Wilson's Still Got It Going On!

Lots of barking, so turn down those speakers!

Doing What Comes Naturally

This past weekend, the regional Cardigan Club I am a member of held an AKC sanctioned Herding Instinct Test. It is just what it sounds like....You bring your herding dog with no prior herding experience and see what he/she does when placed in a pen with three sheep. The dog has a long line attached to his collar to keep things from getting too out of hand. It starts with the dog going into the pen with the judge but not the owner, but if the dogs needs extra encouragement, the owner can go in as well.

At pretty much nine months old, I figured Cedar was old enough to give it a try, plus I wanted to support the club. This event was less than an hour from home which is rare for their events.

I clipped the long line onto Cedar's harness and handed him over to the judge. I was pretty sure he wouldn't need me to come along. He's a confidant little bugger.

Right off Cedar digs into some sheep poop for a snack.
Uh-oh, that's not good!

Movement in the corner catches Cedar's eye. He's like "what the....?!"
Poop is forgotten!

And they're OFF!

Now back the other way!

A couple of close up crops....Cedar looks VERY pleased to be doing this!

Cedar did a very good job! The judge's words were....He passed with flying colors!

Cedar's very first qualifying ribbon!

Since this was Cedar's first ribbon he ever earned, even this camera shy gal had to have a picture with the judge, Susan Rhoades.

And last but not least, Cedar's score sheet..........

Very keen dog!

And finally, today is the 20th of the month, so I also want to capture Cedar's 9 month mark on the exact day. This little guy as photographed today! Time sure has flown by......

Who Cued a Queue?

It is important to be properly spaced and properly ordered when waiting in line....

Corgi, Brittany, Corgi, Brittany.....Noses down!

There's always one who lags behind!

The Weekend Report: A Premier Q

This weekend was another three day trial where I opted for just  doing Friday. I signed up for four runs, the usual Standard and Jumpers, and also the trickier Premier Standard and Premier Jumpers. (Premier runs contain more challenges that need to be completed in less time.)

So first up was Premier Standard and I have video! Here are both Premier maps, Standard on the left....

The first challenge and something Jimmy has not seen at a trial ever, but practiced once or twice in his lessons, is the #3 tunnel. Notice how the tunnel entrance faces away from the bottom of the #2 dogwalk bottom. If you watch in the video, Jimmy wasn't sure where he was going and did hesitate a bit before going into the tunnel. The judge could have called that a refusal, but kindly did not. I did a lot of shouting to keep Jimmy heading toward the correct obstacles. He expects more flow so I have watch him closely so he doesn't take what "he thinks" is next. He stayed with me pretty well but alas he knocked down the bar after the weaves. I was still very happy with our run. These are difficult courses and he ran it completely in the correct order. Such a good boy! Here is the video....




I don't have any more videos so feel free to move on. LOL! This stuff can be a tad dry, I know.

Next came regular Standard. You can see it has a few similarities to the Premier course, the tunnel facing the right way of course. Here are the Standard and Jumpers maps...

This was still a pretty tricky course and Jimmy did a great job. We qualified and earned 2nd place. Jimmy's corgi friend Twist smoked him, coming in several seconds faster! Of course now I had hope for a double-Q but it was not to be. Jimmy did not read my turn between #2 and #3 and ran right past the #3 jump, earning a refusal and a disqualified run. He made a couple of other errors as well, but after the first one, the rest don't matter since we are already out.

And finally Premier Jumpers (map in first image on right), another tricky course.  #1 to the backside of  #2, around the corner to the backside of #3, to the backside of #4, to a tough weave pole entry...whew! A few more manuevers to a tunnel facing away again, and a bunch of jumps to make it through. It wasn't easy and I was constantly calling Jimmy off of what he thought was right, but we made it through clean! Woohoo! It was a long but fun day and we were all pooped and ready to go home!

Tracking Jimmy's PACH 2 progress:
Very 1st Double-Q: Sunday 5/1/2016

QQ#20: 
Masters JWW legs: 61...MJP Title 01/25/15 MJPB 10/11/15 MJPS Title
Masters STD legs: 56...MXP Title!10/24/14 MXPB 04/30/17 MXPS Title
Double Q's: 17(out of 20 needed)
PACH Points: Way more than we need! I have lost count!

A Dog's Dream Come True!

So I was putzing on my laptop, something I am told I do way too much of, when the doorbell rings. There is the usual canine pandemonium that alway ensues. John goes to answer the door, and fend off Jimmy and Wilson from whoever it is that woke them up. I peek out the front window and what do I see?...................(click to enlarge if you can't read the sign)

Truly a dog's dream come true! A door-to-door MEAT salesman! Much to the boys' chagrin, John sent them away......

Wilson Wondered Whether he Would Want any Wiley Wallabys on Wordless Wednesday

While.......

Jimmy Jabbered Jealously about the inJustice!!!

When You Are Too Cheap to Buy a Fish-Eye Lens for your Camera

Have a great weekend, Everyone!

Chewy.com: Tylee's Turkey Recipe: First Impressions

The good folks at Chewy.com asked me if I would be interested in trying a new food that is exclusive to their store. This is a month long trial to see how my dogs do on this food. Now normally, I feed raw. If this food had been kibble, I would have said no, thank you. But this food is a little different and it really piqued my interest. It is a frozen home-cooked food called Tylee's. I opted for the turkey recipe. It has a great blend of meat, organs, and fresh fruits and veggies.

I opened the bag and took a peek as well as a big sniff.......

Keep in mind this food is frozen. I can honestly say it smelled wonderful. No dog food smell at all! My first whiff was cinnamon followed by the scent of cranberries. It smelled like real food and here's why......as it is clearly says on the bag.....

It is made with all......

ingredients!

And another VERY important detail...

Hopefully everyone knows to stay away from anything sourced in China!

Tylee has made up a little brochure about gradually transitioning your dog to this new food. It's always best to ease into it by mixing your old food with the new food.

The food at the top of the bowl is my usual raw food and the nuggetts and veggies are Tylee's.

Look at the adorable little scoop Chewy sent along to help with the measuring! (You do measure your dog's food, right? It really helps with weight control!)

All this putzing I was doing as I gave Tylee's the once over had my boys very impatient. If it smelled good to me, you can only imagine how great it was for their super-sharp canine olfactory sense!

HURRY UP!!!

EYE-POPPING GOOD!!!

Jimmy and Wilson tucked right into their food and not a bit was left over, not even a carrot cube or a cranberry. Of course, they are Corgis after all, so they are not known as picky eaters!

Final notes on my first impression:

I want to add one update to this post after a question I received. This is not freeze-dried food. You do not need to add water and wait for it to reconstitute. It is cooked food that has been frozen so it will last longer. You just need to thaw it before serving. Since it keeps up to 10 days after thawing (in the fridge of course!), you could thaw enough for a few meals so your dogs didn't have to wait for each meal.

I love to laugh, so I always appreciate a sense of humor however/whenever it can be provided....

Here's to packaging that isn't boring!

I do have one con so far....The package comes with a zip-top closure. After about the third time of pulling the bag open, the zipper broke away from the plastic bag. No big deal, I just used a clip, but perhaps it could be made a bit more sturdy.

Stayed tuned for a mid-month update on how things are going with this food as my dogs' primary meals!

Now for my disclaimer:

I was not compensated in any way, other than to receive this product at no charge for my honest review. Chewy.com is not at all responsible for the content of this post. The opinions expressed are purely my own and those of my dogs!

Thank you Chewy.com for allowing me to sample new products and foods!

Two Dogs on the Floor

I took this picture of the boys while we were down at our condo in Myrtle Beach recently. I immediately had this song by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young come to mind. (opens in another window).....Lyrics here.

"With two cats in the yard" of course because "With two dogs on the floor".....

So here, as I tend to do, is my version of the lyrics....

Our condo is a very, very, very fine condo

With two dogs on the floor

Why do they seem so bored

Now everything is hairy cause of them

I'll sweep the floor

You put away the chew toys from today

Staring at the dogs for hours and hours while I listen to them bark

Every noise they hear, means a reply they must say

Our condo is a very, very, very fine condo

With two dogs on the floor

Life is always good

And everything is better 'cause of them

Chewy.com: Better than a Pot of Gold!

Jimmy O'Cardigan and Paddy O'Wilson are thinking they are having the Luck of the Irish this month with the arrival of their March Chewy.com product review. I chose Victor brand canned food in Irish Stew   Turkey and Sweet Potato Stew flavor.

Wilson thinks this stew would go well with his green beer.....goggles!

The food had large chunks of carrots and other veggies along with the turkey. It came in a creamy sauce. This is a grain-free food that is supplemented with vitamins and minerals. My guys thought it was quite tasty! I normally feed a raw diet but on the occasion when I forget to thaw something, canned food is a good substitute. I know my dogs will eat Victor brand with gusto! I also really liked the easy open pull tab on the can. Great for travel when you forget the can opener!

Jimmy's Pot of "Gold"!

My wealthy little Leprechaun!

I'll leave you with a little limerick in keeping with our Irish / St. Paddy's Day theme.....

There once were two Corgis from Ashland

Whose tastebuds leaned toward the trash can

But given some Victor....

They ate it much quicker

And wanted seconds as part of the plan

And now it is disclamer time: The opinions expressed in this post are purely my own and my dogs. Chewy.com is not in any way responsible for what I wrote! I was not compensated other than being given this food at no charge in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Chewy!

The Golden Hour

I absolutely LOVE going on the beach as the sun begins to set. The light is so gorgeous and colors just pop!

Just look how you can see the brindle fur in Jimmy's coat. And of course, the reflections are to die for!

 I really like the detail in the reflection of Wilson's paw!

And finally, why it is called the Golden Hour!

Black and White Sunday: Two Handsome Dudes

Have Yourself a Very......

Black and White Sunday: Hurry Up!

Chewy.com: Fresh Fish!

As I've mentioned in other posts, I am primarily a raw feeder for my dogs. However, it is always a good idea to have some kibble on hand for when I forget to thaw Jimmy's and Wilson's next meal. And of course, I want that kibble to be a super premium quality! So when Chewy.com offered Victor brand, I thought I would give it a try!

I chose their Yukon River Salmon and Sweet Potato Grain-free variety because any time I can add more fish to my dogs diet, I jump on it!

The kibble had a nice, mild fish smell, nothing over-powering. The kibbles were quite small so any size dog should enjoy these. I think they would make good training treats as well.

Jimmy and Wilson are nothing if not enthusiastic taste testers! I had a hard time getting my initial shot set up as they were ready to DIG IN!

We don't always eat at the table, but when we do,
 it's for classy food like Victor's Salmon!

The first two ingredients are fish, salmon being first so you know there is plenty of good fish in this food!

TONGUE-TWISTING TASTY!!!!

I DEMAND SECONDS!!!!

This food was a winner with my dogs! As always, we would like to say:

Our official disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this post are purely my own and my dogs. Chewy.com is not in any way responsible for what I wrote! I was not compensated other than being given this food at no charge in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Chewy!