King Charlie goes to Washington on Inauguration Day!

Tomorrow is a Big Day, not just for Mr. Obama, 

but for "King Charlie" too!

After spending time in foster care since last Fall, one of our CastAways is going to his real home tomorrow.  He will be the star of the show for a corgi-experienced couple in the Washington D.C. area.  They couldn't be more excited to have this new little man in the household. We know they'll treat him like the King that he is!

Have a Safe Trip and a Wonderful Life Charlie! 

We all love you!

Charlie - It's only Rock 'n Roll, but I Like it!

If ever there was a Man who loved to Rock 'n Roll, it's CHARLIE!

Remember when we said we'd be learning more about our four Cast Aways and their musical tastes? Well, this is the hard-core rocker, right here! Clearly his collection of Metallica is intact - even though he's not any longer!

Charlie is the Classic Teenage Boy: He's about 2 years old, at the most, so think "17-year-old boy, with a bit of A.D.H.D. (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) going on." He thinks he is the top of the heap, but it only takes a real Pembroke Princess to call his bluff!

What does this mean to a potential owner? It means that you'll see an incredibly active, enthusiastic, outgoing personality, and a Big Smile 24/7! This is an energetic, happy little dog, ready for any activity you can dish out. He'd be an excellent agility prospect, if you're so inclined.

Because he's a young, active dog, it is critically important that Charlie find a home with a corgi-experienced owner; someone who has the knowledge to train and socialize him properly. This boy would benefit from basic obedience training, but most importantly, he absolutely MUST have a home in which he clearly understands that YOU are Pack Leader. He is actually an Alpha-Wanna-Be and not difficult to correct, when you understand his game plan. He will do what any strong-willed Corgi is best at: He will TEST...again, and again, and again!

This little fellow is actually a Bundle of Fun. We've been extremely amused by him and he'd be very happy with a female canine companion in the household. Because he thinks pretty highly of himself, it would be best for him to be the only male dog.

If you want a dog that Loves to Rock 'n Roll...this is your guy! We will be officially posting him for adoption on the http://www.Forpaws.org website very soon and will be screening applications. Charlie is ready for his new home, and very excited to find it!

If you're looking for a dog with Personality, Plus - look no further! The pictures tell the story (see below):

Am I not the cutest little fellow you've ever seen?

Hey There, check me out! This is my Best Side!

Sometimes I could just HOWL, life is such a kick!

Oh, all these rules and restrictions! 

They're just meant to be tested, I say!

Mick's my Hero...Sticky Fingers got nothin' on me!

OK, sorry if I scared you with the tongue thing...I'm really a pretty nice little guy!

I am SO ready to come Home...can I, can I...when? 

Just say the word and I'm There!

Fun Facts - As we Learn More!

Charlie - Great table manners: He lays down with his bowl between his feet when he eats. Also does the Frog Dog - too cute!

Wilson - Is showing himself to be quite a character. The most serious of the group upon arrival in foster care, this fellow is now showing that he's playful....and VERY smart! Each dog has his own kennel area and his own outside run area. Wilson has already figured out whos is whos!

Nolan - Asked his foster mom if "Clean Sheets" came with room service. He is kenneled next to a couple of cats and doesn't like the way they stare at him. Quiet up to now, his first bark was at the cats. From now on he gets a "privacy sheet" hung between him and the cats!

Kelly - The diplomat: Gets along with everyone - even the cats!

And we're told that they all like Country Music and Oldies. When I asked K.D. how she knew this, she said: "That's what they listened to all the way home from the shelter - and they didn't HOWL at it! " 

OK, I'll take that for now! But we will have to see just who likes Shania Twain and who votes for Mick Jagger, as we get to know them better!

This Week's Activity: Healing Body & Soul

This evening I received an update from the Cast Away Rescue's Foster Person, "K.D." She said:

The Cast Aways are enjoying the down time to rest and heal. Not just their external hurts, surgery etc. but their hearts, minds and souls.  They like their new individual runs (dens) as their own and not having to share everything.  They also like being clean.

Charlie is like a puppy with his inquisitive nature. He gets into everything if I give him half a chance.  Then he races around and chases back and forth when he comes inside for the night.  I attempt to catch him like a game but let him make a few passes running past me before I finally catch him. (Hmm...could this be an agility dog in the making?)

Kelly is the most mellow.  He is sweet, friendly, outgoing, and has kissed my fingers and cheek. Tonight he rolled on the grass about half a dozen times.  When I asked him "what are you doing Kelly?  You goofy dog!" He got up and just looked at me, like "What do you mean? or who me??"  He is So cute.

Wilson is the surprise as he keeps changing daily.  Mr Wilson as I call him.  Sometimes gruff with the others as they are being taken in or out, he has "words" for them.  I think he is trying to tell them he is in charge, but not sure. I do tell him that he needs to knock it off or stop and he does!!

 

When I go to his pen and want to bring him in, he is starting to play. Bouncing up and down, runing around, me acting like I am chasing him, bent over, butt in the air, hands closer to the ground and he is so happy.  He even runs between my legs from behind.  Since he is such a chunck I try NOT to pick him up anymore than I have to. I have not tried the "On the back thing yet".

Nolan is the quietest one.  Although this morning, he spoke his mind to Tramp (the cat).  He did not enjoy having Tramp meowing at him.  Tramp just sat in the corner of the kitty run and stared at Nolans food. I did not realize at first that they could see each other.  Nolan definitely told Tramp to back off because it was his food.  Tramp however felt that since the dogs were in his "Former" extended kitty fun and run area, why shouldn't he share that good smelling chicken dog food!

You all take care and stay tuned for more.  They love the outside runs and enjoy just laying on the grass or ground and watching and listening to everything around them.  I am sure it is just a "TAD" overwhelming!

Thanks K.D. You're doing an awesome job with these nice boys. They're obviously becoming much more relaxed and are starting to show us who they really are. Sounds like more fun than a Barrel of Corgis!

Back to Basics - Getting them Healthy!

A big day today as our four Cast Aways all had their first vet visit. For Kelly, Nolan and Wilson, this meant saying goodbye to some beloved treasures...time for the neutering! Charlie had that experience just before we pulled him while he was still in the shelter.

Everyone was tested for heartworms and found to be negative - Yahoo! This is a Big Deal, as heartworm treatment is quite $$ and not easy on a dog.

Other fun stuff included rabies shots all around (other vaccinations were done in the shelter), plus fecal tests, ear cleanings (a couple have ear infections). And another first...dental cleanings! Sadly, due to neglect of their dental health, three of the four dogs required tooth extractions. Nolan won the prize needing to have 5 teeth removed. Lesson: Brush your dog's teeth!

We suspect that we will see an upsurge in energy level, particularly from Nolan and Kelly who had multiple infected teeth. This is extremely draining, as the dog's immune system is fighting to control infection and it can really sap a dog.

And...then there was the bill! Funny how none of these canines pulled out a checkbook when it was time to pay the $1,344.00 bill! (And that was with the Rescue Discount applied!).

But, other than the dental work, there were no issues - they're all basically very health fellows and it feels good to know that they'll be in good shape when they're ready to find their permanent homes!

First Observations - Really Nice Personalities!

Now that our Cast Away Crew of Rescue Corgis have been in foster care for a couple of days, their personalities are already starting to emerge. All four are responding far better than we'd imagined; not as shy as we'd expected. Clearly these boys know that something BIG has happened. They seem to know that K.D., our foster mom, represents a ticket to a real life and they're determined to make the most of the opportunity. Here's what we've seen so far.

Wilson- Our tri-colored fellow is the shyest of the group, and the most serious. At times he shows a gruff exterior, but underneath there is a Teddy Bear. We don't think he has ever been on grass. He doesn't seem to have had too much human attention, but responds quite positively to it.  Our Foster Mom said: "Petting him and praising him does work as he will walk a little with me.  We sat on the grass and he crawled in my lap!!  Then he lifted his "BIG" head and licked my chin a couple of times." Quite a handsome boy, probably about 4 years old." I think we'll see more of the "Teddy Bear" side as this guy discovers his new world.

 

Charlie - A happy red/white boy, seems to be the alpha of the four. He also seems to be the most well-socialized and the one that was probably considered the most eligible for adoption by the shelter staff. Our Foster mom said: "He's very friendly and met my neighbor on the tractor as they were going to the garden to do some plowing. He was not intimidated by the noise at all.  He went up and met "Mary" and she petted him." Charlie's foster mom has also branded him the "comedian" of the group. Happy, bouncy and smiling, this is a nice fellow! Charlie was born in January 2004, according to shelter paperwork. We don't have any DoB information on any of the others, but we're pretty sure that Kelly is a littermate to Charlie, making them both about 4.5 years.

Kelly- A handsome red/white boy, Kelly is a little softer than the others. We think that Charlie and Kelly may be littermates. Like Charlie, Kelly is extremely friendly and outgoing.  He was not afraid of the neighbor's tractor when it was his turn to be out with his new foster mom. She said that he was "...running ahead of me and racing with the grass and checking out every spot under trees and flowers. He completely finished his dish of food before everyone else...and wants to be outside. I can lift him with no problems and hug him."

 

Nolan - A lovely red-headed boy, Nolan is extremely sweet. He seems like the oldest in the group, perhaps 5-6 years old. Was a bit hesitant at first, but within 24 hours, he's coming out of his shell nicely. Our Foster Mom said: "He is very outgoing and runs ahead of me on leash.  Not afraid of anything and very inquisitive with everything especially the grass and trees."  Nolan has a bit of a glamour coat and allowed himself to be brushed without any resistance. This is pretty significant for a dog that we've had less than 2 days! Foster Mom said: "I was able to rake out the pants.  While I was raking the underside very slowly and carefully, I held his right paw up so I could see and have access to this part of him. Nolan reached down and licked my hand that was holding his paw! I really like this fellow!"

 

More photos of the Cast Away Rescues

Wilson

Nolan

Kelly

Charlie