We have visitors!

Katrin & James are here for the New Year! I picked her up at the train station this evening and they will stay here until Saturday. This will be a fun weekend!

A new perch.

On cold winter days, living room furniture is at a premium for napping. Since Luther was sleeping in the chair, Troy decided that the end table would be a good perch. I swear he is part cat.

Fern has been found!

Thank you for the prayers. They have been answered! Fern is now safe, though she was hit by a car and is now in surgery to repair a broken pelvis.

When Amy gets the chance, she will be updating her blog.

Santa Paws came!

Santa Paws did arrive!

Zsa Zsa did enjoy her first Christmas!

And the pack had loads of fun!

We hope you and yours had a Merry Christmas! We certainly did!

Lost Dog in Florida!

A close relative of our pack has gone missing in Florida, last seen in the Melbourne area. Scary similar to when Eva was lost. FMI please read Amy's new blog.

For photos and info on Fern, please see this page.

Please pray that she is reunited quickly with her family.

Finally!

Here are a couple photos of Luther at the herding trials back in September.

He really does exist!

Smokey, our gray cat that is... He was the kitty sleeping under the tree this morning and I had to take a photo as proof he does exist.

He NEVER comes out for anyone other than Leonard or I. Our nephew has lived at our home for a week at a time and never seen this cat. The only one he ever came out to visit was our dear friend Rose, who passed away in 2007. He knew she was special.

Just 10 days and 4 hours until Christmas!

I was starting to panic this weekend. We had not decorated yet for the holidays as we were busy with the house. Emma's due date is fast approaching and I need to pack up Christmas before puppies come. So yesterday we put up a little bit of Christmas & I feel much better now.

We did not put up our big tree this year. The little fiber-optic tree went up. It has had rotating cats sleeping under it. This is 14 year old Twister taking a snooze. Pearl already attacked it and had it flying across the room. What fun Christmas is with cats.

The mantle got decorated and cards hung around the entry way. That is the extent of the decorating this year. Maybe next year I can go over board. I have always wanted to make my entire house Christmas-y for the month of December with holiday dishes, sheets, towels... the works. I can dream...

Demi and her angel ornament, which will forever stay on my mantle.

More Luther puppies on the way!

Emma is definitely starting to pop! She is due on January 6.

This is Jessie, CH Davenitch Chrome Cowgirl HT PT. She is expecting Luther puppies on January 19! Please visit Davenitch Cardigans for more information.

Theme

I have decided on an "east" theme for Emma's litter. Whether it be the name of an east coast city (in a state or providence that touches the Atlantic ocean) or has "east" in the name.

Some ideas have been:

Visions The East Coast Connection
Visions Upper East Side
Visions Jersey Girl
Visions Halifax
Visions Philadelphia
Visions Boston Tea Party
Visions City of Steel (for Pittsburgh)
Visions Empire State
Visions The Big Apple

Any other ideas?

Brutus' new friends!

A pair of small calico Ryukins! The one on the right is brightly colored, with the left eye black and right eye white. The one on the left is very pale, with silvery and gold tones.

I had such a hard time choosing! We purchased them at the local Petsmart at only $5.99 each! I think they are each the size of Brutus' head.

Brutus is lonely...

The photo does not do him justice as he is well over 7" long. Brutus was formally known as "Blackie" since he was a small black moor when purchased 5+ years ago. With age he changed color as he grew.

His partner, LeRoy Brown, a chocolate oranda, passed away on my birthday. My husband was kind enough to let mw know via text message while I was out to dinner with Julie & Katrin. I am now ready to get him another friend. I have been drooling at this online auction. BTW overnight shipping is not included in the purchase price. There will be a new selection posted tomorrow. But, I am a scrooge. I don't want to pay $20+ at the local store for a goldfish. I have never paid that much for a fish. Sounds bad doesn't it?!

Leonard has been busy...

Our house has been in need of some renovations and repairs. The first thing Leonard did was level the floors by replacing the bad beams under the house. To do this, he had to go through the bedroom floor.

The dogs were not too keen to see "half of dad" sticking out of the floor.In the spring we will finish the renovations which includes a bathroom remodel and a new kitchen!

Leonard also installed my booster bath so we have hot & cold running water & a drainage pump inside. I tiled the wall and base. I can now groom at home year round!

Devil With A Blue Dress On

Zsa Zsa is at the stage where she so pushes everyone's "buttons" and sees how far she can get away with whatever. It was as if this song was written for her.

Thank you Sarah!

Look what arrived in my mailbox from Sarah of Hurricane Cardigans!



Photos do not do this beautiful piece justice! It is a gorgeous porcelain sculpture of a blue-eyed blue merle Cardigan angel! I am holding back the tears. It is so fitting!

Luther with the beautiful angel. Thank you again, so very much Sarah!

Calendar Stars

Mare Stare is where I host my web cam when we have pups. They also have a 501.c charity called Mare Stare Cares to help people with unexpected and enormous vet bills that arise from foaling. As a fundraiser, every year they do a calendar with photos of Mare Stare clients.

This year, the month of February features Visions Cardigan Welsh Corgis! We have three photos in a collage:

1. Our handsome Luther

2. 5 of the Dream pups at about 12 weeks old:
Star, baby Luther, Roxy, Destiny & Honor-Bug

3. Sabrina's last litter at about 4 weeks old, sleeping in typical Cardi fashion:
Magnet, Emma, Darla & Inky

Please click for more informnation and a preview of the calendar which also includes the most adorable mini donkeys, goats, and of course, horses of all sizes.

Thank you everyone

I want to thank all of you - your comments mean so much to us. It has been a crazy week, but good things are to come.

Hugs to all,
Holly

Very, very sad. Three weeks is way too short.

We are very, very sad. We helped Brandy leave this world at 12:30 am today. She was FINE this morning, but didn't want her pepperoni wrapped pills tonight or her dinner. When we were watching TV she never joined us but stayed in front of the fireplace. She then relieved herself without moving and could not get up. At this point I checked her gums and they were white. We had to carry her to the car in a blanket sling as she could not walk. The ER vet felt a mass in her abdomen and did a quick ultrasound to confirm her spleen was in very bad shape. We lost our last GSD 3.5 years ago to the same thing. And it happened just as quick.

Just two days ago she finally started to play in the yard and felt good enough to try to jump up on me. I am still in shock.

For this Thanksgiving we are so very thankful for knowing and loving such a sweet, gentle soul. I so wish our time together was longer. Three weeks was all we had together and my heart is aching.

Bette!

CT-ATCH Visions The Marked Woman OAP AJP NFP

Adored by Kris & Frank Jansen

What a FABULOUS team!!!!

*CT-ATCH is CPE's Enthusiast Agility Trial Championship.

A good day!

Not solid purple, but the purple & whites are very sweet when you have very nice competition and a judge who is really trying hard and making you work for your placing!

Magnet was 1st in BBE and RWD to a major. WD was a lovely red male from the open class, Suncliffe Nonquitt At Dirigo. We did get nice compliments from the judge, and I agree with her, that Magnet needs a bit of maturity.

Star was 2nd in BBE/RWB to a major. WB/BOW was a lovely Fudge x Wynona daughter, Puddleduck Solas Smoke & Mirrors. The judge had a very hard time deciding between the two.

It was a good day even though we did not get top honors. Reserve to lovely dogs does make it a good day.

Cardigans from 40 years ago...

A friend shared a 1969 issue of The Cardigan News Bulletin. I wanted to share a couple photos from that issue.

From an advertisement from Winsdown Kennels...


and in article regarding English Show News was this dog...


and compare them to present day...

CH Visions I Have A Dream PT CGC "Luther"

Remembering Dad

Philip "Red" Goldman
January 15, 1926 - November 17, 1979

It's hard to believe 30 years have gone by. This is one of the only photos of "just the two of us" as my dad was always the photographer. Our time together was way to short.

APPLAUSE to great repro vets!

I want to say it has been a pleasure to work with a GREAT repro clinic about an hour from my home.

I missed shipping to a bitch last year using a the local vet. We had a trial collection at this facility but it was in an exam room and that was fine. When it came down to "D Day", they put us in the euthanasia room for Luther's collection. Luther said "no way" and it was a nightmare.

So I found a repro vet. They are exceptional. Luther has been there twice for "trial runs" with no issues. Yesterday we went for the "real deal". Luther couldn't wait to go in the exam room and everything went fine. This facility uses Sperm Vision for semen evaluation. The resulting report is 4 pages long, and even has a photo of the spermies included! No mix up on males with this facility as THEY take a photo of the dog that is included on the report. They also kept a small sample of the extended semen in their fridge as a "control", to check if there was an issue with the shipped sample. As far as cost go, they were very reasonable considering the professionalism and attention to detail that the gave.

The receiving vet was beyond estatic with the "package" and report. The "Little Luthers" arrived in great condition and hopefully more Luther puppies will be arriving in 60 days or so!

Brandy is settling in...

I left Brandy home today all day while I had to take Luther to the repro vet, go to FedEx, etc. Brandy CRIED & HOWLED when I left the house. I felt so bad but I couldn't drag her with me today. Tonight, she offered me a PAW!! I am so glad she is settled in and bonding with me.

Photographing her has it's challenges.

She is always "in my face"

Or sleeping, on the new throw rug...

or on her blankie...

WOW!

The concert was AWESOME!!! If you love true a capella talent mixed with a dash of humor, you must see Straight No Chaser! All 10 came out and signed their CDs! We bought all three. The finale was a non-mic rendition of O Holy Night which was just... PERFECT!

They are a must see!

Straight No Chaser

Leonard bought us tickets for the concert tonight!

Here is a sneak-peak:

Luther puppies!!

Are expected the first week of January!!

Group Placer CH Visions I Have A Dream PT CGC, "Luther"

Visions Just Imagine, "Emma" 6 points, including a 4 point major & BOB win

We are SO EXCITED about this blue & black breeding.

Sweet Brandy

We are back from the vet. She is now on three medications which should make her feel so much better. She is resting comfortably.

I was able to contact the vet the rescue group used with her, since she was there 1 month ago there was no need to duplicate tests, etc. The surprise is Brandy is 14! We hope to keep her content and happy for quite a while longer.

I want to thank all of you for your comments. Your support means a lot. We are just so happy to be able to help another dog during their golden years.

Bringing Home Brandy!

Meeting Micaela & Brandy

It was a long day, and two long car rides for Brandy, but she is now HOME. I brought 3 of the short dogs with me to meet her at the neutral place. On the way back, Sabrina rode loose with her in the middle of the Element, sharing a dog bed. She is such a sweet, dignified lady!

Brandy is larger than what was originally estimated - my guess is a 65-70 lb dog when in good condition. She is a little thin, and with 3 small meals a day I think we can get her into a good weight. Her coat is gorgeous! And she now wears a beautiful Lupine collar.

I can tell she is VERY sore from arthritis. As soon as the vet clinic opens, I am going to see if I can get her in today. She needs something to make her more comfortable.

Everyone here accepted her. Not even a hiss from the cats. I have most of the corgis loose with her in the livingroom and they all respect her space. Baby Zsa Zsa has been trying to initiate play with Brandy, and seems quite confused when our old lady doesn't respond.

I am also working with the wonderful animal communicator, Sage Chapman, who helped when Eva was lost. I hope we can show this wonderful "old lady" love and happiness for the rest of her life.

More Brandy Photos

Pictured with her foster family.




Brandy's foster mum sent me these of Facebook last night. What a sweet girl! Counting down until Tuesday.

Meet Brandy

Meet Brandy. She is a 12 yr old shepherd mix female (40-50 lbs) that gets along with everyone and everything. She came from a bad home and then was left to die in her own home when the owners house got foreclosed on. We are going to be the home that she will live out her last few years.

She will be our second senior citizen rescue. Since we lost our beloved Jake (scroll down on the link to see his story) last November, our house and my heart have missed having a big dog in it. And Leonard is such a wonderful man to say "YES" almost instantly.

On Tuesday we will meet her rescuer part way and bring her home for good.

Good girl, Sabrina!

She graduated obedience class last night! They did not do a CGC test this time so we must find an evaluator so we can add letters to her name.

On to practicing Rally...

Magnet!

PS - Join in the holiday fun!

Fall Fun

Cuteness!

Magnet did it again!

Magnet was WD for a 3 point major today. I adore my sweet, sweet black boy. Zsa Zsa was dive bombing for bait but did well considering. She was 2nd in her class. The main thing is that she had lots of FUN!

Overall it was a great debut weekend for my two.

First Show = success

A little cold here now in the NE, with the first snow I have seen this season being on the Mass Pike through the mountains on the way to the dog show. By the time we did get to the show site the snow was over and it was dry. I guess I cannot say it was Zsa Zsa's first snow as she didn't get to play in it.

The kids showed very well. Magnet was WD/BOW for 2 points (major in bitches broke) and Zsa Zsa, handled by my GSP friend, Bonnie, was RWB. It was a great debut!!

What was nice, while at the vendors, I got to meet Tiffany, who has her first Cardi show dog, and another nice woman who knew about my orphan litter. It was so nice to meet you both!

We go back again tomorrow, and I look forward to another good experience for the kids.

Luther kids

From the Richland KC Supported Show:

Coedwig's Eyes Like Rain, aka "Geisha". WB/BOW for a 4 point major

Coedwig's Unwavering Protector, WD for a major

CH Coedwig's Malachite PT

We are very proud of his kids! What a producer Luther is. Now if my own girl will come in season, I can have my very own Luther litter here.