Zoe and Minnie herding in Oregon

I won't re post the videos but I urge you to go to their own blog site to view them herding up a storm! I'm so glad that Missy and Glenn contacted me just about two years ago about a puppy from Zoe. They are also the best home for Zoe too and I'm so glad that it has worked out so well for both placements!

Zo-Zo looks so happy. I'm so glad she and Minnie are both spoiled rotten!

Here is the link:
http://blog.spyrockcardigans.com/2011/07/girls-went-herding.html

Fun hey?

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.

Two more CHIC Cardigans!

Zoe and Daisy officially are now CHIC members! I've been checking the online database and its official!

Daisy's page

Zoe's page

and the CHIC database page with ALL 22 cardigans on it

Minnie photos

Carolyn took some photos of Minnie (Huxley x Zoe) and they are on her blog. her direct link to this post is here:
http://c-myste.com/2010/12/minnie-from-minnie-sota-at-one/#comments

Dang that half mask!

How many times is too many?

I did Awards Records from the AKC for Zoe, Mitcham and Ell. They are my three Champions and I was curious how many times in fact they were Winners, Reserve, Best of Winners or BOB/BOS.

I also noticed the number of times they were in the ribbons. In Cardigans, there are usually small enough entries that everyone gets a ribbon. Sometimes not, but very rarely. I compared these records with my own and noticed that in all the days of showing only one did not get a ribbon one day (she was 5th out of 5).

So my question. how many times is too many? how many shows do you enter before you call it quits? I didn't think any of the wins were prolonged...even if I did finish Ell when she was three (but only showed her 3 days in the last 18 months).

Its very rare that you get a dog or bitch that finishes in three days with 5 point majors. It happens, but again....very rarely. Its not a slight at anyone's dog not being good enough, but the odds???

What is a reasonable amount of times? 25? 50? 100? I know some people only show to breeder judges. Or at specialities. The wins when they are won are very respectable. But how often can people do that?

Mitcham was shown 18 times before he earned his CH title. 16 days he was WD, 2 he was RWD. Of those 16 times he was BOW 7 times and BOS 5 times. His three times out as a special (a move up really) he was BOB all three days for majors towards his Grand Champion. He finished quickly, but only had competition in the Dog classes three times. His points were all cross over points. Its hard to finish a male dog in Briards because most people do not keep them.

So what's my point? I don't have one. Just curious as to the madness. I showed both Zoe and Ell 40 some times. Each of them was RWB 14 times and WB 8 or 9 times. I don't think that is awfully many considering I live in an area with not many majors.

As my dogs improve and I am in the breed longer should I/will I only show to breeder judges or at specialties? Will I only show to certain judges and only enter when they are within driving distance? Its thought provoking

I"d be curious to hear what you think about this subject.

LB (formerly Crockett)

Sharrie just sent these to me. If this first photo could look any more like a Mini Huxley??!! If it weren't for the white markings i would have said HUXLEY in a second.

This second photo took my breath away. Gorgeous head and such a soft, kind, expression. Round eyes.

The rest of him isnt bad either. He is in the perfect home and was neutered on Wednesday due to some marking issues inside the house. While I am extremely happy Sharrie has him, I am a little sad to say the least. For a first litter that wasn't too bad, eh?

Pip Videos

As promised. Videos of Pip (formerly Alamo) and his sister Snaps. Both videos are a little dated, but he is still cute!

Growing Up

Alamo aka Pip was spotted again at a Corgi meet up on Whidbey Island in WA state. I do have several videos to share of Pip and his 'sister' but need to go back to old emails to find them.

He's growing up so fast :) And by the look of the photos, VERY HAPPY :)

http://corgicorner.blogspot.com/

Thanks to Brittany for taking photos of the boy!

Luck and Fun!

Well. I figured this is my 3rd conformation show in the past 10 months. My how time flies!

I entered the "big hairy beast" hoping for a cross over major to finish him. he needs only 2 points!

I entered Ava for training practice for the Fargo shows. there are only 2 bitches so only one point, but its more for practice than anything. She less tube-y than before so who knows. If I' m correct, the other bitch is also a Carbon grand daughter so he won't have much to choose from :0

I also entered Zoe. She's back in coat, good condition, and the judge is the gentleman who gave her her first four point major. I guess its sort of a 'hey look she's finished! thanks!' kind of entry. I'm not expecting to win, as there are four bitch specials (no male specials) so its more or less of a thank you entry.

I entered all three goons again in Fargo to support my Kennel Club and the CWCCA Supported Entry. As it turns out, if Mitcham doesn't finish tomorrow, he has three more chances in Fargo as there are bitch majors all three days! Fingers crossed he finishes in the next two weekends. Then he is GETTING SHAVED!!! :D Then we will do herding and agility!

i really wanted to enter Ell at the Fargo show but she is completely out of coat and still needs to gain some weight back. She's getting the same amount as Mitcham, so she should start to bulk up pretty soon. She is tight coated anyway, so to see her without a stitch of hair on is amazing...its nice to see structure but it makes for a hideous (but loving) dog :P

Zoe and Ava's vacation

A few days before I left for the Nationals, Jen Frisby emailed me asking if they could watch Zoe and or Ava. I thought it would be a great opportunity for Ava to get out a bit and give Zoe some time away from the farm. Plus it would benefit my dad who wouldn't have to watch so many dogs!

Here are a few photos from their stay with the Frisby family. The Frisby's incidentally have Myrtle, who is Zoe's litter sister and Edward, who is Sadie's litter brother.

Below is Zoe giving the famous face licks. This pedigree is known very well for their face licking abilities!
Below is Zoe and the Cardi crew getting some sun. Myrtle is resting her head on Edward.

Minutes before my mom picked up Ava and Zoe, Elllie and Ava decided to have one last snuggle session.
Ellie has all the dogs attention.
One of my favorite pics! You can sure see family resemblance huh? Ava in the middle with Zoe on the right and her Auntie Myrtle on the left with Edward behind them.
Such a stressful life to be a dog at the Frisby house!

Alamo update

Alamo aka "Pip" now resides as a city dog in Seattle, WA.

I was pleasantly surprised to get an email from Ron Stewart. This is what he had to say about Pip:

"

My spring break started today, and there was a corgi meet-up on Whidbey Island - about 200 km south of here. So we got the passports, and headed down.

After about half an hour, I looked up the beach, and Alamo was walking towards me! Only now he is called Pip. I picked him up and held him. An ultimate sweetie. I watched him interact with people and dogs. Loves adult people. Loves toddlers. Loves puppies. Loves adult corgis. Loves big dogs. Perfectly happy in a crowd.

And his people are very nice. He has a great home. He is now the same size as his tiny, 16-month-old "sister." They love to play together.

And Kathleen, who used to hate blue eyes, called them beautiful.

You can see a number of pictures at: http://corgi.meetup.com/102/photos/889981/14438092/#14435709
"

I can't copy the photos to post them, but Pip is the white headed black/white corgi who is hogging the photo ops in most of the pictures, so if you have the time, check them out! He sure is such a handsome little man!!

Puppy Pics Part 1

Before I show you more puppy photos let's see a few of the less blogged about dogs. Here I give Penni so much grief and then I do the same thing :)

Below is Daisy one day after our one and only huge snow storm. She wouldn't stand still for me and was running around the dog pen like a crazed animal (hence Crazy Daisy). Here she is shown getting up out of a pouncing position and her tongue is hanging out to the side. I assure you she is not chubby or overweight. She is a lean 30.8 pounds and the way her coat and shadows are in the photo give her a deeper bodied illusion!
Justice today trying to be sneaky. what you don't see is a plate that has bits of cheese and tortilla chips left over from when I had Nachos at noon. He thought I wouldn't see him reaching with his giraffe tongue (that's long in case you hadn't seen one before) and I thought it was a great opportunity to take a photo. I just love his head and markings......grow mister grow! Wait..fill out mister fill out!
Alamo is the sleeper puppy of the litter. Meaning he steals your heart without knowing it. He's always cuddling and then he will take after his siblings or mother and terrorize them. Once its out of his system he goes back to cuddling. What a cute kid.
Waiting for me to play and he falls asleep waiting in the door of the whelping box....
Here is Ava chilling in the same doorway. One day there were three there, but by the time I went for my camera they were all out in the xpen screaming at me to come in and play!

More photos....SOON. My computer is dying but i might just make it!

Puppy fronts 5 weeks

Its nearly impossible for me to get front photos alone. So you have to deal with the xpen in the photos! :) The pups are 5 weeks of age. They love to sit at the xpen door when Zoe is outside and they wiggle and squirm and then they all sit in a row. They watch me in the kitchen. Anytime I start to even look like I'm walking towards the living room (or them) they get all excited! I had to let them settle down and get used to the camera and me laying on the floor in front of them and not scratching them or playing with them. How dare me!!

I'd say that Huxley stamped his front on the pups. Whew!

Below..Ava and Alamo
Here is Janey. She's a horse. She's actually 1.5 pounds heavier than Ava and Alamo.
Ava and Crockett below.
Their favorite game is to hang themselves on the xpen and then choke. You'd think they'd learn...

More photos tomorrow! My computer is slowing crashing and makes it difficult, albeit impossible to upload photos to blogger!

Loads of cute!

I'm so sorry for the delay! I've taken tons of photos the last week or so..but they keep growing so fast that by the time i think of posting, they don't even look like that anymore!!

I think this Crockett is just adorable. He's always draping his arm over someone. This time its his Momma. Isn't that the cutest?? This should suffice for like a weeks worth of daily cute!

Alamo today....right before....he....nodded....off to sleep..........
The babes just two days ago...they look nothing like this anymore!
Today...these photos were taken. Just adorable. Crockett's eyes have turned brown. It looks as though the girls will have blue eyes...


More tomorrow! Blogger is SLOW!

Weekly Cute Photos

OK I"M SLACKING!!

Mitcham below says MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! SEE YOU IN SAINT PAUL!

Crockett protecting his litter sister Ava.

My most adorable nephew ever...Chase...playing with Alamo! He's the future ringer so watch out!

Zoe cleaning one of her girls...she's such a good momma!

OH...maybe I spoke too soon...Zoe and Janey having a moment.....

All is well....babes and Momma relaxing and enjoying the quiet :)

Babies 2nd meal (ground turkey and cottage cheese)

Play fighting begins! Boys vs. Girls

Hmm the boys must be like me, more lovers than fighters :)

Face Photos for Sarah (and a daily cute too!)

I admit. I've been having WAY TOO MUCH FUN watching and playing with and holding the puppies. Tonight was the first night of them playing with each other. I did a tiny video but I'm sure it will take 100 hours like Sarah said to upload, and its not in the best of lighting :) SO, for today, here are the photos......

Below are Janey and Alamo cuddling. Alamo I captured yawning :)

Crockett

Ava

Alamo

Janey

I think this is one of my favorite photos so far. The joys of puppies! Alamo looks so happy :)


And this is the puppies biggest fan! ELL has taken to these puppies like a duck to water. She is so inquisitive, and when I allow her to, she jumps into the box with them, sniffs them all and tries to get them to play. She is such a love and is SO good with the puppies. Zoe just can't be in the room as she is VERY protective yet of the puppise from everyone...except Sadie....who she allows in the xpen and doesn't growl at her....must be because Sadie is Alpha....

Family Photo 19 days old

I can't imagine SEVEN huge puppies nursing on her. Collectively they appear to be as big as her now. Poor Zoe :) She doesn't seem to mind in the least! All eyes have been open for a few days now, and they are standing and crawling around the box. I moved them to the living room today so they can start getting used to more noises and such. Crockett is quickly stealing my heart when I got to hold the pups every morning and night.....I don't want to keep a boy :D

I don't know where they get it.........

These puppies are always laying on their backs....

Sometimes under the hog rail.....
next to mom or on the heating pad......
morning or night....
For the life of me I can't understand why they do that....




I mean its not like my other dogs do it.....




Gosh I wonder where they get it from?? When I figure it out, I'll let you know!

Photos of pups at 2 weeks - edited!

tedFresh Bedding makes for better photos :) Zoe hasn't been pictured much because usually when I take pictures there is a lot of discharge or stains in the photos. I don't think they make for appetizing photos. Then again most people are demanding (and threatening) new puppy photos.....so assumed Zoe didn't need the limelight :)

Here is Zo-Momma enjoying some supper. The babies are really crawling all over the box now. Its hard to keep them still!
Here is Calamity Jane the half mask girl. She is still the biggest pup by 6 ounces!
Two photos of the blue faced girl. I'm still thinking of a puppy name....and it may end up being her call name...so I want it to be an "A" name. I'm thinking Ava, although Gypsy came to mind today and its NOT an A name obviously! I also like the name Zola or Zoila or Zora (as in Mask of Zora due to her black spot over one eye...butI think that that is too close to Zoe and her registered name wouldn't be a thankful/blessed name if I used mask of Zora or whatever). Again not an A.

The boys, Crockett and "Alamo" (thanks for the name Penni :) ). Crockett looks much bigger in the photo, but i think he has just more substance, they weigh almost the same.
More photos coming after chores....so check back :)