Calamity

OMG, I swear my dogs are totally out to destroy my house!!!!

Friday Ms and I went to work at Ag in the Park.  Long day, tons of great kids, tired dogs and dusty humans.  Sparkles, Sprinkles and Cupcake went along for the day and everyone loves a friendly goose.  Moose, Max, Lace and Mal went along for the dog safety demos.  Max was awesome!  First time doing it and loved all the pets and scratches.  Really made kids realize that GSD's aren't big bad dogs at all.  And we had some really good discussions on the fact that it is never a dog's breed's fault for the way it behaves.  It's so much the owner and the amount of time they are willing to give to the dog.  

Home we went and another OMG!!!  John and David had spent the day working on transforming my garage into the dogatorium.  No longer do I have a garage door, but a lovely framed in door, with huge window bank.  Siding is almost all the way up and next is the north door.  I'll be able to keep my house much cleaner by letting dogs in through there.  Photos coming soon!

Ms and I had to run a couple errands, left dogs loose in the house, Hubby to supervise.  Can you see where this might be going?

1 1/2 hours later, we walked in to Max looking at me and saying---I had nothing to do with this, I swear. 

I've never had a dog open cupboards before.  Until Thumbs and his gang of hoodlums got organized.

Trash all over the kitchen, dining room and living room.  In the end I giggled.  We all helped with clean up but man, but boy did they make a mess. We were scrubbing floors and carpets and finding trash all night long. 

Saturday, ohmygrashness.  

We came home in the afternoon, hubby at fairgrounds helping with a clinic.  Pete is in jail having decided she can climb the shelves and jump into the puppy pen.  Thumbs is lose along with his honey Cora.  I think a couple others are lose too.  

Tote in study, open, treats eaten, nutrocal treats must be icky, full bag sitting in the middle of the floor untouched.  Notice garbage cans on counter?  Pick up mess, unload dogs, and get ready to let dogs out front.  Puppies first.  Did I mention I have to pee?  Race of the decades with four puppies to front door-they beat us.  Alec opens door, starts to put pups on ground(avoiding the four steps).  Veronica....can....not...wait....gotta....gooooo....NOW!  So she is darting around living room barking.  I stop to pick her up, pee.  Let go, runs to door, reach down to stop her from bolting out door, pee.  Pick puppy up, Alec goes to stand up as I put her down on step, door hits him in the ass.  Sends him sailing off steps, onto ground, hurts neck in the avoidance of landing on puppies.  Veronica on step, all four feet out and shaking-what the hell just happened to that kid?  

Did I mention I had to pee?

Doubled over, giggling, trying to get puppy on ground, Alec rolling around groaning wondering what the hell happened.  Be back to help you in a minute, cause if I stand up, well, we'll need to mop the floor.  

David comes home a little later to us sitting in chairs, groaning.  Guess that Thumbs and his gang had had several crime sprees that day.

Seems the first time he left for an errand, they opened the cupboard, again, and drug the empty garbage can into the living room--ie why the cans are sitting on the counter.  It was empty so no harm done but I think the decided to rearrange some other items in the house too.

2nd time he left and came back, walks in the study and the pull out shelf for the computer keyboard is out, keyboard on the floor.  Mouse in a strange position.  Stack a new CDs pulled out of desk( by PC base) and strung across floor.  We'll need to check the computer and see what sites they were logging onto and what they were surfing for-dog treats, antlers?  

Of course Thumbs denies it all.  EBD who is his hit man, says(use your best mafia voice here) dont know what youze is talking about.  Just honest law abiding citizens enjoying a nice weekend.

It's lock down-Pete's in a crate, Thumbs is locked in a crate-he can't get this one open.  EBD is banned to the downstairs and Alec's room.  Granny-bedroom(she's been opening crates and eating everyone's left overs--diet is her middle name).  Now let's see what happens when Cora and Max are left to house?  

I fear the chickens are planning a revolt now.

later gators...
C

Deepness

I think we all have those moments.  It’s either during a great REM sleep moment or just that quiet time where no out of the ordinary noises happen.  You slip into that deepness of tranquility.  And you calm.  You settle, you turn into a pile of goo.

It never ceases to amaze me at the depths at which our pets figure us out and though we are oblivious to the goings on around, their subtle nose poke, lean into us, drap across our lap, turns our attention from the chaos we are floundering in and allows us to breath deep, and come to a conscious realization of what a mess we are. 

For many of us that’s the heart dog effect.   I can’t tell you the pain that still sits just below me having lost two of the most incredible dogs in my life.  Not to discount all the other dogs that I love and those that I've lost, they all take a part of me with them when they go.  But the ache, the emptiness, are all so much greater when it's That Dog.  Addie was, well, my foundation, my starting line, she jump started me into the dog person I am today.  I asked a lot and was in return given 10 fold over.  4 short years was so not enough time.  Clairee, oh how do you describe the perfect dog?  Kind, gentle, goofy, pushy and much like Addie who trained her, pleasantly perfect in every way.  

There was nothing asked of them that they couldn’t do or at least attempted to do with all their heart and soul.  They were the calming spirit when life was rough or people were stupid.  Both of them made me a better person, I learned more about love, kindness and how to be a better person.  

~~~

I sat down to watch a movie with the kids.  I needed to do this, do that, get this ready, run into town, you know the drill.  I kept getting poked.  No go away.  Poke.   Sigh.  Poke.  Would you just go and piss off another dog?  Poke.  I had had it.  Get your fuzzy butt up here, sit down and shut up—and quit poking me!

As I sat and my mind raced with what I needed to do, my fingers dug into the deep soft neck hair of a slightly spoiled, okay, rancid smelling black and white dog.  The more I ran my fingers across his favorite spot just under his keel, lingered my finger tips on his ears that feel like silk, watched as he laid upside down, contorted his head to the oddest angle, I realized that he knew me better than I did myself.  He understood that I needed him so much more then he needed me.  I sighed, deep and relaxed. 

I forgot about all the stupid people who have no idea what pain they put their dogs through for an ugly ribbon.   I let it go that I’m never going to be in with the right crowd-just because I speak my mind and have no need for their bullshit.  I realized that right now, on my lap, was a dog that wormed his way into my heart like only two others have before, that was taking charge of my unbalanced state and making me understand that none of that really mattered.

This bond that we've formed, is one that many claim to have—their “heart” dog, but to me it’s not a title, it’s not a name, it’s a feeling, it’s a deep down component that you can’t usually explain to someone else.  I can try?  It’s when you have a V8 moment and see what your dog has been telling you and you haven’t been listening for.  For me and my smelly dog,  he understands the need for a physical connection, a flow of energy. 

I decided to run errands, he came along for the ride.  Sitting in the passenger seat of the van, head laying on the armrest, staring at me.  I made room on the tote that sits between the seats.  Just the perfect for a Malcolm sized body.  He crawled over, curled up, and leaned over to touch me.  He was happy for my lazy hand draped down on his head, that simple physical touch.  I was happy too, it’s so simple.   He trusts me to not let him get in harms was—ask me about the rude people at the show and at Petsmart.  He’s willing to try anything-gosh how he figured out the A-Frame in one try and now  races up it like a mountain goat, stopping at the top to check in and ask-is this what you wanted Mom?

People need to get past the idea that a heart dog is the one that won them this, or that.  It’s not about the dog that put your name on the map.  It’s about understanding, loving and connecting and knowing that you are there for each other, regardless.  It's something deeper then we can ever begin to create on our own, it just happens. 

Later gator....

C

Neglected

To the following people, I need to apologize for neglecting them over the past few months....EBD and Connor, aka the collie contingent in the house.  Yes there are two additional ones-Turner and Cy, but honestly, Turner hates being in the public eye, Cy-camera hog so I chose to ignore his hairy blonde butt most of the time.

EBD aka Evil Blue Dog for those unfamiliar with Lace's official title, is in charge of the house.  No big deal but when it comes to puppies, she has an issue.  They take her stuff without asking.  And it pisses her off.  And...she can't do a damn thing about it.  Last night she decided to take matters into her own paws and gave them The Talk.

All were in rapt attention-but I don't think it was the teeth as much as the bone they were waiting to take. 

Then came Unca Connor.  He LOVES babies.  Well he loves small dogs, the smaller, the wigglier, the better.  Collies really are the best babysitters.

Sorry, that's not a collie.  But the puppies' new toy-it giggles when  you pull it's hair.

 Ah there's Unca Connor!

 My head fits in his mouth!

 Tag Team'em!

Connor really is the best around.  He's so gentle with them just as long as they don't, you know, bit him you know where.  Then he's up on his feet and rolls them over with his big long nose.   

Later gators...
C

Bad blogger, bad bad blogger

I'm going to try to get back in the swing of blogging.  My head is full of posts but honestly, I just have not been in the mood to put it to the computer.

But for now---I'm giddy and had to tell you all about the exciting plans!!!  Long ago when we built our house, the plan was to eventually turn the garage into more of a dogatorium.  I wanted a space to groom, work dogs, somewhere for muddy and wet dogs to hang out and dry out before they came in the house as well as an office/relax space.   This year we were going to work on some of it.  Add in the north walk through door, then take the garage overhead doors off, frame in a window and another walk through door.  We bought a super cool wood stove last fall and I've got the raised tub for the grooming area.  

Next week, we get some great help in trade for the garage door!   Bartering is sweet in my book.  Our godo friend and contractor John is coming over to help frame the opening, install the window and door.  And he's taking the overhead door and opener off our hands.  We'll also get the north door in and muddy dogs will no longer track through the house!!!   Electrical and milk board walls will come shortly there after, then stove installed, a/c and ventilation fan.   Sigh, I might be organized?  

That's one project done--rest of the summer can be spent with new barn doors, replace slider in dining room with a french door then add the deck.  Owning a home is so much fun!!!!

Let's see, track lighting in kitchen, spare room, study, new lights for dining room and basement stairwell.  And I might need to do some painting too.

Now to win the lottery!

Later gators....
C

"I" am so late in getting these photos!

By far this is the worst I have been on updating on puppies.  I haven't even got the litter a page on the website!  But then again, my excuses are numerous-most important one being that I'd rather spend time with the babies, my family and the rest of the fourlegged crew then sit at the computer.

With much prodding by someone-ehhem, here's 6 week attempts at posed photos.  It was so not easy.  They have no fear of the table, love being handled and the instant you touch one, they are on the go.   I'm sorry, management forgot to install stop buttons on these--seems to be an on going engineering issue.

Oh sorry-Archie tends to spend a large part of his time on his back-the table was no exception.

 Arcie front-again, these are so not good photos!  What you can't see is the tail wagging in the back.

 And Archie side-this is as good as it got. he really is well balanced, though you can't tell it here. Sigh.

 The perfect girl, Betty.  One shot-that's all it took for her.

 Betty side-again, she stacked, stood still and we were done.

 Hum, can you tell by the smile that someone is smitten with Veronica?

 Veronica-side.

 And last but not least, the absolutely adorable Darby.  He is a hoot, first to explore, "put  me in Coach!" attitude and totally a great performance prospect.

 We had to do it twice for him.  Finally had to have the kids tag team him-so if you cut off the rear on this one....

 ...and use the rear of this photo, you might get a complete puppy.  He makes you giggle everytime.

 And of course, what's fun outside for the first time with out a little help from their friends?  Malcolm, Penny and Cora were just head over heels happy that the babies came out to play and that Pete let everyone else play with them.  Mal and Darby are best buds.

Hope you all had a great weekend and it's going to be 80 here tomorrow!!  50 by Saturday, ugh.

Later gators....
C

CWCCA National -- in review

Short and sweet--we came home with tons of rosettes, memories and a new fuel pump.

The longer version you say?

Dawn, Shelley, the Ms and I trooped down 1500 miles plus with 8 dogs to the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Club of America's National Specialty last week.  The Mystery Machine was loaded, but room to spare.  It was a long 25 plus hours, lovely scenery on the way down, though Southern KS and the Panhandle areas leave a lot of be desired.  

Upon arrival, we exploded into our hotel room, over to the host hotel and exploded there again.

Monday-eek, performance.   Dawn was doing obedience and agility, Shelley and I were up for rally only.   Moose Q'd in advanced with a so so score, which of course had a little to do with the crash and burn, aka face plant he did over the jump.  It was really funny after the fact, but totally a Snookie moment that he totally took in stride.  3rd place(out of 3 to be honest).  We also helped out with CGC's that afternoon after Dawn got done with agility.   Wash, Mal's brother, got his BN title on Monday also.

Tuesday-back at it again,  but with a twist!  Megan match that night, so had to bring along the dressy clothes.   Moose, learning for his experience of the day before, performed a very nice jump exercise and got a decent 96 and 3rd place(out of three).  One more leg for his RA needed.  The Ms showed him in the Megan and had fun with him.  Knew we wouldn't do a thing but it was fun none the less.  The shock of the day was when Frank made the cut in the red dog class!   WOW-the top red dogs were in there and Frank showed like a trouper.  

Wednesday-sweeps day.  Wow wee, let me tell you, I would have been happy to go home after that day, as in we done good!  Wash won the 9-12 class, Mal was 3rd.  Then Kaylee went 2nd in her big 9-12 class.  It was awesome.  I got to show Moose this time around and you know, he's just too much dog for the judges and that's exactly the reason why I don't show him.  Though interestingly enough, I happened to be sitting in the grass on the courtyard with him during the week and a long time club member/breeder/judge, came over and commented that he was indeed a big dog, but a very nice and well put together big dog-shame more of the dogs out there these days aren't like him.   Gotta love the Moose dog!

Thursday-class dogs.  Now I will admit, by this time in the week, I was getting tired.   And I also must agree with a couple comments heard that many wished the judges had been swapped around.  Not the I dislike any of the judges there this year, but I have a hard time agreeing with some of what was put up.  Lots of forward shoulders, bad shoulders, poor movement, and all at a time when I keep hearing from all those around us about how bad our shoulders are and at breeders and judges ed, that was the hot topic.  Sigh.
So with that said, Wash had a meltdown on the table and Dawn asked to be excused.  Believe me, he wasn't the only one-one bitch on Friday was also excused and several dog on both days backed up when the judge approached or had to be held on the table.   I've never seen this before at a National and very rarely ever at regular shows.   Granted I had the same thing last fall with Penny, and I guess it was for very much the same reasons.
Mal went on to get 3rd in a very tough BBE class that ended up having the 1st place winner be BBE in Show.
To end the day we did CGC's again-I helped and then had Mal tested, who btw, passed with flying colors.  He rocked it and now we move on to work on his BN then RN then, gulp, CD?  
We hung around for the breeder's ed seminar and as always, learned something new.  

Friday-class bitches and juniors.   Kaylee was up that day, but no loving from the judge.  She was too small for him, which is a shame as she moved the best of them all.  We then hung out poolside while the Ms swam for like 5 hours.  Then it was time for judges ed.  We stayed for that as I want to know what our club is teaching the up and coming judges about our breed.  Needless to say so much time was spent on the fronts and shoulders and skimmed over the rears.  Shame shame shame, as I think I saw some of the worst rears and movement at this show.   Dogs who claim to have great reach are running like GSD's on their hocks, horrible angles, etc.  ugh.

Juniors-the Ms showed well.  2nd in her class and honestly she talked to the judge and it was totally little things that she had to nitpick because both girls were so good.  Eddie had fun too.  What I do want to mention is that I am so proud of my daughter.  She showed so much maturity, even in loosing by offering to help the other junior out.   She didn't have to, she didn't get a pat on the back or a thank you for helping, she just did it.  And with a great big smile on her face.   I'm happy to have her as my own little girl.

Saturday-and yes I'm tired and sick.  Ate something on Friday that didn't agree with me.  We got the three dogs ready for breed-Peace, Chip and Frank.   Frankie once again surprised me--making a cut in a tough class that left some other big name dogs out.   He was rocking it and actually having fun.   But that was about it.  We did hang out and cheer for Powell who went on to BISS--once again, it came from the veteran classes-wow!    We then opted to pack up at the hotel and then head home after the banquet rather then spend one more night.  Good and bad......the Mystery Machine died, got it to our hotel but then it was the logistics of getting the dogs and our remaining stuff back to our hotel.

To the rescue, Garrett and Brian(Jessica's husband).   Then after the banquet, Ladye Hawke and Terry Devine got the rest of it over.   I can not say enough thank you's for helping out!  It's amazing how some people do without being asked and we constantly kept in touch as we were headed home.

Sunday-ugh, finally got a great 24 hr mechanic to come look at the van. Stan you are the best!  Though he could not fix it, he recommended and set up the repairs at a local shop for Monday.  That meant another day in Tucson, but the Ms got to go swimming :)

Monday, 5pm, rolled out of Tucson with a new fuel pump on the Mystery Machine.  An extra dog to bring home, loads of rosettes, prizes and goodies.  But some how we still managed to have room?   Dust storms in AZ and New Mexico, horrible winds in the Panhandle area and by Tuesday morning, we were rolling into Southern Kansas and rain.   We arrived at my door at 11:45pm Tuesday night, unpacked, repacked Shelley's car and sent the Minnesota crew on their way.  I crawled in bed at 12:45 or so Wednesday morning then got up and went to work.

It was an adventure.  Koodoos to the club for a well put on show, great show site and fun.  Will I go back to AZ, doubt anytime soon.   Weather was lovely, but I need green grass not rocks and sand.  I need that change in the weather, the rain and yes, the mud.   I think the dogs and I will hang out in Iowa for a while now.

So the total?  Mal CGC, 3rd in sweeps and 3rd in BBE.  Eddie-looked cute, 2nd in juniors, nothing in stud dog.  Moose-two 3rd place rally advanced legs.  Frankie-cuts in both the Megan and breed.   And made some great new friends and proved that a cute fluffy blue dog can make a difference and produce some outstanding dogs!!!!

Photos later-still trying to find my way out of the piles of paperwork on my desk, sigh....

Later gators...  oh St Louis next year--already have every thing booked and time off request in!

C

Pupdates

I know, I know, people are getting uppity about photos--go to Facebook, I uploaded a slug there.   And I know, I'm a bad person-the website sucks, haven't got it all updated and well, that could be this weekend, we'll see.

So I'm home from Tucson, that's another post.   But here's the latest and greatest of the "I" kids.

Darby and Betty-love the sleeping positions! 

The lovely Veronica-she smiles just like her Uncle Moose.

A sleeping Archie aka piggy.

And Veronica, again.  She's hard to keep out of photos.  Playing with the toys we brought home from Nationals.

Archie attacking the pig-he loves toys.

Veronica, again, are you sick of her yet?

Archie using Veronica as a pillow-loves his sister's big butt.

The gang-l to r:  Darby the b/w boy, Veronica the brindle girl, Archie the other b/w boy and last but not least, Betty the b/w girl who hates to have her picture taken.

On an interesting side note, and this is just random stuff I'm thinking about today.  It's getting harder and harder to accept people as they are-you know all their quirks and such.  Especially when you think they are heartfelt in what they say, yet they continue to keep stuff posted that contradicts their apology.  Does that make sense.  I guess I can say that I have forgiven, did that a long time ago as carrying that burden isn't worth it.  But you know they totally aren't forgiving themselves or are only saying the words.  Take down the crap that still says you dislike me, hate me or my actions...then I'll believe that you mean it.   No skin off my back though, it isn't worth it to me to continue the hate.   

Sigh, time for more puppy cuddles.   And yes, I know the dreaded update on the week that was....

Later gators...

C