What weekend???

Boy four days off work, what to do with myself????

Well first let's talk turkey---governor didn't call, so we ate him. Actually Dad, David and Alec fried him and we have leftovers from hell.

Black Friday shopping---not on your life, instead, us idiots hit the road for a ........ dog show. Kankakee here we come. I will admit, it's been a few months since I've done a show and I was kind of excited. Especially since it's was SP's first show. So we loaded up, went to Kim's and road tripped it to Il.

Not much to report other then it was a great show site--will do that one again in a heart beat. Nicky was WD both days, Russ was BOB one day, Krissy was WB one day, Ella was RWB one day and SP, oh gosh, showing a puppy....

Let's start with Saturday and the fact that my bomb proof puppy had other ideas about walking on her own feet--mine were better and after take two of the down and back, yes the judge laughed and asked, why don't we try that again? The second time it was, hum, not much better but thank you for the entertainment. So he gave us RWB.

Day two was MUCH better as she went, OH--that's what you want me to do and proceeded to be perfect and particularly cute. WB and BOS for her first point!!!

I will be honest, it was nice to go home early, so we didn't get a picture and well, nah, never mind. Alec helped Rebecca show roughs on Saturday but she didn't enter on Sunday-pulled 14 dogs-that kind of says it as cardigans had the same judge. Enough said.

Great weekend, good food, wonderful conversations. Nadine is a hoot and half with her poms. Caught up with a good friend Jane and chatted forever. Alec's tibbie client found him and looks like I or he need a bigger vehicle as two of those are going with us this spring to the shows. Other then rain on the way home and some crazy traffic on 80 that we took 92 to detour around(still don't know if Kim made it the mile or two on 80 to the bridge), it was great to be out showing again. But I'm also glad to be back home. I also have a ripped contact which I'm suffering with until tomorrow when I can get my new ones.

OH last note, Sweet Pea has finally gotten her offical call name--it's Sweetie Petey or Petey for short or SP when I type.

Later gators....

C

Happy Birthday!!

Okay, so it's a day late. Read the previous post and you'll understand that I just couldn't get to this yesterday.

SOOOOO...........

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the Country Hit's litter. Tuli and Fred did a darn good job with those 7 kids.

Margie aka Summit's Margaritaville FB who needs just 2 singles to finish and one more CH to have her ROMb!!!

ShooBug aka Summit's Whiskey Girl. 'Bug's job is to keep all the boys in line and boy does she love to rough house with them.(FYI she's currently looking for a retirement home with a family, kids, fenced yard and crayons to chew. She is, seriously, the best kids dog around.)

Cash aka Summit's A Boy Named Sue. Living in FL with a house full of great kids

Kenny aka Summit's No Shirt, No Shoes also living in FL and keeping the cats wrangled.

Gracie aka Summit's Say Good Night By far my favorite, well right behind Margie. A lovely little girl who mended Karen and Tom's heart in NY.

Bryn aka Georgie aka Summit's I Hate Everything FB in neighboring Iowa City where she is an interior decorator--moves the furniture, destuffs comforters and makes sure it's not boring at Barb's house.

Magee aka Summit's He Got That From Me FB Living with two of the most adorable kids in MN and is the soccer team mascot.

Can't believe they are now 5, seems like yesterday that we had just moved into the new house, no fences yet and still unpacking. Keep up the good work guys!!

Later gators...
C

My aching head

First off, I've had a nasty sinus headache for 3 days. So what happened last night was just icing on the cake.

Here's my recommendation to the rest of the world. #1 schedule eye appointments, especially in the fall and winter, early in the day. #2 if you thought one Sun was horrible when your eyes were dilated, try multiplying that by thousands. Yes headlights are worse then our Sun.

So I go in for a yearly exam and recheck on the ocular histoplasmosis. I love my regular eye guy. I've gone to Dr Smith for decades but the only problem I have is that I must be one of the youngest patients he has. Yes this huge clinic does specialize in geriatric aliments but considering my eyes, it's the best place for me to be. 2 hour appointment which leads me to leave the office at 5pm.

Checked my contacts--yippeee!!! In 5 years there has been no downward change in my vision. For about about the last 20 years, my eyes were in a fast downward spiral. But that's stopped, which is great news. No change in my prescriptions. But then the dreaded drops to heavily dilate my eyes. Now this isn't just the easy stuff that they use for regular exams, this stuff makes you look like you are totally stoned. Then the horrible lights to look back at my retinas. Tell you what, I couldn't see straight for about 10 mins but it only gets worse.

Side note-no new activity in either eye. Still tons of scarring and the lasik scar is still looking good, but nothing I have to go see the specialist about at this time--THANK GOD!

We had a chat about the changes in my vision due to the surgery and scarring. I have a lack of depth perception. Night driving isn't as good as daylight because of this, but nothing that warrants driving restrictions. Did you know that your left macular/eye translates your vision slower then your right? Which with my blind spot in the left, explains the depth perception issues. Anyway, most of what I have going on is normal and he's pretty happy with the results of the procedures last year.

So we get done, I get to put my contacts back in. I then realize, I have no close vision-I can focus on the distance objects, but nothing else. Good thing I am used to working in a fuzzy haze similar to when I take my contacts out at night. Again, another 10 mins for my eyes to adjust before I head out the door. During which time, I think, hum, wonder if anyone called me-yeap, but think I can read it? Nope. Act like I have to have bifocals and extend it out to the end of my arms-kind of make it out, maybe David? As I walk out the front door, I make the mistake of looking out to 1st Ave-the main drag. Wham--it hits me-million little Suns coming laser like into my eyes. I can't wear sun glasses, too dark to see everything else. So I sit in the tahoe for a while to adjust and make some plans for what road to take on the way home. Least amount of traffic, etc. Which I end up not doing, as I made one turn to early and damn it, had to head back into CR via the main drag, while the rest of the world is leaving downtown. I finally made it to the road home but by then, I'm giggling at the whole scenario.

I manage to make it to Mom's to pick up Meredith. The glare from the headlights and now the taillights is making my head explode We made it home safely, but everything is glaring, glowing, piercing my eyeballs. I walk in the door to--how many fingers do I have? I get picked on for being "stoned" and put on my sweats, watch a little TV-that too was a little bit of a problem and deiced that crawling into bed early, even if that means missing "Castle" was the best thing to do.

Most people can shake the dilation in about 2-3 hours, for me, it takes 8-10, especially with what they use on me. I woke up this morning all good to go, but man my head is really aching.

Reminder to self---no more late afternoon appointments!

Later gator....
C

Will the governor call in time?????

He's got about 48 hours before his time runs out. Will he be pardoned??

A final outting in general population. It's sad, the gallery is already drooling and waiting for leftovers.

Later gators....

C

Those silly boys

We all know how those boy dogs can be. Silly, goofy and well, that whole leg thing.

Our house has lots of boys, so it's a virtual pee war outside. Who can mark the most and the highest. It's actually a riot to watch as the little guys-Jazper in particular, see how high he can go. What's even funnier is that he gets so intent on following that smell, he'll usually walk under the large male collie, who is in the process of doing his own signature on an object, then end up getting pee'd on. His head gets washed so many times a week, you wonder how he keeps any hair on it.

Tango the female pomeranian--she marks too. That's another fun one to watch when the rest of the girls go "uh?"

Unfortunately, Frankie is the odd man out. Still doesn't quite get it. Yeap, he squatts. Hasn't even come to terms with the use of his rear legs and the whole gymnastics thing going on. So he wanders over, squatts and immediately the rest of the boys out do him. Poor poor Frankie.

later gator....
C

Raindrops on roses...

Whisker's on kittens and now I have that song stuck in your head for the day. Heehee, that's just evil isn't it? But nope that's not what got me going this morning. It was thinking about favorite things or even the simple things in life that make me happy.

Sleeping in, or at our house, past 5:30.
Chocolate bar hidden in the freezer for "emergencies".
Snuggling in the easy chair with my favorite Moose.
A long hot shower.
Getting a text from a friend or call from a loved one.
Frozen Fog--yes that's what was on my windshield this morning and it was beautiful.
Helping out someone in need.
FRIDAY!!!!
Dog shows with friends!
A lovely cup of tea with milk and sugar--or even better getting the gift of that special tea when only you knew you wanted a cup!
Warm brownies and a scoop of vanilla ice cream
A paper bird from a child
A snoring husband
A chorus of howling dogs-though Merlot's sounds like a dying frog.
A silly cardigan grin and a collie goose.

I challenge you in blogger land to make your own list! I know you all have favorite things that make you smile. Write them down and remember them when it's been a horrible day. It's not about the the things you have to work at, it's about the things that just happen.

Too many people are dead set on making life too complicated. They think everyone is out to take from them, steal and abuse. I feel sorry for them because they honestly don't know the joy of the simple life. Why spend you life worrying about goblins and trolls that might be around the next corner? Share just because you can, put the worry in a jar and bury it in the back yard, then start humming......

bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens......

Later gators....
C

Stewie update

Thanks for all the prayers and thoughts for Stewie--Mom and Dad's, er, Finchie's cat.

She has elevated enzymes and is on antibiotics for the week as well as some medication for the rest of her life. It's already looking better as she's eating again. Some comments have been made about the damn freebe cat but you know they love her to no end. Heehee, I'm getting a kick out of the whole circus of getting the pills down her :) Greenie's pill pockets to the rescue! I suggested that Mom try those and well, perfect. Takes them like treats and now follows Mom all around the house asking for more!

Later gators...
C

Same old, same old

It's turned cool, okay, cold here in the midwest. And wet. Typical November, which is one reason it's not my favorite month of the year. Just to the south of us, across I80, they have had around 2 inches of rain in the last couple of days. Dare I mention that snow word too? They keep saying it's coming soon. I just threw a couple extra dogs on the bed to keep warm.

Now the good part of November is our annual presentation at the Emerson Fastworks program. It's our third year doing our K9Ambassadors demo and yeap, I took Moose, Clairee and da'puppy. Now my dogs are rusty, very rusty. Clairee was doing retrieves, not pretty. Kept going out and then would swing to get as close to the kids as she could before I went out and said--uh,hem, take it???!!! Silly old dog but it's my fault. J&J has my order for a different dumbbell with higher sides so she has an easier time picking it up.

Moose, was well, goober boy, but had fun doing lots of fun random drops and then chasing Clairee through the chutes. Then of course comes the time for the kids to test out their newly learned skills of greeting a dog and how to pet them. Moose, typical and the entire group still gets a giggle out of him after how many demos? On his back, feet waving at the ceiling and stupid grin that gets bigger and bigger with each belly rub.

SP, her inner demon child was not present. She actually got bored with it all. She got pets, hugs, tickles and kisses from all the kids. Now these guys range from toddlers to 1st and 2nd graders. Some are scared of the dogs, so are noisy and some are super dog kids. For a just 6 mo old puppy, she sure is acting very mature and has some great potential in our group.

Before we left, Kathy was super sweet and I got a very early Christmas present! She had someone paint on a really nice pin brush with the K9Ambassadors logo painted on it. Now the debate is do I use it or put it up on the shelf? I think I'll use it, but only on special dogs. Thanks Kathy!!!

The rest of this week is par for the course. SP and I have been perfecting her table manners which have never been an issue. She bathes, blow dries, stacks nicely and calmly on the table. Her free stack is coming along great unless she's hungry then it's the demon child appearing going-cheese!!!!! At least she's gotten over leading herself, which means she can use a nicer kangaroo lead at the shows instead the nasty nylon. Which is even nicer as she's got a sweeping stride that if she isn't eating the lead, looks awesome. Her first show is in a week and should be interesting, especially if Russ is channeling one of his inner demons-who will it be Ruff Ruff, Rosario or Hugh Ruffner?

Later gators...
C

Prayers for a cat from the dog bloggers

Stewie got dropped off at Doc's this morning for a work up. Seems she's been loosing weight and not eating real well. Dad's in a state and poor Finch is lonely.

Oh Stewie---my parent's cat or should I say, their dog's cat. Cat feeds dog. Dog chases cat. Cat sits on dog's head, clean out ears. Cat catches mouse, plays with it. Dog jumps off chair, takes mouse from cat, kills it and walks away.

Later gators....
C

Change

Changing the clocks, change of the seasons and heck even changing out the wet clothes from the washer to the dryer. Change is all over.

This weekend was no different. I ran errands all over the place on Saturday, partly looking for something specific. Funny, found all kinds of stuff I didn't need-thankfully will power says, no. Never did find what I wanted, no, found part of it. I love recycling, hate buying stuff I can make myself. So I'm in search of a board to make a leash rack for the dog room. ReStore is like the most awesome place and yes that's where I found a lot of what I didn't need. Ended up taking David back later on for a lookie at some way cool screen doors. Will look perfect on the house and now we are going to get the new side door(oh another project) to match the screen. So a change in plans - always happens and you just go with the flow.

I digress....change. What I noticed this weekend was how much the stores change from summer to winter--no fall inbetween. Two weeks before halloween, they change to Christmas. Unreal.

Sunday, more of the same but another sort of change. I had a mild mannered sweet beagle change into a snapping, vile creature. First off, I hate beagles. Two breeds on the bottom of my list are beagles and chows. So what do I do, take on a private student with a rescue beagle. I actually like this little dog who has tons of potential. Everything has been going well and we meet up in the daylight to so I could see exactly what she was like with another dog--her big issue. All 20 lbs of beagle tried to eat Clairee. Thank God for a bullet proof dog like Clairee, she just looked at me like-seriously Mom, can't I just take her down? Found out so much more with the interaction on Sunday-the dog is reactive, a resource guarder and hates big dogs. Hate is mild. Now little dogs, could care less. Interesting and more work to be done.

Change....puppies going to new homes! I always get asked if I miss them. Yes of course I do, but I also know that they are going to great families that will spoil them rotten. Change can be good, though Sweet Pea aka Demon Child isn't so sure about that. She's slightly bored now that Connie is with her new family.

So what's changed around your house lately? Good, bad or indifferent. The only change that I am not looking forward to comes real soon----that white stuff called snow. The added that to the forecast and I asked them the change it back to rain!!!!

Later gators....
C

I'm confused

Then again, that's kind of normal for me. I have a hard time figuring people out. Friend, foe? Enemy, allie? Consencious, Fly by night?

Here's my lastest. Why do people set up a certain set of rules for themselves and then choose to impose another set of totally different ones on others? The whole "do as I say, not as I do", or "Holier then thou" phrase comes to mind.

Let's translate this to dogs, since many of you who read this are dog people. I know that due to some circumstances, that many people have sticking points on what they breed to or don't-health, temperament, conformation. Some dogs have to have a perfect head or great tail set, all health tests or have to have tons of obedience titles in their pedigree. But what I just am having the hardest time dealing with is rants by breeders against other breeders, when they themselves have done the same damn thing. IE bred to a dog that has multiple health issues and yet when someone else breeds to a dog that could be in the same classification-ie same health issue, that breeder is racked over the coals for breeding irresponsibly. How are they granted the license to do it when they have no idea what is making the choice for the other breeder to do a breeding along the same exact characteristics?

The other thing that is just confusing the hell out of me, is when another breeder in order to put forth the front of being totally in the right, omits facts. The sin of omission is the exact same thing as lying. As in the whole army line-don't ask, don't tell? So by not saying anything, you are protecting only yourself from harm. Now I must add that it also takes a little responsiblity on the other person's part to ask the right questions-as in Kim's line--If only you would ask me directly, I can't lie, I'll tell you the truth. But in the end, it's the breeder's responsiblity to be upfront, honest and realistic to those that they deal with. Hiding the health status of a relative of a dog you own, interrpeting test results to make a dog look better then they are or even telling perspective puppy owners-oh it's not an issue, when in fact, two years down the road it's a serious one. How does that make them a better breeder?

Oh one more, how about those of us with multiple breeds? Do you impose the same genetic, conformation, and temperment standards on both breeds? Or use the old line of "it's not in the lines or it's not an issue in the breed?" Why is it okay to belittle one breeder for their breeding criteria, when you yourself waiver all over the board, having one set of standards for this breed/breeding, then change it for this or that breed/breeding?

Bottom line is this, we all have our reasons for doing what we do. To berate others who do not assign themselves to your beliefs serves no purpose other then feeding your own ego. Hiding on top of that "holier then thou" pedestal only makes you a better target to fall off it sooner.

Later gators.....
C

He's my hero

Oh Kerri, love you till the day I die!!!! Look what she found.......

Yeap that's right, photos of my party cardi! Moose had one too many and passed out before we even got the whole gang fireside. He had a hard day sucking up to people at the National Specialty this spring in Topeka and decided to raid the cooler. Then he took over Kerri's chair, but honestly, none of us minded as the chair tended to eat us--sober or a little tipsy. He's now our mascot for "Midwest Cardigan Friends.....the people your mother warned you about!"

Thanks again to my bestest bud Kerri Carter for finally finding that darn disk for her camera -heehee.

Later gators,

C

ummmmm

Tis the season for food. Today is no exception. The office decided to hold a cook out. Well as much of a real cook out as you can in downtown and in the parking lot out back, but hey, it was great! Rick grilled burgers and brats. Table set up out back, front door locked and lots of fun. Jeans day as well as wear your favorite team colors. I of course had to borrow something gold and red--ISU--from Alec as all I have is Luther stuff.

Speaking of food, I'm going to start some Christmas cookie prep this weekend. At least get a few batches of hummies and sugar cookies made to put in the freezer. Maybe I can wrangle Bekka into helping out? I have also been requested to make roast garlic and potato soup tomorrow, but it's pizza tonight. Still feeling the effects of the wonderful ham and bean soup that simmered in the crock pot all day yesterday.

I'm thinking about doing a bunch of rosettes this year, everyone liked those and they were so easy to make. Hum, time to stroll the internet for some new patterns!

Hungry yet?

Lator gators.....
C

Way cool!

One of my favorite haunts in town is getting some help!

http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/69873882.html#IDCThread

I will try to dig up some photos of the museum during the flood, but I think it's great that they are saving the building, keeping it in the same area and will help bring back Czech Village to it's former glory.

This is the photo most well known, taken by the local paper, The Gazette.

http://www.ncsml.org/Content/Recovery-Rebuilding/Our-Flood-Story.aspx

I can't wait. I know the day they do move it, I will be taking the day off to watch and be camera ready.

Later gators...

C

The sweet aroma

Ever worked in a feed store? I did for ten years.

How about a garden center? Yeap, over ten years in that industry.

What I don't remember but my family does is the aroma that I had when I came home. You get used to it after a short time and well, don't notice it. It penetrates your clothes, hair and well, even your shoes.

When the alfalfa meal was being bagged, you came home smelling like a hay barn.

After stocking shelves for the spring, you came home with the essence of pesticides.

But tonight has got to be the worst.

I live in the country. Next door neighbors raise hogs. Now I don't mind the smell of money, never have, but see, the crops are out and well, tis the annual draining of the pits and injecting the liquid gold, okay, hog crap, in the ground.

My dogs? Outside. My house, even with the windows shut, furnace off, it smells. Candles going all night and the dogs, yes they reek. Nothing can be done. Just has to wear off. But honestly looking at them it's too funny. I swear they look at me and go - is this heaven? They are doing leaps in the air trying to get as much of that horrid smell in their fur.

They look stoned.

Later gators....
C

The Philosphy of Ambiguity

David sent this to me the other day and figure everyone needed a chuckle today. Enjoy!


For those who love the philospphy of ambiguity, as well as the idiosyncrasies of English:


1. DON'T SWEAT THE PETTY THINGS AND DON'T PET THE SWEATY THINGS.
2. ONE TEQUILA, TWO TEQUILA, THREE TEQUILA, FLOOR.
3. ATHEISM IS A NON-PROPHET ORGANIZATION.
4. IF MAN EVOLVED FROM MONKEYS AND APES, WHY DO WE STILL HAVE MONKEYS AND APES?
5. THE MAIN REASON THAT SANTA IS SO JOLLY IS BECAUSE HE KNOWS WHERE ALL THE BAD GIRLS LIVE.
6. I WENT TO A BOOKSTORE AND ASKED THE SALESWOMAN, "WHERE'S THE SELF- HELP SECTION?" SHE SAID IF SHE TOLD ME, IT WOULD DEFEAT THE PURPOSE.
7. WHAT IF THERE WERE NO HYPOTHETICAL QUESTIONS?
8. IF A DEAF CHILD SIGNS SWEAR WORDS, DOES HIS MOTHER WASH HIS HANDS WITH SOAP?
9. IF SOMEONE WITH MULTIPLE PERSONALITIES THREATENS TO KILL HIMSELF, IS IT CONSIDERED A HOSTAGE SITUATION?
10. IS THERE ANOTHER WORD FOR SYNONYM?
11. WHERE DO FOREST RANGERS GO TO "GET AWAY FROM IT ALL?"
12. WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU SEE AN ENDANGERED ANIMAL EATING AN ENDANGERED PLANT?
13. IF A PARSLEY FARMER IS SUED, CAN THEY GARNISH HIS WAGES?
14. WOULD A FLY WITHOUT WINGS BE CALLED A WALK?
15. WHY DO THEY LOCK GAS STATION BATHROOMS? ARE THEY AFRAID SOMEONE WILL CLEAN THEM?
16. IF A TURTLE DOESN'T HAVE A SHELL, IS HE HOMELESS OR NAKED?
17. CAN VEGETARIANS EAT ANIMAL CRACKERS?
18. IF THE POLICE ARREST A MIME, DO THEY TELL HIM HE HAS THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT?
19. WHY DO THEY PUT BRAILLE ON THE DRIVE-THROUGH BANK MACHINES?
20. HOW DO THEY GET DEER TO CROSS THE ROAD ONLY AT THOSE YELLOW ROAD SIGNS?
21. WHAT WAS THE BEST THING BEFORE SLICED BREAD?
22.. ONE NICE THING ABOUT EGOTISTS: THEY DON'T TALK ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE.
23. DOES THE LITTLE MERMAID WEAR AN ALGEBRA?
24. DO INFANTS ENJOY INFANCY AS MUCH AS ADULTS ENJOY ADULTERY?
25. HOW IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE A CIVIL WAR?
26. IF ONE SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMER DROWNS, DO THE REST DROWN TOO?
27. IF YOU ATE BOTH PASTA AND ANTIPASTO, WOULD YOU STILL BE HUNGRY?
28. IF YOU TRY TO FAIL, AND SUCCEED, WHICH HAVE YOU DONE?
29. WHOSE CRUEL IDEA WAS IT FOR THE WORD 'LISP' TO HAVE 'S' IN IT?
30. WHY ARE HEMORRHOIDS CALLED "HEMORRHOIDS" INSTEAD OF "ASSTEROIDS"?
31. WHY IS IT CALLED TOURIST SEASON IF WE CAN'T SHOOT AT THEM?
32. WHY IS THERE AN EXPIRATION DATE ON SOUR CREAM?
33. IF YOU SPIN AN ORIENTAL PERSON IN A CIRCLE THREE TIMES, DO THEY BECOME DISORIENTED?
34. CAN AN ATHEIST GET INSURANCE AGAINST ACTS OF GOD


Later gators.....
C

Just can't hold back!

Alec and the gang went to Grand Rapids, MI this weekend for a show. I was planning on going but decided that with the way works been going and the craziness with the one project, best to not take the extra day off. Smart plan as lawyers and attornies were requesting lots of updated information for court next week. I'll be joining the gang at Kankakee in a few weeks for Demon Child's debut.

So, Justin has gone home for a few weeks and we were supposed to pick him up for this show. Sheryl had other plans or was it a brain lapse(though when she called me, she said it was something to do with being an old lady) and entered the wrong dog. I said no worries, let's not waste the entry and take up Nicky instead. Now many of you have meet Nicky at our place about 2 years ago when I babysat two of the Canadian boys for Sheryl for the summer. He's turned into a stunning dog and now lives with Deb and her son. Beautiful brindle coat, moves like a dream and well, just like his other siblings, Moose, Abbey, and Justin, reminds me so much of his father.

Drum roll please.......Nicky took the 5 pt major reserve yesterday and .............took WD today for the 5 pt major!!!!!!! Alec said he moved out like a star, stood, stacked and was perfect. I can't wait to get the big guy home for a hug-Nicky that is :0) Marg went up too and well, those darn ears or lack there of, she took the major reserve, again. One of these days those last two points will come. The judges all pull Alec aside and say she's just a wonderfully put together bitch, but she just doesn't show like she wants to be there. Which is true. She would much rather be herding ducks, barking and cause mayhem at home.

Relaying more of the events of the weekend, Alec said it was a great show, other then a small electrical hitch. Seems the entire area around the show grounds had no electricity Saturday morning and the show committee was 1 min away from canceling the show for the day when they got min electric back. I'll attribute that to Connie, Kerri, Pam and Alec stopping at one point and praying for God to give them just a little light. Power of pray at work! Ruff Ruff was in the house and today had a snit fit outside the ring-in a crate of all things, because his handler was showing some other dog. Once in the ring he was soooo happy to be with his handler, aka Alec, that he galloped and bounced around the ring. Tuffy was there as a special for the weekend and well, no complaining when you get beat by a dog that nice. Rebbecca was there with most of the collie entry, and I do believe part of that was due to Alec telling her a few shows ago he was going to be up there. So now he's helping out Rebecca with collies, won his class with the puppy but wasn't her weekend, everything else got dumped.

Me, staying at home, ran errands yesterday, had someone over to play with cardigans and dealing with a lame horse. Yes can't go a month with out someone in sick bay and this time it's Phoenix. Severe sprain or something torn in her left front pastern. Who knows how but I'm reminded of Moo's incident about 20 years ago that left him in a stall for 6 weeks and no riding for a year. Long journey now.

Let's see, cleaned out the club trailer, organizing the history and old records. I'm treasurer of the kennel club now as the previous gal has asked to pass it to someone else. David was elected President this last week too. Duck house has one last piece to put on then I have to go out and clean it out, lay the new flooring, get the ramps ready and put in the new fence.

Might I also mention in this marathon weekend with it being GORGEOUS out. Can I say that again, GORGEOUS! David and Meredith launched her 2 stage rocket. Bet you can guess the ending on that one--she has the tail fin section but unfortunately, the 2nd stage is AWOL. It went WAY UP! WAY WAY UP. and came down, where? We don't know but think it's about a 1/2 mile down the road in the neighbor's still standing corn field. Oh well, she's now on the hunt for a bigger rocket to build and I'm suggesting that this one contain a homing device.

Hope everyone out in blog land had an awesome weekend. Iowa's beautiful right now and I'm headed back out to work on some odds and ends or heck with it, taking a ride!

Later gators....
C

Best ever

I have permission from a very good friend to post this letter. Kleenex alert.

Sometimes in our journys, we run across people who have a impact on us forever. Pam is one of those souls and I treasure each and every email and conversation with her. Thanks for being not only the best forever home for my Arlo and Leonard(and more cardi kids to come!), but a wonderful friend. Here's a letter she sent out and she's graciously granted me permission to post it here. Kleenex alert.....

From Pam:

I have to share this with all of you. It brings me such joy and fills my heart with faith and love.

I love my dogs, you all are well aware of that fact. A year ago, I never in my wildest imagination would have envisioned sharing my home with two Corgi brothers. They came to me for all of the right reasons and helped me to heal the holes left in my heart from both Sam and Owen's passings. I has been an amazing journey, one that has forced me to grow. But when we can find the strength to let go, wonderful new blessings fall onto our path.

Arlo was our first blessing. Grady needed him so very much! Grady had never been alone and had no clue why he all of a sudden was the only dog. I wanted to spoil him until the end of his time, to take him everywhere with me, to pour all the love I had onto just him. But that idea soon proved to be exactly what Grady did not want or need. He needed another brother to keep him company. In a few weeks, we will celebrate Arlo's one year anniversary with us. I am so happy to report that in that year, Grady has blossomed. His health has improved, he no longer had tummy troubles, he plays with both the bitty boys....... it thrills me to no end that we are looking towards Grady's 11th birthday. His arthritis is getting worse, but to be able to say that he is doing this well 2 years after undergoing the TPLO surgery, makes my heart sing.

Arlo is a funny little fellow. Kinda shy, very sweet, a snuggler........... this boy captured my heart in the first second that he laid his eyes on me. This little red dog was sent by another red dog in Heaven. He has so many of Sam's habits, it freaked me out at first. Sam's self appointed job was always to lift my spirits, she always knew when I needed a hug or a head to cry into. Arlo has filled that position and a few others of hers. And yes, one of them is to be the poop eater of the household. She could have skipped teaching him that trick! Right now, he is barking at the door to come in, just like Sam would.

But, let me get to the point of this story......... Its about blessing #2. That is our dear little man Leonard. He is such the goon! He is loud, he is naughty, he never stops, he never stops pestering Grady (its up to Grady to put him in his place, but he has only done that a couple of times), he loves EVERYBODY, he is an excellent guard dog, he loves to herd anything that he can, he is the apple of my eye! He is strong and fearless, agile, smart, and CUTE. At 5 months of age, he is way ahead of brother Arlo in his maturing. We're just waiting for one canine tooth on the top and his teeth will be in and he is already lifting his leg to pee, but he doesn't know why! He is going to be a big Cardi, that is for certain. If he fills out his skin, we are in big trouble.

I've been noticing familiar things with little Leonard. At first, I didn't put much stock into these things. But the other day, he did something to me that I knew was a message from above. I was out in the yard with the boys and they were all chasing around when all of a sudden, there was a cold, wet nose in the palm of my hand. I looked around to see who had done that but none of them would say who. I smiled and kept walking and got another nose bop to my hand! OK........ LEONARD, you little SHIT! :-)) First, I never would have guessed that he could jump that high or accurately but it was HIM! Owen would ALWAYS race past me and bop my hands with his nose. I had a good cry that day. But, it has continued since that day! If we are out and having fun, BOP goes the Corgi as he whizzes past me with a grin on his face, then he pesters Grady, he hoards all of the toys and bones, he greets everyone first, he barks his warnings first, he needs to have his belly wiped off first, he has to chew his chewie things on a "shelf" (Arlo's back, a rock, stair steps, a pillow, another toy) ......................... JUST LIKE OWEN DID!

Now I am not thinking that Owen came back to me as a Corgi, but I do know that Owen still walks with me. I can still feel him, I can still smell him (I spent a lot of time with my face buried in his mane) and at times, I know that he is in this house, playing with Leonard. Leonard sees and hears things that neither of the other two dogs react to. He has gone off frapping through this house and made our walls shake and cupboards rattle, which only Owen could do!

I find great comfort in this knowing. They still surround and guide me. All that love is right here, closer than I ever would have imagined!

Remember, WAG stands for What A Gift!!!

Enjoy the Moon
p


Thanks again Pam for letting me share this. It's not about the showing, the competition or the egos, it's about what our little cardi dogs bring to our lives---a purpose, hope and above all love.

Later gators.....
C

Spoiler Alert--no one under the age of 18 allowed

Children, they grow up way too fast. Especially your own. David, I think, grew up too fast and is now reliving his childhood through our kids. Yes, the youngest still talks Santa, Easter Bunny and the ultimate source of wealth, the tooth fairy.

She's lost all her front teeth and is now working on those side ones. Ever diligent about wiggling, asking if it's loose enough and plotting how much she will get with each ivory tusk under her pillow. This week is no different. Sitting at the table eating breakfast, she bits and it comes out. Ah what more do you need when you are running the usual late in the morning but a stop in the action for blood, gauze and toothless smiles?

Venture with me to the duck bathroom. For those of you who know the Ms, there is a post-it note on the mirror, with a up to date tally of how many rubber duckies she's got in there. This does not include the towels, floor mats, bath accessories, just rubber duckies-right now it's at 104 plus 6 penguins and 4 frogs. So she's standing at the sink, rinsing off the tooth and it gentle rolls......off her hand, down the drain. "Crap" I do believe is the word that David heard, jogs over to see what happened and gets a glare from the Ms as she is staring down the drain.

"What happened?"
"Rolled down the drain."
"Huh."
"You know, the tooth fairy will come tonight, find it in the drain and leave my money on the counter."
"Problem with that?"
"Yeah, then Alec will get up before me and walk in, see money on the counter and take it, that's the problem."
(Heehee-David chuckles under his breath, and you all know just the tone at which the Ms said the above.)

"Okay, don't panic, I'll get the wrench and get it out of the drain, just don't turn on any water in the meantime."

So tooth is recovered from said drain and safely placed on dresser, waiting to be placed under said pillow and exchanged for riches overnight. Or so we thought.

Per David in the morning:

"And, this tooth thing just keeps getting better!! I went in to wake her this morn. I reached under her pillow as I nudged her awake. I felt the tooth and replaced it with a dollar. With tooth in pocket, my work was done and walked out."

Some time later Meredith comes up all excited that the tooth fairy had been there. She left a "down payment" on her tooth.

I asked, "what did you mean?"
She said, " There was a dollar under her pillow."
"So she took the tooth?"
Meredith said, "No, I left the tooth on the dresser. I guess she plans to come back when she has enough money."

Then she walked away with her reduced tooth smile and jingle in her pocket. I immediately checked to see what was in my pocket, "Rats!!!" I was duped!!!! I had part of a small pebble in my pocket instead of a tooth. I can only imagine where this goes from here.

Saga continues as last night, David went in to her room while she was downstairs doing her dog chores and made damn sure that there were no more Maltese Tooth's under the pillow. See the kid has a thing about collecting rocks-I find them all over. And yes, success, as the "tooth fairy" flitted in and retrieved the arrent tooth, replacing it with wealth untold.

You know, I'm relishing every moment of my second childhood.

Later gators.....
C