Cleo's Corgwyn

Hi All, KTB, sorry to hear about Papa Koala, its never easy to face the prospect of having to say goodbye - from eiter side. Ravenau, sounds like you're doing well with Astrid, if she's already doing so well with the cats. She's a very cute puppy! I've enjoyed everyone's puppy pics - its one thing I missed out on, not getting Shandy until she was 18 months. I have one of her winning a Best Puppy ribbon at about 6 months, but that's it. We finished our last class for the year for Dancing with Dogs tonight. We're still having plenty of fun with it. I've actually managed to teach her to target with both her left and right paws now, and she's getting the hang on targeting my feet, in a cute sort of marching move now, which I plan to use as a transition move in our routine. Its the hard part about competing in these things with an unusual breed - a lot of the moves just don't really work for Shandy and I. THings like bows just don't work with a short legged dog!

Niques: We'll probably be visiting fortnightly, but this will be dependant on the arrangements and restrictions of the facility KTB: I don't think people stuck in hospitals and nursing homes really mind what sort of dog it is that visits them- providing they have warm fur to touch and pat, its all good. If Hoover keeps his lovely chilled temperament, he'd probably make a great Delta Dog! Besides, most people don't even know what breed Shandy is! I like the Dumpling Inn, and the Yum Cha at the Soccer Club, but we really like Master So's - they actually make Yum Cha to order, and the family that runs it is lovely, and always greets us like long lost family. And yes, you picked the dogs- Sass is the labxpoodle you missed. We were over at Ange's discussing clicker training, and they were all very tired dogs after a long walk, and racing around like lunatics in the back yard! ITs nice to be able to let your dogs play with dogs you know they get on with. And I love the 'waiting pic of Elbie - such patience and focus!

For those of you who are already thinking yourselves Crazy Dog Ladies; wait until you start competing, and training in multiple disciplines, then see how crazy folks think you are! I was long accepted as a crazy dog lady at work, and now have all sorts of strange people asking me dog relate questions- plus my students have started popping up at work. The cute black pugs at assessment night, as it turns out, belong to a guy who's just started working for a friend at work, and I ran into him at a work function! On the plus side, you do start to hang out with more crazy dog folk, which makes you feel comparatively normal! In good (Crazy Dog Lady related) news, Shandy and I are now an officially accredited Delta Therapy Dog team. It looks like we'll be visiting one of the Canberra hospitals, but it may take a few weeks to get the pathology testing done. Wuffles, Crust Pizza is good, but Pizza Capers at Kippax is just as, if not more yummy! I'll be in Canberra over stand down too, and would love to catch up. KTB Have you tried the Yum Cha at Master So's at Kippax? I know what you mean about how they enjoy a walk after being cooped up. A couple of us from dog training got together in the break in the weather yesterday and went for a walk around the back of Watson. Here's a pic of Shandy and some of the other dogs enjoying the long jump pit, I mean dog swimming pool on Watson oval! Oh and thanks for sharing the puppy pics, and good luck - so much fun and mischief coming up!

Well, I did my handler training today, and now have my ID, bandanna, shirt and collection tin. Now I just need to sort of my facility preference, as I'd like visit at one of the hospitals, and we're all go! Shandy and I are officially a Delta Therapy Dog Team now!

I'll be there!

Great pics and videos- all the dogs look like they're having such fun! Miss Shandy is still pleasantly tired after a big run around today, and all that effort with the corgi mind bore begging for scraps at lunch.

Maybe check and see if the dog park has rules posted by the council, and offer to call in a council ranger if he wishes to discuss it further? I know that ours does, and there may be something there you can quote at him. Often that sort of bully will crumple when faced with something that disproves their worldview. Be careful though, as I've seen some really nasty behaviour - people and dogs- at dog parks. I would have done exactly the same thing though, as I don't believe my girl should have to defend herself from bad mannered dogs!

We were all impressed with Miss Ava's stay - especially when that BC walked over and tried to play with her. I think a lot of us found stand for exam and stays our best exercise last night, as our dogs couldn't be bothered doing anything else! I'm looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow as well.

I wouldn't worry KTB, you didn't see the trialling run throughs. It was just too warm, and even the best of dogs were lagging and unethused! Elbie is definitely improving - he's come so far this year, and you guys should be proud that he's doing so well at his age.

We'll be there, maybe a little late, as I have an appointment at 11.

WEll, Shandy passed her test with flying colours. Training for me in a fortnight, then we start as a therapy team. I'm looking forward to this!

Such bittersweet stories today. Having had dogs and cats and guinea pigs and birds and rats, etc,etc all my life (yep my family are all animal mad!) I know how painful it is, but we never know how long we might have them for -yes, they both might die close together, but you might loose one young to an accident, or have them both live to an advanced age. You also need to grieve in your own way; I lost my old siamese cat just weeks after we moved to Canberra, and while many people told me to wait, he left such a big hole in my life, that I went out and got my little oriental boywithin weeks, and he defiitely helped me heal. I still dread losing SHandy though! Nice to see everyone has had such fun. I'll see all the Canberra BDOC people at the BBQ on Thursday. Shandy and I have had a busy week - we spent a week up at my parents in Central Qld. Shandy and my parents similarly coloured brindle and white boxers got some odd looks - I think people think my family must have an excessive attraction for brindle dogs. Shandy coped beautifully with the flying and new environment and learnt to travel in the back of a ute and swim in the ocean like a 'proper' Qld dog! In other big news, we also headed to Sydney yesterday, and SHandy passed her Delta Therapy dog assessment with flying colours, so after some training for me, we'll start visiting hospitals!

I love their Delta Bandannas! Its great to hear that they seem to be enjoying it too. Shandy and I are being assessed this weekend, so I'll let you know how we go....

Interesting list FHRP, I hope to add a Cardigan Corgi to the list at some point, when my back allows me to get back into training. There is a Westie competing in flyball at my club!

Yay! I'll look forward to hearing how your first visits go. We're still following along behind you; Shandy is booked in for her assessment in just under 2 weeks. She had her vet check up with her (newish) vet, who is very taken with her, and says she's one of the best natured dogs she's ever dealt with! I'm really getting excited now too, and enjoying hearing about your experiences.

Those ears are just spectacular! I bet you could win a lot of 'biggest ears' contests with those.... I wouldn't have picked the basset in the mix until I saw the ears. I love Mim's Muddy too - he's such a gorgeous happy chap!

LOVE Cardigan Corgis, they are just about the cutest puppies ever too all ears and button eyes and noses. My cardi girl is definitely medium energy - but she does get plenty of mental stimulation - she's at training 3-4 times a week, between obedience, dances with dogs, and agility. But she definitely isn't painful if she misses a walk for a day or two. But they are a smart, herding dog, and do need a reasonable amount of stimulation. Kids love my girl - she's just the right size, being not too scary, but big enough to be a 'dog'. They definitely classify as a medium dog, even if they do have short legs, they are long and solid.

I'll be there demoing obedience, and maybe dances with dogs, if we decide we're ready for a public demo.

I'm sorry I missed - I got stuck late at training, and then by the time I got caught up at home, it was just too late! Sounds like you all had fun anyway....

meh, diet is one of those things that people get evangelical about. I use a high quality kibble too (I rotate between Eagle Pack, Royal Canin, and Nutro) and supplement with bones, and throw in yoghurt, eggs, sardines, and vegetables on a regular basis (more vegies at the moment, as Shandy could really stand to drop a little weight. Providing your dog looks healthy and gets a balanced diet, I don't see any problem. I'm also not keen on Hills - I think it's too high in filler. I have Nutro at the moment, and am happy to bring a sample if you'd like to try Hoover on some. I like it because it has the joint support formula, which is handy for a dwarf breed, but in all honesty, I think she generally looks best on the RC. BUt Shandy is a typical corgi, and the only food I've ever seen her refuse is mushrooms! I got leaned on by Satchmo tonight - he's such a gentle giant!

Hoover certainly is 'spethal', he's certainly a real character. I'm glad you all enjoyed Shandy's pic; she's such a good girl, I just get her to stay, then watch me as I take the pics. I have some lovely ones of her posed amongst the flowering tulips out at Tulip Tops.

I might drop around for Linden cuddles and to play with the pretty colour selections (Daisy can tell you its my favourite part anyway!) if that's OK?

I'll have to visit you guys more often; so many cute puppies and some of my favourite past students (though with the way Ava is going, I'm sure she'll be trialling and past Shandy and I in no time!) I can contribute a silly pic; Shandy in a wig at the groomers

KTB, I had to come and see your new little guy - he's just gorgeous- and such a quizzical expression! If you're bringing him on Sunday, make sure you drop by so Shandy and I can meet him. I'm taking the 8am class with Wuffles, then teaching beginners at 9, then we're figuring out what we'll do for the Dogs Day Out in a few weeks at Lake Gin - mark it in your calendars, Canberrites! But the short story is, I'll be there ALL morning!

Yep, not a hard one, just a pretty looking dog!