Tuesday is the last day to sign up for Cardi Claus!

Can you believe November is already halfway gone?!?! If you have not yet signed up for Cardi Claus, you only have one day left!

For the uninitiated, Cardi Claus is a virtual Christmas Party/Ornament Exchange for people who are linked to each other with a love of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi.  We have done this for a few years now, and it has been a hoot.  Wanna play?  Here's how:

1.     First, if you sign up to play, please don't disappoint us by not following through.

2.  Let me know by November 15 that you want to participate.  Email cardiclaus at gmail.com (a new address this year) with the following information:

Your name

Shipping address

Phone number

Information about your pack

Any other information about you that will help your Cardi Claus get to know you a little better (think about what you would like to learn about your intended recipient!)

And just to clear up something that sometimes confuses new participants.  I will send you the name of the person you will play Cardi Claus for.  A different person will be your Cardi Claus – this way, everyone gets to make a holiday connection with two other people – the one you gift, and the one who gifts you!

         3.  By November 17, I will send you information about your recipient.  You will have a couple of weeks to get your package together, and then . . .

        4.  YOU WILL SHIP YOUR PACKAGE ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 1.  Did everyone see that??  This to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to get their packages in time to really enjoy them!

And finally . . .

       5.  You are only committing to participating in an Ornament Exchange.  Any other goodies that you choose to include with your ornament  is entirely up to you.  No one who participates is anticipating any more than the opportunity to share holiday fun with you!  

You think they looked proud back in February? You should see them today!

This picture is from the puppy party, the day that Lauri became Lowri and went home to live with Susan and be a herding dog.

Today she is CH Mockingbird Elyan Magic Moment PT, the first champion from my first litter, with letters on both ends of her name before she even turns 11 months old!  And of course does it all in grand style, picking up a major at the Western Reserve, another major at the Lexington specialty, a Best in Breed over specials yesterday, a Best of Opposite over specials today, and Puppy Herding Group One today as well.  Tomorrow she is going to solve the European debt crisis. Or roll in the mud.  Probably both.

Congratulations to Mama Susan, Mama Cheryl and Mama/Grandma Penni!  Thanks for giving my baby a wonderful home and lots to do!

Who wants a visit from Cardi Claus?

OK - Halloween has passed, so the retailers say we are officially now in the "holiday season."  So, it must be time to start preparing for a visit by the jolly little Cardi Claus!

For those who have not participated before, we started doing this a few years ago as a way to make new cardi friends across the miles and share a little holiday cheer.  The original intent was to do an ornament exchange.  Folks let me know that they wanted to play, and sent their delivery details and a little information about their pack.  Once I had everyone's information, Cardi Claus would study the information and try to match up folks with each other, share information, and let the fun commence.

It has always been fun to sit back and watch the fun.  Most who have participated have been bloggers in the past, and it has always been fun to check out each other's blogs and enjoy each others surprises that showed up in the mail.

For the most part, response has been enthusiastic - in fact in some cases, hugely so.  While just intended to an ornament exchange, some folks also tucked in a treat or two for the dogs.  Others went way over the top and  sent what can only be compared to a Harry and David's Super Colossal Tower of Treats for hooman and dog.  And, unfortunately, a very few said they wanted to participate, and then just faded away, leaving their intended recipient empty handed.

So, shall we do it again?  In my post yesterday, I have already heard that there is interest!  So, let's go - and here are the rules:

1.     First, if you sign up to play, please don't disappoint us by not following through.

2.  Let me know by November 15 that you want to participate.  Email cardiclaus at gmail.com (a new address this year) with the following information:

Your name

Shipping address

Phone number

Information about your pack

Any other information about you that will help your Cardi Claus get to know you a little better (think about what you would like to learn about your intended recipient!)

And just to clear up something that sometimes confuses new participants.  I will send you the name of the person you will play Cardi Claus for.  A different person will be your Cardi Claus – this way, everyone gets to make a holiday connection with two other people – the one you gift, and the one who gifts you!

         3.  By November 17, I will send you information about your recipient.  You will have a couple of weeks to get your package together, and then . . .

        4.  YOU WILL SHIP YOUR PACKAGE ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 1.  Did everyone see that??  This to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to get their packages in time to really enjoy them!

And finally . . .

       5.  You are only committing to participating in an Ornament Exchange.  Any other goodies that you choose to include with your ornament  is entirely up to you.  No one who participates is anticipating any more than the opportunity to share holiday fun with you!  


So - let's play!  Please pass this along to other cardi folks who would like to join in!

Happy Birthday Scout (and, no we haven't fallen off the face of the blogging earth)

Just have been taking a little break taking care of other parts of life.

Just quick shout out about a couple of holiday cardis - wait, no - four holiday cardis!

Happy Birthday to the three pumpkin girls - Scout, Moira and Grace!

An who is the fourth holiday cardi I am thinking of???  That would be Cardi Claus!  More to come . . . . .  

Home from Lexington

This morning we are sitting under what's left of Tropical Storm Lee - the first rain in more than a month here in Chattanooga.  I thought it might be a good time to post some about the weekend.

We went to Lexington KY this weekend for the Labor Day shows.  Heidi headed up first, picked up one of my EZ-up tents which Cheryl M transported for us, and she single handedly got a great spot and PUT THE TENT UP ALL BY HERSELF!  Seriously folks, this is not an easy thing to do!  Laura and I arrived the next day and brought another tent, more x pens and a generator in the Cardi Party Wagon.  Kathy brought a third tent on Friday morning, and Cardi Camp was built.

We had set up a big Cardi play area with three xpens before Kathy got there, and after we got her tent up, we set about to move the xpens and cardis under the tent.  I wish someone had gotten this on tape, because it was a sight to see.  With all the dogs in the pens, all the humans lifted the xpens just off the ground and we started moving to the tent.  The dogs figured out right away what we were doing, and the herd easily moved across the field to the tent!  Here's a short video of all the dogs in the pen on Saturday morning:



On Friday, brother David from the Ocho came to visit - look at how handsome he is!

And here's a pic of pretty sister Ginger:

Saturday was a supported show and sweepstakes.  Sis Lowri was the star, winning Best in Sweeps and Winners Bitch.  Later she won Puppy Group 2 as well. Laura's Rosie was reserve after being WB on Friday.   Brother Tommy was Best of Opposite in Sweeps.  Sister Ginger showed well, and Sister Sally - well, she showed up.  Let's just say that Sally and Mama Scout made it perfectly clear - they don't like heat or outdoor shows, and that's all we are going to say about that.  Heidi's Rush was BOB and went on to a Group 3 (and a Group 4 on Sunday!). 

We had a pot luck lunch planned after the show on Saturday, but it was so blazingly hot (100+ temp), it was not a great day to hang out and enjoy.  We had a bunch of great folks there, but it was just too awful to spend much time outside.  As we were huddled under our little spot of shade, we heard a call for medical personnel over the loud speaker.  Later we learned that an Obedience Judge had collapsed.  We hear the Lexington Club has the opportunity to move this show to a new indoor venue, but apparently some of the club's "old guard" is resisting it.  Hopefully after this year, they will re-consider.

On Sunday, we loaded up the wagon and headed home - here's how Spencer spent the ride home - perched in his "special boy" seat:

We are glad to be home!

Tommy is The Man - Updated!

Yesterday Tommy picked up a 4 pt major in Atlanta. Such a handsome boy!  Sunday update:  Tommy wins another 4 pt major!

Sally seems to want to make sure she keeps going to lots of dog shows, and was Reserve the three days we were there. She thinks hotel rooms are the most fun places ever - because she gets to fly between beds and play with her BFFs (TJ, Alley and Ginger).

Next stop Lexington, where on Saturday the five brindles from the Ocho will have a frapping reunion on Saturday. Ginger, Tommy, Lowri and Sally are entered, and David, who lives nearby, will come out to the site as well.

Our wild ride

We had quite a day today, filled with ups and downs. By the end of the day we had an obnoxious display of ribbons on our tent at the Western Reserve show.

Unfortunately, as I said, there were downs too.  I received word this morning that my mom is not doing well, and I had to deal today with faxes back and forth to get her in hospice care. Tomorrow morning I am heading back home. Scout is going to stay here with Cheryl.

Hope the girls continue kicking butt tomorrow!

Ochette in the ribbons in Sweeps!

Lowri second, Ginger third, Sally 4th!

We're International

Spencer and Scout are mentioned in an article about lure coursing corgis. Look under news here: http://www.welshcorgi-news.ch/

Sent from my iPhone

Was this really necessary?

Nothing like working a 16 hour day and coming home to see that a certain puppy has learned to read. Perhaps she was clipping coupons.

A Surreal, but Nice, Weekend

(First - name the movie that title was inspired by!)

Saturday was ummmmm, interesting.  We were brought back to earth by the dog show gods - after our big double major weekend two weeks ago, yesterday Sally was 4th in the Bred-by class.  4th out of 4.  Ouch. 

On the good side, the judge liked brother Tommy and Mama Scout  - Tommy got Reserve and Scout was BOB.

Sally and I were both a bit off yesterday - we got in very late to the hotel, and lazy me did not take a crate inside for her.  I think she had trouble settling down because of that.  Then we had an 8 o'clock ring time, the hairdryer in the hotel room wouldn't work, and at 6:30 in the morning it was already 85 and 110% humidity or as we call it, "air you can wear."   It was also Sally's first time at a big show - noisy and lots of people and dogs - and it didn't even hit me until late yesterday afternoon  that I had not even thought about how difficult that probably was for her.  Any or none of these could have contributed to it - but it just was not our day.

We all crashed early last night and today was a better day.  Sally and I walked around a good bit before we went in the ring I played "hooman pez dispenser" and gave her lots of treats.  We were both more relaxed and it showed in how she moved in the ring.  And I was pleased as punch when the judge gave her Winner's Bitch and a 5 point major.  That gets her to 14 points.

My puppy has springs.

Sally is one bouncy puppy. While we on the dogshow trip to Richmond, she figured out the shortest distance between the two beds was to take flight between them. And she did over and over and over again.

On the next dogshow trip to Southaven, she reprised her act many more times. But today she shocked the heck out of me. I have taught the dogs to "help me" - that's the command when they are getting in their crates in the Element. The put their front paws on the tailgate and I boost them up.

But today went I asked Sally to help, she looked like she was going to do the normal thing, but instead she sprang straight up and landed lightly on the tailgate. Neither Scout nor Spencer have ever thought about doing this. This pup never ceases to amaze me.

Home Again

Chattanooga traffic was a beast tonight. Major arteries shut down by two wrecks and road constuction. Side roads (i.e., paved goat trails) clogged by drivers who idled their gas away. The last 10 miles of our trip took over an hour.

But overall, it was a great weekend. Laura and I drove over to Southaven MS for a show. Heidi met us there Saturday morning. Lots of old and new friends were there, including Betty and Ted, owners of the Intrepid Tommy of the Ocho.

Sally had a big weekend, picking up two 4-point majors. Scout picked up a Group 2 and 9 more Gch points. Tommy and Betty had lovely showings - his points will come in due time. Up in Michigan, lovely littermate Ginger went to her first show and got a 3 pt major, making Kathy very proud as well.

I am so proud of all the Ocho. The show dogs have made awesome starts, and all eight are champions of the heart with their great families. I feel very lucky to have had such a fabulous first breeding experience.

Great day for Mockingbird!

Sally gets a 4 pt major in Mississippi, Ginger gets a 3 pt major in Michigan, and Scout gets a Group 2!!

Sent from my iPhone

It's not just a party wagon

It's my new pickup truck! Off to recycle.

Coming soon to a dog show near you . . .

(I'm thinking a photo opp with three brindle girls in the wagon in OH!)

Last weekend's Cardi Party

I was lounging on the porch and did not even pull out my camera, but here's a link to Elizabeth's post on the festivities - at Chronicles of Cardigan. 

Tommy's a rock star!

Robbed from Betty on Facebook:

Weekend Wrap-up - First Dog Show in 10 months!

Heidi and I loaded up the Element and my new little "Cardi Party Wagon" and headed up to Richmond VA this past weekend.

Mama Scout and Sally in one crate, Papa Rush and Alley in the other. Uncle Grump Spencer reclined on his (my) king sized tempurpedic pillow right behind the front seats - he loves being the special boy.

On Saturday, Miss Sallywags picked up her first CH point. She also came home from the show with a new tag for her crate, her very own Show Octopus, and a very blingy new show lead.  Mama Scout was BOB, too.

After showing Saturday morning, Ann Taylor graciously invited all of the cardi folks to her home for lunch and cardi play time.  We got to spend time with representatives of the Red Horde, an international man of mystery, "Dwayne" and JF, and their respective people.

Sunday was Rush's day to shine and boy, did he - with a Group 4 placement.  (Also congrats go to Dewi (Dwayne's alter ego) who earned his CGC certification at the show!)

And as usual, we always find a way to enjoy the local fare when we travel to shows.  Saturday we had a fantastic dinner at Pescados, a latin-caribbean seafood restaurant.  On Sunday, we hit the Edelweiss Restaurant in Staunton VA on the way home, a place I have always wanted to visit - wonderful home-style german food and charming as all get-out.

We made it home today, and got a chance to rest up a bit before heading back to work tomorrow.  Oh how I have missed going to dogshows!  Don't forget to sign up for Southaven MS shows - they close on Wednesday!

More points by an Ocho girl!

Alli, the pretty red girl, went out today with her pretty red headed junior handler, and was winners bitch, crossed over to pick up another point as best of winners, and also best of opposite sex! Congratulations Madison and Alli!

Yesterday Alli was reserve winners bitch, Best puppy, and Puppy Herding Group 2!

What a great start!

The Spookiest House on the Bay

These pictures were shot from the back deck of our vacation house in Fort Morgan AL. Our house had decks on both the east and west side - almost all day one or the other had a delightful breeze and view.

This house, however, kind of skeeved me. Is it not the spookiest looking thing?

(These pictures are actually a bit misleading - the house looks like it is in a fog, but actually the fog was on my camera lens - after I brought it out of the air conditioned house to the high humidity outside. But I think the fog just illustrates how creepy this place was.)

One thing that was strange about this house was how it changed colors during the day. In the morning, it was a yellow-y beige, but in the late afternoon and evening, it turned gray.

One night I noticed that there was a sign over the front porch which I figured was the name of the house.  (The name of our happy house was "You are My Sunshine" which was a perfect name for it.)

There was a pair of binoculars in the house, so I got them to see if I could read the name.  It was . . . .

"Journey's End."    How creepy is that???

One last video postcard from the beach

Wish we were still there!

Lowri is the First with the First!

Look what Princess Lowri did today:

Congratulations to Penni, Susan and Cheryl!

Sally's Beach Report

From Sally:

Hey everybody! I see now why that lady I live with was so excited about going to the beach! It is really fun. We go to the beach every morning and late afternoon when it is not so hot. We run and play in the water. Sometimes the water chases us, and sometimes it runs away from us. I try to catch the birds that are flying low over the water. I haven't caught one yet, but I have one more day to try.

We are always on our flexi leads on the beach, because that's the law, but sometimes we see other dogs breaking that law, in particular this one German Shepherd Dog who is staying at a house right on the beach. His people just let him do whatever he wants, and whenever he sees us, he wants to run up where we are.

As you may know, my Uncle Grump has "issues" with GSDs. This goes way back when a crazy GSD tried to get our lady, and Uncle Grump didn't like it one bit. Ever since, he thinks all GSDs are up to no good.

Yesterday we were walking towards the water, that GSD came up behind us. We all decided to protect our lady so we all ran back to try to get to him. In the process of doing this, we managed to wrap our flexible leads all around our lady's legs. Of course, we were barking very loud and she was yelling at the GSD's people to come get their dog. About that time, there was a large gust of wind that blew somebody's big beach umbrella right on our lady.

This caused her to yell out a pretty ugly word for all to hear. A man came and got the umbrella and asked her if she was ok. Finally a woman came and got the GSD, but for some reason, she didn't feel like she needed to say anything to our lady. We finally got ourselves untangled and went on to have fun playing in the water. Today we did not see the GSD - we hope he went home.

We only have one more day here - it has gone by so quickly!

This time next week . . .

I'll either be serving drinks on this deck:

or lounging on this deck:

or walking the dogs on this dog friendly beach in LA:

And by LA, I mean Lower Alabama, Fort Morgan to be precise. 

 A jillion things to do between now and then - but knowing this is on the other end of the week makes it bearable.

Blogger Problems update - and the workaround that worked for me

Found this.  Widespread panic.

There are some suggestions for fixes, but sounds like Google Engineering is stumped.

I logged into google with "keep me logged on"  unclicked.  After that, I was able to post to Susan's blog.

Is it just me . . .

Or is anyone else having trouble posting comments on blogger blogs?  Every time I try, I select to use my google id, which used to work just fine.  Now it sends me to blogger login page, and I put in my gmail address and pw, it takes me back to the comment page, I enter the goofy word, hit enter and sends me back to blogger log in page again.

Does this happen to anyone else?  Of course, if it does, you can't leave me a message here and tell me, can you?   Argghhhh!

Anyhow - I am trying to post to several of your blogs, but for some reason google/blogger won't let me!

Decisions, Decisions

I have the opportunity for a Saturday night with two good looking fellows - actually, two international men of mystery.  Unfortunately, the opportunities are on the same Saturday night but not in the same city.

The choices are:

Sex on a stick,
(his words, not mine)

OR

Chews on a stick.

On June 25, Maksim Chmerkovskiy will return to Chattanooga to host a benefit for Partnership for Families, Children and Adults. Laura and I went last year and had a ball. Maks was an absolute doll. He seemed to have a great time and raised a boatload of money, even auctioning off his pants.

However, I had been planning to take Sally to her first show in Richmond VA that weekend - and visit Big Nick and Liz.

What to do?????

Easy choice - we're coming to you, Nick!

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Happy Birthday to Spencer and Wilson!

I can't believe my boy is 8 years old today!  A little greyer in the face, but still acts like a puppy when it's dinnertime.  He's my first cardigan, and it's thanks to him that I ended up with the other two, as well as the legion of good "dog" friends, including you who are reading this now.

As an aside (with a purpose for this post), I generally try not to talk much on my blog about things that are not going so well.  I have posted before about my mom's health, but not much lately, as she continues to decline with what was orignally diagnosed as vascular dementia, and now appears to be combined with Alzheimer's as well.  For the most part, she does not have a good grip on the reality of the world around her, but every once in a while she comes up with some nuggets of gold.

A few weeks ago I was visiting her and I was talking about the dogs, telling her about how big Sally was getting, etc.  Out of the blue, she came up with one of those nuggets - she said, "You will never have another one who looks after you like Spencer does."  It brought tears to my eyes.  In fact it brings them now just thinking about it.

And she is exactly right.  Spencer is spoiled, spoiled, spoiled.  He gets away with way too much.  But he is devoted to me and is the dog of my heart like no other will ever be.  Happy Birthday big guy! (and brother Wilson too!)

Fun with sheep

Today Scout and Sally and I had a fun day with sheep.  I had read in our kennel club newsletter about a Herding Instinct test not too far away from us.  My original intention was just to test Sally, but after corresponding with the instructor, I decided to enter Scout in the workshop as well. 

Scout's last experience with sheep was over three years ago - I really wanted to enter Scout in the Herding Titled Bitch competition at the 2008 specialty, and she needed one more HT leg.  I had suffered a back injury in 2007 and had back surgery that knocked me for a loop for a while.  I tried to work with Scout at Susan's, but I just couldn't do it, so Susan agreed to try to get that last leg for me.

They didn't have really any opportunity to work together before (strike one) and then on test day, Scout was in RAGING heat (strike 2), but thanks to Susan's skill and persistence and a very generous judge, Scout got her second leg. and went on to win Best Herding Titled Bitch at the next two specialties.

So, I was not so sure about how she would do today, but with some good advice from the herding instructor, Scout did very well today.  She said that I really should work her - she felt Scout has the potential to be a good herding dog.  And I had a really good time today - I hope we can get back into it.

Later Sally did a instinct test.  The first thing she had me do was sit Sally on a sheep's back while she held the sheep against the fence.  Sally looked at me, like "lady, I don't think this is what I am supposed to do with them!"

The she had me put her on a long line and walk her around the fence line moving the sheep around.  She sniffed around some, but mostly followed along.  I dropped the rope and she kept moving some, sniffing some.  The instructor told everyone, "she's just a little puppy, this is probably all she will do today, but she is showing interest. 

About that time, one of the sheep turned around and challenged her a bit, and all of a sudden the light came on.  Sally said, "I don't think so, you Ewe you!  Turn around and and get back to work!"  After that, the chase was on.

I caught back up with her and asked the instructor to come back in the ring and work her so that I could watch and video.  By the time I got the camera and started shooting, she was beginning to wear out, but here she is:

We've been robbed!

Anybody see this on The Daily Corgi?    Laurie has removed it - thanks Laurie!

Look familiar??

This is Scout doing a herding instinct test at the 2006 National Specialty.  Someone robbed it and photoshopped their dog into the picture.

Grrrrrrrrr.

Updated:  Check this out!    I can't believe it!      The page has now been removed, but lives on forever via google.

Off topic note to Ocho-owners:  Scout was 6 months old in this picture.  If you enlarge it, you will have a better idea of the wackadoodle coat she had at this age.  Soon as she blew that puppy coat, she put on the gorgeous coat that she has today!

Uncle Grump, what big teeth you have!

Spence and Sally playing scary face.


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OK! More Sally!

Grandma Penni and Aunt Cheryl demanded more!

Look at my cute butt!

Kinda sorta almost a stack.

The makings of a Dolly Parton chest?

I think this would qualify as a stack!

On the move.

Just for grins - wrasslin with Uncle Spencer.

Sally Shots

OK - I finally recharged the battery on camera and snapped a few pics of Sally-wags last night.

Sally and Mama lounging before bedtime:

I want all the bones!

Love me some breakfast:

And this one is for Taryn, who is always amazed that Spence and Scout eat side by side. They don't even mind when the other sticks his/her nose into her/his bowl for the last bites. I am blessed. And lucky.

Long time no post

It's just been busy around here.  As usual, the first month of a quarter was just as hectic as ever.  Also had friends and family visiting, the big weather event, the royal wedding, NBA playoffs - let's see - what other excuses can I make?

Anyway, I am here to report that the CrateMate 2.0 is now a sight to behold. 

A new platform that holds two so-called "SUV crates" - 36 inch crates just a smidge narrower than standard (which of course makes them more expensive) so that two will fit side by side, and have doors on both ends.  The platform is a little taller and wider giving more storage area below.

Spencer and Scout have always traveled together in the same crate, so now they get to play rock-paper-scissors to see who gets the crate all to themselves.

For comparison, here is CrateMate 1.0:

And I'll try to do better posting.  I still owe Ocho updates on Lowri and Sally.  Of course, Lowri has her own blog.  Poor Sally, the third child - I just don't get around to making pictures like I used to.  I will try to do better.

It was the best of times . . .

It was part "The Godfather," part "Singing in the Rain," and yes, part "Brokeback Mountain," and it was undoubtedly the second largest Cardigan convocation last weekend.  If you missed it, you don't want to miss the posts about it.  Be sure to check out here, here, and here.  Check often - it may take a while to get all of the evidence out there.  Warning:  some of the pictures are dirty.

Here's just a little taste of what went on:

Catching up with the Ocho - Ginger, fka Joanie

Ginger sent the following via her Mom Kathy:

Most Sundays we spend the morning at Bernheim Forest where I’m learning to track along with my mom Kathy. Jimbo (our instructor) says I’m doing great, he tracks my big brother William and my partner in crime Amelia but thinks my mom needs to track me.









Then we take a walk with all my big sisters, the old lady Jeter, the superstar Flirt my best buddy Amelia and my big red buddy William.









During the week my mom teaches a beginning agility handling class and we all get to go hang out at the agility field, you ought to see me climb the A-Frame, run thru the tunnels and chute and I even walked the dog walk a time or two, I think I gave my mom a slight heart palpitation.









My mom says I need to go to puppy class and she has that scheduled for after the Kentucky Derby, I’m a busy girl. The rest of the time I’m just a normal puppy getting into everything, I really like the doggie door especially when I can run off with a roll of toilet paper and tear it up in the back yard.








You can keep up with me on Mom's blog.


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