for loving Pewter, and for giving her such a lovely place to call home for the rest of her happy, bossy days...

Birthday Boy!

Happy 8th Birthday, Kane!

photo by Emily

photo by Laura M.

CH Clearview's Redhot Hurrikane CDX NJP RN VC

Whew, you've packed a lot of living into 8 short years! You're a good man, Mr. Stinky. :-) Let's see what you can do in the next 8 years. Happy Birthday!!!

Self-trained Contacts?

OK, so first, the obvious. Yes, I know this is a Vallhund video on the Cardigan blog! oops. But, after waiting the full 18 hours 37 minutes it takes to upload a short video, I decided it would just stay here. :-)

The A-frame is lowered to the full length of the chains. Darby and Breezy were precariously trying to climb the full-height A-frame during a super high speed frap session, so I felt it safer to lower it.

I never taught this to Darby, she just started running up and over the A-frame, and then one time she took her ball. I don't know if she got nervous at the top and thought she couldn't "walk and chew bubble gum" to get back down with the ball in her mouth, but she dropped it, and the ball rolled down the frame. Well, that looked like fun, so Darby ran after it, and then back up, roll, chase down, etc. etc.

Maybe she does have a future in agility? Or as a circus dog?

Another Normal Girl

I have to laugh thinking that any of my girls are "normal," but yesterday we got Breezy's OFA results back. Normally I would scan the pretty colored papers and post, but somewhere between the agility spare bathroom (that served as my office during the Vallhund agility specialty) and the host hotel in Topeka, Kansas, I lost half of the cord to my scanner/printer/copier. sigh.

But Breezy's elbows came back NORMAL, and that was a huge relief to me. When she was about 7 months old, Breezy was still in her daredevil phase, and leaping from the back of the sofa. The result was a growth plate injury, and a broken widdle weg. Lots and lots of crate rest and leash restrictions for Daredevil Puppy was quite a challenge over several weeks, but she healed well and it was a matter of hoping for the best that by relieving the pressure for the bone that was not finished growing, we would prevent any later elbow displaysia. Just a couple of weeks ago we took the films, and I was amazed to see that the two front legs looked identical, and you could not even tell that anything had happened to that front leg. Breezy's hips came back FAIR, not surprising since I waited until only weeks before she's due to come in season. So far, the other two littermates submitted both came back GOOD, so I'm pleased with all normal results.

Telling Secrets

Have I ever mentioned how much I love this dog? The sweetest moment of our adventure to the Lake of the Ozarks last Saturday, Kane telling secrets to my friend's daughter, Ashley, resting his chin on her shoulder, just checking to make sure she was OK. Of course, Ashley was up to no good, that orange tube is a water blaster, and she was parked at the edge of the dock, blasting her dad, brother and sister in the head with water! But she looks sweet in the photo, if you don't know what she's up to. :-)

I'm sure this sweet face would never be up to any trouble! And what you can't see in this photo is Gizmo cruising the edge of the dock, because Ashley had, um, a bit of "casting trouble" and her hot dog bait was flopping off the hook and onto the edge of the deck 9 times out of 10. Never fear, Gizmo was always available for clean-up duties. No hot dog went to waste!

Did You Know?

Did you know that when you take a Cardigan out on a floating dock and the dock is moving up and down, back and forth, the Cardigan ears don't appear to move like the rest of the Cardigan body? No matter what, Kane's ears were always in the same place, no matter how much the dock moved. The rest of his head moved up and down, but the ears remained the same. Maybe it was a balance thing? Whatever it was, it was pretty funny! More on the "Retirees plus Darby Retreat" later!

Baby Dog Flip

Kane says to Baby Show Dog, "Study hard, Grasshoppuh, and you too can master the Cardigan Flip some day. Oh, and stay off my sofa, too!"

*I know, I know, the photos from my cell phone are less than stellar, but it seems like I don't have my camera anywhere near where the cute stuff is happening these days!

The Flip

Taken with my cell phone so the quality is bad, but just for Cathy to compare with Louis. :-) Cardi boys, they make you laugh!

Skyla

We have been doing some dog show traveling with our friends Michelle and Skyla. Skyla is Darby's BFF outside of her sisters Bree and Syd. We think she's very pretty, and she loves to play.

(please note, the photo of Darby and Skyla is taken at our completely renovated Motel 6 in San Antonio. Platform beds-great for short dogs to run under, laminate flooring, flat screen TV built into the wall)

Sky and Michelle graciously hosted Darby for a week when I had to travel to Montana for work. We traveled to South Dakota for shows, and then they came along with us to San Antonio. Alas, not even Skyla was immune to the sombreros for dogs campaign. She thought maybe it was just a "Vallhund Thing" but she discovered that she was also going to have to endure the humiliation right along with her Vallhund friends.

Darby was really happy to have her friend Skyla along with us on the trip, especially when we had to stop the van and stay over an extra night in Texas. Darby's mom was really glad Skyla's mom was with us on the trip, especially when we had car trouble and had to stay over an extra night in Texas! I hated that Michelle had to miss another day of work and that we lost an entire day, but she is definitely very calm and cool in a crisis!

Kane's Weekend

Kane and friends stayed with the Kingsbury gang while the Vallhunds went to Texas. We were delayed with car trouble (that turned out not to be car trouble), and did not get home Sunday night as expected.

Monday morning I was texting Jacque to be sure the dogs were OK and she had enough food, etc. etc. Jacque texts me back: Your dogs are fine here. Mr Sassy Pants thought he was goin' home last night so he's in a snit here today, although breakfast seemed to take his mind off it!

Poor Kane, he really likes to keep to a schedule, and he does NOT like a last minute change in plans. I guess he was a bit vocal and gave Jacque a talking to and flea-biting tantrum Monday morning! When I picked up the dogs last night, I did not have enough crates for everyone for the short trip home. I put Kane in the front, and notice that he was not going to let me off the hook for leaving him an extra day. He would not look at me, and he leaned as far to the other side of the car as possible. He's not spoiled or anything...

HomeChicken Takes a Road Trip

This is so stupid. Is it over yet??

Breezy, my sweet little red HomeChicken, took a trip to the dog show over the weekend. We went to Vermillion, South Dakota. Travelling with us were Hawk and Darby from the Hurrikane homestead, and Michelle and her Cardigan Skyla. Bree is such a homebody, she loves going for a ride in the van, and she loves visiting some of her friends' houses and her dog buddies, but she's NOT the dog who loves to go new places. So I made her travel hundreds of miles and go to a dog show anyway!!! She has a classic pout with sad eyes and ears straight out to the side.

I had no idea how Breezy would do with Skyla. Skyla and Darby and Hawk are absolute BFFs, and Bree and Darby are inseparable at home. I wasn't sure if Bree would make everyone miserable or not. But she did really great, was able to walk on a leash right alongside Skyla, and the two girls were even up on one of the beds at the hotel together for a short time.

At the dog show, Breezy told me that she still holds the opinion that smash-faced little dogs like Pugs and Frenchies are alien life forms that should be erradicated from the earth, but she showed very well in the Cardigan ring and earned Reserve to a major both days this weekend. Not bad for the HomeChicken on her first trip to a show. In her 2 1/2 years, she's shown exactly twice before this weekend. One day at 6 months and 1 day old, and then again one day last month in Gardner. Here's Bree and Skyla, watching Border Collies show on Sunday from a cool spot in the shade.

Breezy was VERY vocal in telling all of us that she has absolutely NO use for wiggling, jumping, bouncing tri-color Cardigan puppy boys named Justice, though. If you've never heard Breezy's combination whine/growl that she can sustain without taking a breath, it's quite a treat. When Justice showed up at our room to play with Skyla, Darby, and Hawk, Breezy was definitely not amused. I'm not sure she ever stopped to take a breath from her whining.