Abandonment - Not for the faint of heart - Cooper

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

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?

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!

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!

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

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...

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

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

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!

Grrmph, grmmph...snorkle, thwwwp, zzzzz

Naughty Dottie, Naughty, Naughty!

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!

I love Facebook - Cooper

Dad made me an account at Facebook. I am trying to sell Dozer there. I'd be glad to be your friend on Facebook, just invite me!

Napping with Mum - Dozer

Mum and I retired to the bedroom last night and I snuggled in for a pre-bedtime nap. Always time for pratice for Sleepy Sundays I say. Snork, num, num, num.
Bunny paws

Do you feel a breeze? I feel a breeze.

Good-Bye Pink Baby!

Our message notes in Pink Baby's scrapbook. Today PB leaves for "Hoover-ville" via United Parcel Service. Thanks for stopping by PB, you made our week!

A quiet day with Pink Baby

Pink Baby is not very coy! She has been all over me today - "hug me", "kiss me", "let's hug!"..on and on it went. She is such a sweet puppy! And did I mention she is very pink?!

Goodness, Pink Baby just jumped right up and wrapped herself around me! She is such a cuddle pup!

This is me being cuddled by Da. He is very patient with me and just lets me lie in his arms and doze.

Pink Baby loves my nose (who can say why?) She says my nose is smooth and "so kiss-able!"...well of course, I am totally "kiss-able" and I love little pecks on my snoutster.

Pink Baby gave me a lovely paw massage on my hurt leg. She is such a devoted little pup and very good with her paws. My foot felt much better after her ministrations.

This is me giving Pink Baby a big good-night hug. I love Pink Baby and I am so glad she came to visit us. Cooper says PB has to play with him tomorrow...we'll see.

No update on my leg today but we will be patient and wait for Dr. B to call us. Thank you all for your good wishes and prayers.

Good night, Love, Dozer Edwards

Pink Baby Unwrapped!

Finally Mum got herself organized to open our package from Tibby in New York! See what a pretty job the merry Tibster did on our name and address? Very artistic! In case you are wondering, the name of our town (Philo-math) means "City of Volunteers". The town was built around the logging industry and now we house the Benton County Historical Museum which always has great exhibits and shows. We are about as small a town as you can get and it is a bit like living back in the 1950's, something we find most endearing and delightful.
Pink Baby went over the rules for having her stay with us. Just one week - how can we show her everything Oregon in just one week? Well, we will do our best and then she will be off on another adventure.
Oh, this is me after I put Pink Baby in my mouth and ran into the living room with her. First, I am not supposed to be running and second, I am not supposed to be trying to de-stuff Pink Baby. Sorry, I got a little carried away. It won't happen again.

Pink Baby had a cup of coffee and we looked at all the entries in her scrapbook that Kylie started. Like I said, Tibby is a hard act to follow but Mum says it isn't a competition (it better not be because we're failing fast! BOL!)

Tonight Mum said we will review some Oregon history with Pink Baby and have some play time - quiet play time but play time nonetheless!

The Verdict from the Hospital

I am finally home from the vet. Mum took me in for my 11am appointment and I made sure to leave a big (some might say “giganormous”) puddle by the front door of the office so everyone would know I had arrived.

I was ushered into one of the private rooms (Mum says all the rooms are private but I think they have a special one for important dogs like me).

"What? What do you mean there is a limit to how much cheese-in-a-can I can have? Who cares if it gives me the farties? That's fine by me, I don't care!"

We hung out with the most able technician who was very free with the “cheese-in-can”. My heart is just fine and my temperature was normal. Then Dr. B finally arrived. I love Dr. B. and she feels the same about moi. She checked out my knees, comparing the two against one another and determined neither of them was in great shape. I put on my most pathetic look for her and I believe she succumbed to my charms once again.

Then I was off to the x-ray department (Mum says it is just a room and not a “department”…. whatever!) and they took magical pictures of my knees and hips. Dr. B and I came back to my private room and looked at the magical pictures with Mum. I take remarkable x-rays and need to talk to Mum about using them for our annual Christmas card.

"Isn't Dr. B just beautiful? See how gentle she is with me? She loves me and I love her. Actually I like her massage technique best and her opposable thumb that let's the cheese-in-a-can out!"

The decision is that Dr. B is going to have an orthopedic surgeon look at the x-rays and then my “films” go to the Oregon State University Veterinary School to see what they suggest. We should know in a couple of days what needs to be done. My left knee that had surgery last year has a giganormous amount of arthritis so Dr. B isn’t sure the same surgery on the right knee is such a hot idea. The right knee is not as “loose” as the left but I am not sure if that is good or bad. Mum says not to worry about it, that is what Dr. B is there for.

"This was a pawtastic couple of hours but now I am ready for my pain meds and a nap. Time to let go of me ladies, I've got more hearts to break and need to keep movin' down the Road of Love."

I am home now and Mum has been to my favorite pet store, Animal Crackers, and gotten us Frosty Paws for dessert tonight. And we get to unwrap Pink baby too!

More news as it breaks (the news, not my knees!)

Monday, Monday - Not such a good day

Dozer's Mum here. Dozer is going to the vet this morning because we believe he has blown out his right rear knee (you may remember he did his left rear knee almost a year ago to the day). He is not feeling very well but we have him on his pain medication and will get him into see his favorite vets and see if we can schedule surgery or whatever they suggest. We suspect this has been coming on for a bit because he has not been his usual rambunctious self.

On the bright side, we received a package from our good friend Tibby, who resides on the East Coast of the United States. Although Dozer is dying to open the box, we have decided to wait until tonight so we can all sit down together and see what is inside. Could it be something say...pink? Yes, PINK BABY has come to Oregon to visit Dozer, Dottie and Cooper! Can you believe it? Pink Baby belongs to Miss Kylie who lives in Massachusetts. This traveling stuffie has been to Singapore and visited all sorts of dogs like the Musketeers! We have only a week to show Pink Baby our side of Oregon and even with Dozer's serious injury we will do our best.

Disclaimer: We cannot rise to the level of Tibby with Pink Baby. First off, we cannot sew collars, nor can we make teeny little pancakes for PB. We're not entirely sure what we can do to make this a truly Oregon experience but we will do our best!

Please keep Dozer in your thoughts today as we determine what the best course of action is for his leg.

Looking for a Large Heart - Maybe Yours?

For Susan and Mike Kelms, their four dogs were like their children. And they always hoped they would stay together if anything happened to them.About two weeks after the Kelmses were both killed in a fatal motorcycle crash over the Labor Day weekend, their family and a Burr Ridge shelter is looking for someone to adopt the pack.They've had inquiries about one or two of the dogs, but no one has stepped up yet to take all four, said Kathy Deets, manager of the Chicago Canine Club in Burr Ridge."Their last wish was that they could be adopted together and they are an interesting little pack,'' said Deets. "They're just best friends, these four dogs."

They are 6-year-old Anacortes, a 47-pound female American Eskimo lab mix; 3-year-old Cedonia, a 34-pound female husky mix; 7-year-old Tacoma, a 92-pound male lab mix; and Everett, a 4-year-old, 47-pound, male Austrian Shepard lab mix.She said the shelter has been boarding the dogs since the accident as a niece of the Kelmses searches for a home. Deets said the dogs have an unusually close bond and tend to hang out together in the shelter.According to a letter posted on the shelter's Web site by Kim Mayer, the Kelms' niece, the dogs were adopted over the past seven years."Their dogs were the only children they ever had,'' Mayer wrote.Deets said she understands it will be difficult finding homes for all four dogs, and said they have had inquires from neighbors and friends of the Kelms."To adopt two dogs together is a huge challenge ... four could be impossible,'' said Deets.But she said the dogs are very well-mannered and show signs that they were well taken care of by the owners. "The dogs are super sweet.'' The dogs, all rescued from area shelters, are spayed and neutered and are up to date on vaccines.-- Carlos Sadovi

I want a jury trial - Dozer

So Mum and I were playing on the bed with Mr. Mallard, who sadly has lost all of his stuffing, and apparently someone ripped the duvet cover. Mum says it must have been me because Mr. Mallard doesn't have the strength to do such a thing. I think not. Let's look at the evidence, shall we? Here I am with Mr. Mallard. He certainly is flat, is he not?
Oh look! Another handsome portrait of me. I do look rather nice on the duvet don't I?

Nice side shot of me, I think it may be my best side.

Hmm, the tear. Note it is a perfect 90 degree angle. Not something you would expect from a canine, is it? I think the can opener did it and that's my story.

A Tuesday Morning Funny

From www.makemymood.com