Winjammin's Waves

End of Year Musings

2011-12-09T06:54:00.000-08:00

I have been very bad about updating the blog. Since my last post, we have finished a very successful year in the ring and are eagerly looking forward to 2012. We now have 2 new Champions and a Bronze level Grand Champion. Cristal and Captain Jack have finished their Championships in fine style with Cristal already well on her way to her Grand Championship and Captain Jack earning a nice breed win during his finishing weekend. Phantom earned his Bronze level Grand Champion and finished the year on a hot streak, winning Best of Breed in 5 out of 7 trips to the ring in his last three shows. Now all the kids get to relax, enjoy some down time with the family, play in the snow, and, at least in the Pirates' case, experience their first Christmas, and their first birthday.
Speaking of Christmas, the Pirates have already hoisted their colors over the Christmas presents that are in the house...

And have tried unwraping pretty much everything they can get their teeth into! Did you know you can peel a cardboard box like an onion?? We didn't, but we do now!!! LOL

Everyone have a Happy Holiday and we wish you all a wonderful New Year! We hope to see you all in or by the ring in 2012!!

Wags and Woofs!

Rus, Sherilyn, Bekka, and the Winjammin' Corgis:
Duchess, Ruby, Phantom, Emmy, Cristal, Captain Jack, Calypso, and Angel

Belated Captain Jack Sighting and Barkdays

2011-10-03T14:32:00.000-07:00

I've been a bad blogger and news reporter when it comes to the pirates and their (somewhat) less rowdy housemates.

Back over Labor Day weekend, Captain Jack struck again, this time in Amana, IA, winning Winner's Dog 3 out of 4 days, Best Bred By Exhibitor, Best of Breed Puppy, and a Puppy Group 4. He took home a stack full of ribbons that he could have decorated the whole back wall of his crate. LOL He still has a lot of growing and filling out to do, but he thinks the dog shows are fun and his attitude is really starting to show.

Emmy moved out of our house and in with her junior handler, Paige, to work on their chemistry in the ring. They have been showing well together, but as many of us know, the better the chemistry, the more successful you will be! From all reports so far, they are both having a ball, and we are excited to see them in a few weeks at the Lincoln show.

Duchess smelling fall

We are also celebrating 3 barkdays this week. Duchess, our token bunny butt Pem, turns a grandmotherly 9! She was our first Corgi, a rescue, and is queen of all she surveys. She only comes down off her throne (the couch) when she deems the Cardigans are getting too rowdy. Once she gets up, they ALL scatter and stay out of her way!! LOL And heaven forbid the hoomans try to keep her loud mouth quiet!! She takes mouthing off and back talking to an art form!! Just ask her, she'll tell ya!!! LOL Happy Birthday Roo!!!!

Ruby loves to smile

Ruby is the next barkday, and she turns 7. Another one who doesn't act her age, she constantly runs and keeps Phantom and Cristal in shape. Her main job has always been to keep the show dogs in shape by going for walks at a brutal pace for the lazier ones in the house. She sets her pace early on and, like a metronome, never breaks her stride. You could almost say she's the Jillian Michaels of our house ;o) Happy Birthday Ruby-Doo!!!

Cristal is all ears!

And finally we have the baby adult, Cristal, Ruby's daughter, who turns 3. The Diva of the house, she thinks she is never supposed to be crated when hoomans are home, and throws a fit when she knows we are. She always thinks she's special....kind of Paris Hilton qualities in this one, and yes, she turns into a TOTAL hussy when she's in season....even to the point of tormenting the boys when they are crated and she isn't!!!! LOL It's taken her a long time to grow up, but now she's blossoming into a beautiful young lady and she catches everyone's eye, no matter where she goes. Happy Birthday Krissy!!!

Pirate mutiny!!! Angel giving Jack a whack upside the head!

Oh, and not to be forgotten (as if!), the pirates turn a rambunctious 10 months old in a little more than a week. The older they get, the bigger they get, the rougher they get!! LOL We had to barricade the front of our fireplace with probably 15 doggie pillows to prevent them from cracking their skulls on the hearth. Now they think it's fun to take a flying leap (!) into the pillows and bounce off. I wish I could figure out a way to video the carnage, but all the angles are wrong and all you would see is three blurs. And just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water....or walk across the living room...

Head Pirate Pillages MN Lake City

2011-08-15T13:31:00.000-07:00

Word has gotten out from Albert Lea, MN that notorious pirate Winjammin's Captain Jack Sparrow raided this peaceful lakefront city on Saturday. He strode into town with his characteristic devil-may-care attitude and brought his charm to bear on the female population. Kissing the ladies, Jack strode away with the following awards: Winner's Dog, Best of Winners, a Best of Breed Puppy, and a Herding Puppy Group 3rd. All awards were taken in partnership with a co-conspirator.

Until now, his description has been vague...usually descriptive words such as "cute as a button", or "charming and adorable" have been used. However, a photo has come to light, so now authorities have some concrete evidence to go on.

Please remember to contact authorities if you see this notorious brigand, and not be taken in by his many charms!

News Flash - Pirates Stage Raid on Missouri River Port

2011-07-19T08:14:00.000-07:00

There have been reports of pirates raiding the Missouri River port of Omaha, NE during the course of the weekend. None of the raids were large, however any raids are significant due to all of the flooding woes in the area.

According to eyewitness accounts, 5 pirates were seen in the area of the Qwest Center, stealing ribbons and charming spectators. Information suggests that leading the group is a young man named Winjammin's Captain Jack Sparrow, and was responsible for sacking the dog show ring of a Winner's Dog award on Saturday. Also in the same vicinity were his accomplices, Winjammin's Flying Dragon (known alias of Angel) and Westwind's Greed of the Captain Winjammin (known alias is Charm), although their efforts were foiled by authorities.

In a separate but related raid on the same location, a woman known as "Momma Pirate" (known aliases are Emmy or Ch Camelot's Maiden Voyage) staged two daring raids in two separate locations in two separate days. She appeared among a group of Juniors, relieving the judge of a third place award on Saturday, and then on Sunday, she staged what was perhaps the most daring event of the entire weekend, running off with another third place award, followed just a few short minutes later with a prestigious Grand Champion Select award from another judge.

Both of these raids were successfully accomplished by employing a 5th pirate creating a distraction, so that all authorities were looking in the wrong direction. This fifth member of the raid was called by the name "Calypso" (known alias Winjammin's Goddess of Deception) and had placed a "spell" of some sort over everyone she came across.

All of the brigands escaped capture with a parting call of "Surrender the Booty!" sounded by Captain Jack.

If anyone has any more information about this band of cutthroats, please notify authorities or this author.

The Pirates Set Sail

2011-06-20T08:04:00.000-07:00

ARRRRRRRRRRR.....there be Pirates about!!!!

Three Pirates set sail on their maiden voyage this past weekend in Ft. Dodge, IA and also in Greys Lake, IL.

On Friday, Miss Swan, or Camelot's Black Swan was the first to plunder the spoils, winning the first point in her career and also going on to win Best of Breed and a Puppy Group 3 in IL!!

Then, in IA, Angel, or Winjammin's Flying Dragon, was Winner's Bitch both days and showed well, but the point was in boys and even though she didn't get a point, she made her presence felt. Captain Jack, or Winjammin's Captain Jack Sparrow was next to pillage the ring on Sunday by winning the point and beating sister Angel for Best of Winners and almost upsetting his Uncle Phantom for Best of Breed!!!!

Not to be outdone, Momma Pirate, Emmy, CH Camelot's Maiden Voyage, was Best of Opposite Sex both days in IA, and also was third in a very tough Open Intermediate Juniors class. Paige and Emmy are quite the team and they just keep pouring it on every time they get in the ring.

Three more Pirates have yet to weigh anchor, so be on the lookout in the Midwest!!

Aye, there definitely be Pirates about...

Happy 4 Months to the Pirates!!

2011-04-13T06:53:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe but the pirates are 4 months old today! It seems like only yesterday they were these cute little babies squawking at their mom for a meal. Now they are rampaging through their respective houses and charming everyone they meet. The main thing they say now is, "SURRENDER THE BOOTY!!"

Emmy's Emmettes Are Here!!!!

2010-12-15T12:56:00.000-08:00

The Emmettes have arrived!! Emmy delivered 6 healthy and happy babies the other day. This was her first litter, and since it had been 2 years since our last one, Ruby's wine litter, we were very nervous as to how it would go. Well, Emmy is a trooper and a half, all 6 babies were free whelped in 4 hours and 50 minutes, and the breakout is 2 black and white girls, 2 blue merle girls, and 2 blue merle boys. The runt was 10.3 ounces and the largest pup, the last to be delivered, was 13.2 ounces. All are eating well, and weights are steady to increasing, with two already putting on a half ounce or more in the first 24 hours. Holy cow are they vocal (very clear growls and barks) and ACTIVE!! Emmy is having a hard time corralling them in one place at times. Two have already taken little puppy spins around the whelping box, and God forbid one gets stepped on by a sibling when bellying up to the mom-bar...what a racket!!!! BARK BARK!!! Get off my head!!! LOL!! And poor Emmy just lays her head down, closes her eyes and deals with it. What a super mom!!!

We're still working on names, but we have themed the litter. Since mom is Ch Camelot's Maiden Voyage, and dad is Ch Camelot's Oh Captain My Captain, we decided to theme the litter....PIRATES!!! Yup, Emmy already celebrates "Talk like a Pirate Day" most of the year as it is, with her speaking with an "ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRR" most of the time, so this was a perfect fit. So, if you have a suggestion, please post in the comments. The hard part is not reusing a name that another Cardi already has...

And now, here are the 6, basking in all their post meal glory:

Homage to Veterans

2010-11-10T12:48:00.000-08:00

I'm just trying to be a father,
Raise a daughter and a son,
Be a lover to their mother,
Everything to everyone.
Up and at 'em bright and early,
I'm all business in my suit,
Yeah, I'm dressed for success from my head down to my boots,
I don't do it for money, there's still bills that I can't pay,
I don't do it for the glory, I just do it anyway,
Providing for our future's my responsibility,
Yeah I'm real good under pressure, being all that I can be,
And I can't call in sick on Mondays when the weekends been to strong,
I just work straight through the holidays,
And sometimes all night long.
You can bet that I stand ready when the wolf growls at the door,
Hey, I'm solid, hey I'm steady, hey I'm true down to the core,
And I will always do my duty, no matter what the price,
I've counted up the cost, I know the sacrifice,
Oh, and I don't want to die for you,
But if dying's asked of me,
I'll bear that cross with an honor,
'Cause freedom don't come free.
I'm an American soldier, an American,
Beside my brothers and my sisters I will proudly take a stand,
When liberty's in jeopardy I will always do what's right,
I'm out here on the front lines, so sleep in peace tonight.
American soldier, I'm an American,
An American,
An American Soldier

- American Soldier by Toby Keith

To all our veterans, thank you for all you do, have done, and will always do. We are, truly, in your debt.

Duty, Honor, Country

Most Sincerely,
All of us here at Winjammin' Corgis

Barkday Wishes

2010-10-06T12:59:00.000-07:00

Happy Barkday to our Bejammin' wine litter, who turn two years old today. Big scratches to Cristal, Merlot, Kiki, Lucy, Zen, and Porter!!! Hope you kids get big belly rubs and all the cookies you can handle. Ruby and Sulley send their own wags and woofs on your special day.

Herding Dogs or Bird Dogs??????

2010-07-29T06:46:00.001-07:00

Last night, Cristal was let outside after we got home, as always. When she first runs out, it isn't uncommon for her, or the others for that matter, to flush the birds from the yard. Usually, it's a robin that winds up on the fence watching the dogs until it's safe to go back to the yard and continue it's hunt for worms or whatever.

Well, last night, things took a very interesting turn. Cristal ran outside with her mom, Ruby, and I wasn't too far behind them. The girls flushed a bird out of the fresh cut grass, and Cristal changed her angle of approach to the bird and with one snap, CAUGHT THE BIRD IN MIDFLIGHT!!! I kid you not! There she stood, bird squawking away, wings showing out both sides of her mouth. I said, "DROP IT", and, bless her heart, she did. Everything was fine until the bird tried to peck at her nose when she bent down to investigate the bird more. Then, she quickly snapped up the bird, by the leg this time, and tried to run off with it. "DROP IT" came the command, and she did drop it, although you could tell she wanted to play with her new toy, and probably not in a good way. Then she headed into the house like nothing had ever happened.

Ruby, in the meantime, headed straight for the house as soon as I said "drop it" the first time. She wasn't about to do anything she knew she wasn't supposed to, and she does love the local wildlife, so probably wouldn't hurt anything unless it tried to hurt her first.

Once I got the girls back in the house, I went out to check on the bird, and on closer inspection, it looked like a baby. I opened the back gate, and once the bird found an escape route, it tried to fly away. It made it about 10 feet and then had to land. Then it flew another 10 feet and landed again, but it was walking and moving sluggishly, like a newborn animal would. I'm thinking that it was a baby on it's first trip out of the nest. I think mom was nearby, as I heard chattering and there was a bird flying around watching the baby.

THEN, comes this morning. This time, it was Ruby and McDreamy! Yes, McDreamy!!! We evidently have a small hole in the ground by the foundation of the house where there used to be a rabbit den. There haven't been rabbits in our yard in probably 4+ years, due to Ruby slobbering all over a nest of newborns one time. Anyway, by the time I get outside, Dream has a bird cornered against the foundation, it's wings were spread wide (picture a guy spread-eagled against a building), it's eyes were huge and it's mouth was open. It was a VERY comical sight, but you could tell the poor thing was traumatized. I had to forcefully remove Dream to the house and of course Ruby was having no part of the bird, once she saw what it was. I honestly think Dream wasn't hunting, but more of curiosity mixed with, "oooohhhhh squeaky toy!"

The sad part is that I think it was either the same bird as yesterday, or from the same clutch of eggs. Hopefully in the four hours that the dogs won't be out while we're at work, the bird will recover and fly away. I guess I'll have to make a yard check before I let them out at lunch.

The Barkday Boy!

2010-07-21T06:37:00.000-07:00

We can't believe it...the "poster child" of Winjammin' Corgis is 5 today!!! It seems like it was just yesterday when Phantom came home to terrorize the girls. But it wasn't long before he put his personalized stamp on our hearts, and took over the day to day doggie operations in the house.

He has been our biggest clown, best cuddler, constant companion, and of course, the best show dog (and teaching dog) we could have ever hoped for. He is our first, almost everything, champion, breed winner, group placer, group winner, and most importantly of all, first in our hearts.

Happy Barkday big man!! You're getting some steak tonight for dinner! :o)

Award

2010-06-10T11:38:00.000-07:00

Thank you Holly for sending us the prestigious Master of Karate and Friendship Award!!! We couldn't have won it without your support!!!! :o)

We would like to pass it on to the following 3 blogs:

Cindy and Crew at Random Thoughts on Random Things
Kim and Kathy at Cardi Corgi Capers by River Bend
Wanda at Bendi Cardigan Welsh Corgis

Sometimes it's the little things, like this award, that makes life worth living!!

Memorial Day

2010-05-30T20:15:00.000-07:00

Memorial Day, to most people, is a day of vacation, barbeques, and fun. I humbly ask that everyone who reads this to stop what they are doing, and remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice to protect your country and freedom, and to liberate those who were oppressed by tyranny and could not free themselves.

They now stand the eternal watch, protect our hallowed ground and guard the sacred ground of our allies. They may not be with us in body, but are definitely with us in spirit and freedom.

These heroes all, soldier, sailor, airman, and marine, I call brother and sister...comrades in arms, even if time spans generations. We would do it all over again, because we knew it was right. You have my eternal gratitude.

To our currently serving troops, I could not forget you on this day either. I say thank you from the bottom of my heart, from one veteran to another. I know first hand the sacrifice you are making on this day, and I appreciate each and every one of you for doing your duty with honor for our country.

You are not forgotten...

Annual Winjammin' Chili Supper

2010-01-06T07:28:00.000-08:00

What? Annual Chili Supper at Winjammin' Corgis

Where? Rus & Sherilyn's House

When? Saturday, January 23, 2010, after Best in Show at the Central Iowa Kennel Club show in Des Moines, IA (probably around 6pm)

What to bring? Yourselves, and anything else you think might go good with chili

Why? Do dog show people really ever need a reason for a party???????

Please RSVP by Monday, January 11th

BYOB

If you are going to be at the Des Moines January show (there are 3 every year), we'd love to have you come by for dinner after Saturday's show. If you think you might make it, and would like directions, please email us and we'll send you the info (winjammin@mchsi.com)

Hope to see you there!!

P.S. - We ordered no snow this year, so we'll see how well that goes!

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T09:07:00.000-08:00

We here at Winjammin' wish everyone in blogger land a very Merry Christmas and best wishes for a joyous and wonderful New Year. May all your furkids stay happy and healthy. To our friends from the show rings, may you and your wonderful charges win many ribbons and prizes in the correct colors....purple and purple and gold.

Happy Holidays,

Rus, Sherilyn, Duchess, Ruby, Phantom, McDreamy, Emmy, Ransom, Bear, and Cristal

New Feature Added

2009-12-16T12:12:00.001-08:00

To further enhance the "mood" of the Winjammin's Waves blog, we have added music. The player is at the bottom of the page, and yes, you can pause it or change songs if you so choose.

All of our dog show friends know that we are not only very big Jimmy Buffett fans, but we have a deep love of the tropics, warm breezes, sand, sun, and fun.

So, put on your flipflops (hopefully not broken on a pop top), don your shades, pour yourself a margarita (please drink responsibly), and sit back, relax and enjoy the sounds of Winjammin's Jams!

Postscript - Yes, the last song has no bearing on the tropics or Jimmy Buffett. It is Phantom's theme song, and since he started this whole wonderful dog show journey, he is entitled to add his own tune. :o)

All Dressed Up

2009-12-15T08:50:00.000-08:00

Every winter, Ruby and Emmy lose pretty much all of their hair....well, ok, Ruby never has a lot of coat, but you get the idea. So, a couple of years ago, we got Ruby a fleece sweatshirt and a coat to wear outside and in the basement so she stays warm. We hadn't found much that worked with Emmy, so we tried again this year to see if we could find something. Sherilyn found a couple of auctions on ebay...one with a fleecy sweatshirt, and one with some t-shirts.

All of the kids were really interested in what mom got in the mail, so they had to help. And we let them! Here are the results:

Ruby, all snug as a bug in a rug with her fancy fleece sweatshirt.

Emmy, the Desperate Housedog (you pick which one!):

Duchess, the Queen of Too Many Treats:

And, finally, we have Ransom, who was such a pest during the whole thing that he was "rewarded" with a shirt of his own. Once we put it on him, he lay in one place for an hour and a half until we finally felt sorry for him and took it off. But, not without photo evidence first!!!

Free Blog Header Contest

2009-11-22T09:42:00.000-08:00

Corgi Butts, Life with Gibson is offering a fantastic contest. If you win, you get a free custom designed header for your blog or illustration of your dog.

Head on over and sign up!

http://corgibutts.blogspot.com/

Big Girls Barkday

2009-10-09T07:52:00.000-07:00

It has been a week of barkdays for us. Yesterday was Duchess' 7th and tomorrow is Ruby's 5th. We lovingly call this pair the "challenge pair" as they each have their own challenges that we have had to work through.

Ruby was our first Cardigan. She came out right at 6 months and picked up points left and right. Then, she was jumped ringside by a Boxer at 9 months of age. She never came out of it, and she will never walk back into a show ring again. It took us years to get her to even be able to set foot inside a building where there is a dog show going on. With much work, however, she is now able to go into a show site, and walk straight as an arrow to her crate without freaking out. She pretty much ignores any other dog that is in her way. We were also fortunate enough get her International Conformation Championship and her Canine Good Citizen during her recovery process. She has had her one and only litter, the wine litter, and now spends her time exercising all of the show dogs. We take them for a walk and she sets the pace for them to follow....and MAN what a pace it is!!! She gets into her gate and goes solid for 3 miles without breaking stride. By the time they are done, the show dogs are pooped and Ruby is ready to go again. Too bad her humans aren't!! Happy 5th Ruby-Doo!!

Duchess is our rescue Pembroke and is Queen of all she surveys. We acquired her when she was 8 weeks old and has been our constant companion ever since. Ever one to tell you what she thinks and then reiterate the same opinion, just to make sure you got it the first time, she is loved by all who meet her. She also had a rough start, primarily due to her tendency for urinary tract infections. She has been on special food to combat this problem for years. Her weight ballooned up to around 30lbs. After years of hard work and cutting back her food intake, she is now down to a very svelte 24.5lbs, and looks better than she has since she was 2. Before, she would lay on the couch, grumble at the other dogs, but not do much of anything else. Although, if she got off her throne, the other dogs ran in the opposite direction, as no one wanted to feel her wrath!! Now, she is constantly on the go, playing fetch, wrestling with the younger dogs, playing chase, and generally being the wonderful Pembroke she is. None of the others still mess with her, except Ransom, but then again, we think he's either got a wire crossed upstairs or, as the saying goes, "he just ain't that bright". hehe Happy 7th Duchess!!! Long Live the Queen!!!!

By Popular Demand...

2009-10-06T11:05:00.001-07:00

Here are the kids each at roughly a year old. Please stop back often, as we will be editing this post as we get updated photos of everyone.

Lucy (aka Shiraz):

Kiki (aka Chianti):

Cristal:

Merlot:

Wine Litter Turns One Year Old

2009-10-06T07:01:00.001-07:00

That's right, the "Wine Litter" turns 1 today! Cristal and Merlot are "aging well" and coming right along in the show ring. Lucy (aka Shiraz), Zen (aka Zin), Porter (aka Port), and Kiki (aka Chianti) are currently charming the socks off their owners and owning the couches in their respective homes.

It's hard to believe that they are one year old already. It seems like just yesterday they looked like this:

Honor Roll and On A Roll

2009-09-21T08:04:00.000-07:00

It's definitely been awhile since I posted, but that doesn't mean we haven't been busy. Many shows (highlights to follow), picnics (fabulous IA corgi frap and picnic), and family events (Happy 80th Grandpa!) have come and gone. No excuses, I know, but it's all I have at the moment. ;o)

I do want to pass along that it has been a fabulous year for our furkids. We (collectively) have actually finished 4 Cardis that we either own outright, or co-own with our dear friends at Foggy Bottom/Summit. So, without further ado, here is the honor roll of the new champions of 2009:

CH Camelot's Maiden Voyage aka Emmy
CH Sumjammin Changes N L'Attitude FB aka Bear
CH Sumjammin Five O'Clock Somewhere FB aka Frank
CH Sumjammin Come Monday FB aka Dove

We want to send out a huge thank you to Alec, Bekka, and Kim for finishing Dove this past weekend in Gray Summit with a 4pt major on Saturday and earning that last single by going WB/BOS on Sunday. Way to go team!!! This is the same star team that also finished Frankie earlier this summer in WI, and have been kicking some tail with the litter's older half brother Russ. They have definitely been on a roll!!!

Phantom has also been on a roll of his own. He has won a few Bests of Breed this summer, and earned a Group 2 in Cedar Rapids at the end of last month. He was among some very stellar company, and was defeated by the #5 Herding Dog, a wonderful Old English Sheepdog named Mr. Winston, who went on to win Best in Show that day. We have been working hard to get Phantom into the Top 20 in the breed and earn him an invitation to Eukanuba. This would be a first for us and we are excited to be close.

As of August 31, he is #20 in Cardigans defeated, #16 in All Breed dogs defeated, and #18 in the Eukanuba standings, with the top 25 receiving invites.

As for the things to do:

Bear made his specials debut in Des Moines on Labor Day weekend, and handled all of the hubub really well. He hadn't been shown since he finished at the end of June, so he's still learning the ropes. He still has some growing up to do, both physically and mentally, but he's coming along just fine.

Cristal earned her first point in La Crosse in August, and is growing up so fast! Bekka has been at the helm from the start with her, so they are both learning the ropes together and doing a wonderful job.

We would like to have 5 champions this year, if we could ever get that last elusive major for Ransom, and not go Reserve...again...

Happy Barkday Phantom!!

2009-07-21T19:55:00.000-07:00

We were almost bad parents and almost forgot to wish Phantom a Happpy Barkday. It's so hard to believe that he came into our lives 4 years ago.

So, in commemoration, here's a picture of him the day we brought him home:

And then here he is at the end of June in Vermillion, SD:

Vermillion, SD

2009-06-29T08:57:00.000-07:00

We had a fantastic weekend in Vermillion, SD...probably the best show weekend we've ever had.

Saturday started off with Ransom winning WD/OS for his last single point he needed under breeder judge Candy Kramer. He now only needs that last major to finish. Then, we went to Cardis, and Merlot (co-owned with Cindy McDonald and co) was WB/BOW/BOS for her first 3pt major. Bear was RWD to Garrett's Justice. Then, Phantom won BOB and won a GROUP 1!!!! It is our first group win. He not only had his A game going, but turned it up to his A+ game in the group and the judge absolutely loved him. Unfortunately, he was a little over the top for BIS but the judge looked at him and gave him his due, but we came away empty handed. Oh well, it was a lot of fun being out there, and we both had a ball.

Sunday was just as much fun but in other ways. Ransom was WD/BOB over a nice special bitch, but unfortunately, no points. He did get to play in the group and had as good of a time as he could considering how hot it was. Bear was WD/BOW for his final major and is now a CH (pending AKC approval). He is our first BBE CH, and Phantom's first offspring to finish. He never put a foot out of place and was gaited with the 3 specials around the ring, and was able to be with them stride for stride.

The other results were Justice was WD on Saturday - Yay Garrett!! Breezy was RWB on Saturday, and did you win on Sunday too Sarah? I was busy in the back of the tent keeping the boys under control and away from the girls in season. ;o) Pepper was WB/BOS on Sunday for a 3pt major. Congrats to Rick Penkava for Pepper's first major!

Sulley won a hard earned BOB and a Group 4 on Sunday after outdueling Picasso, Phantom, Bear, and Pepper. I will also add (and others who were present can corroborate this) that the judge had one heck of a time finding her BOB winner. It was - close!! Of the 5 dogs in the ring, not one of them was totally out of the picture until she started pointing. We were gaited around the ring no fewer than 6 times, and yes we WERE counting!!! The judge was raving about the Cardi entry as we were having Bear's picture taken, and said the quality she saw was impressive, and said that she had a hard time with the BOB class, as she would have been proud to put up any of the five dogs. Way to go breeders!!!!!!

Oh, and I must not forget that Corgi wannabes (hehe) Darby and Hawk charmed the heck out of the judge (and us too!) and Hawk was BOB and made a cut in group...Yay Sarah!! See what happens when you listen to Sherri?? ;o)
Oh...puppy groups on Saturday...Mitchum (the other Corgi wannabe hehe) was G1, Darby the Valhund was G2, and Justice was G4, I believe.

Congrats to all the winners, and thanks to everyone who braved the heat and stayed and cheered us on in Group and BIS. It meant a lot to us to be able to share the wins with many of our friends.

Back to Back in the Group!!!

2009-06-08T06:44:00.000-07:00

We had a great weekend in Moberly, MO last weekend (the show part anyway...we ALWAYS have a great time when we're not showing hehe). We went to the show hoping that Bear could pull off his last major and finish, Phantom could pull off a breed win or two, and lots of other high hopes, just like every other exhibitor. Well, the Cardis all had a great time, showed as well as we could hope for, but came up short in the points department. The best we got in the classes were class wins by Cristal and Marg, a pair of 2nds by Frank, and a pair of 3rds by Bear. Frank also was Reserve Winner's Dog yesterday, so he did his part to restore a little family pride. Phantom made Russ work to earn his Best of Breed on Saturday, and he showed just as well on Sunday, but still no purple and gold ribbon. Oh well, it's a dog show!! There's another one this coming weekend!!

Ransom was the only Pembroke entered, but boy did he ever let the world know he was there!! He kind of sleep walked through the breed judging, but since he was the only entrant, I let him relax a little and just pretty much go through the motions. It was a hot, rainy, muggy weekend, and I didn't want him tired out when he still had to show for group. Well, we got to group, and he decided to wake up and turn on the energy and personality. I lined him up behind the Sheltie, who is a top Herding dog and the #1 Sheltie. I knew that Ransom would feed off that dog's energy, and did he ever!! He turned up the energy level to new heights and showed the world that he's here to stay!! He won a Group 3 on Saturday and a Group 4 on Sunday!!!

This was the first time our dogs have ever gone back to back in the group. I know it's not a new thing for a lot of breeder/owner/handlers in either breed, and even with Phantom having 10 group placements, he had never been able to manage two placements in a weekend. Ransom did it from the classes, and already has 3 placements (a Group 2, 3, and 4) in less than a year of showing. Now if we can just find that last major to finish him....

Please Remember

2009-05-25T07:40:00.000-07:00

Happy Memorial Day to all, and please remember all those who still serve our country, those who have served, and especially those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, so that we may have the freedoms we enjoy.

These are a couple of pictures we took at the Pearl Harbor Memorial when we were in Hawaii on December 5, 2002 (two days before the anniversary of the attack). The first is a picture of the memorial that was dedicated to the crew of the USS Arizona, and lists all 1,177 sailors and marines who lost their lives on that fateful day in 1941. Today, the Arizona still leaks oil which floats to the surface of Pearl Harbor. This is referred to by all military service members stationed at Pearl Harbor as the "Tears of the Arizona". We were able to catch a picture of the tears, and that is the second image. Lest We Forget.

One Shot Wonder Strikes Again!!

2009-05-25T07:35:00.000-07:00

We heard throughout the night from Cindy that Phantom is again a daddy. With only one breeding, he sired a litter of 6....4 girls (finally!!) and 2 boys. The colors are all reds and brindles.

Shooter, the mom of the litter, is the littermate to Marg, who produced the Jimmy Buffett litter, again after only one breeding, that includes Frank, Dove, and our Bear.

Cindy is so happy with the fact that Boo gave her more girls this time around, that she said he has redeemed himself and is allowed over for visits anytime he wishes. The theme for the litter, due to the Memorial Day holiday is Patriotic. Check out her website for pictures and names as they grow.

Way to go "One Shot Wonder!!"

The Power of Persuation....From A Crate

2009-05-11T11:39:00.000-07:00

Grandpa Fred is good at keeping all of the boys under control. Some days he's REAL good....then there's this episode:

Russ and Bear were both on lead at the show and socializing rather well. They are half-brothers and are very much alike in looks and attitude. They boys started wrestling and playing, like they always do, while Kim and I were chatting. Next thing I know, I look down and Bear was on his side submissing peeing on the floor. I look over at Russ, and he had done the EXACT same thing!!!! No other dogs were in sight!! It was the funniest darned thing I have ever seen!!! Kim and I both had a REAL good laugh and decided that they had seen Grandpa Fred in each other's faces, and rolled over to him!!!

Where was Fred? In a crate about 10 feet away, sound asleep!!!! Now that's the power of persuation!!!!

Adventures of Frick and Frack - The Bonehead Edition

2009-05-11T11:37:00.000-07:00

Just when we thought these two were making great strides in not being "Frick and Frack", they have a Dumb and Dumber moment....like trying to eat a bumblebee in flight. *sigh*

Not Much Going On

2009-05-07T09:17:00.000-07:00

I haven't been blogging recently due to the fact that there hasn't been a whole lot going on that hasn't been covered elsewhere. Frick and Frack, or Dumb and Dumber if you prefer, have actually been behaving themselves recently, other than one little incident that I'll get into in just a sec.

In a whirlwind, here's what has been going on around the house...

Bekka has become a domestic goddess...she is re-landscaping the backyard, planting grass seed and placing stones where there once was mud
Bekka has pulled up a shrub from the front yard that was next to our Oak tree, and is in the process of planting flowers
Bekka is pulling up carpet in her room and re-flooring with wood-looking vinyl stuff...looks great!
Bekka is also re-painting her room a gorgeous shade of light purple (called Elizabethan)
Bekka finished painting the basement, rearranged all of the dog kennels, re-organized everything else down there, sorted dog supplies and have shelves for everything (labels facing forward of course!)

Yes, she has been a godsend to us for getting so much done around the house. She has a laundry list a mile long of things she wants to do. Oh, and she said that she would hire out IF...the price is right ;o) (You will have to ask her what her price is hehe)

We went to the Seward, NE show the weekend after Nationals, and were awarded with a Winner's Dog on Ransom, 2 Best of Breed wins with Phantom, 2 cuts in the group and a Group 4, and Cristal was RWB both days.

Oh...and as far as Ransom goes, the little goofball stubbed his toe pretty bad on the Tuesday before the Seward show. It was bad enough that we made a trip to the vet to make sure nothing was broken, and he was placed on Rimadyl. We promised the vet that if he was still gimpy by Saturday we wouldn't show him. Well, that wasn't the issue. By Saturday, he moved fine...the problem was with the Rimadyl...seems it really got him stoned. LOL We had him off the Rimadyl by Friday morning but he was still feeling the effects all weekend. Those who know him best can honestly vouch for the fact that he is a TOTAL cookie monster....hungry is a permanent mindset for this dog. Well, when he was "under the influence" I waved garlic roasted chicken, steak, and even his favorite snickerdoodles under his nose and got NO reaction. THEN, to top it all off....he fell asleep in the Best of Breed ring on Sunday!!! Yes, he made it through the classes and was wiped out by breed. I take him in the ring, and he stacks himself beautifully, and as I'm looking at what the judge is doing, I hear this little nasally snore. I look down and there he is...on his feet, hasn't moved a muscle, eyes closed and snoring. Greeeeeeeeeeeeat....my dog just fell asleep on the judge. Oh well, we took our single point and went home, but he was the laughing stock of the Pem entry that day. Come to find out that some dogs get this way on Rimadyl and it's just like a person's tolerance to an over the counter drug...how it affects one person may not necessarily affect another person the same way. Seems that's why they create warning labels. Now we know...no more Rimadyl for him!!

Oh and let's see...we also went to Kim and Kathy's wedding and spent the night at Foggy Bottom. We were helping dog wrangle Shaker and Music. Okay, so wrangling Music wasn't an issue, but keeping Shaker quiet and occupied was interesting to say the least. He was a good boy, but just decided he had to put in his two cents worth during the ceremony...okay so it was more like 5 bucks, but who was counting? ;o) He even got to help "give away" his moms. The pastor asked him if he was giving them away and he looked at him, barked once, and then turned around and walked away without a backward glance. Absolutely priceless.

We then spent the night with the Foggy Bottom crew and had a wonderful Sunday morning. All 8 of our kids got to run on the farm, and we about came home two dogs short. It seems that Emmy decided that she needed to stay behind and keep Meredith in line, and rid the world of all of those evil birds, and went to the door of the house with her instead of to the truck to come home. Needless to say, she had to be CARRIED to the truck. She wasn't happy. Oh, and Meredith also took a shine to Cristal and Cristal to Meredith, and Bekka had to do some seriously fast talking to get Meredith to give up the lead. It seems a swap with Alec's dog wasn't part of the deal.

Now we're back to showing again...off to Rock Island this weekend and then Gardner, KS next weekend. Hopefully we'll come home with two new champions, as Frick and Frack both need one major to finish.

Nationals Wrap

2009-04-23T09:37:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know I'm a lot late in getting this posted. With that being said, I'm not going to rehash any of the events, as you can easily find them on multiple blogs.

But, I will brag on my kids and tell you how we did! :o)

Bear got his Herding Instinct Certificate
Phantom made the cut in the Megan competition
Phantom was 4th in Stud dog, with Bear and Frank as his progeny
Bear's mom Marge was 2nd in Brood Bitch with Frank and Russ as her progeny
Dove was 4th in the 9-12 month bitch class

We also had tons of rave reviews on all of the kids (even Ransom who was the group mascot), so it was a very productive and rewarding week.

On to Seward this weekend!!

First Word In From Nationals

2009-04-13T09:41:00.000-07:00

From what we heard, it's been a rainy, miserable couple of days that were topped off by a ruined pair of shoes, waterlogged cell phone, mud, and soaking wet clothes and hair. Yup, you guessed it...it was the Herding Trial!! Combine this with last year's hail storm and I guess someone Upstairs is having a lot of fun with the herding folks!!

Poor Bekka lost a pair of shoes and isn't sure just how much longer her cell phone will work, as it was in her jacket pocket, which got soaked, hence the waterlogging. What a way to start off your first Nationals!! At least the rest of the week is indoors, so at least we'll be clean and dry!

On the Herding instinct front, Bear and Russ (of Cardi Corgi Capers fame) passed their instinct tests. Way to go boys!!!

We are leaving this afternoon for Topeka, and can't wait for the fun to begin!

See you there!!

CH Emmy and the Eventful Weekend

2009-03-30T09:05:00.000-07:00

It was a great weekend for Winjammin' and our partners at Foggy Bottom in the cold and snow (yuck!) in De Witt, IA.

It all started with an 8am Saturday ringtime...Double YUCK!!! I don't know about all you other dog exhibitors out there and whether or not you are morning people. We all are NOT morning people. So, these god-awful early showtimes are not fun to deal with, and it's funny to say, but the dogs don't do early mornings either!

So, here we are with the Pembrokes right at 8am, and Ransom and another class dog are first in the ring. The judge greets us and then we start the showing routine. No mysteries here...around the rather large ring (which he cut in half by using a folding chair as he said Corgis don't need that much room to move) and on the table. Exam is over, and then he says, "Ok, now give me an L pattern". There were a rather large *POP* in my head as I tried to wrap my sleep-fogged brain around the fact that I had to remember how the $#@% to do an L pattern at 8 in the freakin' morning. Thank goodness the other class dog had to go first so I could watch out of the corner of my eye, as I was setting Ransom up on the table. Ok...my turn.

Exam over, Ransom was a little wiggly, but if you know Ransom, he is always wiggly ;o). Now for the pattern. Down to the corner, turn left, turn around and switch hands so the dog is on the inside of the ring, and then one last lead switch back to my left hand in the far corner to complete the pattern. This was the first time I had done an L in an actual show. I've done them in practice matches and handling seminars, but never in a show. Ransom had never done one period, and he handled it with his usual flair...looking at me for cues as I was doing the lead switches, and then smiling at the judge right after each switch to show him that yes, we did do it correctly. LOL We were told after we came out of the ring that we deserved an Awart of Merit for being the only exhibitor to correctly do the pattern. Thanks Laura!!! :o)

We go on to win Winner's Dog for a point, and then it was time for the Cardigans. Bear was the first Cardi in the ring, and he did pretty well with the strange pattern, only a few struggles with the lead changes. The judge really seemed to like him and gave us first in the class. Brother Frankie goes in for BBE and shows like a seasoned vet and wins his class. One more class dog and then it was back in the ring for Winner's Dog. The judge sat back against the exam table and just watched and watched Frank and Bear, and you could just see his mind turning, trying to decide who he liked better. Of course for Alec and I, we didn't really care who won, as we win either way since we co-own both boys. Finally, everyone was back up on the table again, and once more around the ring....and the judge points to Frankie. Bear got bored had started to act a little squirrelly so I'm sure it didn't help his case any. Then the judge pointed to Bear for Reserve. Good deal!!

The girls were the big entry for the weekend, so we all had to split the handling duties, and we were without our Ringer, as Meredith had a previous commitment and wasn't there. So, we enlisted Bekka to show Dove, as a warmup for her showing "her" dog Cristal at the National. This was Bek's first time in the ring, and she handled it like a seasoned pro. She had watched what was going on, Dove just let her take control and they made a great team. Emmy went in and showed just like she always does...always on her game and always the consummate professional. No flash, no antics, just all business. Now, some judges hate that, but this judge just loved it and awarded her Winner's Bitch for her last major and final 3 points to make her a champion. She will now and forever be known as CH Camelot's Maiden Voyage.

Now it was time for Best of Breed, and there was a lot of scrambling going on, as we had Russ, Phantom, Frank, and Emmy all in the ring at the same time. So, the roll call went out and Cindy took in Russ, Rus had Phantom, Alec had Frank,and Bekka had Emmy. Russ is getting better by the show and is really starting to come into his own. Give him a little more time to mature and get a few more shows under his belt, and he's going to be one tough customer in the breed ring!!! Phantom was at Camp Foggy Bottom all week shacking up with his girlfriend Shooter, so he had girls on the brain but still managed to pull himself together enough to make us look respectable. The class kids kept getting better the more they were in the ring, and with the other 4 specials out there, it was a large class of very nice looking dogs. I didn't envy the judge one bit. It was going to be one tough pick.

The final tally was CH Turnkey's Little Big Man for BOB (and later a Group 3), CH Bendi's Little Piece of Heaven for BOS and Frank was BOW for the major.

Then it was off to Kim's and Gibson Ranch for the Italian feast and lots of wine and conversation. After way too much wonderful food, Sherilyn's awesome unknown cheesecake, more wine, after dinner cocktails, and did I mention the wine? We had a great time, and even the dogs seemed to sense the party mood and everyone had a WONDERFUL time. Eventually the early morning caught up with us all and everyone was off to bed at a decent time....well at least for us.

The next morning greeted us with snow and sleet on the gorund which made for a slower drive to the show. Thank goodness for later ring times!!!

Ransom was first up again, and unfortunately, the other exhibitor was not feeling up to snuff, so she stayed home (probably smarter than we were!). So Ransom won Winner's Dog by default, and then won Best of Opposite Sex to the special.

Bear repeated his performance with a Reserve again, only this time to Connie's Levi. We moved Emmy up to Best of Breed, so we had no girls to show, but Meredith was back and showed Dove so well that they were awarded Winner's Bitch for Dove's first points and major. The whole audience exploded with applause and a stunned Meredith collected her ribbon. I think she finally smiled a little bit when she got back to her mom and got a hearty pat on the back from everyone.

Then it was time for Best of Breed. Alec went in with Russ, Rus had Phantom, Cindy took in Emmy, and Meredith had Dove. Russ is still coming on strong and showed well. Phantom took the breath away of several people with his movement, and many a "Oh my!! How pretty!" were heard. Cindy and Emmy were quite the team as well....all business all professional....all the time. Meredith and Dove also kept getting better and better, and I don't think either one of them had a foot out of place all day.

Phantom was pulled out for comparison with the eventual Best of Breed and Opposite Sex winners, but got nothing in the end. Sonja's Maggie was BOB with Chelsea on the lead, the Turnkey dog was BOS, and Meredith and Dove were BOW.

Then it was time to pack up and load down Kim's Suburban with all of the show gear, which she is most graciously taking with her to Nationals.

All in all....3 major wins on 3 different dogs, one new CH, 2 Reserves (one to a major), and 3 WD wins on two different dogs. That's a pretty good weekend in my book!!

On to Kansas and Chasing Rainbows!!!

Foggy Bottom Visit

2009-03-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

Cindy and Alec came for a short visit and to do a doggie swap on Saturday morning. Boo went back to Cedar Rapids with them so he could go visit the FB girls for the week, while Grandpa Fred stayed behind to keep order, and the boys in line. It was a fun time and Cindy and Alec even brought along a few hitchhikers, in the form of Moose, Merlot, Shooter, and Turner. Turner decided he'd much rather stay out by the truck, so he camped out outside, while the other three (four counting Fred) came in to say hi to the Corgi 9.

Shooter was content to roam the back yard and take in all of the good "city smells". Moose and Merlot came through the door like they've lived here for years, instead of being frequent visitors. Moose planted himself on the couch after a brief "hello" with his best buddy Boo. Merlot was promptly pounced upon by Chianti and Cristal and the frap was on!! All of the other dogs frantically scrambled to get out of their way as they rolled, chased and nipped each other, and anyone else who got in their way (mostly Bear).

By the time the girls got their running out of the way, they were a little winded and actually stopped long enough to compare the length of their tongues. We're not sure who they decided had the longer tongue, but we'll let you, our faithful readers, vote. So, here they are...from left to right: Chianti, Cristal, Merlot

Doin' It Ransom Style!!!

2009-03-16T11:45:00.000-07:00

Ransom decided that last weekend's Dubuque, IA dog show was a fine time for a coming out party. And boy did he ever do it with style!!!

He was Winner's Dog, Best of Winners and Best of Breed for 1 more championship point under judge Carl Gene Liepmann on Saturday. We were very proud of the little man, as he is now truly figuring out the show thing, and realizes that he gets the "good cookies" at the shows. This day, the mystery "good cookies" were beef and chicken fajita meat.

He was so into the bait that by the time we got to the group ring, he was positively humming with anticipation. As the "short dogs" in the Herding Group, the Corgis are last in line, and he loves being the last of the last in line. When it became time for him to show to the judge, he just had to do it "Ransom style".

His bunny butt was just wiggling all over the place when the judge walked up to examine him on the table. She said, "My, we have the wiggles today!" She sweet talked him into holding still for exactly 7.5 seconds (not really), so she could examine him, before allowing him to get one more wiggle in.

Then it was off the table, straighten any mussed fur (there wasn't any), hike up the collar and off we went. The arena absolutely exploded with cheers and applause, as he went for his down and back. He was flying right along and just ate up the cheers. We get back to the judge, he turns so his whole judging side is facing the judge, plants his feet better than I could ever do it, and just stands there, rock solid....not moving a muscle. There was this VERY audible "OOOOOOOOOOHHHHHH and AAAAAAHHHHHHH" that came from the crowd as the judge walked a 360 degree circle around him. This specific moment in time is, in the dog showing world, called a "Kodak Moment" because the dog is letter perfect. It only happens once in maybe 100 shows for a dog but you really know when it happens. Well, this was Ransom's Kodak Moment.

The judge told us to go ahead and move back to our position in line, and right after I spun him around to go back to our spot, he turns his head to the judge, bats his eyes, and gives her this HUGE grin that said, "You GOTTA love me!!" and off we went to another thunderous applause. Onlookers swear the judge melted at that look.

Now we are stacked and ready for the judge to do her final look around. Again, Ransom is feeling it and is letter perfect, and not moving. Then the judge is walking past us and looking, looking, looking. Ransom looks over at her, acknowledges her presence, and then looks back at the cookie. Then she turns and walks away towards the front of the line. I slip Ransom a little treat, quickly pull my hand back and count my fingers. Yep...all there.

Now the judge is pulling what we call her "laundry list" or some people call it the "short list". She goes all the way down the line pulling out what will eventually become her top 6, of which 4 will get a placement. She points at us!!! WHOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!

We quickly move to the end of the shorter line but have to wait behind the Sheltie for everyone else to clear the ring!!! I start to sweat at this point, as some judges won't wait and keep going, which never bodes well for the dogs in the back of the line. But, this judge just stands there, and waits patiently for the ring to clear and then for us to get in place on the mat and get stacked up. Then she sends everyone around one at a time. We go trucking right along, and as he goes past the judge, yep, you guessed it, he looks right at the judge and SMILES!!!! That little snot!!! In the same motion, he turns his head back and keeps right on going.

We get back to our place in the back of the line, again the judge waiting on us to get set, and then she starts picking....Old English Sheepdog....what's this??? She's coming right at us, and POINTS!!!!! Oh my Dog!!!!! She puts us in the 2nd slot, and then points to the Briard and the Sheltie. Then she points 1-2-3-4!!! The place erupts again!!! You could have bowled me over with a feather!!

We then go to get our picture taken and her comment to me was, "He's an onery little snit, isn't he?!" I replied, "Yes he is....every day, but we love it." She chuckled and said, "So do I".

Thank you Mrs. Edna K. (Katie) Gammill for putting up our 12 month old puppy for a truly wonderful win!!

Sunday rolls around and Ransom is a total slug first thing in the morning. We think he's tired from all of the excitement of yesterday. He finally wakes up right as he walks into the ring, as he remembers the fajita smell from yesterday and immediately tries to eat my fingers instead of the bait. Yep, they're still all there...but just barely. He's still a little flat as we go around the ring, but still manage to hold on to win Winner's Dog, Best of Winners, and Best of Breed under Mrs. Gammill, for one more point.

We put him in his kennel to rest and by the time I had his lead put away, he was on his back and unconscious....snoring....LOUDLY. Great....this'll be fun later.

We roust him up about 45 minutes before group starts to see just how tired he really is. Yep...pretty darned tired and he still has to survive the group ring. Cindy makes a hasty run to the local Irish tea shop for some honey straws. We need sugar....well, HE needs sugar!! While Sherilyn is grooming him, Alec is sitting nearby keeping Ransom company, eating some of his mom's homemade snickerdoodles. He waves it in front of Ransom's nose and he about flies off the table. HEY!! New bait!!! So, our mystery cookie for this day is Snickerdoodles. I break up two cookies, and hold a small piece of chicken breast in my pocket for emergency reserve. We're ready to go!

For the most of group, it's a repeat of the day before. He's wiggly on the table, thunderous applause, and a big smile for the judge after a SECOND Kodak Moment, that again, elicited many oooohhhhs and aaaaahhhhhs. We make the cut again!!!! But, unfortunately, we didn't get pointed at for the big ribbons, but that's ok!!! He was in the top 6 for the second time in as many days.

What a weekend!!! Holy smokes!!

Oh, and as far as the rest of the crew goes, Ransom's partner in crime, Bear, won Winner's Dog and Best of Winners on Saturday for two more points, and little sister Cristal finished second in her class behind littermate Merlot (aka LS) at the fun match.

Columbia, MO show

2009-03-10T07:19:00.000-07:00

We went to the Columbia, MO show last weekend and had a real fun time with the folks down there. Everyone had their dogs out getting them ready for the National, so we had a large entry, with lots of nice dogs.

Our own kids represented us very well on Saturday. Bear was Winner's Dog out of the Bred-By Exhibitor class and went on to win Best of Winners for a crossover 5 point major!! He showed his heart out for us and acted VERY pleased with himself the rest of the day, and yes, he had Outback steak as part of his dinner. Phantom was Best of Breed both days over 3 nice specials (there were 4 on Sunday after Dave and Cathy Porter moved their just finished Zoey up). He also got pulled in group. Emmy was her little professional self as always, but was 2nd in her class. Ransom also won his class but went no farther.

Sunday wasn't as good, but were still very pleased with the results. Bear was still able to win Reserve Winner's Dog after being spooked by the slamming doors that sounded like gunshots going off while he was showing. I'm not sure if he ever put his ears up while he was in the ring. Emmy was 2nd in her class again, and Ransom was also 2nd in his class.

It was good to see the MO crowd again, and touch base with those who we hadn't seen since the last National. We can't wait to see everyone again next month at the National. It hardly seems possible.

Here are the results, and congrats to all the winners:
Sat -
BOB - Phantom
BOS - Marion Johnson's Lilly
WD/BOW - Bear
WB - Dave and Cathy Porter's Zoey (congrats on finishing her!!)

Sun -
BOB - Phantom
BOS - Marion's Lilly
WB/BOW - Don and Jacque's Lilly (I know, confusing, right? ;o) )
WD - Dona Caldwell's BBE boy (Notzmo Motley Blue)

P.S. - Hey Dave, so much for Zoey not listening to you while Cathy was showing another dog, huh?? ;o) Congrats again to you both!!

P.P.S. - Hey Sarah...you better make sure you know where your little Valhund baby is next time we're at a show together!! ;o) She's ADORABLE!!!!!!! Are we going to see her again at Nationals???

They Got Even

2009-02-24T08:17:00.000-08:00

This blog has been primarily for Frick and Frack, also known in our house as Dumb and Dumber after the Collie weekend, and all of their misadventures. Well, that doesn't mean that the older kids have ceased to live it up. Hence today's entry.

Last night, I think even the dogs realized it was Monday. Or they have cabin fever...not sure which. They decided to take out all of their frustrations on us all at once.

We usually let the big kids out first when we get home from work at night, so they can have the run of upstairs while we let the pups run under supervision. So, the order is: Phantom, Ruby and Duchess go first. Then Emmy and Dream, followed by Frick and Frack. Finally the puppies are let out, and Frick and Frack are asked to babysit in the house while we change clothes and do whatever is needed in the office, before we go make dinner. Usually this arrangement works out pretty well, other than some pretty rowdy puppy play once in awhile.

Segue to last night. The first two groups were let out and then let upstairs to run off some excess energy while puppies were let out. Well, evidently they weren't too happy with having to wait for mom and dad to come back upstairs. So, they decided to create their own entertainment. They broke into the dremel case and found the package containing the extra barrels. Well, they decided that carrying the package and throwing it through the house wasn't fun enough, so they finished tearing it open and strung all the barrels out on the floor.

My, what tasty goodies these are!! Yup, you guessed it....they had sandpaper chewies!! By this time, I get back upstairs and see them all chewing on something. I yell, "Drop it" and "It's MINE", and they scatter. When the Big Dog barks, they ALL run.

I didn't think at the time to count how many barrels I found on the floor, but I'm pretty sure they were all accounted for. They all got a stern talking to, and needless to say, it was VERY quiet in the house for quite awhile last night....GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Adventures of Frick and Frack - They Have A New Nickname!

2009-02-17T06:41:00.000-08:00

I must preface this episode by saying that Lace, the Smooth Collie, was a saint all weekend and did nothing to instigate any of the antics described below.

We had several houseguests this last weekend for the dog show, like we do every year. This year, I think we strained the seams of the house, as we had 8 humans and 19 dogs under the same roof. The great thing is that everydog got along well and rotation was the word of the day. The breed list went something like this: 1 Pomeranian, 1 Smooth Collie, 2 Pembrokes, and 15 Cardigans (four 4 month olds, four 8 month olds, and 7 adults). At times it looked like a 3 ring circus, which is pretty much what it was, and it was REALLY fun seeing how our kids, who don't regularly interact with Collies and Poms except when they go visit Aunt Cindy, handled having them on their turf.

Phantom and Ransom thought Lace was all that, AND a bag of chips. They both thought they could breed her, even though she wasn't in season. Phantom spent most of the weekend following Lace and listening to her grumble about him. The few times she turned around to give him a piece of her mind, he thought it was foreplay, and she would grumble some more and walk away. And the humor only got better!!!

Ransom for his part, loved Lace as well. This poor girl!! He also tried to breed her, but when she would turn around, he would jump and push his front feet off her side, and then run in front of her, throw himself on his back, belly up, with the look of, "Don't Eat Me!" Lace completely ignored him, would step over or around him, and keep walking. Ransom would then jump up, run to get two steps in front of her, and throw himself on the floor in front of her again. He repeated this every time she was pacing in the living room, which was often. Comedy had arrived.

Bear on the other hand, took one look at Lace, and thought he was in trouble. His eyebrows went to the top of his head, eyes the size of dinner plates, and stayed at least 3 feet away from her with the look of, "OMG!! IT'S YOU!!!" I'm not sure what he did at Cindy's to merit the looks he gave Lace, but it must've been good. He did everything he could to stay away from her all weekend. Lace saw this as a way to get even, and provide herself with a little humor, Collie style. Every time she would see Bear on the couch behaving himself or laying on the floor with a bone, she would saunter over towards him. Most of the time he never saw her until she was within a foot of him, which I'm not sure how one misses a blue merle Smooth Collie walking in a sea of Corgis. He would then practically kill himself to get away from her, to include trying to climb up the back of the couch. Lace would then just sit down and watch him squirm. Eventually she would get tired of the whole thing and wander off, only to have Ransom pull his antics, or Phantom try to get her to be his girlfriend.

Now, we have the Pomeranian, Tango. She also lives with the Corgis, and very much takes care of herself and lets the others know what's what. She spent the weekend with whomever was out and running around. Ransom thought she was grand fun. He tried to push her over on her side with his front feet. She told him off. He came back for more, his little bunny butt going as fast as it could. She'd chase him through the house, running as fast as her little legs could go (and boy is she fast!!), and Ransom would still circle behind her, and snap his jaws at her heels, she'd spin around, and he'd be off. I think he called this game "Spin the Pom". This would go on for at least an hour, before we felt sorry for poor Tango and put Ransom in his crate.

Cristal and Chianti got to play with Port and Merlot (aka Little Sh#t) again, and they haven't slept that good in a LONG time. The girls had an absolute blast chasing their littermates all over the house.

Needless to say we had controlled chaos at our house, but it was a lot of fun. And during this whole Collie episode, Frick and Frack received a new nickname.....Dumb and Dumber. If you could have witnessed the weekend, you would have believed it.

Adventures of Frick and Frack - Westminster Edition

2009-02-10T07:55:00.000-08:00

So we settled in last night to watch Westminster on the big screen. The big kids were out with us and settled in across laps and pillows with their favorite chewing toys. Everyone was happy, which considering the mud bowl that is our yard prevented anyone from getting their lunchtime romp, is a miracle. I digress...

The Hound Group comes in the ring and no one notices. That is, until a Beagle starts baying. Yup, it's all over. Bear and Ransom are right up nose to nose with the tv barking their fool heads off. After much yelling and lots of squirts from the listerine squirt bottle, they settle down again. This time, however, they are watchful of those big bad doggies on tv. Then, the Borzoi starts it's down and back. Obviously it was going to come through the tv and eat everyone (NOT!). Yup, there those two go again. And when they start to bark, so does everyone else in the house.

Finally we were able to quiet everyone and the boys both started to watch again...Ransom with a bored expression, but Bear was rather interested. We told him that he needed to learn how to show like all those big dogs. He looked at us, looked at the tv, looked at us again, sighed, laid his head back onto the pillow and watched.

By the time the Herding Group was on, he was on his back, sound asleep, with his feet waving in the air. He was obviously not absorbing the lessons...

Sherilyn Made It Into The Ring

2009-02-02T12:43:00.000-08:00

Yes folks...you read the headline correctly. Sherilyn actually ventured into the ring, and not just the "Reserve Ring" as she is so proud of mentioning. She claims to be the "Reserve Queen", and only goes in for the Reserves. Not this weekend.

We got into a little bit of a bind this weekend at the St. Joseph, MO shows. My normal handler backups, Cindy, Alec, and Meredith,all decided to stay home and conserve money for Nationals later this spring. My other backups, Linda and M'Kayla were busy in other rings showing their client dogs. So, what happens? Bear decides that he LIKES to show with Dad (good thing, right?), and goes out and wins Winner's Dog two out of the three days. Friday, Linda ekes out just enough time to help us out, but Bear isn't liking this turn of events, and becomes a little butt (bad thing). Saturday, everyone is busy. So...we have a Winner's Dog and no handler, as I am showing Phantom in Best of Breed.

Sherilyn takes Bear in the ring, trying not to puke due to her nervousness, and tries to get Bear to listen. Yeah, right. Dad and Doggy Dad are in the ring having a good time and he VERY MUCH wants to be a part of it. Bear is hearing me give Boo commands and Boo's counter-barking talking back at me and bouncing all over the ring. He kept turning around and paying attention to me instead of her.

I then hear something along the lines of, "Rus, what do I do? He won't listen to me and he keeps turning around." I tell her to wave the food under his nose (He's 7 months old and lives to eat), cinch up the collar, and the other usual handler stuff. Our friend Paul is standing right in front of her with his special, and so helpfully chimes in, "Just kick him...he'll pay attention then!" LOL We all start laughing, and Bear promptly parks his rear end right on Sherilyn's shoe.

By this time, as anyone who handles a dog on a regular basis but can remember those terrifying first few trips to the ring, time has seemingly stood positively still for the last month, but you're moving like you're late for work. Thoughts are slow in coming and reactions are very quick. Sherilyn realizes that if she turns Bear around so that he can comfortably see Dad and Boo, that maybe he'll behave. So she executes a gorgeous spin and places Bear facing us at an angle, which beautifully showed off his front. Bear plants his feet perfectly....ears up, neck arched, and all focus is on Dad. She says, "Where's dad?" Yup..it's a winner!! Bear gets picked for Best of Winners, and another handler is born.

99 Things

2009-01-23T19:35:00.000-08:00

Jinnie over at Solstice Kennels passed this along, so thought I would give it a try....why don't you, too?? It's interesting to see just how much our friends have accomplished! :)

Copy and paste, then bold the things you’ve done and unbold the things you haven’t done. Have fun with it! I agree with Jinnie...there are SO many things on here I'd love to do, or need to do! Sherilyn

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charitity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child (when my ex adopted my daughter, I acutally had to adopt her, too)
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise (not a real cruise, but a dinner cruise in Hawaii, so I'm going to count it until Rus takes me on a REAL cruise!)
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors (does my Grandma's house count where my aunt was born??)
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language (well, my teachers in school tried to teach me, but I learned more Spanish when I lived in South Texas...and too many of the bad words! hehe)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (used to fish when I was a kid)
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Cleaning Up After The Weekend

2009-01-21T08:19:00.001-08:00

Ok....who forgot their dog after last weekend?!?!?!?!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-01-21T07:54:00.000-08:00

A Night of Nights

2009-01-21T07:14:00.000-08:00

Wow, I sure don't know what karma or whatever we had against us last night, but man, we can sure do without that again!! Not sure what I mean? Well, let me give you a rundown of our evening...

We were to meet Henrey and Kristy (our junior handlers) at our house at 5:30 last night so they could pick up a computer for their mom's birthday that they had purchased from me. It was to be a surprise for her, so her mom had no knowledge of this. I had everything ready to go for them when they got to our house, except for the monitor (a Sony 19" CRT, or the tv looking ones), which was in the basement. I asked Henrey to go get the monitor and showed him which one he could have. For those of you who don't know, I work in IT and have several computers and monitors at home. So, Henrey grabs the monitor and carries it upstairs. I ask him if he was ok carrying it, and he said, sure, no problem.

So, his sister goes out of the house ahead of us to open the doors of the car, Henrey right on her heels with the monitor, and me right behind them with the tower. All of a sudden I hear this HUGE crash and I get into the garage, and Henrey is laying on the floor next to the monitor, not moving his hand. It turns out that he went into the garage, cut the corner too sharp, somehow tripped on a cooler and fell, dropping the monitor on his hand. We all thought he had broken fingers (which we later found out that nothing was broken, just mashed like you do when you shut them in a car door). So, we got him back into the house, did some quick first aid, had the kids call their mom and head home (with the present).

After they left, we let the little girls out for a quick run around to stretch their legs and family time. We picked them up to carry them downstairs so they could eat their dinner. Sherilyn was leading the way with a puppy in one arm and the baby gate in the other. Next thing I hear was ANOTHER huge crash and a loud moan. I run to the top of the stairs, and Sherilyn is laying against the wall in a heap, (to use Kim's expression) like a bad yard sale. After making sure that Sherilyn was conscious, I see the puppy off in the corner shaking, so I go to her and pick her up to check her out. She was fine....scared but fine. We think that when Sherilyn fell, she moved the puppy out from under her arm, so her body would cushion the fall for her, as she landed on her opposite side. I quickly reassured her and locked her in her crate. Then, being the outspoken puppy she is, complained about being locked up...go figure.

I then began the process of assessing what Sherilyn had done to herself. Her glasses had smashed against her face and were bent pretty bad. She had also cleared one side wall of pictures on her way down. Then the big damage was a hole in the drywall at the bottom of the stairs the size of a seedless watermelon (it's not really that big as you can see from the picture). As I looked over her head and shoulder, I think that it was her head that went through the drywall, and was DARNED lucky that she didn't break her neck in the fall.

The bad thing is that we now have to fix the hole in the wall and maybe replace her glasses frames. Not sure about that until she takes them in to get un-bent. She also has lots of carpet burns on her side, a cut by her eye from the glasses hinge, and a pretty healthy shiner. The good news is that she has no broken bones, only a very slight concussion, and the puppy is fine and dandy. The tongue in cheek good news is that we found out that she does indeed bounce when she falls. :o)

The cause: She has a bad back which causes her siatic nerve to play havoc with her left leg. Near as we can tell, her leg went numb and gave out when she put her weight on it, and down she went.

We were very fortunate that everyone was ok and only suffered minor injuries. Oh, and the time span from start to finish....35 minutes combined for both episodes. I think I'd rather watch tv...

CIKC Show and Chili Supper Recap

2009-01-19T08:00:00.000-08:00

Well, we survived another year of chili supper and dog show. We have so much fun every year, but we put so much of ourselves into the chili supper (26 quarts of chili, and only 4 quarts or so left!!) and showing that we usually need to go back to work on Monday to rest!! But man, did we ever have fun. I daresay it was the best January event we've ever hosted!! We had exhibitors and pet owners come and enjoy all of the festivities, and we even managed to con a couple of Working Group people to come and enjoy us "herding types" for a couple of hours (thanks for coming Steve and Joyce!!).;o) We also got to finally meet Joy (of Tracking Trekker fame) and boy did she ever get a crash course in Corgis!! LOL

We had 10 of us staying in our 1500sq foot house with 18 dogs. It was a big slumber party and outside of the fact that our 3 girls all decided to be in season, even the dogs were all very well behaved and we had no grumbling. The guest Corgis all made new friends and I'm sure there were not just a few people who wanted to smuggle Dove, Ell, and Zoe home with them! Oh, and not all of the dogs were Corgis either! We had our token Puli and a GSP also stay with us.

Everyone loved watching the 4 little puppies (all about 15 weeks old) romp and play and cause as much chaos as they possibly could before the humans decided they had enough and would put them back in their crates. ;o)

We watched the 2005 Cardi National on DVD and we all learned a lot. Thanks to Garrett for bringing his copy to share.

On to the show. I don't have the exact results (I was too busy shuffling dogs), but I think most everyone had a little piece of the winning, as it seemed that everyone came away with at least red ribbons and lots of smiles. There was a lot comaraderie between the exhibitors as everyone congratulated the winners, consoled the losers, and leads were passed between people as dogs were juggled between the classes and breeds (Pems and Cardis were back to back so it got busy right away). Thanks to Cindy McDonald for taking my brindle monster Bear into the ring for me right away on Sunday. I think it really helped calm him down so that he didn't feel rushed for his second weekend in the ring (he won Reserve Winner's Dog too with her handling him!). Congrats to all the winners, but big congrats go out to Connie for finishing Prophet, Sonja and Chelsea for their nice BOB win on Saturday, and to Emily for her Best of Breed win and Group 2 on Sunday with Picasso.

I also have to brag a little and say that Ransom won Best of Breed on Sunday and gained a huge fan following during the Herding Group. He had by far the largest and most rowdy cheering section in the Herding Group. The little man just took it all in stride and showed his little heart out.

Central Iowa Kennel Club Show and Winjammin's Annual Chili Supper

2009-01-15T09:30:00.001-08:00

This weekend is the CIKC all breed show and The 4th Annual Winjammin' Chili Supper on Saturday following BIS. Approximately 1000 dogs are entered...pretty good for a winter show where the weather is known to be anywhere from 45 degrees to -20 degrees, sunny to blizzard conditions on any given year.

Forecast for this year: Sat: 28 degrees and light flurries and Sun: 33 degrees and SUN!!!

For those of you who haven't made it up to the great white north yet, here's the scoop:

We, at Winjammin' host a Corgi-Q at our house in September following the Saturday Des Moines Kennel Club show. And NO, we don't BBQ the losing dogs!! Shame on you for thinking that (and I know some of you did!)!!! ;o) We traditionally have burgers, hot dogs (again with those nasty thoughts!! LOL), chicken legs, baked beans, and whatever else everyone decides to bring. We average about 50 people rain or shine every year, and the neighbors love to see all of the different show dogs set up in ex-pens outside in the yard. I think it makes their year! LOL

Then in January we also host, again at our house, a chili supper. Sherilyn makes about 22 quarts of homemade chili and then it's another pot luck. We always end up with lots of good food, and loads of company. I think we average about 25 people for this event. We even light the fireplace as it's usually REALLY cold, so those who are still frozen can warm up.

These two events are solely for fellowship, getting to know one another outside of the dog rings, and to play with puppies who are too young to have at the shows, as we encourage the little ones to come and play with everyone. We also have a lot of pet Corgi owners who come and they are able to talk to other breeders, who they wouldn't normally have met. We also have loads of people from other breeds come and enjoy the company as well.

So, for those of you who frequent our gatherings, THANK YOU for coming and helping to make it a great success, and can't wait to see everyone this weekend!! For everyone else, please consider coming out to Iowa for a show and the big party. We guarantee you will have a great time!! :o) No one ever leaves a Winjammin' feast hungry, and if you do, then it your OWN fault!! :o)

Early Morning Serenade - The Encore

2009-01-15T09:06:00.000-08:00

Yes, that's right folks...the early morning serenade has continued, but with a new twist. Frick and Frack have enlisted help...namely Dreamy, although this morning there was another participant as well, and we're not 100% sure who it was.

Ransom has been sleeping upstairs with Bekka at night, so I'm sure Bear has been bored with his "singing" a solo. So, he enlisted Dreamy to help him in the last couple of days. They have been perfecting their routine, and it sounds prety decent, considering Dream's sound is more of a howling twitter (you have to hear it to believe it) than anything else.

Then, this morning, Bear and Dream start in, and are soon joined by a mysterious third voice, who can be heard well above the other two. So, I start to do a process of elimination....Phantom: in bed with us, trying to push me out, Ransom: upstairs and asleep, Bear: downstairs and singing, Dream: downstairs and singing, Cristal and Chianti: in the office playing, Emmy: downstairs and not usually one disposed to singing but is a possibility, and finally Duchess: downstairs and is a known singer (mostly to the song Blue by Leann Rimes), but hasn't in a long time...another definite possibility.

Duchess has her own distinctive sound that I did not hear this morning, hence the mystery. When she howls, she also puts "words" with it...Woof, woof, AROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, woof, woof, yip, yap, ROOOOOOOOO, etc. You definitely know when she's a part of something like that.

I got to thinking that if these clowns actually can put all of their distinctive sounds together, we might actually have an album!! Oh, how I feel for our house guests this weekend!!!

To Cindy, Garrett, Cyndy and Emily, and Marla: I hope everyone brings earplugs, because you might need them! I'm sure the kids will try to entertain, and put on a nice little concert for you! Unfortunately, it'll be at "oh my god it's early o'clock...someone shut those d%$$@^ dogs up!!"

Now now another thought to ponder....what is it going to sound like if the GSP client, Frank or whomever of the FB crew comes to socialize, Ell, Zoe, Sulley, Picasso, or Pongo (a Puli....hmmm....might have a reggae sound to it! ;o)) decide to lend a hand?????????

Early Morning Serenade Frick and Frack Style

2009-01-11T09:25:00.000-08:00

Leave it to Frick and Frack to liven up what would have been a lovely morning to sleep in. Everyone had been out for their early morning romp and potty, and then right back into the house and their crates for breakfast. This usually buys us anywhere from 2-3 hours more of blissful sleep. Well, Frick and Frack decided that they had had enough sleep and wanted to be back out on the snow playing tag with Emmy (who, by the way, was snuggled in bed with us and in no way willing to move from her warm, soft nest).

We were laying in bed and everything was quiet until we hear this low, mournful, rip the soul right out of you howl from Bear....

AROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Then silence.
AROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

He must've talked Ransom into helping him at this point because we hear...
(Extremely high pitched) ROOOOO
Silence.
(Slightly lower pitched) ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Silence

They put it together...
AROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Then Ransom changed it up, while Bear kept his part going...
ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
(slightly lower and harmonized with Bear's howl) AROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

It was a pure pitched call of the wild type of howl that you hear on the nature channel's wolf specials. It was really nice to listen to, even if we did get a good chuckle out of it initially.

Those two boys can really drive you nuts, but at the same time, they can really melt even the coldest of hearts. This was one of those mornings...

Happy New Year to All!

2008-12-31T20:35:00.000-08:00

Rus, Sherilyn, Bekka and all the Corgis at Winjammin' would like to wish everyone has a very Happy and Safe New Year! We hope to see you at a show in the near future...wow...2009...hard to believe!

Take care and stay warm! Hugs to all!

Bear Has A New Job

2008-12-29T08:23:00.000-08:00

First of all, we hope that everyone had a Safe and Happy Holiday and got everything they asked for. We had a great weekend, all the more so because it was nice to stay home and spend it with all the kids. Port also set out for his forever home yesterday with his new mom, Christy Collins. She will teach him the ins and outs of being a show dog and he'll teach her new ways to terrorize Tibbies and Cresteds, I'm sure! Good luck with the little man Christy!

Now we come to the topic of today's post. Bear seems to have taken it upon himself to be the house guard dog, while he is outside. Yes, we have other guard dogs...namely Duchess, Phantom and Ruby. But Bear has taken this to a whole other level. He sees another dog, he barks. He sees another person, he barks. He sees another squirrel, he barks. He sees another LEAF, he barks. Now let me illustrate just how this barking sounds. It's not just abark, bark, bark, like most dogs. It's more of the ALERT!!! THAT LEAF IS A MUTANT AND IS GOING TO DESTROY THE HOUSE!!! I'LL HOLD IT OFF WHILE YOU RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!! You get the idea. It's lovely at 630am on a wekend holiday morning...NOT. I'm sure the neighbors appreciate it...NOT.

Now, I wrote earlier about his big boy bark and it's still there, except now it's getting deeper as he's growing up. He actually has a lower voice than Phantom and I think his volume control has been eaten by Ransom. He used to have one, I swear he did. He used to have this little girly shrill bark that wasn't too loud. Not anymore. He sounds like a combination of mom Marg and his half-brother Russ....through a megaphone, onto a PA system, into an empty arena!!!

Anywhoo, I digress. Bear feels as if the whole world will end if he isn't the first one to confront a guest or any walker who happens to walk past. If we're out at Petsmart or anything like that, he "protects" mom and dad as if his life depends on it....well, until you wave a cookie in front of his face, then all bets are off. Some protection he is. I see Ransom has had some influence on him again...

This coming weekend at the dog show in St. Paul, MN ought to be a real joy. I can see us trying to walk him to the rings while he yells at everyone and everydog to keep out of his way, because he's so big and bad (not), us trying to wave a cookie in his face to keep him quiet, Ransom trying to steal said cookie because as he will readily tell you...he hasn't eaten in at least an hour, and last but not least, Emmy prancing serenely is if the world should bow down to her and kiss her feet. Yes, this will be the routine for all 3 days of show, as the Cardis and Pems have the same ringtimes. Oh fun!

Now if we can just get Bear to realize that the other dog in his ring is his littermate, who he liked...

Cindy, I see your Merlot issue and raise you Bear.... ;o)

New Game...Thanks Kim and Joy!!

2008-12-23T07:24:00.001-08:00

Kim and Joy had a great idea for a new game, so I decided to play along too!! The idea is to think about each one of your dog's personalities and decide that if the dog was human, who would they be...either a general description or a person.

So, here goes:

Duchess - Well, this one is obvious. She'd be the Queen Mother of England. Everyone bows down to her, family and guest alike, even though she has no real ruling power.

Ruby - She'd be the typical nightmare date for a single person. Very attractive to look at and talk to at first. Then, once you get to know her, her neurotic tendencies start to come out.

Phantom - He is the stereotypical beach hunk, with all of the girls in little bikinis fawning all over him, while he flexes his big muscles. Think of a muscle-bound Casanova.

Dream - She'd have to be Paris Hilton...ditzy, total blonde, a player, but there is a brain behind all of that cluelessness.

Emmy - She is Angelina Jolie. She's got a wild streak and can rough and tumble with the boys, but then when she wants to, she is very elegant, sophisticated, and loving.

Ransom - He is the stereotypical star quarterback/homecoming king. He's a pretty boy, and knows it. He's also the ringleader for all of the chaos in our house, and instigates most of it, even if he's not an active participant.

Bear - He is your typical follower. He is usually told what to do by the others, and they convince him that if he's doing something wrong, he'll either get away with it or that it really is ok. And he believes them!!!!

Cristal - She is still too young to really have her personality come out. We expect to see more as she grows up in the near future.

Let's see if we can move this one along too. So, we'll tag:

Cindy at Foggy Bottom
Garrett at Ramsay Farms
and Jinnie at Solsticekennel

Tagged Again!

2008-12-17T19:14:00.000-08:00

Ok, here's my assignment to Kim Gibson, of Cardi Corgi Capers: I was to go to my photo archives, open the 6th folder and select the 6th picture, post the picture here along with the story behind it. So here goes...

This is a picture of Ch Cardidreams Blue Sullivan, or "Sulley" as he's known around this area, or "Goober" by friends and family. He's kind of our adopted son, Ruby's soul mate and only love, and the father of our first grandpuppies. :) This picture was taken in Mason City a couple of years ago while Emily was grooming him for the group (I believe he received a Group 1 that day!). I was helping my nephew, Thomas, do a project for his 3rd grade class. He had me take a "Flat Thomas" with me everywhere I went, and take pictures of the places that "Flat Thomas" visited, and any interesting people or things that he saw. I took him to 2 dogshows during those 2 weeks, and took all kinds of pictures of dogs, people and events. His teacher loved it and he received an A+ on his project.

Sulley is SUCH a pretty boy and one of the reasons we fell in love with this breed.

We're tagging Garrett at Ramsey Farms and anyone else that hasn't been tagged as of yet and wants to play. :)

Wordless Wednesday

2008-12-17T07:59:00.000-08:00

Santa's Reindeer Sighted!!!

2008-12-15T07:26:00.000-08:00

Yes, that's right, we now have photographic proof that Santa's eight tiny reindeer do actually exist. Now, it was hard to capture them with the camera, so some of the photos aren't the greatest of quality, but you can actually see them!

Dasher (aka Ruby):

Dancer (aka Cristal):

Prancer (aka Duchess):

Vixen (aka Dream):

Comet (aka Ransom):

Cupid (aka Phantom):

Donner (aka Bear):

Blitzen (aka Emmy):

Happy Holidays from all of us at Winjammin' Corgis to all of you!!!
Rus, Sherilyn, Bekka, Courtney, Duchess, Ruby, Phantom, Dream, Emmy, Ransom, Bear, and Cristal

Baby Learns New Trick

2008-12-11T07:01:00.000-08:00

I was going to clean out the playpen this morning, like normal. I fight the puppies for their food pan, and yes it's a fight. They like to sit on it as I try to get my fingers under the edge, so I can pick it up. This is a morning ritual, and one that they relish.

Next comes herding the puppies into their crate....not usually too hard...sprinkle some kibble in the crate and off they go (for you future owners of Winjammin' puppies, beware that we are training "crack dogs" If you've met Ransom, you'll understand the nickname. For those of you who haven't, the short version is, food to him is like "crack" to an addict). Some days we get one lagger and today that was Cristal.

So, she got to help me clean out the pen, pick up toys and pads, etc. Our kitchen is gated off from the rest of the house, so the puppies don't get out and the big dogs don't get in. We have to have some way to control the chaos, ya know! Anyway, I hadn't latched the gate, just pulled it to the latch, and that's where it stays. I'm in the process of rounding up the toys, and half watching Cristal out of the corner of my eye, when I see her run to the gate, sit back on her rear, and take one paw and give the gate a big SHOVE. Yup, you guessed it...escape!!!

She was off and running for all she was worth through the living room, with her littermates calling their encouragement from the crate the whole time. Round and round the dining table she went, then it was to the living room, back around the table three times, back to the kitchen, just to tease me, then back to the living room and a big jump onto the doggie pillow pile, etc. You get the picture, I hope. It took me a good 5-10 minutes to catch the little bugger.

I brought her back into the kitchen and this time, LATCHED the gate, and proceeded to finish the cleanup. She chased the broom some, another of her favorite games, but then she was right back at the gate, and banging on it, trying to get out. Once cleanup was done, she was back in her pen with her littermates, and peace, or as peaceful as we get, finally decended back on the house.

Thank goodness the big dogs were downstairs!!!

We've Been Tagged!

2008-12-09T19:56:00.000-08:00

Cindy and Garrett both got us, so here's a list of our 6 favorite things....(the dogs helped out, too!)

1. Food - ok this is for all of us

2. Jobs - even when we've had really bad days, we are still very thankful that we have our jobs. They support our habit (see item #3)

3. Dog Shows!! What better way to spend time together, with our dogs, and some of our best friends! Can't wait until January!

4. Friends and Family

5. The Dogs, of course!

6. Each other :)

Ok, Rus had to add #7 to this...Texas Football! Hook 'em Horns!! :D

Happy Holidays to all my favorite people and 4 legged fur kids!

Time Flies

2008-12-05T07:14:00.001-08:00

After remarking last evening about how fast the puppies are growing, we started to look at the other kids, and thought about how much they also have changed over the months and years. In this frame of mind, I started looking back through all the photos we had taken of everyone and it's amazing to note the changes as they all grow up.

Then, I checked the mail and we received Ransom's most recent show picture from the Council Bluffs show in November. Boy, what a differrence less than a year makes!!!

I'll let you judge for yourself. He was born 2-18-08. The pictures are in order:
6wks
9wks
13wks
Aug 08
Nov 08

Wordless Wednesday

2008-12-03T07:34:00.001-08:00

Moose's Visit

2008-12-02T07:53:00.000-08:00

Moose came to visit weekend before last, when he was attempting to get two legs for his CD. You can read Cindy's post on how well that went here:

http://cindy-foggybottom.blogspot.com/

Anyway, Moose also had a lot of down time at the house and was able to play with all the big kids. Phantom and Moose are best buds and they are always together. Those two were like a pair of bulldozers rampaging through the house chasing everyone else. When they weren't running and Moose wasn't in Rus' lap, the boys were side by side on the couch, getting good scratches from Cindy.

Things got a little out of hand with the chase game between the boys and Duchess, who finally decided that playtime with Moose wasn't so bad, so they were banished outside to play and stay out from underfoot. Needless to say, they weren't too appreciative of that, as evidenced by the photo below (from left: Moose, Duchess voicing her opinion about the whole ordeal, Phantom):

A Weekend of Firsts

2008-12-01T11:29:00.000-08:00

It was a weekend of firsts for all the kids:

First off, we got a couple inches of snow, which means lots of Corgi fraps in the yard (at 630 am, mind you)....for the big kids, just the first of the season. Emmy and Dream were streaking around the yard as fast as their legs could carry them, barking and trying to catch each other's tails. It was really funny, especially when one would catch the other's tail and then there would be a gray and black ball rolling in the yard, snow flying everywhere.

Phantom tried to get Ruby to play in the snow, but with the lack of hair on her post baby belly, the snow was too dangerously close for her taste, so she would only go out, do her business, and was headed right back in the house and the warmest place she could find. She's no dummy!! LOL

Duchess ran her annual laps through the deepest portions of the yard, and god help anyone who got in her way....and yes, they did....she'd plow through them without stopping....bodies rolling everywhere...looked like bowling for Corgis. LOL Then she would come in the house like she hadn't done anything at all, the only giveaway being the scoop of snow still sitting on the tip of her nose like a little cone and the huge smile on her face.

Frick and Frack had the best time of everyone. It was the first snowfall for both of them. Bear dove right in, didn't faze him a bit....till he went to pee. He picked a rather deep part of the yard, where there was a little drifting, squatted, then you saw his eyes go WIDE open, tail goes straight in the air as high as it would go....yep...body parts IN the snow, and he realized that the snow was COLD!!! He was off like a shot...

Ransom, on the other hand, tried to avoid the snow at first. We have an eve that hangs over the yard, and it had blocked the snow from falling right against the house. Well he found that spot and that's where he decided to launch hit and run tactics on Bear. He'd wait until Bear's back was turned, then run through the snow as fast as he could, roll Bear, and then hightail it back to the safety of the "snow free zone". Poor Bear never knew what hit him....the first six times.

Then, Bear got even....

He had finally had enough of getting rolled through the snow, so he chased Ransom back to the snow free zone, grabbed him by the ruff, and literally drug him back into the snow and tried his darndest to get Ransom as snowy as he was!! Then the winter wrestling was on...brindle and red blurs rolling through the yard!! Ransom has since figured out that snow isn't a bad thing, and that it was rather fun, and tasty to boot! Now, the only way I can get Frick and Frack into the house is to shake the cookie wrapper outside, so they hear it. Then they come running like their lives depended on it.

Did I mention that this all happened early on Friday morning at around 630 am and the neighbor's bedroom window looks out onto the back yard????? Yeah, I'm sure they were PLEASED...

Bear also had his first experience with the babies. We let the babies out into the living room all together for the first time (they had all explored the living room singly late at night with human supervision), and let Bear play shepherd. It's way too much to ask to have the babies out with all of the adults, as they all are a little wild at this time of year with the cold air and snow on the ground, so we only let one or two big dogs out with the babies. Bear was SO good with the babies and he had a blast chasing them all over the main level, and the puppies had fun chasing him, and trying to bite that big tail of his!! The babies think that the dining room is a huge race track, and they raced and raced and raced around the table, usually with Bear hot on their heels. A few of the others decided that all of the doggy pillows next to the fireplace were lots of fun too, and by the time playtime was over, there would be at least one burrowed into the pillow pile, sound asleep with a look of utmost contentment on their faces.

Yes, definitely a weekend of firsts. Sorry, no photos were taken, as the subjects weren't in the mood to hold still for one second, let alone the required 10 seconds to get a decent picture. I don't think pictures of our carpet or the muddy back yard are very interesting!! LOL

Wordless Wednesday

2008-11-19T07:56:00.000-08:00

Little Boys and Company

2008-11-13T07:47:00.000-08:00

Did I ever mention that the "little boys" like to eat???? Here's what they do when company comes to the house....

Wordless Wednesday....A Day Late

2008-11-13T07:45:00.000-08:00

Tails from the Underbelly - Meet the Cast...A Month Later

2008-11-05T07:52:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe it's been a month already!! Where has the time gone? These guys are growing up so fast...walking, talking, playing, chewing... But, I'll let the pictures thenselves do all of the talking for me. Without further ado, here are the updated pictures of the cast of characters for this season's episodes of Tails from the Underbelly:

Cristal:

Chianti:

Merlot:

Shiraz:

Port:

Zin(fandel):

Notes on the cast:
The perspective on the pictures is a little off. I had to resize them to put them on here, and so some of the pups look a little funny. I assure you, they are normal looking in every way. They also wouldn't hold still for their photo ops either. They only wanted the peanut butter we tried to entice them with so they would at least try to look at the camera. Also, the only blue eyes in the bunch are the two merles. The camera flash did some funky things to the eyes when we took the pictures last night, so I apologize for that. Port is the male. Everyone else is a girl. Zin is still a mismark, unfortunately. Pearl is now known as Shiraz, and Flame is now known as Chianti.

What ARE those things?!?!

2008-11-03T13:22:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone, this is Phantom. I don't like to blog much , but some things just need to be said. I'm all for new additions to the family, as long as they all adhere to the proper code of conduct..."Duchess is queen B, and I am the big dog, and what I say goes." It's pretty easy to live by, as long as you don't steal my toys, then you're ok in my book. Of course ALL toys are my toys. Just don't forget it. Anyway, I digress...

About a month ago, Ruby, my walking buddy, was putting on a little weight....ok...she looked like she ate a toy dog whole, but who am I to criticize? I like to eat too! Anywhoo, she was having some tummy problems, so mom, dad, and Bekka took her to see that nice Angelic lady to have her checked out. Then, they come home REALLY late at night, carrying Ruby in a blanket. That must have been some case of indigestion!!!! Holy Cow!! Then, what do I see???? These little wiggly things moving around. I think that toy dog multiplied after she ate it!!! I swear!!!

Life went on ok, for the most part. I could smell those wiggly things in this big white box that dad put together for them, but they didn't make any noise, and I never see them, so it's all good. I can go on with my life and not have to worry about them.

Well, so much for that!!! This past weekend took the cake. Those wiggly things have GROWN!!!! And they make NOISE!!!!! And they MOVE!!!!!! I go into the kitchen every once in awhile to visit with my buddy Ruby and check out the goings on. Well, these wiggly things got out of their box and this one black and white one stared at me!! It was CREEPY!!! So I tried to give it the evil eye. That didn't work....I'm thinking this thing is possessed. So, I barked at it...it barked BACK!!! Then it talked to another one....a BLUE one!!! OMG!!! They are EVIL!!! And the blue one has big blue eyes and it moves faster than the rest of them!!! OMG!!!! It was coming to get me!!! My eyes got huge..these things can chase me now...this isn't good. Thank goodness for that gate in the kitchen....what, you mean they can go UNDER it?!?!?! What ARE these demonspawn things?!?!?!?!?

You mean they are like ME, and will grow up to be Cardigans?? They are kids of Sulley and Ruby?? Say WHAT?!?!?! Mom says they are cute and cuddly just like me. I personally don't see it. Just keep those things away from me!! I'll hold court with Duchess on the couch, it's safer there.

If anyone knows how to get rid of those things, please let me know. Thanks!!!!

Phantom

Tails from the Underbelly - 4 Star Dining

2008-10-31T13:52:00.000-07:00

Last night, we introduced the littles to solid food. We figured we'd have to encourage them to eat it, as it isn't from mom, and mom wasn't even in the kitchen. Boy were we wrong!!! Those kids took to the new food like a bunch of starving orphans at a 4-star restaurant!!!!

They were a little hesitant about it at first, until they actually tried it.

Then, they got into it a little more....or a lot more...

And still others, like Shiraz, decided to just "go for it" and go face first into the deepest part of the meal. Maybe she's training for one of those eating contests...ya think??

And then what's better for a gourmet meal than an after dinner drink?? Very appropriate with the way this litter is named, I would think!!

And finally, after all is said and done, the best and most long lived tradition in the world....the after dinner nap!!! (Editors note: I do think that Cristal looks like she had imbibed a few too many over the course of the evening)

Showing Off the Boys

2008-10-30T07:06:00.000-07:00

I was prodded by several individuals to post up our brag results and pictures from our last show, which was October 18-19th, in Fremont, NE. We hadn't been to a show in over a month, so I honestly forgot about mentioning anything concerning the show. So, here we are.

The boys went and showed their hearts out. It paid off. Ransom won his first point on Saturday with a WD/BOS win under Mrs. Bette L. Krause, and then proceeded to win WD/BOW/BOB on Sunday under Col. Joe B. Purkhiser. He got to play in the big kid ring for the first time, and he loved it!! Thanks to Kim Jacobson for handling the little man for us in group. Phantom won BOB both days and then proceeded to win a Group 3 on Sunday under Mrs. Bette L. Krause. It was quite a thrill to have both of the boys in the group ring at the same time on Sunday, and actually not embarrass me!! LOL Boo always has a big cheering section when he's in the big ring, and Ransom had his own cheering section that had to be at least as big!! Way to go boys!!

Here are the pictures:

Tails from the Underbelly - Big Bad Guard Dogs

2008-10-27T07:24:00.000-07:00

I have a knack of walking silently through the house when I want to, just so I don't disturb all of the inmates downstairs and set them to barking at god-awful hours of the morning. I will do this when I go upstairs to check on babies and let Ruby outside. So, when I went upstairs this morning to feed Ruby, all of the littles were sound asleep. Ruby was waiting as (im)patiently as she ever does when it comes to her breakfast (and lunch and dinner). Not a soul was stirring....until I unsnapped the flap of the food container. Then it was guard dog central...all growling, yipping, and lots of little high pitched GRRRRR-UFFFFFs, and they all started swarming to the corner of the box by where the food is stored. Once I got Ruby's breakfast scooped, I had to bend over and scratch each and every one of them, as they wouldn't let me to anything else (let alone stop barking). Once properly scratched, they quietly retired back to their respective corners (or under blankets) and promptly went back to sleep.

I know puppies have a learning curve, as do all species of younglings, and these guys are learning on a pretty steep curve, but they've obviously been doing extra credit, as they are full of Corgi attitude!!!

Tails from the Underbelly - The Hard Life

2008-10-22T06:59:00.000-07:00

Yes, folks, they already know how hard a life they have and are already perfecting the art of quality naptime.

Tails from the Underbelly - The Eyes Have It

2008-10-22T06:55:00.000-07:00

Yes, that's right....we have eyes!!! The littles have started opening their eyes. It's still too soon to see eye color for Cristal and Zin, but that will come with time. This morning I turned on the kitchen light, and Flame blinked her eyes at me, like "Hey!! I was sleeping!!! Turn that off!!!" And then I got barked at. Go figure.

Photo Friday - Aww Moment

2008-10-17T09:17:00.000-07:00

All they seem to do is sleep and eat....sometimes at the same time!!

Happy Friday!

Tails from the Underbelly - The Great Escape

2008-10-14T11:34:00.000-07:00

Here we go again. It seems that Cristal does not take no for an answer. She must have been plotting another breakout from the time she was caught the first time. She broke out again this morning and made it all the way to the gate separating solitary from the general population before being apprehended. The general population (Duchess, Phantom, Dream, Emmy, Ransom, and Bear) all thought this was very interesting, and stood at the gate to watch the trek across no-dog's land....although Phantom was very careful to totally disassociate himself from the rest of the proceedings and sit a good five feet behind everyone else. Talk about getting the cold paw from the head of the family!!!!!

Littles are in lockdown as I write now, no doubt devising new ways to sneak out under the watchful eyes of the Mother Warden.

Tails from the Underbelly - Escape from Dogcatraz Solitary

2008-10-14T08:35:00.000-07:00

In a previous post, I mentioned that these little buggers are quite active, and love to roam the puppy box. The Warden Mother (Ruby) keeps a pretty close eye on her flock and alerts the perimeter guards (us) when things are even remotely out of the ordinary. Well, the little ones took their roaming to a whole new level. We had our first jailbreak. It looks like Cristal and her accomplice, Port, were trying to make a run for it. Port later got "cold feet" and backed out in favor of a warm corner and soft blanket. Thank goodness the Warden Mother was on the job and immediately alerted perimeter security.

The security cameras caught the whole episode. Here's the evidence:

The next frame showed the capture and return to solitary. Cristal was not a happy camper, but she has no business meeting the characters in general population yet. If she's this onery now, what's going to happen when she meets Frick and Frack?!?!?!

Tails from the Underbelly - Meet the Cast

2008-10-14T08:04:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the late addition of pictures, but things have been a little hectic. So, without further ado, here's the cast of characters for this season's episodes of Tails from the Underbelly:

Cristal:

Flame:

Merlot:

Pearl:

Port:

Zin(fandel):

Notes on the cast:
The perspective on the pictures is a little off. I had to resize them to put them on here, and so some of the pups look a little funny. I assure you, they are normal looking in every way. Port is the male. Everyone else is a girl. As of right now, Zin is a mismark, but if you look REAL close, you can see a start of some coloring at the corner of her eye. Hopefully, it will come in. Pearl and Flame have yet to earn their "wine" names, but I have the feeling that they will have those in the next week or so. All are really active, and some are even trying to stand and walk.

Tails from the Underbelly - Day 2

2008-10-09T09:36:00.000-07:00

Everyone has settled into their routines now. Babies have figured out that it's the best thing in life to eat, sleep, and poop. They scoot all over the whelping box, usually under a blanket, where it's dark and warm, and poor Ruby then has to figure out where they went. The first time it happened, I think she was asleep, as when I went to check puppies in the middle of the night, she looked at me with that frantic look....you know the one..."I swear they were just here a minute ago!!!" Yup, you guessed it...under the blanket, not 3 inches from her foot, but camouflaged from Ruby's sight.

We have one puppy who is a little smaller than the rest. I guess you could call her the runt (although the actual runt of the litter by birth weight has passed her up). Anyway, we have been watching her closely to make sure she gets free access to mom, so she can eat her fill. Well, this morning, she wanted to obviously do something other than eat, and as Ruby tried to move her into a feeding position, little one gave mom a piece of her mind...and then some! Glad to see these little ones have spunk, but I'm going to feel for the new owners, as these kids have ATTITUDE!!!

Here's some more pictures for your viewing pleasure:

We Have Puppies!

2008-10-08T08:30:00.000-07:00

On behalf of Ruby and Sulley (CH Cardidreams Blue Sullivan), we are proud to annouce the arrival of 6 bouncing baby Cardis. There are 4 black and whites (1 boy and 3 girls) and 2 blue merles (both girls). Their bellies are fat with mom's milk, they are feisty, active, and VOCAL!! Oh my gosh!! I don't think anyone remebered to tell Ruby that we ordered puppies with a volume control. There's nothing like a puppy in full protest voice at 3am to wake you from a dead sleep and sit you up straight in bed!!

The rest of the Winjammin' herd has been very patient with being crated for longer than normal as we have been tending to the little ones. Everyone has gotten extra pets and cuddles for being so good. Although, Bear was making up for lost time, and got the zoomies last night for, I swear as I timed it, an HOUR+ non-stop full-on frap. He didn't care who chased him, Ransom, Emmy, or Dream. Even Boo got in on the action a little. Duchess was her usual stoic self and just watched from her throne....grumbling if anyone came too close (which I think Ransom planned LOL). Boo is a great mother hen, and is so worried about Ruby. When he hears those babies whine or carry on, he's right at the gate trying to make whatever is wrong better, or will make sure we are up to take care of the babies in the middle of the night. Geez, you'd think HE was the dad!!! What a good boy he is!!

Here's the Day 1 shot of mom and the crumbsnatchers:

The theme for this litter?? WINE!! That's right, all kinds of wine and vineyard names will be considered! If you have a suggestion, please send it! :o) With only 6 names to pick, we cannot guarantee we will use the names you send, but all names will be given careful consideration.

Stay tuned for more pictures and tales from the underbelly (Ruby's) as the babies grow and explore their new world.

Frick and Frack Together Again

2008-10-06T08:19:00.000-07:00

Yes, that's right, Ransom is home (as of Saturday) and he and Bear are already back at it. We weren't even home 10 minutes when Ransom and Bear were already wrestling and tearing around the house at Mach 10. The peace and quiet I was writing about last week is no longer. Chaos and Frapping is now the order of the day.

Sunday brought Ransom and Bear playing tag in the back yard with Emmy, until I emptied the swimming pool and put it in the shed for the winter. Once all of the water was on the ground, all three of them found the mud and proceeded to wade/swim/drink/splash through it, until I chased them out and back into the house. I kept getting the "I don't get it" looks....can't imagine why.

They finally crashed last evening while we were watching tv. This time, I have proof that they do stop!!!

They even tired Dream and Duchess out, just by watching all the chaos!

Still Alive

2008-10-03T08:15:00.000-07:00

Yes, we're still alive. Things have been really quiet (or at least for us) for some time now. Bear is getting bored with the girls, as Ransom is still at camp. We're working out the details to hopefully have Ransom back at home this weekend. I think everyone misses the little man!

It feels so strange to not have shows to go to, no mad packing of the van, no baths (which the dogs LOVE to be missing!). We've both felt just a little off kilter without all of the hustle and bustle of show weekends.

On the good side though, we've actually had a "date night". It's been awhile since we had one of those. We didn't do much, other than go out for a nice dinner, and then we went browsing through one of the local stores. Nothing much, but it's still quality time together, no kids or dogs. It was fun!!

Now to get busy with the rest of the honey-do list....take photos, update the website, paint, mow, shampoo carpets, rearrange the basement and garage...

Lakeshore Pembroke Specialty Results

2008-09-26T14:32:00.000-07:00

We just heard from Tammy that Ransom did very well at Lakeshore! Ransom won the 6-9 month Puppy Dog class in the sweepstakes show, and then went on to place 2nd in the 6-9 month Puppy dog class in the regular show. Way to go Ransom and Tammy!!!

Another Letter from Boot Camp

2008-09-19T07:20:00.000-07:00

Dear Mom and Dad,

Boy, am I ever having fun!! These days of all play with my buddies is great! Drill Sergeant Tammy is still insisting on those stupid forced marches to the highway, though. Man I hate those things!! But, I still do them to keep her happy. A happy drill sergeant means she can go bother someone else. See?? I'm learning!!

She says that I now have something called a waistline. I'm not sure what that is. She told me that it means that I'll be a lean, mean, showin' machine (my words, not hers). I also hear her talking about something called the Lakeshore Specialty. Wow!! Does that mean we get to go play in the water?!?! That would be SO much fun!! And we get to stay in a hotel!! I'll have to remember to tell the rest of the guys and girls that.

Anyway, I better run. Bobby made some comment about going back outside to chase the girls, and you know I'm all for that!!

Love to all,

Ransom aka Chunky Monkey

Letter From Boot Camp

2008-09-17T07:47:00.000-07:00

Dear Mom and Dad,

I'm really enjoying this so called Boot Camp. I've met some really cool friends, and we get to wrestle and play for a long time every day!! It's so great!!! Their names are Bobby, Valene, and Lucy. Boy are those two girls CUTE, and can they ever wrestle!! I haven't been able to see Luna Tuna, except through my house door. We've exchanged words but that's about it. Hopefully one of these days, I'll get to play with her again. Drill Sergeant Tammy says that I might be able to play with her in a week or so.

My days are pretty much spent playing with my new buddies, although we get these forced marches that I really don't care for. Drill Sergeant Tammy makes me and my brother Riley walk a whole mile to the highway and back every day. WHY??? What is so special about that, when all we do is turn around and hike home. I just don't get it. It must be a military thing.

Anyway, I wanted to let you know that I'm ok, and doing well. I'm losing some weight and toning up, so hopefully I'll look really buff for those girls at the shows when I'm done here.

Tell everyone I said hi, and kick brother Bear's butt for me. I miss the little bugger! Oh, and tell Aunt Cindy that I can't wait to nibble on her ear again. I love the looks she gives me. :o)

Love,

Ransom aka Chunky Monkey

Top Dog

2008-09-17T07:18:00.000-07:00

Phantom is the top dog in our house....of the boys. Duchess runs the house overall, and no one is willing to challenge her, which is probably very smart as she doesn't take crap from anyone.

Bear has been missing his partner in crime, Ransom, who is at Boot Camp Riverun for another week and a half. So, to amuse himself, Bear tries to get anyone he can to play with him, including Phantom.

Now, Boo isn't completely enamored with puppies. He is very tolerant of them, and will co-exist with them very well, as long as they give him his space. Usually, Phantom will growl and bully his way with the other dogs to get what he wants, and typically succeeds. He has that, "I'm the top dog, and don't you forget it" voice. But, there is a learning curve involved for the little ones. Dream and Emmy were pretty good about giving him space, and they loved to mess with Ruby anyway. Ransom had always been good, and Boo and Ransom have always had a special bond, so he is more tolerant of Ransom that he is with most everyone else.

Then there's Bear. Most of the time, Bear is in his face, lick, lick, lick, aw come on dad...you love me! So Boo growls and grumbles, and tries to get to where Bear can't get him. Usually it works. Recently, Boo has been more tolerant of Bear and we have spied them actually sleeping on the same pillow. Just don't let Boo know you've seen him...then he puts on his macho act and growls.

Well, yesterday, I'm home for lunch, and things are pretty subdued. Boo is sitting in the middle of the floor, and had been chewing a bone. He always watches me closely just to make sure that I didn't drop any food that he might eat. Next thing I know, Bear is under his chin, and licking his face. Boo just sits there, allowing his face washing, closes his eyes, and looks as if he's really enjoying himself. Then, he cracks one eye open, sees me watching, and the look on his faces changes to one of, "Oh wait....I'm not supposed to be enjoying the attention of this little guy". He lets out a very small gr, and walks away, leaving a very bewildered Bear in his wake.

Our boy is so macho...

Cardi High Dive

2008-09-15T11:55:00.000-07:00

We got home last night from the show in Rochester, and let all the kids out together in the back yard like always. Everyone has their own routine, and as the younger kids get older, their routines change off and on. Well, Emmy has this routine of racing around the yard, barking her fool head off, and doing her business wherever she lands. Now to spare you the graphic details, she'll do two of these three things at the same time in various combinations...you get to figure that one out on your own!!

Anyway, getting back to last night, Emmy pulls a new stunt, and we pray it's not a new routine. Our patio is surrounded by railroad ties stacked on top of each other, to act as a kind of decorative retaining wall, as our patio is set into a small hill. Emmy and Dream love to climb on the ties and hop over the decorative fencing into the yard. Occasionally, they will both do their business on said ties, as they get too excited to make it into the yard. Oh yippee....now I have to clean those stupid ties!! Oh...and they hunt for ground squirrels around the ties as those ties are havens for the little varmits, but I digress.

Emmy is on the highest point of the ties looking around and barking. Their wading pool is sitting in the middle of the patio and is quite full from all the rain we had over the past several days. I'm standing on the ties about three feet from where Emmy is, watching the others to make sure everything is going like clockwork, when I hear this huge SPLASH!! And I get wet!!!!! I look over and there is Emmy in the middle of the pool, looking extremely pleased with herself and dodging the waves that crested about a foot over her head, soaking everything in a 5 foot radius.

Next thing you know, she hops out of the pool and shakes herself off, in her imitation of an Olympic diver, and struts to the house....no bark, no chirp, not a sound. I think she may have found a new profession...

Rochester, MN

2008-09-15T07:49:00.000-07:00

Always a bridesmaid and never a bride. That's Emmy's M.O. She garnered her 5th Reserve to the major this weekend in Rochester, MN. The Little Professional, as she's affectionately known, showed her little heart out, was the consummate professional, and was letter perfect. But, it wasn't enough. Garrett's little brindle girl, Ell, beat Emmy for Winner's Bitch. Both girls were pulled out together in a really tough Winner's class (There were 5 bitches entered this weekend who needed a major to finish). We heard after the fact from various sources that no one envied the task of picking a Winner's Bitch, as both girls looked fabulous. We gave Garrett a hearty congratulations and a fond "We'll get you next time". I love to win, but if I can't win, then I love to lose when the competition is as tough as it was this weekend. It brings out the best in all the handlers AND the dogs, and you could tell that was the case this weekend. Congrats to all the winners from the weekend!!

Ransom, Chunky Monkey to all who shows with us, was also in action this weekend, when he wasn't performing his now-famous imitation of roadkill in a crate (now THERE'S a redneck business opportunity for someone!! LOL). He won his class this weekend and is getting better by the show. This is another dog who loves to show and has a ball doing it. He is always happy and always hungry. He is now at Camp Riverun prepping for the Lakeshore Regional Specialty, playing with some of his Pem buddies, and spending quality time with his breeder mom, Tammy.

So, due to Ransom's absence from our house, the Adventures of Frick and Frack will be on hiatus until he returns in a couple of weeks. Unless, that is, Bear finds a willing accomplice to guest star in the highjinks. Right now, he's auditioning 3 candidates...Ruby, Dream, and Emmy. All three have been ably filling in as frapping replacements for Ransom. Wow....that does sound like a bad joke...How many Cardigans does it take to replace a frapping Pembroke? (If someone knows the answer to that mind bending question, please let me know)

A huge thanks to everyone for a great weekend, one of the best we've ever had at a dog show. The fun in the RV, watching movies, dodging Wiimotes and frapping puppies, drinking the wine and all of the WONDERFUL food...too good to mention. A HUGE shout out to Nick for allowing me to play hockey with him on his Xbox. We'll have to do that again sometime buddy!!

I do have to say that I didn't envy those staying in the RV Saturday night. After watching the puppies clean up spilled chili remnants and Moose eating everything else in sight, I didn't even want to be in the same county if that food fought back!! LOL

We will not be showing much at all for the rest of the year. We just completed 7 straight weekends of shows, and we need the time off to get the house back in order, and give Boo and Emmy a break. It looks like the next scheduled show will be the January St. Paul shows, in with Bear will debut with his siblings.

If you want to read about all the rest of the details from the weekend, tune into Cindy's blog.....it's well worth the read!! http://cindy-foggybottom.blogspot.com/

Where Did THAT Come From!?!

2008-09-10T08:40:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a pretty typical day in the lives of the Winjammin' herd. A typical day is something like this: Out time in the morning, while we get ready for work, and then back in the crates until lunch, when I can get home and let them back out. Then, it's Frap time for about an hour at lunch, followed by more crate time, until after we get home from work. Then more Frapping and lap time until bed.

Ok, so like I said, it was pretty typical yesterday.....until lunch. The kids go outside to do their business, and then come back into the house after a little delay (10 minutes of herding Corgis back into the house by yours truly) to enjoy the nice crisp air. Once inside, that cool air must've really gotten into their noses. It was instant Frap!!! 4 of them (Dream, Emmy, Ransom, and Bear) were literally rolling in one big multicolored ball from one end of the living room to the other, yapping, growling, yipping, and making all manner of obnoxious noises. It was so bad that Duchess, Ruby, and Phantom ended up on the couch, just to get out of the way. Ransom turned himself into a little red comet and was literally bouncing off the back of the recliners to back onto the floor, with everyone else in hot pursuit. I broke out the listerine squirt bottle to try to restore some resemblance of order. Well, it worked, for the most part. They still played but it was a little more under control, thank goodness!!

Bear also had a vet appt in the late afternoon, and Ruby tagged along to keep him company. The good news was that Bear learned to walk very nicely on lead as long as he is next to one of the big kids. He was all kinds of proud of himself, and he got all kinds of oohs and ahhs on his way through Petsmart (to get to the vet's office, which is in the back of the store). This was a normal pup check, so he got a couple of pokes, prods, things up his butt, which he glared at the techs about, but that was it. He's the picture of health, according to the vet. While we were waiting for the vet to come into the room, he realized that there were other dogs in the rooms next to us. Bad news: he decided to bark. Boy, oh boy, did he ever find his voice!!!!!! Sherilyn and I were looking at each other, like, "Where did THAT come from?!?!" The poor vet tech who was documenting vitals at the time about jumped out of her skin. She literally jumped about 6 inches. She just looked at Bear with amazement in her eyes. Little boy has a BIG bark, oh yippee....another one.

Once he found out he could bark at everyone, he never shut up. On the way out, it was a rather large dog (read well over 100 lbs) that caught his attention, and that poor dog was even trying to figure out where the voice was coming from....cocking his head from side to side with the now famous, "I don't get it" look for Bear. Meanwhile Bear is just venting his spleen at this poor dog as we practically drag him into the parking lot to go home.

Once we get home, you think it was back to normal?? Heck no!!! He starts in again, this time on his pack. It was bad enough that even the other dogs walked away from him and literally gave him the paw. This included Ruby and Emmy, who are exceptional barkers themselves. Break out the listerine again, and peace descends back on the household for a typical end of the day.

Boy was he ever proud of himself!!

Des Moines Dog Show

2008-09-08T07:35:00.000-07:00

Wow...what a whirlwind week!! Between getting the dogs ready for the show weekend, cleaning house, purchasing all things BBQ, mowing the yard (that was done in the rain on Friday), showing on Labor Day (which made for a really short prep week), and gee...we had to work too?!?! It was crazy around here. That good thing was that everything came off without a hitch and a grand time was had by all at the BBQ.

Cindy and Meredith, Russ, Eddie, Frank, and Torch, came to stay with us for the weekend, and everyone had a ball. I think Meredith (aka Gigglepuss) spent more time on the ground getting pounced on by 10 dogs than she did on the furniture....not that it was much safer up there, as she found out later thanks to Emmy.

For those who do not know Emmy that well on her home turf (we call her the Little Professional at the shows), she has this stealth-pounce thing that she does, and you never know when she's going to break it out. Her M.O. is to act like she walking by you, and then jump (almost a levitation) right into the middle of your lap or chest, or whatever vital parts she can reach, and give you a huge slurp upside your face, nose, eyes, ears, head, you get the idea. Well, Meredith was her latest victim. The only thing that Emmy did differently was that she was running at Mach 10 when she pounced. She nailed poor Meredith in the chest with both front feet, and all you heard was, "OOOOOOOOOOOOF" as the air went out of her. It was rather cute, but I feel for Ms. M, as I have been there, done that.

Oh, I almost forgot show results!! The entrants were Phantom (in BOB), Emmy (in Open Bitches), and Ransom (6-9 Puppy Dogs) on Saturday, and then only Ransom on Sunday. All the kids showed well, acted like they were having a good time, and generally behaved themselves, other than Phantom wanting to play with puppy Russ....nothing like winding up an already spinning top LOL!! Emmy went on to win Winner's Bitch, and Ransom won his class both days. I want to compliment all of the exhibitors in both breeds, as they all really worked their tails (or bunny butts) off trying to get the points. It made for great competition on both days.

Next up is Rochester this coming weekend with the same three. Hope to see everyone there!!

Frick and Frack

2008-09-05T12:09:00.000-07:00

When we last left our heroes, Ransom had taught Bear how to pee down the a/c vent, and Bear added more substance to the feat. So, today’s, and last night’s adventure involved ear taping.

Last week, we started with duct tape on Bear’s ears and an e-collar. By morning, he had not removed the e-collar, but had still managed to untape an ear. We never did figure this one out. Segue to last night.

Bear gets his ears taped again, and again the e-collar comes out. He whined and complained about it, but was generally a good sport. Don’t bother taking him outside with the e-collar on...he won’t even stand up on his feet, let alone walk or do anything else he’s supposed to do. We put him to bed last night, and he just collapsed in his crate and wouldn’t even look at me. I’m sure he was just a little put out with us.

This morning, I took the e-collar off him to go out and eat breakfast. He seemed to be in better spirits and was running around and generally being his usual happy puppy self. Then, I had taken my breakfast to the office downstairs and was on my way back up to get my coffee when I see Ransom PULLING Bear across the living room floor by the bridge on his ears!!!! I call Ransom off, of course, and he leaves it alone for awhile…like 45 seconds, MAYBE. Then, he’s back at Bear’s ears, trying to untape them!!

You can’t tell me these dogs do not communicate...

One Upsmanship

2008-09-05T12:02:00.000-07:00

Well, everyone knows that when Ransom was but a wee little thing, he liked to pee down the a/c vents in the house. Well, he has taught Bear well, and Bear has taken it to the next level. Wednesday, Bear and Ransom were playing like normal, and then all of a sudden, WHEW!!! What a smell!! I turn and look, and lo and behold, Bear had tried to crap down the a/c vent!!! And this wasn’t a small 12 week old puppy pile…This was the "I am my father’s son" baby elephant pile!! He didn’t hit the target (the vent), but he got the edge, and with the a/c fan running, there was quite a new aroma emanating from the dining room.

Such is life at lunchtime for me. I’m so lucky…