Holiday Cheese

Clank's Report:

We had a really great day today. The Moms climbed up in the attic and got down a whole bunch of boxes and bags and stuff. Ratchet & I ran all over the back yard and played chase and roll the Corgi.

By the time we got back in the house, there was neat tissue paper to play with and all kinds of stuff to sniff in the boxes. Ratchet told me he thought maybe it had something to do with Santy-Paws. I asked him who that was but he just rolled his eyes. Ratchet told me I'd find out when I open my stocking on Christmas morning. Then he snickered.

Then Mommy Annie put this really goofy thing around my neck that Ratchet said made me look like a court jester. It didn't fit too good, so that came off. They tried putting some reindeer antlers on Ratchet, but he kept trying to rub them off his head.

Things really started looking up when the Moms put on our Christmas neckerchiefs (that's what Ratchet calls them). They had us sit on our dog bed in front of the fireplace and took a whole bunch of pictures. Of course, there's no way we would have sat still for that long without....wait for it...CHEESE!

Everytime we sat still and looked nice for the camera, we each got a piece of string cheese. We were all set to sit still for the rest of the afternoon, but Mommy Shar said she got a couple good ones, and that was that.

I'm sorry they stopped giving us cheese, but I do like the picture. The only thing I still wonder about is this Santy-Paws guy. It must be something good, 'cause Ratchet is looking up at that stocking hanging on the mantel and he keeps smiling. Guess I'll just have to wait & see.

A History Lesson for Young Corgis

Ratchet’s report:

As you know, I’m trying to raise the kid up right (no small job, let me tell you), and I discovered a gap in his knowledge of the proud history of Cardigans. I’ve rectified that, but it occurred to me that there may be other Cardies out there suffering from the dis-information campaign of the dreaded Pembroke Corgi committee.

These guys have been swaggering around saying they are the Queen’s dogs because the Hanoverian took a fancy to the tailless little munchkins. Let me set the record straight, children, because we Cardies know who the real Queen’s dogs are. And we know which Queen we’re talking about, don’t we? Yeah, that’s right. Her eternal majesty, the magnificent Queen Mabh of the Fairies.

We aren’t just farm dogs, we’re a gift from the Fair Folk to the Welsh people. And here is the story.

Long, long ago, Queen Mabh and her retinue took a ride through the forest on their royal steeds. The mighty fairy dogs were the perfect steeds for the Fair Folk: low-slung to make it easy for the fairies to mount them; intelligent, kind and gentle so even the fairy children could ride them without fear; and brave and strong so they could carry their passengers far and away, and protect them from any danger. There was only one thing that could threaten both the Fair Folk and their steadfast mounts – cold iron.

Thus it was that one of the Queen’s favorite retainers and his enchanted dog ran afoul of a poacher’s trap, which laid them low. Now none of the other Fair Folk could approach the injured rider and dog because of the presence of the iron trap. Queen Mabh was distraught, but she did not know what she could do to save them.

A young girl and boy were wandering in the woods and they had hidden in the bushes to watch the ride of the Fairies. They were afraid to say anything because they had heard many stories of changelings and mysterious magics of the Fey, but they couldn’t let the poor fairy and his beautiful mount die. The boy spoke up and offered to help.

Queen Mabh was suspicious, and demanded to know what mischievous intent brought them into the forest at night. The girl explained that they had been sent by their father to rescue their prize ewe, who had wandered off from their small farm. Without her, their family would surely starve. The Queen told them to help her friends and she would give them a royal reward.

The boy pulled the cruel trap away from the rider and his steed, disabling it and throwing it into the bushes. The girl used some herbs to bind their injuries so they would heal quickly.

Queen Mabh was well pleased and made good on her promise to them. Ringing the golden bell that adorned her dog’s harness, she sprinkled Fairy dust and two beautiful puppies appeared. They bowed to the Queen and then ran to the boy and girl, looking up at them with their intelligent, attentive dark eyes.

“This gift I make for you and all your kin. These fairy dogs will protect you and yours, herd your cattle and sheep, and bring you laughter and love for they are the kindest and most loving dogs in the world.” Then Queen Mabh and her retinue gathered up their injured friends and rode off through the forest.

The farmer and his family raised the dogs and prospered. All the Cardigan Corgis come from those two fairy dogs. The Cardigan Corgi can trace its history back 3,000 years to the time of the most Ancient Celts (sorry, Pembrokes, but you guys only date back 1,000 years).

And you can tell this story is true because Cardigans show the fairy saddles and harnesses in their coats. Check it out – I’m not kidding! And every so often, if you go outside at night, you’ll hear that jingling bell to let you know the Fairies are near and want to go for a ride. If you play your cards right you might just get to romp with Queen Mabh and her crew.

So, go forth with pride, young Cardies. You are truly the Queen’s dogs.

No Balls on Thanksgiving

Ratchet’s report:

We had a great Turkey Day last week. There was a nice walk and good smells all day, and then we had a really good dinner. Me and the kid had some turkey and stuffing on top of our kibble. Yummy!

We all gave thanks for the many blessings of the year, including the arrival of my little brother. I hate to say it, but I guess I am grateful for him, too. He really cheered me up after my big brother Jive went to the Rainbow Bridge.

But I gotta admit I’m really thankful that they got rid of that ball of his. We’ve gotten back to all our usual games and romps, except when the Moms get all fractious at us because he’s supposed to keep quiet because he’s still healing. Judging from the speed he races up and down the hallway, I’d sure hate to see what he’d do if he wasn’t convalescing. The kid is going to break the sound barrier any day now.

So, I’m pleased to report that everything’s back to normal now that the aberration of the ball has been taken care of. And this morning, we each got a treat from a dog Advent calendar, which is some sort of cardboard thingy with treats hidden behind little doors. Cool, huh?

Clank was hoping it was going to last all year, but I explained it’s only until Christmas. Then the kid asked me what Christmas is and I really had to laugh. He’s in for a big surprise in a few weeks.

His latest insanity is that he’s sending a picture of his butt to the Toreth blog (that’s his breeder), challenging his siblings to an exchange of fanny pictures. He claims he has a really cute butt, but I think he’s just compensating for not being able to sniff their butts like a proper Welsh gentleman.

Ouch!

Clank’s Report:

I had the most dreadfullest experience yesterday. I went to the hospital and they shaved a bunch of fur off my tummy and my leg and then attached this weird tube thing and I got real tired and fell asleep. Next thing I know, I wake up with the most ginormous band-aid around my middle and my tummy is kinda sore, and my ball is missing! I don’t know what to think of that. Who’d want to steal my ball? It’s not like anybody else could use it or anything.

I had to wait a real long time for Mommy to come get me, and when she got there, I was so ready to go home. She looked real worried about something and she gave me lots of loves, and carried me to the car. I guess she missed me as much as I missed her.

I didn’t get the whole story until we got home and Ratchet explained it to me. It turns out that I didn’t have just the one ball. I had a whole other ball that was growing inside me. And Bianca (my nurse who totally loves Corgis) told Mommy that it was HUGE – the biggest ball they’d ever seen inside a puppy – Labrador size. I guess balls aren’t supposed to grow until they get outside, but this one had another idea.

And then Dr. Kienle told Mommy that it had wandered off into my ‘testines and wrapped around stuff and it was really hard to find and if they hadn’t taken it out it would have been real bad for my digestion (whatever that is). But she found it and now I don’t have a Labrador ball anymore. Ratchet says I can still tell all the guys at Puppy Park that I had the biggest ball in Corgi history. He says I get “bragging rights.” I hope they include cookies with that.

This morning we went back to the hospital and they checked my blood and everything is fine. So they took off my band-aid and I found out I have this really neat scar up my middle. That’s totally cool because I not only have my doggy pirate collar but I have a scar to go with it.

Avast, Matey. Now I think I need a hat.

He Got Ball

Ratchet here to report on a very disturbing development. I’ve been pretty patient about the Wart. I’m a very understanding guy, despite what my Mom might say.

I put up with his annoying habit of waking me from a sound sleep barking about wanting to play chase. I let him nip me on the leg and the chest and the butt until I can’t stand it anymore, and then I chase him down and chew on his ear for awhile, which he seems to like. I’m even willing to overlook his newly acquired habit of latching onto my tail with his teeth so I drag him around the house like a furry caboose.

But I am telling you that I have hit my limit with this latest offense. A few weeks ago I noticed that something smelled different in the house and not in a good way. I traced it back to the Wart, who suddenly was sporting a new appendage. Yep, I know you other dogs know what I’m talking about. While I wasn’t looking he went ahead and sprouted a ball!

Now I do give him a couple points because he’s only got the one, but still. This is just too much for a nice fella like me to bear. How come he gets to have a ball when I haven’t seen mine since I was just a puppy? It is totally unfair.

I told Mom exactly what I thought in no uncertain terms. First she told me to quit barking at the top of my lungs and then she said not to worry about it, it was only temporary. But I’ve been watching this thing and it just keeps getting bigger. Maybe that’s why he doesn’t have two – he’s just going to grow one GIANT BALL. I tell you, it makes a guy nervous just thinking about it.

Well, anyway, Mom told me tonight that Clank is going to see Dr. Kienle tomorrow and when he gets home he won’t have a ball anymore. I sure hope so. I’m a wreck and I don’t know how much longer I can deal with this. Just yesterday he barked at me and his voice dropped at least an octave. I’m worried he’ll start growing and turn into a Rottweiler or something. I’m praying he comes home a nice ball-free Corgi tomorrow afternoon. Whew.

Back Online

Ratchet’s Report: No ‘Posable Thumbs!

I’m finally getting back online and I have to apologize to my loyal fans for the loooong hiatus. I blame my Mom. Now don’t get me wrong, I love her lots, but lately she’s been a total flake about writing up my reports. You see, I depend on her to take dictation and post my reports regularly because I lack that all-important aid to computer expression – ‘posable thumbs.

I have to tell you, I’m pretty steamed about this. It’s just unfair that there are no keyboards designed for paws. I mean, hey, these computer companies are missing a really great market ‘cause dogs have a lot to say and we love blogging. Well, Clank and I do anyway.

So, about Mom. She says she has a good excuse ‘cause she was busy revising her mystery novel so she could submit it to a publisher competition. It’s a mystery about some musicians and there’s a murder and a bunch of other boring stuff. Oh, and get this, NO DOG. I could tell her it’s never going to hit the bestseller lists without a dog, but I don’t want to hurt her feelings. Maybe she could revise it and try again later.

She’s finally mailed it off, so you can expect regular posts from yours truly (and the Wart) in the future. Thanks for hanging in there.


Following is a much belated post from Clank about his hideout.



Clank’s Report: Hideout

Toreth C-Myste Secret Agent Clank reporting on his latest discovery (hee-hee). Sorry, I can’t keep a straight face when I say my full name. My Mommy Shar says that’s what’s on my ped-a-gree from the Ay-kay-cee. Sounds pretty official. I guess the Ay-kay-cee must be the head Corgi or something. I asked Ratchet and he agreed that only a Corgi could be in charge of organizing Corgis.


Anyway, I found this really cool place under the blanket chest in the bedroom. I’m the only one who can fit under there and I crawl under it and hang out sometimes. It makes me laugh that I have my very own hideout, just like a secret agent. I guess that’s why I’m called Secret Agent Clank.

Vicious Buddies

Ratchet’s Report:

Remember in the last post that I mentioned that the kid is teething? Oh boy, has he got it bad! He chews on anything that gets within mouth range, including me, and those baby teeth are pointy. But I take my job as big brother very seriously, so I persevere in spite of the fact that I am turning into a puppy pin cushion.



We are currently working on “fierce dog” skills, which involves a lot of wrestling and plenty of mouth-fencing. Now for you humans out there, mouth-fencing is an important aspect of the early training of a good guard Corgi. There are four basic parts to mouth-fencing training that every good instructor knows: 1) the play bow, so the other guy knows it’s all in good fun; 2) the roll-over to lure the opponent into thinking you’re giving in; 3) flashing of the teeth (open mouth as wide as possible), accompanied by ferocious growling; and 4) the “death bite” delivered to the neck, leg or body.

You have to be careful with that last one, so you don’t hurt the other guy. And, of course, when the other guy’s had enough, he squeaks “uncle,” and everybody play bows and returns to a neutral corner.

The kid is really crazy about training and wants to do it all day. I love it, but after three or four hours, I just want a break. So, I get up on the couch and tell him to go annoy Mommy Shar or clean up the back yard.

It’s tough being a good doggy daddy, but rewarding. I recommend it to any other dogs out there who are on the fence about getting a puppy. Great exercise and you can blame all your bad behavior on the kid. Good times.

Clank’s Report:

My big brother is the coolest! He’s teaching me mouth-fencing and chase and tug-o-war and all kinds of good stuff. I so look up to him. I follow him everywhere and kiss his chin so he knows how much I adore him.

It’s funny, but sometimes he just growls at me, gets up on the couch and goes to sleep. What’s with that, anyway?

I suppose sometimes a guy just has to crash. After a long day, I do, too.

Down on the Farm

Ratchet’s Report:

Last Saturday we had some serious fun. We all got in the big truck and went for a ride to visit Uncle Spencer and Auntie Linda at their fabulous farm. It’s got roses and fruit trees and its very own pond and lots and lots of room for a dog to stretch his legs and run. I heard the Moms say it’s five whole acres. We also got to see their Boston Terrier, Stormy.

While the people were visiting, I looked around the house and it seemed to me that it needed something to give it that warm, lived in feeling. So I cocked my leg and blessed the wall and a suitcase. Dog, you’d think I ate someone’s cat the way everyone reacted! Mom put me on a leash and I had to sit under the table and listen to a lot of boring people conversation.

Stormy and Clank were living it up, playing all over the house and I was just stuck under the table. I had to step in when things got a little out of hand between them and break it up, but it was just a friendly game of “eat your head.”

Stomy’s the official farm dog and he showed Clank around the place. I’ve been there before, so I decided to hang around with the family so they wouldn’t feel abandoned.

Clank and Stormy have a lot in common, since they’re both obsessed with sticks. The thing is that Stormy’s idea of a stick is a tree limb about eight feet long. So, he got the kid to pick up one end of a tree branch and he grabbed the other and they carried it around together. I could hardly believe it.

Of course, I got lots of hugs and scritches from Uncle Spencer and Auntie Linda, and I gave so many kisses & cuddles to Auntie Linda she said I was like a therapy dog. I really like Auntie Linda.

Then the kid showed up with Stormy and we had some fun playing tag. Dog, can that Boston run! Clank’s tongue was practically dragging on the ground from chasing him. What a great time.

Clank’s Report:

I had the greatest experience last weekend. I met Uncle Spencer & Auntie Linda and their dog Stormy. He is like the most amazing stick guy in the world, and he runs like the wind.

He’s really a great host, too. He showed me all around his yard, and then we ran back and forth like silly nuts for awhile until I had to go get some water or I’d pass out. Whew!

The very best part was when he taught me how to carry a REALLY BIG STICK. I mean this was so big it must have been a whole tree. No lie, it was HUGE. I hope I get to see him again real soon and talk some more about sticks. He promised he show me how to carry big rocks next time I visit. I can hardly wait.

A Visit to the Vet

Clank’s Report:

I got shot on Saturday. …Kidding, boy did I have you going, huh?

I had to go see my doctor at Banfield Pet Hospital & get my final puppy vaccinations. I’ve decided I don’t like shots almost as much as I don’t like getting my temperature taken. What’s with sticking something up my butt? Don’t people know that’s where stuff is supposed to come out, not go in?

The cool thing was that Ratchet came along this time so he could meet Dr. Kienle. She’s my doctor and she’s the greatest. She totally loves Corgis and has a Pembroke girl of her own. Ratchet says he’ll overlook the Pembroke thing since she’s so nice and is thinking of getting a Cardigan after meeting us.

She gave me a cookie for being a good boy and Ratchet got one ‘cause he made his ears perk up for her. That part was fun, so I guess going to the vet isn’t all bad.

Toy-o-rama

Ratchet’s Report:

Anybody who knows Corgis knows that we are world-class organizational professionals. I am the top organizational dog at the Happy Puppy Park, despite what those Pembrokes might say about it. Like anyone without a tail could organize anything!

And if you live around humans, you understand why. Yeesh, they are sooo disorganized. Fortunately for our Moms, they have me. We are really making some inroads around our house now that I have my apprentice, Clank.

I’ve been training him up, and he’s doing some great work in the back yard. So far, he’s found lots of sticks, leaves, pine cones, pieces of siding left over when my Mommy Annie & Uncle Spencer built Mommy Shar’s art studio, a few darts from an old dart board, a piece of ancient electrical cord, and a number of rocks.

He keeps bringing the garden shoes and gloves in, but I’ve told him those are supposed to stay outside. I try to give the kid some slack because he’s young and distractable.

We decided to re-organize the toy box last week with a little help from our Moms. First, we hauled all the toys out to the living room and spread them around the floor. Then we looked them over carefully and made two piles: keepers and “too yucky to have in the house.”

The Moms seemed to think an awful lot of our toys fell in the latter category, so Clank and I had to fetch them back out of the box and put them on our keeper pile. That took awhile, since the Moms didn’t agree with us, but we finally got the job done and we’re pretty happy with the results.

Clank’s Report:

I’ve been studying up on organization with my big brother. It’s lots of fun and I think I’m getting pretty good at it. He says I’m a “natural,” except when my teeth hurt and I can’t think of anything but chewing on stuff.

My favorite lesson was going through our toys and picking the ones we like best. What a blast! The Moms helped by taking some of our favorites and putting them in one pile so we could go get them and put them back in our pile. Then they’d put them in the other pile again and we’d do it all over.

Ratchet says I can be his ‘prentice when I get a little older and go to doggy daycare. I can hardly wait! I don’t know what a ‘prentice is, but I bet it’s really cool.

In Memoriam: Jumpin' Jive

Ratchet & Clank’s Report:

We had a sad thing happen this week, which is why we haven’t written in our blog. Our big old brother Jumpin’ Jive died on Monday evening. He was really sick for a long time and the Moms explained that he couldn’t stay with us anymore because he had to go be with his brother Jazz at the Rainbow Bridge.

Ratchet: Jive took really good care of me when I came to live with my Moms. I had been ‘bused and was awful scared of everything, but he helped me get my smiles back and he taught me all kinds of good things about playing with toys and stuff. I will miss him a lot ‘cause I loved him.

Clank: I only knew Jive for a little while, but he was a wonderful big brother. He taught me all about pottying in the yard instead of the house. When he got really sick last week, I would cuddle with him on his bed and kiss his chin to cheer him up. I hope he is having fun at the Rainbow Bridge and that he knows how much I love him.

Jumpin’ Jive
In Memoriam
1998 – 2009

His spirit lives on in the love and joy he shared.
He was a healer and a gentle, loving soul
with a heart as big as his smile.
Good night, Sweet Boy.
We’ll meet you on the other side at the Rainbow Bridge.

Read the book, “The Legend of Rainbow Bridge”
by William N. Britton
Read the poem and support this wonderful author at: http://www.legendofrainbowbridge.com/

Busy Days

Clank’s Comments:

I’ve been really busy around the house lately, so I haven’t had time to write. Mommy needs lots of help and she says I’m her little helper. Isn’t that cool? Only 11 weeks old and I already have a job.

I’ve been helping out in the office while Mommy designs stuff. I take care of the filing and sometimes I consult. I don’t know exactly what that is, but Ratchet says it’s real important and that he’s the senior consultant. I was impressed, ‘cause I didn’t know he was in high school. I even have my own spot right on the filing cart, in between the inkjet paper and the notepads. I’m hoping to learn how to fax soon. Ratchet says he’ll teach me all about it.

I also help take care of my oldest brother Jive, who has a bad tummy. He gets sick a lot and Mommy has to clean up after him. She says I am a big help when I grab the mop and show her where to push it around. I think I’m really good at it because I’m so close to the floor.

There’s so much I have to do in the yard, it’s hard to keep up. I have to pick up pine cones and sticks all over the place and munch on them. Then Mommy takes them away from me and throws them out.

I had to butt tuck around the yard this morning at least five times. Mommy laughed a lot. I’m not sure why.

Mommy gave me a really neat treat to help with my teething. It’s called a bully stick. I can chew and chew a long time and my teeth feel much better. The problem is that my brother Ratchet likes bully sticks, too. And he keeps stealing mine. If it wasn’t for Mommy’s fast action, I wouldn’t get to chew any of it. Whew!

Ratchet’s Report:

Boy, am I relieved. I’ve been really worried all week because I thought there was some kind of alien monster that had invaded our house. It had a dog’s body, but there was the real strange white dish antenna on its head. I figured it was sending signals to the Mother Ship and we were all going to be in real trouble when that thing landed in the back yard.

I growled at it and tried a few times to scare it away, but Mommy Shar kept scolding me every time I did that. I was soooo confused.

Well, everything is fine again. Tonight the Moms took the alien into the bedroom and I listened at the door while they fought with it. Man, you should have heard the whining and pitiful cries for mercy. I almost felt sorry for him, but then I remembered he was a threat and barked a couple times to lend moral support to the Moms.

A few minutes later they opened the door and I raced in to see what was happening. There on the bed was my little brother, who had been missing all week. Obviously, the Moms hammered that alien guy and made him return my little bro. My Moms are just the best!

Making Friends

Ratchet’s Report:
I never thought I’d say this, but it’s been a good couple of days. Despite the fact that Clank is kind of a pest (he follows me around all the time looking at me with this dopey look on his face), we’ve been doing some cool stuff.

I was kind of worried that my Moms were going to toss me in the trash now that they’ve got this brand new guy, since he’s so cute and all. But my Mommy Annie is so great; she took me on a really long walk, just her & me yesterday morning. And my Mommy Shar let me sit with her on the couch and gave me lots of attention, even when Clank was around. I felt much better after that.

Of course, Mommy Shar stopped petting me every time I growled at Clank, so I figured out pretty fast that I should knock that off. Sigh.

Then all three of us (me, Jive and Clank) took a walk with the Moms, and I gotta tell you, that Clank is hilarious. What a goof! Jive and I were just doing our usual thing, trotting along, and this little nutjob would come running up alongside us at about 100 mph with his tongue hanging out of his mouth and a really silly grin on his face. I had a hard time looking stern at him. After all, a guy has to maintain a certain level of decorum on a walk. You don’t want to embarrass yourself in front of all the other dogs in the yards & houses along the way.

The coolest thing I’ve discovered about having a puppy along is that people go out of their way to come up and pet you. It’s like he’s an affection magnet. We got loves from the lady who lives on the corner, and our neighbor Mike called his wife, Carolyn, out to see the little dude. Naturally, Jive and I took full credit for the new arrival, and everyone thought we were great guys.

The only beef I have is that the little furball has weaseled his way into the bedroom at night, while Jive and I are stuck in the living room and kitchen. I did my best pouty face and Mommy Annie has been falling all over herself to make me feel better. I’m trying to work my way onto the bed tonight. Keeping my digits crossed.


Clank’s Comments:
Things have been really good here up until this afternoon.

I think I’m getting the hang of my potty training. I’ve been watching my big brother Jive, and he even came outside with me and Mommy in the middle of the night and reminded me to do all my business before I go back inside. He’s so smart! Today Mommy Shar said she was so proud that I went outside all by myself to piddle after breakfast.

I think Ratchet is coming around. We’ve bumped noses a few times, and he lets me follow him around so I can learn the rules. Sometimes he gets crabby with me and shows me “the fang,” but I take it in stride. I’m such a nice guy, he’s just gotta love me.

Yesterday I had a big adventure when we went to Natural Pet Northwest. It’s a really neat store and everything there is really good for dogs and cats, and the people are so nice they gave me a bunch of free treats. It doesn’t get any better than free food. They said I could come back any time.

We had to get me a collar for walks. My nifty blue harness doesn’t work so well when Mommy is trying to teach me how to walk on a leash – I can’t figure out what she wants. So, she got me a red collar that goes with my flex-lead and it’s got doggy pirates on it, with real eye-patches and everything. I feel so cool when I am wearing it.

We took two whole walks yesterday and today. I never knew about walking on a leash, but I think I’m getting the hang of it now that I have my new collar. Must be the pirates. I walk with Mommy Shar while Mommy Annie and the other guys go ahead, then I race up next to Ratchet and Jive really fast. I usually find something interesting to look at or sniff, so they get ahead of me, and I do it all over again. Mommy Shar says it’s my “robics” or something like that. I just think it’s fun.

I met some nice people and found lots of trees and bushes to piddle on, and best of all, I saw a real fire hydrant. What an upscale neighborhood! I also barked at all the dogs in all the yards.

I don’t know what I did, but for some reason, the Moms decided to torture me by taping my ears this afternoon. And every time I scratch at the tape, they put my foot on the floor and say, “No!” Mommy Annie told me I have a lazy ear and it needs to be taped so my “cart-ledge” can get stronger. Where is this cart and why is it on a ledge, anyway?

A New Home

Today was the start of my big adventure. My name is Clank and I’m a whole eleven weeks old today. So, I got to move to a new forever home. I’m really going to miss my family at Toreth, but I had lots of hugs with everyone and said goodbye to my brothers and sisters, so they know I love them.

I met my new Moms and my two big brothers and I rode in a really huge truck and got a neat new harness-thing and a stuffed sheep and my very own dinner bowl and a crate with a really soft fleece bed in it and it was fun!

My brother Ratchet is a Corgi like me, so I don’t feel quite so bad about leaving my Mommy Kayla and my littermates. At least we talk the same language. Boy, he is really grumpy! I keep talking to him and he keeps grumbling at me. He really got cranky when I tried to play with his rolly-ball, but I figured I should get some of those treats that fall out of it on the floor. That’s okay. I’ll just keep talking Corgi to him and pretty soon he’ll come around.

The other guy is a ginormous old yellow Lab named Jive. He’s been pretty nice to me, though he did bark at me when I got up in his face. I’ve been trying to sniff his butt, but it’s way over my head and he wags his tail all the time – I’m afraid I’ll get a concussion. He did let me sit on his bed with him, though. He’s a really good sport.

My new Moms are really cool, especially Mommy Shar. She gives me lots of pets and goes with me everywhere. I even learned to sit and sit up already. That’s really cool ‘cause you get treats when you do stuff you learn.

The other really great thing about my new home is that there are more stuffed toys here than at PetsMart. So far, I’ve played with a monkey and a duck in a little roadster and some other ones, too. The best one was a blue and yellow octopus with lots of legs I can pull on. I liked it so much I had to run all over the room as fast as I could with it. I tried playing with Mommy’s shoelaces, but she gave me the stink-eye, so I got my duck instead.

I’ve been having so much fun, I had to take two naps! Man, this is the life.

A Really Big Day

My name is Ratchet. I’m a Cardigan Welsh Corgi and I live in a nice house with my Moms and my big old brother, Jive. He’s a Lab, but he’s ancient, so he doesn’t play with me. He mostly sleeps all day.

Today was amazing. My Moms and I took a really long drive. I saw lots of interesting things out the window and after about a hundred years, we finally arrived at this really cool place called Toreth.

They have sheep and a whole herd of Corgis like me. They also have a really neat bulldog named Gus. He and I bumped noses and he was a very nice guy.



The puppies were pretty cool, except I think some of them must have gotten into fights and broken their ears, because they were all wrapped up with masking tape. Sure glad I didn’t meet the guy who won the fight!

I got to meet a lovely lady named Léo Washburn and her daughters. I put the old smooth moves on them and we were all friends in no time. We even had cuddles on the couch. I love dog people!



Then for some completely unexplained reason, my Mommy Shar took one of the Corgi puppies and put him in the truck and we drove away with him. I had to bark at every single car we saw on the way home, just so he’d know I’m in charge.


They tell me this guy is my little brother, Clank. I guess he is sort of cute, but I’m hanging close to my Mommy Annie and letting this interloper know that he’s not going to get away with anything on my watch (I grumble at him). Mommy Shar says I better be nice, ‘cause I’m supposed to be the big boy and have good manners. That is sooo unfair.