Corgi Tales

Baby, It's Cold Outside...

Nikita and Cody on their new cozy cushions

We brought home some new comfy, cozy cushions for the Corgi kidz last weekend.   I get so excited to bring 'em home so they can inspect them and plop on them after they've accepted their new beds. 

OMG!  You cannot beat the cushions from Costco.   They are made well, great size...that cedar smell when they're new and the price cannot be beat...$18.99 (correction, that's $17.99 now)!   Are you kidding me?    We had to make a stop at Petsmart before Costco and the same cushions were $12-15 more.    Although the shopping carts are larger at Costco, it was funny to see these three cushions resting in the cart.   It seemed that people who have furkids at home too had the same thing on their minds because there were so many carts with cushions (I'm sure the success for the day in sales for the cushions was also because Costco placed a bin of them at the entrance!).

A friendly gentleman approached my husband and chuckled at the sight of our cart and admitted to him that his dog (an Irish Setter) will make himself comfy and lay anywhere BUT the cushion bought for him!   Hubby laughed and shared that we couldn't get the kids off of them!  

So when we place the cushions in each kids' spot, we let Dockers do the first examining.  He's so cute as he literally "climbs" into the cushions and gives them a good sniff and try.    Next is Nikita...he's overjoyed and without an interest in an examination, he just plops right into the middle and looks happy as a clam.    Cody?   He's just happy, bounding with energy and enthusiasm of the fuss.

The pictures of Nikita and Cody were taken very early in the morning (around 5:30 am) feeling very comfortable, snuggly and spoiled on their pretty new beds.

If only everything were as easy in making others happy...the way my Corgi Boys are so quick and loving with appreciation.

Corgi Tales aka CorgiTales

Mother Nature Was Stormin' Mad

California really does pay for the "Sunshine Tax".  We don't have much to complain about with regards to weather.   I've lived here my whole life and probably within the last 8 years it's been the threat of wildfires that keeps us concerned and scarred from past wounds.   We are in such need of rain.  However, because we get to enjoy it less and less as the years go by, it can create havoc on our roads with mud slides and flooding in areas of the cities that we are very unprepared for.   

This last Monday it literally rained all day...and that's a lot for these parts.  Later in the afternoon Mother Nature made sure you paid attention while we had very strong winds competing with the heavier down pour of rain.   It was definitely a good day to be home and not be out and about if you could avoid it.  

Weather conditions can affect my Corgi kids' mood, as well.   Without a break in the storm it made it a challenge to figure a good time to let them out to do their business.   The boys are not put off by rain and weather.  In fact, because of their weather-proof coats, they stroll in the rain without worries.   It's really me being "overly concerned" and feeling a little stressed "for them". We can't play our usual games of ball and their scouting routines are canceled for the day. To pick up their moods, we do extra rounds of training.    I think they do enjoy all the fuss I create over them when they come in from outside and I dry them off.   I love starting with their faces - eyes then nose and then the whole face.   I enjoy giving each paw some drying-off attention and that sometimes they may even revoke the paw as to "okay, that's enough!"   

Spirits are lifted the next day when the sun is out and the weather is warmer.   Happy Corgis makes me a happy Mom.

Corgi Tales aka CorgiTales

Never A Dull MomentCody's Houdini Act

I always thought that if I could work from home I wouldn't feel nearly as guilty for not spending enough time (how much is really enough?) with the corgi kids.   A couple of months ago I made a bold career decision to go it on my own and hopefully have left the "corporate" insanity and political nonsense behind me.   It's a risky move, especially during these challenging times.   So, even though I work from home now, I still feel like I don't spend enough time with the kids.  =(

We play ball more (2x - 3x a day), more grooming, more training sessions as a group and one-on-one (Cody), more interacting time as I include them in daily chores and activities. Cody keeps everyone on their toes with his mischief.  There's never a dull moment.  He's a full-time watch to be sure! =)

Last night I hear Cody's name being called out louder and longer by my husband.

Hubby:  "COOODEEE"   

Me: ("Uh Oh" I'm thinking).  

Hubby calls to me:  "Do you have Cody with you?"

Me: "Uhm - no"  "Can't find him?"

It's about 6:30pm and it's very dark outside already.   The situation is that we have a lot of critters around where we live.   Critters include coyotes.  

A couple more calls and Cody is back.   

This morning I attempt to coax Cody to give up where he's getting out.  I walk the perimeter of the yard from the other side of our fence with Dockers and Nikita and attempt to drive Cody into madness as I call him from the other side with the elder corgis.    Failure.   He wouldn't give it up.   I vow to keep an eye on him and continually check his status as I walk into the house where my freshly brewed pot of coffee awaits me. I'm back to work, sipping a nice brew when I hear corgis bark.   I hear Dockers and Nikita.   (I'm listening) I don't hear Cody in the chorus.   ARGH!   Look out the window and Doc and Niki are trying to alert me that down the street is a small corgi Cody dog trying to create play with the neighbor's big gruff dogs.    "COODEEE!"   He's back in a flash!  

I pick him up and squeeze him as tight as I possibly can without hurting him (and that's pretty tight - he loves it!).  Kisses and hugs and whispers in his ears about dangers and how much I love him.

Cody is currently being held captive until I figure out how the little Houdini is making his escape!

Corgi Tales aka CorgiTales

Flashback: Cody's Introduction

Where are the days going?   The week just literally flew by and it's Friday again and already.    Why are our canine kids (Corgi kids) so absolutely forgiving and lovable?   It takes relatively little to make them happy and still I manage to disappoint them and myself.   To just say the word "ball" sparks a whole new life in them and makes them so incredibly happy.   So why then do I miss our play time, sometimes?   Last night - working away and look up at the window to see that it's dark already!   Ugh.   We didn't play ball.  I'm so sorry boyz =(

Today is Flashback Friday on Cody the Codester who is no stranger to a camera.   He had a camera in his face minutes after we brought him home and introduced him to our existing family and pack - Alpha (Dockers) and Beta (Nikita).   I'm not sure how Cody fits in.  He is definitely accepted, but he's neither an alpha or beta - and most definitely not an omega.  He helps keep things light and can provoke play by either Dockers or Nikita.   He'll be two (ALREADY), next month but still has that happy, go-lucky, pounce on you puppy demeanor.   His ears still slightly flop when he's running hard and although that may not be the "prime corgi characterstic" I love it and I hope he doesn't loose that.  

Cody looks scared, but it was all good. 
Our alpha and beta look on to reassure him he's welcome (3/2008).

Docker's, our alpha, formal introduction (3/2008).

Followed by our nurturing beta, Nikita (3/2008).

It's an exciting time when you're introducing a new member.  There are, of course, stresses that come along with it.  What if they just don't fit in?  Maybe something sensed by the older members, especially if the newbie had a traumatized past and displays lack of confidence.   We haven't been faced with those challenges.   It's such a change in routine and comfort for awhile when there's a new kid.   

• They don't know your routine
• They may not speak your language (simple things like "come" their name, etc.)
• Feeding time
• Jealousies
• Reassuring existing kids
• Crate and/or potty training!

the list goes on...

Having a new puppy, you just want to hold them all the time and snuggle them - but how about the older members?   They can feel displaced.   We started to see problems with Dockers and Nikita - not issues with Cody, but they started fighting eachother and we can only surmize that there was tension building due to their confidence of their place with us.   It was totally our bad and lack of enough empathy, even though we thought we were covering all the bases. This is another reason I feel that playing a group game that we all participate in, like ball or taking walks, is so important for that bonding with them and with eachother.

Daylight Savings this weekend...we fall back so we gain a whole lovely hour!  Have a fun but safe Halloween evening and great weekend =)

Corgi Tales aka CorgiTales

Related Posts

• Pack Initiation
• Our New Addition

Note:  In many of my posts I'll make mention to Alpha and Beta...if you're not familiar with these terms in the context of referring to a pack's hierarchy, there's an excellent documentary from Jim & Jamie Dutcher called "Living With Wolves/Wolves At Our Door".  It's definitely a must see.    Beautiful story, mission and cinematography - you'll fall in love with the Dutcher's work and the Sawtooth pack.

Surprises in the Water Bowl

Like every morning and evening, I went to change the water in their water bowls.   We have two water bowls for the Corgi boyz' convenience.    YIKES!   Had a bit of a surprise in one.  A poor dead, floating, field mouse in a 3/4 full bowl of water.   Ugh.   I just can't bring myself to pull it out.   What to do?

Obviously, this poor mouse was one of three Corgi boyz catch and they dumped it in the water bowl for safe keeping?   Poor little fella. 

Never a dull moment =)

Corgi Tales aka CorgiTales