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Elbee saved a Life Yesterday

Yesterday morning I was out in the yard. Elbee was with me. It was about to turn into an 85-degree day, and was already warming up at 8:30AM. Suddenly I looked around and Elbee had disappeared. 

When that happens, I know to look for her around a corner where we almost never go. There is a pile of dry leaves from a big oak tree there and there's always Good Stuff for the Princess who will eat absolutely anything disgusting that she can find!

We store old flower pots in that area and when I went to get Elbee, I was amazed to see this big lizard in one of the pots. It was probably the largest lizard I've seen in a city environment, about 9" long, with a body about 1" in diameter. Clearly this fellow knew where the best hunting was to be found. He appeared quite well-fed. Based on the appetite, I assume it was a "he." But then again, you don't get to be this big by being a stupid lizard, so perhaps it was a "she" after all?

Anyhow, it was quite pretty, as lizards go - really gorgeous colors. It was sitting in this pot, with some dry leaves with a number of little gnats buzzing around in the morning sun. Yum, delicious breakfast for any lizard.

So I went inside and didn't think too much more about it.  Awhile later I checked and it was still there. In the evening it was still there. Only then did it dawn on me that this particular pot had a slick glaze on it and the poor lizard was probably unable to climb out of the pot! They're good little climbers, but they need a surface with some texture to get a foothold.

Sure enough, when I went to look again, it was on hind legs, madly scratching at the side of the pot in an attempt to escape. I gently tipped the pot on its side and the lizard slide down and froze. It was essentially standing at ground level now and I thought it would skitter away immediately, but it didn't.

It had been a really hot day and that corner gets very warm so I thought it might be dehydrated. I got a little saucer of water and set it just outside the edge of the pot. The lizard was still too frightened to move. I took some water on my finger and dripped a few drops right in front the the lizard's nose. To my surprise, it didn't attempt to run, though it easily could have. It just kept watching me.  My finger was 1/16" of an inch away from touching its nose! As I moved my finger away, its tongue flicked in and out a few times - it was drinking the water droplet I'd given it! Very cool!

I stood up and watched it for a few moments longer. And it just kept peering back. I went away so it would feel comfortable enough to leave the pot and find a place to spend the night. Sure enough, ten minutes later, it had gone. 

This morning I emptied the leaves out of the pot and found that another, much smaller lizard, had not been so fortunate as to be rescued by a curious little dog rooting around in that corner! Sigh...too bad.  So from now on all flower pots stay upside down when not in use. 

Oh yea...only after I looked at the pictures I'd taken when I first discovered it, did I realize that the lizard had been eating something at the time...look closely! 

Thanks Elbee! This lizard definitely owes you one!

Memory Lane - Age 6 months! (22.9 pounds)

It's hard to believe that Sage and his littermates celebrate their 6-month birthday today! Looking back, it is amazing to see the changes.

FROM THIS

TO THIS!

in just six short months

Well, it's not so hard to believe that he's learned to be a couch dog. After all, he's had a good teacher!

We give them the Tuff Luv that a corgi needs. We set the rules...and then we spoil them some! It's a Dog's Life!

HAPPY HALF-YEAR BIRTHDAY SWEET SAGE 

(and all your siblings)

EXCITING TIMES at the CWCAA National Specialty!!

The annual Cardigan Welsh Corgi Club of America National Specialty show took past during this past week/weekend. Below are photos showing the massive collection of ribbons awarded to some of Sage's relatives. This was a VERY exciting show for a number of our Cardi Friends. 

(Yes, I lifted the pictures from Carolyn and Shelly, but I doubt either will mind!)

Sage's maternal grandmother, Alice, received an Award of Merit. Alice's progeny, Chase, Molly, Libby and Pilot attended too. Collectively, they take home a snow storm of ribbons! And then where was Shelly's "Dolly," who scored BIG! She'll tell you all about it on her blog (see link below).

To get the full story, visit the blogs associated with those owned by these lovely Cardigans!

Carolyn

(Sage & Denali's Breeder)

Penni (Chase's mom)

Shelly (Libby's mom & breeder of Dolly - a Big Winner!)

Complete Show Results

Dog...or Rabbit?

Those who have Sage's littermates in their homes have reported that they're quite voracious at meal time.  Some are being fed raw food, as is Sage. But he's not nearly as food-motivated as his siblings. 

No, this is not a rubber chicken wing!

It's the real thing. It's been sitting on the floor for about 15 minutes now, and Sage hasn't touched it. If I chop it up into bite-sized pieces, he'll eat it right away. But a whole wing - too much trouble. He actually did eat a whole wing once, but that was the last attempt. If I didn't leash him, he would literally walk away and leave it sitting there for Denali to snag.

At a point, he does decide that the towel requires rearranging. To see him in action check out this video!

But the tables turn when he goes out in the yard. Any plant material goes immediately into the mouth. 

You name it, leaves, twigs, even small rocks! And, if allowed, he does eat all of it!

He looks everywhere for horticultural goodies!

Prize located. Now it is all he can do to play Keep Away until he can get to a private corner and disassemble his blossom for consumption.

So, I'm thinking that perhaps I didn't really get a dog after all. Could this actually be a rabbit in disguise?

Sage - 25 weeks (22.3 pounds)

Denali - DM Test Result

Denali's DM test result came today. While I am very happy that she did not test as "affected," it does indicate that she is a Carrier.  As a fluff coat, she was never considered for breeding. She was spayed at six months of age.

Denali was born June 2, 2003. She is one of the SUV and Truck litter (Baha & Trooper).  There were six puppies, two girls and four boys.

Denali - female, here with us in California.

Terra - female, with Gwen in Oregon.

Dakota, a.k.a. 'Kota - male, with Traci in Arizona.

Max - male, with Alan and Vickie in California.

Forrest/Charles - male (now named Charles), in a home in Oregon.

Durango - male, not sure where he is now, Carolyn will have to help me out.

Here is the official OFA result for Denali. 

The pedigree appears below.

Click on image for larger rendition.

Easter Present from Sage

This was part of my Easter gift to Moe. It is a hand puppet that sings three different tunes. I knew he'd be able to use it to get Denali's attention, not to mention Sage's.

Hmmm..what's that?

Smells like a duck...or a dog toy! But I've got other things to do today.

This is a nice couch. I like the chairs that go with it too.

I don't see anyone around. They'll never know it was me!

Wow, would you look at the size of that invisible bug in the rug!

When distractions fail, just use flat denial, I always say. 

Me, no way! No idea. Maybe it was that invisible bug?

OK, so the couch is old, but I really like it.  And it was in pretty good condition.  Guess I just got a couch upholstery job for Easter!

He's nothing, if not thorough. At least the couch matches the carpet now! (Alden, I hear you laughing!)

Guinness Goes HOME!

While tomorrow is actually the Easter holiday, this weekend feels more like Christmas for Diane and her daughter Kaylie. Today we met them in central California to finalize the adoption of Guinness, the beautiful and sweet little Pembroke Welsh Corgi male we took into rescue a few weeks ago.

Diane recently lost another lovely little Pembroke to cancer. It was unexpected and devastating. Her nice fellow, Charlie, was only 4-1/2 years old.  Too much of an animal person to be without a dog for long, Charlie had convinced her that her home was not complete without a corgi. She submitted her application to ForPaws Corgi Rescue. The timing was right, the fit was right. This was definitely one of those "meant-to-be" placements! (We think Charlie might have been watching over Diane and Guinness to make this match.)

So often our dogs are shipped to their new homes in other states. It was a real pleasure to take a road trip (from northern California) to meet another Californian (from southern California) in the central valley and deliver Guinness in person. AND...I even remembered my camera this time!

In no particular order, here are some of my favorite pictures of the day!

Diane and her new Best Friend.

When we got Guinness out of the car and handed Diane the leash, she was overcome. Guinness is an absolutely beautiful little guy (inside and out) and I'm not sure Diane realized he was "really hers" until this moment!

True "dog people," Diane and Kaylie brought three different kinds of treats for their new boy! Doggie Heaven!

Diane also brought Guinness a beautiful new collar and leash, complete with Celtic design. (She's also wearing her "Guinness" shirt, in case you hadn't noticed!)

Guinness is one of the most beautiful Pembrokes we've had in rescue. He was named by a friend when she observed that his muzzle looked like he'd dipped it in the foam of a nice pint of ale!

Guinness gets his first greeting from his new Mom!

Kaylie road home in the back seat to keep Guinness company.

My little rescue Pem, Elbee, accompanied us on the trip. Guinness seems to have a thing for "older women." He was completely enamoured with Elbee, who was more focused on getting his yummy treats, if at all possible!

Here's the crew! Thanks to a picnic table on which to place the camera, we got a shot of all of us. From left, me, Tina (foster mom) with my dog Elbee, Diane with Guinness, and Kaylie. Note the big smiles on both dogs - do Pems like attention, or what?

Here's the outake...check out the tongues on both dogs!

(click on the photos for a larger image)

Barrymoore - A Tribute

Recently ForPaws Corgi Rescue was contacted by a lovely woman named Barb. She told us that some dear friends had recently lost their wonderful little Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Barrymoore, just a few days prior to his 13th birthday. 

Sadly, Barrymoore experienced a stroke and it was clear that his time had come. His owners obviously loved Barry very much. They knew it was time to let him go with peace and dignity - this is never an easy decision. 

Many of us know just how heartbreaking this experience is, and Barb felt the need to acknowledge her friends, and their love for Barrymore, by making a kind donation to rescue in honor of Barrymoore, and his people. We appreciate her generousity, and are really touched. 

Below, you'll find a photo of Barrymore, along with one of his dearest friends. Here's what his owners said about Barry:

3/30/96-3/26/09

Barrymoore was ever the gentleman and a most intelligent fellow. He took a piece of our hearts when he left us but we were blessed to have his companionship for a few days shy of 13 years. We will now be bringing in our own morning newspaper, a job that he did with pride every morning.  

Godspeed, Barrymoore

Oh...what a beautiful fellow!

This is the card that Barb sent!

And thank you for making it possible for us to help others. 

No doubt Barrymore would approve!