Could They Have Had More Fun?

Probably not! But I will let the pictures tell the story of the First Snow 09!

Nope

Turns out I can't. Rainbow over and out!

I Can Stay Awake

Hi. I'm Rainbow, and I try really hard to keep up with the big kids. But sometimes I get really really sleepy.

Too Tired

Picture It

The aisle at Petsmart was littered with great toys and treats.

Ella's job was to heel through this mess without going shopping. She did it without any problem.

Then her job was to sit/stay at one end and recall to me at the other end again without picking up the toys or eating the treats. She does this 4 or so times without any difficulty at all. Then our instructor, Diane says, "okay last time," and I casually mentioned that I was down to crumbs. She sits/stays and I trot to the other end of the aisle, turn and call her. Well this is what happened...

Ella moved out very slowly and methodically picked up every single dog treat! I couldn't believe my eyes. She hadn't even glanced at the treats until she knew it was the last time. Yesh!

What we did while they were at dog show

Shaker went to bed and then asked that I turn the #$%%% lights off.

Rainbow played in the backyard.

And when they got home, all the dogs ran around for two hours romping and frolicing.

The After Thanksgiving Event

Rainbow Helps Get Ready

In the past 2 weeks, I have been so amazed at the similarities between Russ and Rainbow. Let's see Russ' alter ego is Rosario and we have met Rainbow's alter--Rambo already!

Today Rambo was in the house. I had show stuff set out and Ms. Rainbow decided to save me from having an iron in the motel room!

Yep today brought back Ruff Ruff's love of my computer keyboard, USB extender cords, and photo transfer cord!

Rainbow Turns Rambo

Rainbow has spunk. No, she has way more than spunk, she is truly gutsy.

Yesterday, she spent the entire day lipping off to her father (aka Ruff Ruff). She kept barking and barking at him until he sought refuge in a crate. But, alas, she followed him in.

Then she joined in on the game of backyard chase. When the big dogs did the great leap over her, she was totally honked off. She stood apart from the game and barked , barked and barked at them.

Finally, she decided to get the Louisville Slugger out. I assured her that in this house we do not use ball bats to get what we want!

Ella Bella Hides

Ella has this silly habit of rearranging the covers and then sliding under them. Problem is that sometimes she can't find her way out. When this happens she starts barking something like, "help, help, I've burrowed and I can't get out."

Circle Supper

Okay, we are having 16 people to dinner tonight. Sixteen people and 5 Cardigans...stay tuned I'll report on the mayhem...oh I really mean fun later!

Update: First let me say that all of our guests were dog lovers. Thank goodness! It made the general chaos much easier on the nerves.

From the start we made some calculated decisions, like while receiving guests we would only have the girls out and rambunctious boys would stay in the bedroom until everyone was settled. Of course, starter foods were set out on the kitchen table rather than on low lying things like coffee tables. I also deliberately choose finger foods that I thought the Cardis wouldn't like. (Turns out I was wrong about that...Ella liked mild peppers, marinated mushrooms and artichoke hearts!)

So as the guests arrived the girls were reasonably good. No one ran out the door, or jumped on our guests but we did have requisite barking. (Apparently even the girls are of the school that Corgis should be seen and heard!)

Once everyone settled, wine poured, I let 'da boys out. Ruff Ruff made a run for the living room with his food alert on full power and landed right smack dab in the middle of the Mike's plate! Well the only saving grace was Mike was quick, he is a vet, and he laughed and exclaimed now this is the way life should be lived. (Thanks Mike!) So with Ruff Ruff being, well Ruff Ruff, Ella decided that is was perfectly acceptable to jump up in the window seat and cruise the guests. Not sure what all she came up with but she was smiling all evening. Rainbow puppy won the reward for best dog, but I think it had more to do with her being overwhelmed.

Once we moved on to dinner, the Corgis knew the best seat in the house was under the table, but it turns out that all the food everyone brought to share was much too good to share with Cardis. A very disappointed crew made their way to the kitchen for clean up. Apparently, Kathy wasn't feeling the need to hand out left overs because Ella came back to the table. Only this time she landed in my lap! Again it was Mike who exclaimed, "now that is a content dog." But what she really was cruising for unfettered access to the remaining plates. Foiled she sulked off.

Once the food was cleared and only table talk remained my little darlings decided talk was boring so they put on a "Frap Show." One dinner guest asked if they ever really settled down. My reply, "only when I put them on the bed."

So at the end of the night, we called it a success. It turns out Cardis and large dinner parties are compatible.

The Ella and Shaker Show

Ella is very agile, in fact of all my clowns she is the most agile. So when Shaker is bugging her, which truth be told, is very often, she floats her little self right onto the bed.

Okay this bugs Shaker to no end. He barks and whines and generally carries on until even Ella can't take it anymore. At which point she jumps down and the bugfest continues.

But today, Shaker really had his thinking cap on. When Ella made her floaty leap to the bed, he grabbed the bedspread and started pulling. Ella and the bedspread came right off! I seriously wish that I could have captured the surprised look on Ella's face. It was priceless!

We Interrupt Our Regularly Scheduled Programming

Yes it is a Rottweiler. A really cool Rottie named Madison.

We were at a friends playing this came of Corn Toss--yeah I know only in the Mid West. By the time we started playing the Corn Toss thing, I had been talked into drinking wine, and my aim was terrible. (Yeah I know it doesn't take much to talk me into drinking wine, but seriously I intended to be a very good girl and I had brought diet Pepsi with great intentions. But my wine drinking friend, also owned and operated by the above mentioned Madison, lured me to the wine side with Shiraz. Now, come on, how could I resist?) Any way with my aim being what it was, I had a lot of time to watch the dog.

As it turns out Madison, does this run out on the pool cover and hang out in the "water" until it the water completely freezes. I swear I have never seen anything like it! Every time she bounded across the yard and sailed in to pool I laughed myself silly!

P.S. For those of you looking for a Rainbow pupdate--she slept through the night! Yes it was probably me you heard doing a happy dance!

Daddy Russ and Rainbow

Russ is the best Daddy and I couldn't be happier. He is gentle and tolerant. The series of pictures shows his good nature off. He drug that old cat bed into his crate and he just loves sleeping all stretched out and upside down. But Rainbow had other ideas so he moved to the back of the crate to give her some room. But by the end of the evening Rainbow wanted the whole bed to he moved to the side! ( Oh that toy in front is one of his favorites and he even lets her play with it!)

Good Boy Ruff Ruff!

Teach Recall and Hug Your Dog.

Accidents happen. Accidents happen in a split second. Sometimes, including today, the difference between life and death, is instant reaction to your commands. Today Ella and Shaker are alive because of that. So what happened?

The dogs and I were out playing in the back yard. This happens every day many times a day, but today was just a little bit different. When it was time to go in the house, I opened the door and Ella and Shaker bounded up the stairs. Nothing new there, except today I saw the garage door was opened and I heard a car running.

I quickly commanded the other 3 (although the puppy just went along ) to "get back." They did immediately and I closed the door and was up the stairs pronto. One might even suggest that I made the top of the stairs faster than I had since I was an in shape teenager! I yelled STOP, but the car kept moving backwards. I SCREAMED STOP as I made the back of the car. Ella's head was about 8"from the tire. She was trying to figure out what I wanted from her. She astutely figured out I wanted her to get away from the car, and she bolted up the driveway. (Oh Shaker had already made the crest of the driveway and was headed for the bright lights of New York!)

Okay the dogs were clear of the car. So then I went into puppy fun mode. I joyfully sang out Ella Bella, Shakey Bakey Come! Ella turned on a dime and ran at me like a missile driven bullet. The joy of watching my dog heading toward me at rocket speed was unmeasurable. But I still had Shaker on the loose. Well it was 10 seconds into Ella running toward me that Shaker decided that the bright lights of New York wouldn't be much fun without his cohort in crime and he too came bounding down the driveway.

The entire incident was over in less than 2 mins, but the fear, adrenaline and joy will live in my muscles for at least a week!

This part of the post is purely for Ella. For all my complaining about her slow recall today when it really mattered she had rocket recall. I am sorry for ever doubting her. Now Shaker on the other hand, I have long bragged about his beautiful recall. Turns out when the chips were down, he easily could have had other plans. So tomorrow, Shaker is in recall Boot Camp!

Hug your dogs and teach recall!

Don't Kiss The Puppy!

Rainbow is her Daddy's puppy to be sure! When Russ was little he loved nothing better than finding a smelly fish on the shore of the great Mississippi River and roll in it until I physically picked him up and moved him along.

We don't spend as much time right on the shores of the river right now so Rainbow had to find her own smelly yucky stuff to cavort in. For dear little Rainbow it is dead rotting voles. I swear that dog can put her nose to the ground and come up with a dead animal in seconds.

First she dug one out of the pond. I saw her running with something in her mouth that didn't look much like one of the famed toys we have purchased for her Cardigan pleasure. And as Kathy is going to train this puppy I hadn't worked on "leave it" and "drop it"! Fortunately for me, Russ was quite willing to take it from her, and he has a rock solid "drop it".

Once I had the disgusting vermin isolated from the Cardis I found myself in another pickle. I was in the middle of the yard and an implement with which to dispose of the thing was in the shed. With not a chance of maintaining control if I left to get the shovel, I rooted around in the leaves and found a passable stick.

While the thing was flying over the fence, I thought, "there that is taken care of." Only problem was the puppy had a second one... And yes, we essentially repeated the entire performance, only this time I had a stick ready to go.

Rainbow and Daddy Russ

We have an old cat bed that I bought at a cat show over 20 years ago. It is quite durable, survived many washings. Russ used it when he was a puppy. Rainbow tried it out and liked it. Probably because it is near a food dish.





After Rainbow tried it out, Russ had to see if it still fit. Pretty snug.

Rainbow and Kenzie

When everyone is cleaning and putting away Halloween decorations, what should the little ones do? Why, socialize, of course! The two littlest creatures of the house spent most of the day just hanging out and being way to cute!

Home Free

Remember playing "Hide and Seek" in the back yard with a gaggle of kids? Remember the rush of making to "Home Free Zone" before being spotted?

Well it turns out my Cardis have a similar game and Home Free spot. They have a raging game of chase lead by whom ever gets a wild hair. As soon as one of them starts to run the others (even little Rainbow though she can't possibly keep up) engage the chase.

Now this game has been going on and developing its life for some time now. The Home Free Zone is quite new. It seems that if the dog in the lead position can either jump in the dog pool or get under the Boxwood bush they are saved from the rolling maul that ensues if the "leader" is caught.

I swear Ella smiled today when she made the Boxwood without being touched!

Mom, Dad and Rainbow

Rainbow is settling in nicely. Ella has taught her to steal my shoes, Russ and Music (aka Mom and Dad) are super protective of her and Shaker well he just has his nose out of joint!

Oh and she loves to play in oak leaves! I try to get some pictures of her cavorting in them.

For now here's a couple of the parents hanging out their baby.

Ella's Post

Ella is sitting with me and she requested that I make the following assertions.

1) Ella is the princess

2) Ella is the cutest

3) Ella is my favorite

4) Ella is the smartest

5) What Ella wants Ella gets.

Rainbow's First Night Night

I wonder where we are supposed to sleep?

Introducing...

Well for those of you who were taking bets...yeah we did it! We couldn't help but keep one of Music and Russ' puppies. So please say hello to the newest addition of our family...

Davenitch's Make Me A Rainbow

Rain Rain Go Away

There is a very good reason that I don't live in Seattle...Rain! (Well and John Deere isn't headquartered there.)

The dogs are absolutely stir crazy from all the rain. Let's see...

Russ broke into the bathroom and stole all manner of clothing items. And what is that dogs deal with towels?

Ella tore up the instructions for fire screen assembly. (Yes I had to piece it back together and read through the dog drool to assemble the darn thing.)

Shaker found an old half chewed hoof, and taunted the others. He would run around until he found a victim..oops I really meant one of his Cardi chums...then he would drop it. As soon as one of his hmmmm chums tried to get it, he snatched it up and off he would run. Needless to say he doesn't have many friends right now.

Music decided to amp up her bossiness which personally I didn't think was possible. (Turns out I was wrong!) Her latest was to lay in wait until someone (particularly Russ) wanted some kibble. Then she bounded out of the crate snarled and chased her victim...hmmmm chum...off. Then she would eat 4-5 pieces and return to the crate to wait for the next "chum".

So I finally just gave up and let them run with abandon in the yard. Muddy paws and one muddy nose later they were content. Well at least they were for a couple of hours.

Ella Wants...

To sleep in Mama's spot on the bed. Mama said that Ella has to learn to compromise.

Ella Bella Bumblee Bee

Ella has been invited to attend a Halloween pet parade for the children at Gilda's Club (Noogieland). Now one can not go to a Halloween parade in just anything so I decided to break out my sewing machine which has not seen my hands since Russ was a puppy. (We needed a crate cover for the show sites, but I digress...)

Anyway I did a bit of searching about and decided that Ella Bella would make a particularly good bumble bee. I ended up making two because the first was too small. The second overall fits much better but she can get the hood off without any trouble, so Ella will be wearing her hood with antennae as a neck scarf.

Now the story behind the picture is pretty interesting and a bit scary too. I tried getting a shot of her on the floor but the boys wouldn't leave her alone, so I put her on the table. Apparently two short barks and a howl mean JUMP, so just as I snapped the picture she prepared herself to JUMP off the kitchen table. I howled STAY! Thank goodness she did, or broken bones would have not permitted any Halloween parade!

The Calendar Says ...

The calendar says that it is October 17 and the thermometer says it is 48F




But Shaker says that the pools need cleaning, and he requests the purchase of a larger one!

Safer World

Ella Bella is keeping the world safe from...




Sweetie!

Buckeyes...No Not Me!

I love to put Buckeyes out this time of year. Buckeyes get scooped up for good luck. Folks grab a couple each year to carry in their pockets. Most important to me buckeyes bring out smiles.

Now this year buckeyes have brought a entirely new depth of smiles to my house. You see this year the cats and dogs have entered into a limited time coalition. The cats drop the Buckeyes on the floor, so that the dogs can play with them.

Now I have no real desire to clean up, chase or step on these little gems. Three of my four clowns are quite obvious when they have something in their mouth. A simple "drop it" command will consistently produce a buckeye with the predictable clowns. But Shaker, well, he is bigger and can easily cheek the buckeye.

But it turns out Shaker is quite predictable too. You see if I look at Shaker and he doesn't have anything in his mouth he just comes over for pets. If he has one of the buckeyes in his mouth, he gets a gleam in his eye and runs full out down the hallway.

Silly boy gives me the same look every time I catch up with him..."How did you know I had a buckeye?"

Where's Ella?

The Players: Ella and Shaker

The Playing Field: A Destroyed Pet Bed

The Game: Hide, Seek and Growl

Oh did I mention that they were in a complete and total de-stuff everything in sight kind of mood all day?

Well It Was Red and Thick!

Wednesday is mop the hardwoods day whether they need it or not, and with all those motley dog feet and a teenager most times they need it!

Anyway I am merrily mopping my way down the hallway and I see a red blob in the foyer. I stopped and gasped. Oh my goodness, my mind races ahead, that is exactly what I was warned to watch for with Music. So I drop my mop and run for my phone which is conveniently located right next to the paper towels.

I hit my vets number while I rip off a paper towel and head back to the blob. With the vets number ringing, I scooped up the red blob and immediately realize...it isn't blood! Oops, I say into the phone---it's Kim G. and it's a false alarm. Yes yes I am a little sensitive about Music right now but it is my Music!

So what is my mystery glob? Strawberry Jam! Yes it was Strawberry Jam. Now how on earth did strawberry jam end up in the foyer? Good thing I had the mop close by!

Pupdate Fun Pics

The puppies are 7 weeks old today and they are busy busy busy.

Let's see in a matter of minutes--they untied Kathy's shoes, attempted to eat my Merrill clogs, bit fingers and toes, chewed electrical cords and...

Anyway here are some of the fun pics we took tonight. Connie will have formal pictures up on her website soon ( http://davenitchcardigans.webs.com/puppiesavailable.htm).

I think that Kathy caught this picture at the exact moment that I yelped!


Isn't that a great picture of Kerri? Who says getting 7 wk old puppies to stand still is easy?

Music is HOME!!!!!!!!

'Ya see that pillow she is leaning on...Yep it is mine!


Yeah Music is home from maternity leave.

I really don't have adequate words to describe how much I missed her. I missed her stealing my pillow. I missed her snarling in my ear when I moved her to gain some bed space. I missed her keeping control of my pack of clowns.

Now I will add.... Music is retired! I just heard her over my shoulder and she said that I need to announce her retirement with greater force. So here goes....MUSIC IS RETIRED!

While my Ms. Music was on maternity she became quite ill with some mysterious stomach issue. We were not entirely sure she was going to make it. During the darkest moments of this illness I promised her that I would never make her show again. All she had to do was get well. She did indeed recover beautifully, and now I will live up to my end of the bargain. Music will never enter another show ring for any reason. She will live out her retirement as my companion, top bitch (not to be confused with Queen Bitch--that's my title) and chief couch potato!

So raise a glass and say a cheer with me--Music is well, Music is home, and Music is retired. Cheers!