Another Round of Soccer Balls

We bought the Cardi kids and Duchess too, a round of junior soccer and footballs for Christmas. But, alas, junior balls aren't tough enough for Corgis. So while visiting Nick in Iowa City we popped into a Play It Again Sports to pick up a couple regulation soccer balls. I think the fellow at the store thought I had lost my mind--buying soccer balls for dogs. Seriously, who better to buy used soccer balls? So in spite of his odd looks, we procured one white and one blue ball.

Initially Rainbow thought the blue ball was an alien life form, but after Shaker showed he it was just an 'ole soccer ball, she warmed up to it. I shot some video and some how or the other, I ended up shooting in slow motion so hit the fast forward button to get it in real time. (Yes, I will figure out this new camera but it is going to take a bit!)

Boating

Russ here.

I am seriously annoyed at my Mom.  She has been having a grand time on the boat--cruising, picnicking, hanging at the beach and tubing.  She left we Cardis 4 at home all weekend, and she (and my other mom) are going out again tomorrow.  

I need some help coming up with something truly dastardly to show Mom how mad I am at her. Your suggestions would be more than welcome!

Russ out!

Michael Phelps Mania

So here we are trying to watch Michael Phelps win his 8th gold medal. We haven't been this excited about the Olympic swimming since Mark Spitz. I guess I just dated myself but anyway we are super excited to watch history in the making when Moose jumps up to watch the Olympics.

So we yell "down in front" and he completely ignores us, so my neighbor moves in for the "counseling session." It went something like, "now Moose we all are excited and want to watch not just you." He finally acquiesces and plunks down to watch Michael make history.

I'm calling my attorney

Russ here.

Sorry about this post being so late, but Mom stepped on her computer last night and broke the screen. I am typing from a brand new one--third computer since I arrived last September. When I was a youngster I liked to eat keyboards. But not why I write...

Mom brought home a new puppy Shaker. Cute little guy and I like him a lot. I like teaching him how to play with my toys. And they are my toys I only share with Shaker when I am in the right mood!

But he has this really annoying habit of getting up super duper early in the morning and waking every body up. I mean really there I am trying to catch some beauty sleep and he is bark bark bark time to get up happy. This morning I just looked at him like "you have to be kidding me." I am so going to have my attorney draw up a contract about sleep hours! It darn well will have some whereas and wherefores that Mr. Shaker is going to have to learn to abide by.

Russ out

Corgi Frap Interrupted

Russ and Moose are having a grand frap in the living room. They are romping, chewing on each other, the spit is flying and a general good time is had by all. One of Russ' favorite things to do during a frap is to take off and do Cardi laps. He runs as fast as he can up, over, around and through anything and everything in sight. Moose thinks this looks like great fun and follows after Russ. Except Moose is well he's a moose, so stuff starts flying--baby toys up ended, and the fan is air borne. So I am watching this trying to decide whether to laugh or bellow STOP, when Fred comes charging into the living room.

He lets out one long low growl and both Moose and Russ stop playing and roll over. Fred grumbles something else and they both lie down and go to sleep. Hmmmmm, me thinks Fred is top dog.

Day 1 Walk

Way back in the day--I baby sat my minister's water something dog, so I had a few early lessons in walking 3 dogs. The primary thing I remembered was to keep them out in front. So I said to myself, "Okay I can do this".

Before we set out, I did some sits and downs. Okay I have a modicum of control. Then the next question is how many bags does on take for 3 adult males? Hmmm--I take 5 for Music and Russ so 7 no maybe a few extras--9 bags. Yes 9 bags it is. We embark.

We aren't 25ft down the road, when Fred spots my neighbor. Now with Grandpa Fred and grandson Russ let's say the acorn doesn't fall far from the tree. Fred like Russ has decided I need to be protected from all evil--real and imagined. So Fred starts barking at my neighbor, Russ looks at him like "I don't get it", but if Grandpa says he's evil he must be. Now I have two Cardis barking at the neighbor. (Mind you this all happens in just a split second.) I assure everyone that the neighbor is friend.

Then my neighbor wants to pet the dogs. Remember my rule of keep them out in front, well before I knew it they were behind me and all 3 come between my legs with Russ in the lead. (Dang that obedience instructor for insisting that I teach him to run between my legs) Then they split and run back behind me again. It is an absolute wonder that I didn't end up face planted on the pavement. I untangle myself, keeping a tight hold on Fred because he has officially spotted the river and we set out again. (Ooops need bag 1)

About another 100 ft down the road, we encounter a jogger. Oh goody, Russ and joggers. Russ sits on command, as do the other 2, and the jogger thinks they are so cute. Yep you guessed it she wants to pet them. Okay this time I am smarter and keep them out front. (Ooops need bag 2)

We walk a bit further, everything is going great and I spot the neighborhood domestic white geese. Fantastic--couldn't they be swimming just once when we walk by. Three herding dogs and 5 white geese. I tell them to leave it, and we pass, except Fred makes a break for it. Ha I told him--I have been handling your grandson and I know your wicked ways. (Oops need bag 3, 4, 5)

We forge on Moose found a dead fish to roll in. He smells wonderful right now (Ooops need bags 6 & 7) Then Fred finds a mud puddle--he looks great with muddy feet. (need bag 8 and I am beginning to wonder if I have enough)

We stop for a water break under a big shade tree, and start home. We avoid the fish and the mud puddle, but the demented Min Pin out. The dog is barking like a hyena and Moose decides--Game On! I bark--Moose Down. He drops like a bag of feed. (Thank you Cindy for working him!) Of course though Moose just has to lay a pile in the dog's yard--that's bag 9.

The geese were in Mississippi when we walked by again, so the boys finished up the P-mail and I thought I was going to make it home without needing another bag when Russ stops. Tomorrow I am taking 12 bags, 2 water bottles, 1 dish, some snacks and a back pack!

Sorry folks no pictures--maybe when folks get home from work I can entice someone to take a picture.

5 Star Grub

After figuring out that we needed to feed all the boys last night. The one glitch in the great Corgi Swap was we forgot to talk about feeding schedules. Anyway, Kathy, the dog chef, made up some grub for everyone.

Uncle Moose and Grandpa Garbage Gut Fred chowed down. Russ, of course, was trying to send them signals that if they just held out she would bring out the good stuff, but they were too busy gulping the grub to notice.

We were watching the news, and didn't immediately notice that the Foggy Bottom crew "went missing." Kathy got up and found them camped out in the kitchen hoping for more chow! We told them--"sorry guys, you have to wait for tomorrow."

Satin Balls

What do you get when you mix 10 lbs cheap hamburger (high fat %),1 large box Total cereal (about 12 cups cereal)1 large box uncooked oatmeal, (about 15 cups oats)10 raw eggs,1 15oz jar wheat germ,10 packages Knox unflavored gelatin,1 and 1/4 cup vegetable oil,1 and 1/4 cup unsulphered molasses and a pinch of salt? Why Satin Balls of course!

I'll bet you are wondering why on earth I would be elbow deep in 10lbs of cheap hamburger, oatmeal, raw eggs and the like. Well Russ' Aunt Cindy said it was a surefire way to put some weight on my skinny show dog. So I mixed up a batch--what a disgusting process, but all worth it if he puts some meat on his bones.

The first day he ate one just fine, but the second day he decided that he wasn't going to eat them. So here I am breaking apart the Satin Ball feeding little bits to him and teeny tiny bites to Music, so that the little brat will eat the stuff that is supposed to fatten him up. So not only did I have to experience the raw meat, Total cereal, molasses, and such once but I am reliving the experience 3 times a day!

Oh yeah I almost forgot, I have to pretend to be eating the darn thing off a plate before he takes it from me! I can't even begin to tell you how much I hope he puts weight on quickly. Who ever heard of a skinny Corgi?

From the Archives II

I'm on the road for a couple of days--something about meeting my brother half way to deliver a boat, but not important. I left this morning about 10:00am after saying a quick good bye to the family, Russ and Music. I've gotten reports from the road and all seems to be going well. Most importantly Russ is eating but word is that he only eats after Music dashes in to get a nimble of his Satin Balls. (There's a story, but I will save it for when I get home!)

Any way it seemed only fitting to pull a couple pictures out of the archives that didn't make it to prime time viewing. Just so everyone is on a level playing field let me quickly describe my two characters. Russ is a ready for anything, game for a good time kind of dog, while Music is a sweet little girl, with a vamp side but for the most part content to hang out with her human on the couch or chair. (With the new puppy arriving in just a few short days, Aunt Cindy suggested that dear Music had no idea what she was getting into when she adopted our couch.)

I think these two pictures will show the vast difference between them. Russ--rough and ready to take on the fan, and Music snuggled up the the softest blanket she can find.

Addicted to Downy

Music is a funny little girl in her own right. Now she is no where near the character Russ is, but I'm not sure any house is big enough for two Russells. (Although there is a rumor out there that the new puppy Shaker like to rearrange fans!) But I digress...

One of Music funny little habits is her drive for anything that smells like Downy fabric softener. She could be sound asleep, but the instant she smells me coming with clean laundry she's up and in--yes I said in--the pile of laundry. If I happen to drop a load on the bed and can't attend to it immediately, I will find her buried in it with just her big 'ole bat ears showing out the top!

Skinny Show Dog

Russ is at that lanky teenage period of his life, and like so many teenagers he is a skinny guy. We are trying to beef him up, but believe it or not he is a picky Cardi Corgi.

In addition to extra food with good stuff on it, we are giving him treats during the day. He enjoys Wellness Peanut Butter treats, but we wanted to mix it up so he didn't get bored with one flavor. Today I introduced Natural Balance sweet potato and fish treats. To me they smelled like something that the river washed up, but Russ ultimately decided they were pretty good.

However, whenever you give Russ a treat he does the same treat routine. He carries it in his mouth for a time, drops it, does a funny little dance, repeat this a couple of time, then he either eats it or runs a few Corgi laps around the house. I finally got part of the routine on film, but missed the Corgi laps.

It is hard to put weight on a dog that runs it all off while eating the treats!

Obsessed with cats!

Monday night headlines with Jay Leno is a staple here at the ranch, and typically Russ and Music are sleeping soundly by the time we are laughing ourselves senseless at the silly headlines.

Well last night Jay had on Julie Scardina & Sea World Animals, so we thought what the heck this is always fun. The second animal guest was a jungle cat kitten. I swear Russ heard Jay Leno say "oh it looks like a house cat," and he jumps up and charges the TV. He is barking and carrying on like a demented Cardi, until the stage hand takes the cat away.

Now we all know Russ loves nothing more than herding cats and tormenting Stinky cat but honestly I never thought it would transfer to cats on TV. On this Monday night, my buddy Russ was funnier than headlines!

P-Mail

Every morning we three set out for a walk, and just as predictably Russ and Music must check their p-mail. Some messages take longer to read and respond to than others but none the less each message is properly attended.

Today I am so pleased to report that after watching Russ for some time, Music decided the best approach to message reply was to lift her leg. Yes indeed can you just imagine--my dainty sweet little Music lifting her leg!

Vacuum Cleaner

Hey folks, I really thought Russ would out grown his aversion to my vacuum cleaner. But alas he is a year and a couple of weeks and it the same response. Every time the vacuum cleaner is turned on, and believe you me with all the shedding going on around here it is pretty frequent, he goes into "Oh My God, It's the Vacuum Cleaner" mode. Well take a look...

Music

This is Music.

Russ told me all about his blog and e-mail, so I decided that I wanted to check it out. I needed his help to open the lid, but I have it figured out now. I noticed that Mom writes a bunch more about him than me, so I guess I will have to step up my game.

Mom has started to figure out that I have control of Russ. I let him get away with just so much and then that's it--I am all over him. Russ looks at me like "I don't get it" what is her problem. Mom just laughs.

Well I guess I'll sign off. Talk to you along the way, Music

Cardi Communication

So Russ is barking at me, and I think that he is asking for a business session. I never take just one Cardi out for business because it is way too inefficient. I get the walking leashes off the hook and call for Music. She always comes running when I get walk leashes down, but this time she just sits in the chair and flat out refuses to come. I made some playful noises and called again. No go she is not getting off the chair. So I said okay for you but don't ask me to go out in 15 mins.

I start out the door and release Russ to follow, and he bolts to the side yard. Football--he wants to play football. Of course, he has the wrong leash on for football, so back in the house to switch out leashes. Music is still sitting in chair only this time looking all smug. You see she hates football and would never willingly go outside to even watch the stupid game. She knew what Mr. Russ was asking for and wasn't going to have any part of it.

I am still amazed!

Full Pillow

Okay Music and Russ have figured out that they need to sleep on my side of the bed. That's fantastic, but what I wasn't bargaining for was that they are pillow thieves. I am an extremely sound sleeper, so as the night progresses they just move me over, down, around...you get the picture until they have possession of the pillow. This morning, I found myself sleeping on about 3 square inches of my feather pillow.

Glad they were comfortable!

Playtime

Russ here.

Mom is busy with the baby today so I have to play by myself. Mom bought me a new tennis ball that has a squeaker in it. Man 'O Man is it ever fun. I can toss it for myself, chase it, catch it, and even make it squeak loud and long so it wakes up the baby.

I have to say that Mom likes it when I play with the squeaky ball better than chewing her computer charging cord. She was none too thrilled when I did that last night. Hey I got distracted and lost my focus. I don't get why that stupid cord is so important anyway.

Russ out.

Our Newest Addition

Russ spent some time in his crate today while we were out. We had a neighbor come in to let the dogs out around noon, and Russ played a great game of Chase the Corgi. He apparently ran my neighbor ragged before being caught and stuffed back in his crate. When we got home he gave me the best, "What? I don't get it" look ever.

Then he proceeded to harass Music until she looked at me with the most pleading eyes--"When are you getting him a puppy?" Well the answer is August 17th, we will add Shaker to our Ranch!

Please take a look at this darling puppy at http://www.foggybottomusa.com/website1_079.htm Word from the Foggy Bottom crew is this litter of puppies is the happiest group ever. We couldn't be happier to be adding another Foggy Bottom puppy to our pack!

This is complicated--Shaker's Dad's Mom--told you it was complicated--once told me that Cardi Corgis were like potato chips--you couldn't just have one. I laughed and said "oh I will only have one at a time". Well it is officially time to eat my words. Yes indeed these funny engaging dogs are like potato chips. And soon we will add the third!

Can You Believe It?

Russ here.

My family went out on the boat today to do something called tubing, and they left me behind. Can you believe it? I was all ready to go but Mom said "no Russ" you can't go with us today.

I promised myself that when she got home, I would get back at her, but I totally forgot as soon as she let me out of the crate. I ran up to her and begged for pets and love. Hopefully I will remember tomorrow that I am mad at her.

Russ out.