Our Life: Dozer and Coop

2009-11-12T19:40:00.000-08:00

I can't talk right now. It is time for my nightly rub down.
I went to the vet school today and had my stitches out. But they discovered I had been licking part of my wound. So I have to keep my collar on for ANOTHER WEEK! And they weighed me. I gained half a pound. I guess my diet is not working so well. Not my fault. I don't have opposable thumbs so I am not opening cans of fud.

So I am going to snuggle with Dad until I get over my pout.

And oh, by the way. I checked the mail today. There was no mini-meatloaf. (big sigh)

Bassets Need Our Help: Notes from Cooper

2009-11-11T04:30:00.000-08:00

No wonder bassets have such long ears - look at this picture! Apparently they wash them and then stretch them out so that they get longer and longer.

The Basset Rescue at Daphneyland needs help. They are behind on their bills and are taking care of bassets that have been surrendered, forgotten or discarded. Mum read about them in Yahoo News (you can read the story here) These are such tough economic times - I told Mum to take my November toy money and send it to the Rescue. Dozer said he wasn't saving anyone but himself but Dottie said she wanted to donate her treat money. Finally after Mum gave Dozer "the look" he caved in and donated his toy money too. Maybe you have a spare dollar or two that you can send along to these nice folks (click here)

Here are some more pictures

Look at this guy with his wheelchair - you go big guy!

How could we not send our toy and treat money to someone like this?

Come and get it!

Oh, this is the one that did it - basset love!

Messages De-Coded

2009-11-10T10:05:00.000-08:00

Mango has left a new comment on your post "When You Care Enough to Send the Very Best - Dozer...":

Dozer,

Don't you worry. I can tell you are under stress. I know that "Cooper is not a poopy-head" is secret code for "Help! I am trapped with Cooper poopy-head and starving to death!" (Exactly! You are reading this correctly Mango!)

What is this sleeping on the bed only four nights? I think you have been in jail for totally 372 nights, right? (Dad's been away on a trip to Seattle and that is the only time we get to have a pig pile on the bed. Otherwise we sleep on our own beds on Mum's side of the bed on the floor. I am sure the ASPCA would be interested in this!)

Slobbers, Mango

P.S. Momma says your mom is very silly and must love you a lot. Humph. Must be code for "keep that corgi skinny and behind bars" (I am pretty sure Mum is psycho and is using humor to deflect any inquiring minds from checking on me and my well being but yes, you de-coded the message about my incarceration and diet).

CARE packages may be sent to me in care of General Delivery, Philomath, Oregon. I will have Dottie walk down to the post office to pick up for me. Even though it is a one mile trip (round-trip) and she is deaf and blind, I cannot trust Cooper. I think he is a mole or a snitch, not sure which. If you send the mini-meatloafs, send extra ketchup please.

When You Care Enough to Send the Very Best - Dozer

2009-11-10T07:48:00.000-08:00

Mum let me open my package from Emmitt this morning and I got a magic button with my picture on it! We read the note and then Mum took a picture for my blog and now we are discussing whether to hang my magic button on my collar or pin it to my cage. Thank you Emmitt and Melissa - you are so thoughtful during my time of confinement.

In an effort for full disclosure and transparency (that sounds grown-up doesn't it?) and because so many of you suggested I was perhaps exaggerating my desperate situation, Mum is making me share the following:

1. I am not starving to death. I am 4 pounds overweight and I cannot exercise right now. I get baby carrots for snackies and dog cookies twice a day, plus meals.

2. I am not locked in the cage most of the time. Mum lets me sit in her chair in the family room or on the floor in the art room. I only get locked up when the vacuum cleaner is on the prowl.

3. Cooper is not poopy-head and has been very nice to me during my surgery time. He slept by my cage when I came home so I would not be lonely.

4. I have gotten to sleep on the bed with Mum and Cooper four 4 nights.

5. My imagination tends to run wild and Mum says this can be most unbecoming.

I would like to say the above was made under extreme duress and does not necessarily reflect the true feelings of the corgi in question.

Now where the he** are my mini-meatloafs?

Sending Love to Juno the Dog

2009-11-09T20:40:00.000-08:00

This is what I have been reduced to. Sitting under Mum's art table while she makes birthday cards for people at work. The most attention I can get is if her foot accidentally knocks against me and in my deep sadness I pretend she is petting me (big sigh) Well yes, I don't have my collar on but I have to wear it when Mum is out of the house and at night. And yes, I am not in my cage because Mum carried me into the art room. But that does not count. I am no longer the top dog, Cooper has muscled in again and jumps in Mum's lap on a moment's notice. (big sigh).

These were my happy days, when I was top dog and I got to sit on top of the old couch (may it rest in peace). No, don't worry about me, I'll be fine. You just go ahead and run off and play in the dog park, or play tag in the living room. No one remembers the disabled and sick. Oh sure lots of nice comments right after my surgery and promises...but where are my mini-meatloafs? No where, that's where! Mum says I have package from Emmitt but I cannot open it until tomorrow morning because I have been such a whining mass of corgi tonight. Whatever.

Mum says that our new friend, Juno, is not well and makes me look like a goldbricker,whatever that is. Anyway, Mum read me Juno's blog and even though the old bat is usually wrong, this time she was right. Please go leave Juno a big bunch of love (you should have lots of it left over since you haven't sent any my way) and leave a note. Click here and leave a sloppy comment so he has something to read in his sick bed. I bet his Mum lets him eat in bed. Turn over your water bowl one time in Mum's bed and you're marked for life. But don't worry about me, you just go on and have fun. I'll just lie here under the art table.

In the Dog House - Dozer

2009-11-07T17:04:00.000-08:00

I was feeling quite a bit frisky t his morning because Mum let me sleep on the bed with her and Cooper. It was heavenly. I laid right next to her all night and listened to Coop snore like a train. That boy needs some nose surgery or something. I am sure they heard him in the next county.

So while Mum was in the shower, I grabbed one of Dad's shoes and did the whirly dance with it. Apparently that is a big "No-No". I determined this by the high pitched whine eminating from Mum's vocal cords.

I was sent back to solitary for chewing on Dad's shoe. I didn't actually chew on it, just a lot of slobber. Did Mum ever pause long enough to think perhaps I was washing Dad's shoe? No...just assumes the worse. Sheesh!

Housekeeping Items

2009-11-06T07:46:00.000-08:00

Mum says I need to clarify a couple of points, so let's begin shall we?

First, "someone" did not just come up with the muffin tin game. That "someone" is Moose who lives at http://dewdana.blogspot.com/ so you should definitely stop by and say hi to the Moose-meister.

Second, I am not caged all the time and I do get to take my cone off. (See above photo for confirmation).

Third, I am not actually starving. I have gotten a deer hoof, rawhide chewies, carrots and celery to stave off my hunger pangs in addition to my regular meals.

I hope this straightens out any misconceptions you may have from reading of my world-famous blog. And the only reason I am publishing this entry is because my Mother made me.

Bored, Bored, Bored, Bored - Dozer

2009-11-05T05:43:00.000-08:00

Bored? Oh surely you jest (I am sure you are catching my canine sarcasm). I may be dead by the weekend from sheer boredom. I cannot daydream any more and I know every inch of my cage.

Mum took someone's suggestion to make a game using a muffin pan and 12 tennis balls. She hid treats under some tennis balls and challenged me to find the treats. Oh really...Mum, I'm a corgi! I could play tennis if I wanted to.

This was the start of the game. Note the action shot - I tore through this challenge.

I sniffed out the treats.

Then I started removing said treats. Sorry Coop, this is my game!

I said 'move it' Coop, this is my game! I mean it.

Dang dammit! Leave my pink tennis ball alone!

Well that was 3 minutes of entertainment. Just 23 hours and 57 minutes more to go...

Finally Something Happy - Dozer & Cooper

2009-11-02T06:01:00.000-08:00

Cooper won the Canine Halloween Contest at the Casbah Kitten (click here to visit). We almost wet our puppy pants when the box arrived over the weekend. Check out the kitty paw prints! BOL!

And more pawprints with the paper! AWESOME!

We got a stuffed pumpkin, organic cookies and Halloween Pez dispenser with candies.

This is Jane, the new CEO of The Casbah Kitten corporation.

We thing the kits over at The Casbah Kitten rock. They donate a portion of their sales each month to a good cause, which we think is the best. I got the pumpkin to play with (Dozer) and Coop gets it next to lick to death.

Thank you Casbah Kits! We love you!

Please Release Me...Let Me Go! - Dozer

2009-11-01T15:18:00.000-08:00

This incarceration is so against the Geneva Convention, but because I am a dog, no one from the Red Cross has come to check on me. Check out my accomodations, pretty sterile yes?

Yes, I have a bed, but does it match my blue color scheme?
No, of course not.

This is me looking out at the world. Everything is passing me by.

If you whine long enough your parents will build a make-believe crate in the family room so you can be by them. This worked beautifully. Once they became complacent, I encouraged them to take the crate outside on the deck by telling them I was probably low on Vitamin D and could stand a sun bath.

I let them think I was tired and wanted nothing more than to take in some sun and rest.

Once they decided I was fine by myself, I managed to break down the cage and escaped out through the side yard of the house and out to the driveway. It was great listening to Mum scream "Dozer!" and Dad asking "Is Dozer out?" (well obviously, do you think Mum would be screaming my name because she was happy with me? not likely). Unfortunately Dad caught me and I was taken back into the house and put back in the locking cage in the living room.

Howie PeePants - You'se Mum mentioned something about small meatloafs, can you ask her when she is going to send them to me? The vets put me on a diet because I am sedentary and I am only getting 3/4 a cup of fud a day (yes, I said a day!) I am already weak and the time change has really upset my clock so I think it is meal time every hour now.

I am Home but I am not Happy - Dozer

2009-10-30T07:05:00.000-07:00

So's Mum picked me up yesterday and spent a bunch of time with my doctor, Jennifer. I have to do those stupid exercises again. And I have to wear this stupid donut around my neck too.

I am not supposed to put any weight on my leg for 8 weeks while it heals because I could break the bone. And I have to be in my cage.

When I am allowed out I have to have a sling around my mid-section so Mum can hold my leg off the ground.

Every 3-4 hours Mum is going to run home from work and put frozen peas (in the bag) on my knee to reduce the swelling and do some of those stupid exercises.

This sucks. And I am not happy. Hence the reason I tried to bite Mum's hand this morning when she started those stupid exercises.

Someone send me a file so I can saw my way through these bars and escape.

Dozer Asleep, We're Partying! - Cooper

2009-10-28T21:54:00.000-07:00

So the Oregon State Veterinary School Hospital called and Dozer's surgery went just fine and he was asleep with an IV for his pain meds. He gets to come home tomorrow sometime and Mum has gotten the blue donut from our vet so Dozer cannot lick his wound.

Since things had gone so well, I said to Mum "Let's have a drink!" And Mum said, "Are you out of your mind or have you been nipping at the cooking sherry again?" (I have a fondness for good wine, beer or anything alcoholic). Obviously Mum was not going to let me have a drink but she said I could have a vegetable instead, so I chose celery because it chews nice.

This here is Dottie trying to grab some celery off the floor with limited success.

She got some paw action going and managed to get a piece.

I swear the celery hit me in the eye!

Chomp, chomp, num, num - very good

Takes a bit of jaw action to get everything moving.

Mum says to tell you she will update everyone on Dozer tomorrow after he gets home from the hospital. But all your prayers and good wishes did the job - he is on the mend.

Dozer Loves the Ladies at OSU Veterinary School Hospital -Dozer

2009-10-27T11:24:00.000-07:00

I had my appointment at the Oregon State University Veterinary School Hospital and these are the lovely receptionists who thought I was the cutest bean in the pot. Who am I to argue?

This is one of my vet doctors. She is a 4th year vet student and she was very nice and loose with the treats.

Mum and Dad left me here at the hospital for x-rays and tests. I have my surgery tomorrow and I have to spend the night afterwards. But I get to come home on Thursday! It costs boatloads of money but I think we all know I am worth it! Mum got a tad pale writing the initial check, there were a lot of zeros involved.

The nice vet said I will recover faster from this surgery but I still have to be quiet and no running for quite a while. Mum says I can use this time for inner introspection, whatever that is.

Martha and Bailey - We're With You!

2009-10-25T18:21:00.000-07:00

Mum put the Halloween decorations up but we knew this was just her attempt to catch us off our guard and snap a picture. Nice try Mum but it won't work with us savvy dogs!

Martha and Bailey have had a call to arms for all dogs and cats who are subjected to flashy boxes, day in and out! No more posing, no more smiles, no more looking cute. (The specific instructions can be found at Martha's blog in Scotland, click here to view and take notes).

Coop made sure the flash did not work and that he was not looking at the camera. Mum was totally foiled! BOL!

Abandonment - Not for the faint of heart - Cooper

2009-10-21T18:14:00.000-07:00

I am not sure how it happened exactly, but Dad departed to drive his school bus in the afternoon and I got left in the backyard...by myself. Alone. Bereft of companionship. When I find myself in these situations I find barking my head off helps immensely. The only bad part is that there was no one to hear me and I started getting hoarse. Luckily Mum came home early because I was getting a little panicky. I almost fell off the deck when Mum came around the corner. I danced around and barked a whole bunch. But then Mum told me that she did not have a key to the front door or the back door because Dad had gotten the house rekeyed that day. I wasn't sure if this made our situation better or worse but I was leaning towards total panic. I took Mum out to the front of the house and we kept an eye out for Dad. Fortunately the weather was delightful and we enjoyed the fall sun and played in the leaves.
I looked left. I looked right. No Dad.

I looked straight ahead into the garden and Dad wasn't there. I did make a foray into the garden and looked for kitty "roca" without any luck.

I found sitting patiently was best and let Mum pet me endlessly.

The only bad part was that Dozer kept staring at us through the front window and making rude noises. Mum said he was jealous. I think he is psychotic but that's just me.

Dad came home and we went into the house and had dinner (pumpkin with kibble with a shot of fish oil). And all we heard all night was Dozer whining about how he didn't get to sit outside in the sun with Mum and he is always left out of the fun. Whatever.

Mum's in Love with a New Blog

2009-10-21T15:13:00.001-07:00

Mum has always had a thing for otters and now she has stumbled upon an otter blog with the most amazing drawings. (Not like Mum will sit down and draw us..oh no, too busy for that!) We looked at the blog and it is "cute" but no dog in their right mind would get in a car seat, even for a mountain of dog cookies. Okay, maybe for a mountain of dog cookies but they would have to be really, really good cookies. Anywho, Mum says to check it out by clicking here and see more pictures. If we had an otter we could chase it around the house and it could swim in my pool. Mum says otters cannot live inside because they would destroy our house. And the problem with that is...?

Got Some Change?

2009-10-19T07:58:00.000-07:00

Travis needs our help. Even us corgis know when it is time to pull together and help our less fortunate canine brothers and sisters! Can you spare a dollar or two? We sent our toy money for November and we're hoping you have a big heart too! Click here to learn more.

Monday morning shots - unrehearsed!

2009-10-19T06:01:00.000-07:00

We had a quiet weekend and are hanging out with Mum in her office. Dottie is off to find a comfy place to nap. She cut her face this weekend running into something. Mum says it is a miracle she did not put her eye out but she didn't. It must be hard to blind and deaf. Mum is guiding Dots a bit more these days so she doesn't fall or run into things.

I am sleeping at Mum's feet because I am really ticked off at Cooper. Cooper stole my bone and is chewing it on the other side of Mum. We don't know how he does this but he always steals bones.

I need to find a new brother...

The Truth - Finally!

2009-10-15T05:56:00.001-07:00

Well, here is the evidence! No one believed me when I said that Cooper was having paper treats under the bed but I got Mum's cellphone and here is the evidence. Cooper loves paper goods for snackies. Mum says it is probably because he survived on eating paper in his former abusive home - I think it is Cooper being strange. Check out the evidence for yourself. Hmmm, Coop is definitely chowing down on the paper towel.

Nice action shot, eh? Coop like to tear, chew and swallow.

That's right just put your snout into it Spaniel Boy!

And of course after an evening snack of paper, Cooper goes to bed with an innocent look on his visage (that French for face, I looked it up). What the parents don't know is that Cooper has a paperback book under the bed he is snacking on. He's already through Chapter One.

This is my sad look. No one will play ball or fetch with me because of my leg. The pain medication helps but I am still bored.

What do you mean I am not supposed to be at this end of the bed? You get to sleep at this end of the bed, shouldn't I get the same opportunity? Sheesh!

Gives Me Hope

2009-10-14T16:24:00.000-07:00

Mum says if this doesn't make you believe in the wonderful-ness of people and animals then you need a reality check. She says you may need Kleenex and you should allow a lot of time because one page just won't be enough. (Excuse me! What about my blog? I think a lot of people can't stop reading about me. Why? Because I am the most fascinating corgi on my block...okay, I am the only corgi on my block but I am still interesting!)

www.givesmehope.com

Whatever...

2009-10-13T09:20:00.001-07:00

We need to clarify that we were not left totally alone when Mum went to Portland last weekend. We were cared for by Dad and fed regularly. Occasionally he fell asleep on the job but he took care of our basic needs. He was a bit short on the cookie allocations and my evening back massage before bed was forgotten, but we survived. Mum said she could never leave us alone because we would destroy the house. Wherever did she get that idea from?

Getting Ready for Halloween Contest

2009-10-11T17:54:00.000-07:00

Well Mum is finally home from her Women of Faith conference which she abandoned us for - sure fine, go sing Amazing Grace with 15,000 women in Portland and leave us to fend for ourselves. The emotional agony is more than we could bear. However, she is back and even though the only thing she brought back was a kidney infection, we are happy to have her in residence again.

As many of you know, there are Halloween contests going on all over the doggie blogosphere and even in my tenuous health state, I agreed to pose because I think we all know my that my audience is important to moi. Cooper and Dottie, whatever.

Cooper is going as an Oregon State fan and he let Mum put this ridiculous shirt on him from Animal Crackers. If you knew Cooper you would realize he hates Halloween and dressing up so this was a big step for the boy. Don't tell him but I think he is looking pretty good.

Nice post huh? Kind of dramatic with him looking off to the football field.
Logo in place? Oh yeah.

Here's Miss Dottie in all her regalia. She does well in the collar costumes.

This is moi. Because of my injured leg I couldn't put my new orange prison outfit on so I decided to wear the tres chic collar as well. Hold yourself back ladies, I know...I take your breath away - and it's not because I only bathe four times a year. Autographed photos are still only $1.00 plus postage.

It was a privilege to have you in our life

2009-10-07T19:54:00.001-07:00

We don't know the details, only that our dear friend, Frankie, had to go to the Rainbow Bridge last weekend. He wasn't even a year old and he was so loved. It must have been something very wrong for him to leave early. His Mum took the best pictures of Frankie. The kind of pictures that make your feel all warm and soft inside.Frankie was the epitome of a corgi, he knew all the looks and just how to wiggle into your heart.
Rest well our friend, you have done your job on earth, now wait patiently for your mistress.

Know that you were loved totally and shared openly. We are so sorry to lose you, but it has been a privilege to have you in our life.

Love, Dozer, Dottie and Cooper

P.S. Please see Frankie's blog at http://frankiethecorgi.blogspot.com/ and perhaps leave a love note for his Mum.

Sleepy Sunday, Shhhhh!

2009-10-04T10:57:00.001-07:00

Grrmph, grmmph...snorkle, thwwwp, zzzzz

Naughty Dottie, Naughty, Naughty!

2009-10-01T06:29:00.000-07:00

After Mum and Da left for work, Dottie grabbed the tablecloth and pulled on it on the off chance that perhaps there was some food left on the table (there wasn't). Dottie was not the least remorseful. She says she is 16 years old and she can do what she wants. She broke an antique syrup pourer but the red vase managed to make it out alive. Dottie is very naughty.

On Dozer news, he is going to have surgery at the Oregon State University Veterinary School hospital, we're just waiting to get on the schedule. In the meantime the Doze is on pain meds and anti-inflammatory meds, so he is happy.

Me? Well, I am getting some bids on Facebook in my efforts to sell Dozer but none worth real consideration. Moxie and Izzie offered me a dollar which is so low I cannot even dignify acknowledging their offer. (And besides, they need to spend their time updating their blog with more pictures and adventures, we miss hearing from them!) In case you are looking for me on Facebook, you can find me here.

I'll update more later, right now I feel a nap coming on!