Whew! What a weekend!

I've been fortunate enough and blessed to have had a great run of dog showing this past year or so. The weekend of the St. Croix Kennel Club in Lake Elmo, MN has been good to me the last few years. 2 years ago Zoe was BOW for her 2nd four point major to finish. Last year Ava was BOW for her first 3 point major and this year Ava had a good year too :)

Ava was Best of Opposite Sex Friday and Saturday for two 3 point grand champion majors going over other bitch specials. She was BEST OF BREED on Sunday for a 5 point grand champion major over many specials! I have never had this happen before and its truly a great way to do it in front of so many friends! Thank you all for the congratulations and hugs and cheering :) All owner handled, and all with my first Bred-By Champion too :) I was told that she was chosen for BOB  as she out moved them all. Thank you so much Pembroke breeder/judge Tammy Johnston for awarding this to my girl :)

Ballantyne was completely lacking any kind of coat. So little that her guard hairs were now falling out. I had thought if the major would hold without her I wouldn't even bring her. No sense when she is stark nekkid! But Saturday and Sunday I was proven wrong and Ballantyne was awarded WB/BOW on Saturday and WB on Sunday for two MORE 3 poitn majors. She now has 3 majors and 13 points! BEING NAKED! LOL the judges told me that once she was back in coat she would be UNSTOPPABLE! How awesome is THAT!

I was really excited before any of this happened actually. I knew I would be getting to stay with my bestie Erica in the hotel all weekend. I haven't seen her at a dog show since Sioux Falls last year and going to shows without her or her mother Mary is just plain not right! It was great to be able to catch up with her and have our usual 'blonde' moments lol. I also got to see so many of the Cardi and Briard people I haven't got to see as of late. It was good catching up with  them as well :) Oh and I was even able to go downtown Minneapolis for supper one night with some college friends. I love downtown life and it was a great break from 'reality' to be out amongst peers doing what I love to do: socialize over cocktails :)

All in all a great weekend that I'm sure won't be repeated for a long time, so I want to revel in it as long as possible :)

Two amazing dogs.....

......get to start new lives this weekend!!

this may be a bit sappy, and a bit of a ramble but i'm a little emotional and extremely tired.

I am driving out to the Pacific Northwest tomorrow early (O' dark thirty) to drive out for a sheep show (Black Sheep Gathering) and two deliver two dogs to their new homes.

Zoe gets to live with Missy in Oregon to do herding and obedience. She is a lucky lady (Zoe....well ok Missy is too!) to get to be the pampered queen of the house and all that is Corgi there. I'm going to miss the arm pit snuggles at night and her shrill bark (ok maybe not so much that), and her piling up of the bones on the couch so she can find them later to chew on. So has the most sweetest temperament of any dog I've owned and I'm so happy that Ava is a 'Minnie Zoe' in that respect. I love that sweet blue girl so much. Zoe deserves every bit of what she is going to get living with Missy. Its bitter sweet as I already miss her, but know that it is every dogs dream to have such an awesome life she is going to have with Missy and crew. Minnie is so well taken care of there that I had to pinch myself when Missy came looking for another Cardigan. Its a perfect match and I'm so glad she will be spoiled and loved there.

 Believe it or not, Oliver has a fairy Godmother! Bobbie from Corgi Aid is taking Oliver. She has a cart friendly home and is looking for a cart already for Oliver. He'll live in the Seattle area with other dogs with IVDD and I know Bobbie will be able to better care for his daily needs and I think he'll ultimately be happier there with her. I was looking for a home for Oliver before he went down in the back last May of 2010, but I was just TOO picky and wasn't quite ready to let go. When this happened Bobbie came to my aid and had lots of great info for me to help Oliver. Just a few months ago she emailed me about thinking of Oliver a lot and that maybe Oliver was meant to be hers. It all fell in to place after that and it really is a dream come true for Oliver and for me to find him such a home that could afford him more daily time for his needs and requirements. Oliver is a heart dog of mine and as I sit typing and crying I know its for the best.

If I didn't show dogs, I know I wouldn't breed, and I would have just kept my four original dogs and would have done a lot of performance stuff with them. But its not fair to live in a house full of other dogs, and the longer I'm in this, the harder it seems to give them all equal time, even though they seem to balance out what they need by coming up to me to loving and cuddles and such.

I will miss Oliver's barks to tell me I'm late at giving breakfast or evening breakfast (supper really). he has a schedule and the "Fun Police" of him and Sadie will have to end as well, but I know everything happens for a reason and These two dogs have given me so much love, affection and pride, it hurts. I cannot lie. But I cannot be selfish. These dogs deserve every happiness that is coming to them.

*deep breath*

I love you Oliver. I love you Zoe. thank you for being a part of my life. Onwards and upwards. Take care of your new homes for me.

Eating my words

Boy did my dogs make a liar out of me!

Yesterday when the temps were an all time high for the year so far (67 degrees for those keeping track), my friend Kody and I took the dogs for a walk to our north pasture, along a field road in the heart of our acreage. The dogs were doing really well, as always, off lead, and would come when called, and would stay close by.

I started telling Kody stories about the dogs. Like when Sadie got her name "princess sadie" because she would go well out of her way to avoid any mud, or water puddles on the farm because she was above all of that. I told Kody about how Zoe could never quite figure out how to get across large ponds (she didn't know well enough to go AROUND IT, so would just sit and bark at me). After about four or five stories we came upon a giant spring lake. You know the ones that don't stick around for more than a few weeks..... As I was telling Kody about how my dogs don't swim....

well....you guessed it. They made a liar out of me! Naturally the first two in the water were Ballantyne and Brewer. They had a fascination over the kiddie pool as puppies but what made it worse was they had JUST been given baths the night before. They were up to their chins swimming around the lake. Before I could back pedal on my story all of the dogs (minus Oliver and Daisy who were left in the house) were swimming around.....EVEN SADIE the PRINCESS! I could not believe my eyes! And naturally no camera to record such a thing. I bet if I went again alone not one of them would enter the water.

It was a 'good' water pond too. The ones with the mucky water, the slim, the algae, the goo. The stuff that stains their coats.....and smells REALLY nasty. so yes ALL the corgis AND Mitcham..

Humble Pie? Eating my words? I'm not a liar, but I sure felt like one.....wow was I embarrassed.

But the good thing I guess is all the dogs slept REALLY well last night and they were VERY happy when we got home. If only they'd learn how to bathe themselves.....

Earth Hour, Saturday 8:30pm local time

http://www.earthhour.org/Homepage.aspx

For the past few weeks I've been contemplating writing a blog post in regards to being more 'green'. I've jotted down items that I want to work harder towards, goals I've already made in regards to being more eco-friendly and after seeing that its Earth Hour tomorrow, it gave me the final push to do this.

So here goes!

My Expedition is one of the top 10 worst gas guzzler 'types' of vehicles. This Expedition includes the Lincoln Navigator as its really the same vehicle under a different badge. On a typical work day I drive my F150 pickup and trailer with mowers 100 miles round trip. Gas is a necessity for my business of landscaping and lawn care. Mowers, skid steer, grass trimmers, leaf blowers and pick up. Every yard. Every day. I haul many an item in my Expedition and F150 and average 12-16 MPG with the Exped, 9-12 MPG with truck when towing, 12-15 when not towing.

To off set this gas feeding frenzy, I have already done the following:

1. I have recycled every item I can think could be recycled since I was quite young. Now its habit.

2. Every light bulb on the farm is the 'new' type of bulb that has a fraction of the energy needs. The only ones that are the condescent style bulbs are the ones that heat the pigeon waterers in the winter months.

3. I have fuel oil as a back up heat source for my old house. Its set at 62 degrees, and if I ever need to use it, I just put more clothes on or more blankets/dogs on the bed :)

4. I use wood as the primary heat source. This is a renewable source and one that heats the house really well. This is set at 74 so when its hot, its HOT in my house...and the heat stays longer in to the morning hours when the wood has died out over night.

5. I have planted between 200-500 seedlings/transplants each year on the farm. The oldest ones I remember planting were in 1993, when I was 13 years old. That's a lot of trees.

6. My dad and I planted 20,000 trees on 46 acres for the CRP program in our County. We also did two duck ponds and 5 acres of grassland/native stuff.

7. I unplug unused electrical appliances (coffee maker, room heaters, tvs, etc that use stand by power)

8. Buy items when possible that have recyclable packaging, or is from recycled products.

9. Turn lights off when leaving a room.

10. Reuse containers that might otherwise be thrown out/recycled.

11. Try to make trips to town when there are several stops and not have to drive back and forth several times a day.

I know I do more...will have to ponder what they are!

Things I would like to start, or improve on:

1. Drive less, become more efficient at my trips when working, trips to town etc. I'm getting better.

2. Walk to more destinations when downtown and not drive a block or two just because its easier.

3. Wash clothes less (which translates to either getting less dirty (hey i'm a messy eater) or wearing clothes more than one time (yes I'm OCD and can't see this really happening, but we'll see)

Do you have other ideas or things that you do to be more eco-friendly? I seriously want to do solar panels or wind mill on the property but don't have the start up $$ to go and do it.

Goals..

In case you aren't on facebook, since December 19th I've lost close to 30 pounds and nearly 3 inches off of my waist. The first half of the weight was due to stress, the second half to the 'new me'.

I've never felt so invigorated, full of life and energy and can't help but be excited.

The worst was training the mind that it was OK to not eat stuff. It will be three years in July that I gave up soda. Last year I gave up deep fried foods ( I will still eat fries and such if they are baked). This year I've given up processed foods and preservatives.

It sounds extreme. And it is! I've never felt so great!! My cleansing is only 5 days from over and then I'm on to the Atkins diet for three weeks. I've been running, and am doing a relay marathon in Fargo in May with two of my cousins and another friend. Should be a fantastic time!

Bring it on life! I'm ready for ya!! Its good to be me right now. I'm in the best health and shape of my life!! WOHOO!!

Empty Nest

Adam is home for the Holidays and I didn't realize that it would be SO hard on the dogs! They are almost as mopey and sad as I am ;)

To rectify this problem we are dremeling nails daily, and two dogs a day get a bath! Lucky dogs :)

Nights are spent with 9 dogs trying to vie for attention with me on the couch. So far I've had a record 6 corgis and Mitcham on the couch/me at one time. Total hysteria!

They do keep a look out around each doorway for Adam. Who knew that just over four months of my life would totally change me, my dogs and my home so much.

Hurry Back Adam we miss you!

will it ever end?

I am burned out.

And now we only have less than 10 hours of daylight...many of which are too cold and frosted over to finish my clean ups. I need to get done SOON.

I skipped out of Sioux Falls on Saturday after Mitcham was clipped down. Apologies for those I didn't say goodbye to, but work DOES proceed any 'fun' I get to do.

In the week leading up to Sioux Falls I had to purchase a new truck. AND a new trailer. AND two new truck tires. The transmission and brakes and 45 little things on my truck deemed it time to look for a new truck. It had 182,000 miles on it and had a smaller engine than I wanted any more. I upgraded but its still not new. Bigger engine, the heavy half, four doors, etc. The trailer is now a tandem axle and 16 ft long (four feet longer than my last trailer) and 600 pounds LIGHTER! Needless to say I am/was a bit behind schedule and decided to go home a day early. Congrats to the winners on Sunday and sorry I had to miss it, but duty calls!

Mower broke down this week...two belts broke and guess what! NONE in the state of Minnesota to replace them! They had to be special ordered. *SIGH*

Lord help me......

Cooking for a friend....

I'm going to be posting this to BOTH my farm and dog blogs AND facebook because its THAT amazing. Seriously. My mentor in cooking and one of my best friends, Briony, has helped me learn to cook for the better part of a decade. When she visits we do more gourmet food that us northern midwest folk may not be always accustomed to. :)

We take photos of our meals and then comment on them. Good memories. Unfortunately these photos do NOT do them justice. My newer digital camera has lost its screen. Meaning it went blank. I can't see what I shooting and I can't change the settings really more than between action, flower and auto. It bites. So please excuse the fuzzy photos. Also the date is wrong on the camera I see now also, after uploading the photos. it really happened today. the 27th of July, 2010. Honest!

I was not trying to impress my dinner guest, but I wanted to make something that I could make easily, in a short amount of time and still spend most of my time with my dinner guest.

I was in the grocery store for nearly an hour trying to decide exactly which direction I wanted to go. No Corinne I wasn't lost, I was on the phone with Briony. I had a set idea I wanted to do: lamb chops, baby red potatoes and asparagus, and then wine and salad and maybe some fruit.

I prepped most of what i could and this is what i came up with:

Munchies: fresh watermelon and cantelope and home brewed Ice Tea.

Salad: Spinach with Feta cheese, sliced almonds, fresh sliced strawberries and a blush wine vinegarette dressing. It was simple and fantastic! Photo is below.
Oh yes. We had a white wine before the meal also, and a nice red wine with the meal. And ice water. Hey it was hot out. Lightly toasted sourdough slices of bread with locally made butter...soft gooey inside with a crisp crust. I love bread so could eat this all the time.

Shetland lamb chops that were marinated for a few hours with some malbec red wine, smoked and sliced garlic and soy sauce. Then they were grilled briefly on my grill and served pink in the middle.

Baby red potatoes pan fried in natural olive oil with sea salt, black pepper and thyme and pimentos, and the 3" pieces of asparagus were added the same time as the pimentos after being started as steamed in the microwave. Maybe took 8 minutes to cook and serve everything. Honest.

Below is the table setting and all the goodies. My friend told me that I was an amazing cook and that he'd eat my food everyday! Success! He also had never had lamb or asparagus or Feta cheese (or a salad like that before) and they were all amazing. He said the lamb was the best meat he had ever tasted bar none and that really made my day! He also said he hasn't eaten a 'gourmet meal' like that ever before, or eaten that well in a long time. Cool, huh?

Open invite to those of you who read this to come over for supper! I love to cook and have house guests. you bring the wine and I'll supply the food and we'll be good to go!

Oliver Update

He's a very happy boy!
These photos are a little dated (ok like a month) but this is our progress. Many thanks for all the emails, calls and Facebook shout outs in concern for the Big O. His Physcial Therapy continues although we've hit our first 'plateau'. He does stand, and pulls himself up, but doesn't have the muscle tone to take steps yet. I can't afford hydrotherapy, so i traded some lawn services for a large circle stock tank. I need to pick it up this weekend and then put a 'de-icer' element in the tank to warm the tank so he can swim in it. I truly believe this is our next hurdle at getting muscle tone back quicker than what we are doing. I don't believe right now we are building any muscle back, but we are not getting any worse.

He of course thinks confinement to an xpen or crate is hogwash and tells me about it the entire time I am home. of course if i have the TIME, he does sit on the couch next to me/on me or next to my feet if I"m at the PC. I'm starting to panic about winter and SNOW and trying to get him to do his business outside in a timely manner so that neither he nor I will freeze any fingers or toes off (well just toes for him).

Your continued prayers are welcome!

Slide show of Wadena

Here is a link to a slide show from the Wadena tornado. I knew many of these homes that were affected but interestingly enough, NONE of my client's homes are in these photos and they were some of the worst hit.

http://secure.smilebox.com/ecom/openTheBox?sendevent=4d5463304f5445304f544d3d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_instructions_directurl_makeyourown

http://seocc.co.cc/search/wadena+tornado+shots

http://wcco.com/slideshows/wadena.tornado.damage.20.1758598.html



I also have an email with loads of photos I need to put on shutterfly or something so everyone can see them. OR hit me up and I'll email them to you :)

Happy 4th everyone!

Wadena's Tornado

While I was away at to the Black Sheep Gathering in Eugene, Oregon (28 hours straight there), there was and F4 Tornado that was in Wadena. It started in the park across from my very large senior apartments that I maintain year round yard maintenance. Over half of the apartments are a complete loss. All the trees are gone. The garages and some living quarters are gone. I was away.

The city did not let any IN or OUT of the city for four days and after two of them, allowed only those with permits from their county courthouse to get in. I am finally able to go in tomorrow and try to start helping my clients dig out. Lord knows with all the rain the grass will need to be mowed. Along with tree cutting/trimming, bagging up of all the insulation. piling of debris.

I'm going to be a very busy boy the next week or so.

Oregon was fun! I got to see my Zoe x Huxley pup, Minnie while I was out there, and her owner Missy. I also got to see Carolyn and Emily too. Mandy had a 'thing' on sunday so I couldn't stop to see her, so I didn't get to meet her yet. You'll have to check my farm blog for some photos when I get caught up (both tornado and sheep gathering).

For those who are curious go to www.wadena.org for some other photos of the tornado or google it on facebook.

Melt down

Hmm. I'm starting to do the melt down.

Having never done a Supported Entry, or a dog show chair position in the past this is all mind boggling.

First of all there is no 'list' of things that need to be done for a S.E. At least I never got one.

In passing, during several conversations with different people I keep finding more things that need to be done.

Oh. JUDGE'S gifts??!! really??

A CWCCA MEDALLION? Oh, that was supposed to be in the premium? Now to track one down and get it here by Saturday.

Special rosettes? hmmm

The towels I was to get embroidered ...well... only 3 were done today. They were wrong. They won't be done until Thursday late afternoon. I LEAVE Thursday at noon. I hope they are right.

NO ONE in the upper midwest does engraving for water buckets. NO ONE. Closest place? New Jersey! And its 4-6 weeks waiting. Thank goodness for improvising!

My order from PetEdge still isn't here and it was shipped on Thursday. From Iowa. To Minnesota. REALLY? I could have drove down to get it.

Silent Auctions, raffles, pot lucks, reserved grooming, bathing area, judges seminar, shuttles for the judges, proper paperwork to CWCCA AND AKC AND Onofrio. I'm really glad I"m not a show chair. Sheep and Pigeon shows are a breeze in comparison! And no one hates me if I do those wrong! :)

I believe in miracles!!

For those not following Oliver on Facebook.....

HUGE PROGRESS TODAY!!!

This morning early I got up to bathe and blow dry Oliver. His urinating inside has all but subsided, preferring to wait until he's outside. I was bathing him and held up his rear between his legs, on the belly side. He seemed to have some feeling in his feet and was squeezing my arm with his inner thighs. Interesting I thought. It must be spasms. Or my imagination.

Same story on the grooming table. Weird. I thought.

I brought him to the Acupuncture/Chiropractic vet Dr. Brad in Casselton, ND, about 120 miles each way, but closest certified vet in that area (same place he was for his 3 day DMSO treatment). They asked his progression and I said..well i 'thought' i felt some stuff, but wanted them to try it.

They pinched his webbing in his feet and Oliver squirmed and thrashed wildly! Same for the other foot! The vet got what I call a 'permanent grin' or 'permagrin' at this point and was nearly yelling his findings out of excitement! They then stood him up and UNASSISTED, he stood there for a good thirty seconds before they had him sit again! HE DID IT ON HIS OWN! Dr. Brad was crying and both techs were on the verge of it. I was weeping. I couldn't help it. It was joy and unending love for this dog. They never cease to amaze me. I have only planned for the worst and so anything better than that, is good, but this was WAY ABOVE ANY HOPES! I wept for a good half hour after that, just because I was so overcome with joy, love, amazement and thankfulness. I am truly blessed with an amazing dog and a God who loves me and Oliver.

Dr. Brad said when he called me with Oliver's prognosis after the three day treatment he said he was pretty down. He is usually the pep talk that the owners needed and when he called me I was HIS pep talk. He said that by listening to my determination and love for the dog on the phone that he was able to wrap his thoughts around Oliver possibly getting better. Today made his day. HIS WEEK. It sure made mine!

I realize that this is just a baby step, but a huge one! And I need to take each day at a time. But this is huge. I never dreamed he would stand again. Now the rehab starts. Strecthes, rotations, standing, etc. Dr. Brad truly believes it is now just a slipped disc and that YES it can come back...and at any time, but he thinks with proper rehab and not over doing it when he does regain his ability to run, that he should be fine for a very long time. Let's have our fingers all crossed for that.

But in the mean time, I am prepared if he does plateau and doesn't get to the point of walking again. Or Running, or not 100%. I'm prepared for it and ok with it. So every day that he gets better and improves I'm thankful and blessed.

Dr. Brad also said that because its only been 16 days since he went down and he is already so amazed at his improvement, that things look REALLY good. He said typically dogs that have these conditions that look like IVDD, they take 2-3 months to start to regenerate nerves and such. he also doesn't think he'll be a spine walker as he has deep pain, and have sensations in his legs and feet.

Gosh this is so mumbled/jumbled I don't know if I've covered everything!

OH! He told me to hold off on a cart for four months...to see if Oliver doesn't need it. he doesn't think he will.

PRAISE GOD, JESUS and thank YOU for all your thoughts and prayers. They sure helped the Big O and me get through this stressful two weeks. We are very loved. And we are very blessed. Dr. Brad said between Oliver and my extremely positive attitudes, we should be FINE :)

YEEEE HAAAW!

Updates!

Oliver update: Its been 14 days since he went down in the back. I thought our Acupuncture appt was LAST wednesday (like the vet wanted) but the appt making lady decided I apparently didn't NEED to come in last week. UGH. So THIS wednesday we are going up to have him checked out. Ell is also going for a routine quarterly check up. The chiropractic vet is the 'corgi curse' or so they've told me. He said he's NEVER seen a corgi come in that didn't need adjustments (even if they were just in for shots or checkups). I'd like to have the other dogs go but the first visit they do xrays of the spine in several films and they have a 'new pet exam' and fee amongst many other things...totally around 300-400 per EACH DOG for their first visit. I'm sorry I just can't do that.

Anyway. Oliver has a sling now thanks to Auntie Sarah. He also still loves to do the 'wheelbarrow races' across the yard to Grandma's house. He loves to sit on the couch with her and let her scratch him and pet him all over. He's kinda spoiled. And very sassy yet. If you dare to quit petting him, he sure lets you know that that is NOT acceptable and he moans and groans and woofs and squirms about. Silly boy.

Zoe is in full blown heat. She had her hussy butt up against the fence for Mitcham to sniff. He sniffs and walks away. WHAT A GOOD BOY! Needless to say they are now on opposite sides of the house (one on the east side dog pen, the other in the front yard. Lucky for me Mitcham doesn't wine and stop eating like Justice did. And Oliver can't hump anything with his rear out of commission so he's of no help for heat detection any longer either!

I figured Daisy was due to come in to season so today when I finally got around to taking her in to the vet for a weight, she weighed 32.7 pounds. I asked the vet to swab and culture her. Um she's also in full blown heat. About two days away from ideal breeding time, but she is already flagging and standing for my vet to take the sample. She's not even hardly swollen. Zoe looks like a bee stung her back there....a really BIG bee!

The four remaining pups got their 2nd DHPP shot today. Bella leaves tomorrow for Pittsburgh! That leaves me with the trio of terror. Actually they are all very sweet, smart, and mellow puppies. I'm really tickled with them!

Sadie and I missed our chance at an Agility trial in Fargo this weekend. The closing date happened on the 5th of this month, while I was still dealing with the initial shot and emotion of Oliver going down, I obviously didn't have that on my mind and missed the entry. Oh well.....no rush I guess with that!

Ell is 'over' the puppies, but she does play with them a lot. I'm trying to save what little hair she has left and trying to put her 2 pounds of weight back on so she's back at 28 pounds. I wanted to show her in Fargo, but there is just no way she is even competitive at this 'post puppy' stage.

Ava is getting lots of leash and table time in preparation for the Fargo show. I hope I don't trip over her or have to drag her across the ring. And I hope those huge ears stay up when the judge asks for ears instead of the 'why the HELL are you making me do this?!!" look she gave me tonight. 'le sigh'

Big O update

Thank you everyone for your private and public responses to the last blog post. Oliver (and me) are very loved :)

Update: The chiropractic/acupuncture vet did indeed confirm a COMPRESSED disc and is working diligently to correct that. Unfortunately because there was NO milogram (or MRI) we won't know for sure if it is indeed ruptured or not. After talking to Denise Waiting...who is in charge of surgery at the U of WA in Pullman (also home to WADDL), it sounded that if he WOULD get sensation and feeling back, it would be most likely just compressed (and the better of the two) and if he didn't, it would be most likely ruptured. And since she is not a vet, she cannot diagnose, and Dr Brad at Casselton, does not have the equipment to do either test, so we can only speculate.

It most certainly is IVDD, and although that is most likely the cause, I have sent out for a DM test for him. I was always going to do it, but thought I had more time.

I called the clinic and Oliver is very alert, but resting well in a crate. They will keep him three days to do acupuncture and chiropractic work on him, as well as an IV drip of the DMSO treatment, which acts like a steroid, but isn't. Tomorrow morning Dr. Brad may use a local steroid on the lumbar disc that is compressed.

Fingers crossed it isn't ruptured.

A very slight glimmer of hope is I felt Oliver press both his hind legs against my arm as I carried him down the steps (only a few seconds) but that is better than no pressure.

Oliver is in good hands and I think I can finally rest tonight :)

Hugs to all

Oliver's story

Well.

I got a call Monday morning that Oliver went down in the back and couldn't get out of his crate.

I was in Greencastle, Indiana. Over the course of the day it took me 15 hours to get home with a few stops for gas (one I had run out due to my frantic nature of worrying about Oliver), two times I went the wrong way on interstate when getting back on it...and didn't realize it until 10-20 miles down the roads. Ahem.

I picked up the "Big Hairy Beast" also known as Mitcham in Des Moines and I honestly can tell you I cried from Greencastle all the way to the Minnesota border.

So what happened?

Sunday morning O jumped off of the couch at my parents' house. He yelped and held up his front leg like it was hurt and then he acted normal, chasing the ball, going for a walk with the grandparents etc. Again that night when he jumped off of the couch he yelped and held his front foot up, but then quickly forgot about it. They put him in his crate around 9:30 pm. At 5;30 am, my dad went to let him out and O couldn't get out of his crate. he couldn't use his back legs.

I'm not sure what all happened but I do know they called me at 8:30 to tell me they were taking him to the vet. My vet took one look at him and referred him to the U of M. He at that point still had deep pain (which is a good sign for recovery) and had the anal tension. They xrayed him and his bladder was empty and there was no stool in his intestine close up.

My mom got the ok to take the day off of work and took Oliver down to the U of M in St Paul which is 3 hours away. They immediately rushed him off to be viewed and this is the jist of what was said.

* Oliver was extremely healthy in the front end. No fever, good heart rate, blood work looked normal

* Oliver turns out on one leg and the vet said that that seems to have a lot to do with the breed's spine ( i also thought that curved or bent tails had a lot to do with spines)

* They searched for the deep pain and that was gone. It could have happened 5 minutes before she got to the U, or 5 minutes after she left our local vet's office. His chances of walking again WITH deep pain was 90% after surgery. After the deep pain was gone, it was less than 50%.

* Surgery was $4,500.00 minimum. She didn't give any other options.

* I had been sent to the U to do a MRI on him. The surgeon told my mom that the only way they do an MRI is if I would allow them to go right to surgery. they wouldn't do it if I didn't elect to do the surgery. She couldn't diagnose him officially without an MRI. She said that it could have been a stroke, but most likely, due to the brisk pace of things happening, it was a ruptured disc, as this breed is known for a lot of those.

I had told my mother and myself that I couldn't do a cart dog, and that I couldn't afford to do the surgery. I just don't have the funds and don't have a credit card. I sobbed most of the way home because Oliver is just as much my heart dog as is Sadie.

When I got home last night my mom and dad were at my house with the Big O in the kitchen on some towels. He was so excited to see me and Sadie. He tried going to her and just couldn't. My heart melted. We got the bed situated and had Oliver, Sadie and Zoe on the bed. Everyone was reunited and licking faces and such.

I didn't sleep well. Oliver kept trying to situate himself and he was unsuccessful by himself. He still barked at me, although it wasn't as loud or forceful as his previous bark. He still grumbled to me when I quit scratching his belly. He still smiles at me. I still cry when I look at him.

I assumed I would have him put down as his quality of life has severely changed. I also assumed I would cry like I"m doing right now.

But now that I see him, I wonder if by NOT doing the surgery, that I let him down, that I gave up on him. I saved Sadie and did all I could with no guarantee of her success. And yet I didn't save Oliver. They said there was a 24-36 hour time frame to do the surgery before permanent damage would set in. It has now been 24 hours.

do I have other options? chiropractic options? anything?

Am I being selfish?

Am I giving up too soon?

How could you??!! (have kleenex in hand)

HOW COULD YOU? - By Jim Willis, 2001

When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh.

You called me your child, and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple

of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad,"

you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?" -- but then you'd

relent and roll me over for a belly rub.

My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you were

terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of

nuzzling you in bed and listening to your confidences and secret dreams,

and I believed that life could not be any more perfect. We went for long

walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the

cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs" you said), and I took long naps in

the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.

Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and

more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted

you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad

decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in

love. She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" - - still I welcomed her

into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy

because you were happy.

Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was

fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother

them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent

most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate. Oh, how I

wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of love." As they began to

grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up

on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears, and gave me

kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch -- because

your touch was now so infrequent -- and I would've defended them with my

life if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries

and secret dreams, and together we waited for the sound of your car in the

driveway.

There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you

produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me.

These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I

had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog ," and you resented every

expenditure on my behalf.

Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they

will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the

right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only

family.

I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It

smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the

paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her." They

shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a

middle-aged dog, even one with "papers." You had to pry your son's fingers

loose from my collar as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take

my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him

about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about

respect for all life. You gave me a good-bye pat on the head, avoided my

eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a

deadline to meet and now I have one, too. After you left, the two nice

ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made

no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked,

"How could you?"

They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules

allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first,

whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you

that you had changed your mind -- that this was all a bad dream... or I

hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me.

When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of

happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and

waited. I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day, and

I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet

room. She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told me not to

worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was

also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days.

As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears

weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I knew your every

mood. She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down

her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many

years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt

the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down

sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured, "How could you?"

Perhaps because she understood my dog speak, she said, "I'm so sorry." She

hugged me, and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a

better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have

to fend for myself -- a place of love and light so very different from this

earthly place. And with my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her

with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not directed at her.

It was directed at you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of you. I will

think of you and wait for you forever. May everyone in your life continue

to show you so much loyalty.

A Note from the Author: If "How Could You?" brought tears to your eyes as

you read it, as it did to mine as I wrote it, it is because it is the

composite story of the millions of formerly "owned" pets who die each year

in American & Canadian animal shelters. Please use this to help educate, on

your websites, in newsletters, on animal shelter and vet office bulletin

boards. Tell the public that the decision to add a pet to the family is an

important one for life, that animals deserve our love and sensible care,

that finding another appropriate home for your animal is your

responsibility and any local humane society or animal welfare league can

offer you good advice, and that all life is precious. Please do your part

to stop the killing, and encourage all spay & neuter campaigns in order to

prevent unwanted animals.

Please pass this on to everyone, not to hurt them or make them sad, but it

could save maybe, even one, unwanted pet. Remember...They love

UNCONDITIONALLY.

Now that the tears are rolling down your face, pass it on! Send to everyone

in your address book and around the world! This IS the reality of dogs

given up to shelters!

I couldn't have gotten this far ....

I had been gushing recently about the breed and how excited I am to be in it, with all the great Cardi people I've met and gotten to know. All the shows, the chats, the fun nights after showing.

However I couldn't have gotten this far with Cardigans if I hadn't had a great group of people locally that supported me and had my back when times were a lot rougher. These people have really been the base of why I like the breed so much. Sure its fun to see EVERYONE at the big shows a couple times a year, but the smaller shows that are in my area (upper Midwest) are the ones that I enjoy equally as much, with the 'local' group of people that I see much more often.

They make these times just as fun, with many stories, and laughter shared over adult beverages (and CAW) , shared grooming space, reservations at restaurants, prodding to enter another show so we can hang out more etc.

About 16 months ago I took lots of photos of friends at the Rochester, MN show. You'll have to check the archives for that. It was fun filled weekend with just about every 'local' person in attendance. I'm sorry to say I couldn't share the majors that weekend, but it WAS fun to get them >:)

So Wanda, thank you for taking a chance on me with Zoe. You've been there from the beginning and I thank you for your help and suggestions along the way, and for helping so much with the whelping and evaluation of my very first litter!

Rus and Sherilyn, us 'newbies' in the breed at the same time, its been a fun ride with you guys! Shows, grooming, those amazing bars (food not the liquor establishments!), grooming hints, saving space, etc. Special thanks to helping show my girls in the ring when I needed another handler!

Cindy for her help with just about everything I can think of! Grooming ideas for Mitcham, road trip to the National in '08, letting me crash at your place along the way, helpful hints for training, and the support I needed in the beginning!

Dawn for being my motivator for entering Oliver in Rally, and Sadie in Agility! Without your prodding and pushing, I probably still would not have titles on the dogs! You were a Godsend at those trials and making sure I knew what to do and where to go. I would still be wandering around lost if you hadn't been telling me what to do! She's also been great for dog sitting when I had to be away from my babes.

Lynn Stoltzman doesn't have a blog, but she was and is also a great local gal who has supported me and helped me along the way! It was great to catch up with her on Monday before I went to pick up Ell! Libby looks amazing for age 11 and Logan is a happy boy too. She and her daughter Rachel have been great friends outside of the dog world too, coming up to my place to hang out during Holiday parties and such!

Barb Peterson for showing Ell for me every time I had Zoe in the ring! She has put 8 of her points (or is it 10?) with her handling her in the ring for Winner's Bitch when I had Zoe and Ell both entered and they both won their classes! Also thanks to her for Mac, who although he didn't turn out like we hoped, she trusted me with him (and Maggie) and that is a wonderful thing. She and Steve open up their house to me every year for the Duluth show and share grooming space too.

These people above are wonderful people who I know have helped me along the way, and most importantly helped my love for showing and trialing grow. It would be a lot less fun in the breed if I didn't have these people! I"m really forever grateful.

Now.

When is the next show?! :)

Inspiration

A little history lesson on me :)

Its always a good idea to reassess what made you fall in love with the breed. About 6 years ago I started researching herding breeds of dogs. I wanted something ultimately for herding our cattle and we had had German Shepherds, mutts, Rough Collies, Australian Cattle Dogs, Border Collies and English Shepherds in the 100 years before I had dogs of my own on this farm. I remember only the last three, but there are many stories of the ones before hand that did such great work. Heck there was even an Airedale in the mix that did decently at herding cattle.

I had been looking at all of the herding breeds on the AKC website and did not want a breed with long hair. Our farm dogs had to be shaved every summer from the mats they got. Before purebred dogs (show dogs) I believed what every farmer believed. Dogs had a purpose, a job. They slept outside in a dog house, or in the dairy barn. They protected us at night from intruders (four legged or two) and were always at our side wherever on the farm we went. They didn't go in to town for shots, the large animal vet came and gave the shots on site.

Getting my own unique breed of dog was a huge undertaking. I had decided early on it would sleep in the kitchen of the house, but be outside like a real farm dog most of the time. I would of course take it in to town to get shots and it would like to ride in the cars unlike most of our farm dogs. I studied on breeds I liked. I really liked the Beauceron but was having a hard time finding any that were reasonably priced (under 1,000 dollars).

I went to our local rodeo and while I was watching bull riding, a couple of kids walked through the area with some Pembroke pups. I was immediately at their side asking questions. I went home and spent the next few days researching the breed and trying to find local breeders that I could go and visit. I was on the phone with several of them for many hours and thought this was the breed for me.

A short legged dog that couldn't destroy a house (at least not the top 3/4 of it) that had a short coat requiring little grooming (ahem) and was still ultimately a cattle dog and didn't act like a little yippee squirt.

Upon reading about them on the AKC website I found a cousin called the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. Immediately I was drawn to their look. And their uniqueness. Having vehicles, pigeons and other hobbies that were uncommon and unique I was really fascinated in this breed. I went to the CWCCA website and read everything I could. Google was my new best friend. I searched for breeders on the CWCCA website that I could visit or contact. At the time there were none in WI, ND, SD listed and only one in MN. I contacted her. She had told me she had just had a litter.

I really had wanted something originally to herd the cattle and as my interest keeping getting higher I thought 'heck I show pigeons, how hard can dog showing be?' and asked if she had any show potential pups available. Sadie came home with me a couple months later!

I learned quickly at the Fargo-Moorhead Kennel Club training classes all the errs of my ways in teaching dogs things. It was a complete 180 degrees on what I thought should happen with dogs. And my training excelled with the new direction with the help of Mary Morris, a great friend and mentor. Sadie also wormed her way into my heart and eventually the entire house was hers to claim. yes even the bed. Its amazing how different 'real' dog people think versus your average farmer or average person in the world. I digress...

I then was so excited about the herding prospect that I went and purchased ducks for her. Sadie was a natural. I started looking at small breeds of sheep as the one time Sadie DID herd the cattle, I was terrified as Sadie looked so tiny out there but she knew exactly what she was doing. That is how I got my Shetland Sheep. We all know that story, and if you don't, well I have about 85 of those sheep now :)

My very first B match show was in Mason City, Iowa. Dawn Fisher and Sadie's littermate Magic came down to play too. I was entering a world I had never really thought about, or seen. Especially not first hand. It was overwhelming. It was exciting.

Fast forward a few years. I've now done agility, rally , obedience, herding, CGC. I've gone to two nationals, and one Western Reserve, which we all know is the world's largest regional specialty. I've gleaned websites for information on the breed, always learning, always asking. I've scoured and researched pedigrees, asked for photos, asked for answers, begged to see dogs move.

While doing all of this research and question and answer time, I was always drawn to a certain 'look'. Its no secret that Cardigans, although an uncommon breed in the US, has MANY styles and looks. I collected as many old handbooks and bulletins that I could find. I read them over and over and over and over. There are not a ton of dogs that really float my boat. Before anything else I always have looked at what I feel is breed type and style. Outline. Silhouette. I was always getting drawn to the older Joseter, Kennebec, Pluperfect, Chandler lines. However this photo sealed the deal for me:

This is Pluperfect Pennyroyal aka "Clover". She is a linebreeding (mother/son) and her outline and construction here was just enough to take my breath away. This is my inspiration. I never was able to see her move, and I always feel that i got into the breed 'too late' as I wasn't able to see any of the 'greats' alive and in the fur.

Upon further research (I do a lot of it on the breed) I found this photo of Clover in the 1996 CWCCA handbook. Still breathtaking and still exactly what I think a Cardigan should look like.

Then this cardiped.net comes along and I find this STUNNING photo of Pluperfect Pennywise aka Labsheeda. Its one I hadn't seen before and wow another photo that took my breath away.
I could gush about him, but I'll let the photo speak for itself. He has so many merits I would run out of room or you would bore yourself reading it. Truly a remarkable dog.

Just over three years ago (or is it 4?) I contacted Barb Hoffman about a show potential female from one of their upcoming litters. I was really wanting a sable, but in the end, realized that construction is more important than color. I was offered Ell, and I took the opportunity. One to say I'm so glad I did! I am so thankful for that opportunity to own such a typey, lovely bitch that goes back to these two a fore mentioned red dogs.

Barb is always the one I go to for answers first, and she is a great mentor and role model and also a great friend. She's always making me look at things in a new light. When Ell's grandmother "Hannah" was awarded Best Veteran two days at the Western Reserve and one day awarded BOS under breeder judge Nancy Cunliffe, I could not be happier or more proud for such a great and wonderful breeder and friend. Her and Jon have done some wonderful breedings together and I think I'm more excited for their litters than they are, just so I can see what they have and watch them grow.

I really think watching pups grow and mature is key to understanding the breed and how they develop. Looking at old bulletins and handbooks when the now veterans were pups is really an eye opening experience.

I've got so much to learn yet, and many more questions to ask (just beware!) and I'm really excited about the breed. I hope that I can have a lasting affect on the improvement of the breed overall, even though I'm just getting started now.

Along the way I've met many other great wealth of knowledge people besides Barb and Jon. JoAnne Beashau is another mentor and one who tells me like it is. Sometimes it was an eye opener, other times it was exactly what I needed to hear and I knew it, but didn't want to accept it. Carolyn Cannon has been a great person to go to, to ask questions and pester :) Kim Shira, Denise Waiting, Paul Chen, Sarah Keth are also some of the folk not so lucky to get away from the question asking. But I think they enjoy it, or they wouldn't answer my emails and phone calls :)

Its all about learning and asking questions. I think when you stop asking, you stop learning. So in that case my questions will never cease! >:)

Thank you to ALL of you who have helped make this such a fun, exciting, friendly journey of growth for me. It really is appreciated!

Giving Thanks

I have truly met some amazing people in my years with the dogs, sheep, pigeons, college and high school. Every single person I've met has lead me to life lessons and for that I am thankful. I am glad that I am able to continue to meet new people via Facebook and Blogger, and reconnect with old friends who haven't been forgotten.

I absolutely love my family. They are a pillar of strength and guidance, showing unlimited love, respect, wisdom and laughter when its needed.

I thank my Heavenly Father for all his many blessings, both large and small: my health, a thriving business, education, friends, and most importantly, His forgiveness.

God bless you all on this special holiday and please take a moment to pause and give thanks for all that you are truly blessed with!