Being of Sound Mind and Body
I have had dogs all my life, literally all my life, I have had bird dogs, and hound dogs and herding dogs and toy dogs. I have had big dogs, little dogs, crazy dogs, and lazy dogs, and every single one of them a fantastic dog.
I have been involved in dog sports for almost 25 years so I have been doing things with my dogs for a long time but it has only been the last few years that I started thinking about Canine Enrichment and about what my dogs do and think about all day. It became very clear to me during the pandemic lockdown that I could be offering my dogs an even better life than the spoiled dog life that they live.
Our JeffJeff was born on 5/5/2020 at the height of the Corona Lockdown and I worried a lot about his socialization, he was a singleton puppy stuck at home with his momma and 6 senior dogs. How was I going to make sure this puppy got what he needed to start life as a well-rounded puppy. Thankfully there were lots of resources available online, PuppyCulture* had a timely course on raising singleton puppies, GoodDog.com University and the team at Avidog* did a wonderful series of online classes about age-appropriate socialization called Savvy Socialization and we did a Puppy Jump Start class virtually through our training partners and instructors at Canine Country Academy (CCA). When things opened up a bit we were able to go to Lowes and our favorite store Tractor Supply Company and ride around in the buggy. He became a champ at puppy playgroup at both CCA and Atlanta Obedience club (AOC) and eventually got to attend beginning classes at both places and earned his first AKC certificate as an AKC STAR puppy!
During his baby puppyhood, we started on enrichment, different toys and activity centers, ramps, surfaces, and platforms, and of course his beloved baby slide. As he got older we did puzzles and snufflemats and ball pits. I am proud to say he has a great temperament and is a smart brave boy with an outstanding outlook on life and his own social media fans.
All of that sort of lead into what was I doing for the big dogs. Like almost all Cardigans the senior crowd (and Cali) are strongly motivated by food and my dogs particularly enjoy fruits and veg. Anyone who has hung around our Solstice site has seen many photos of the infamous Watermelon Sundays. We have expanded on that with the “enrichment zone”. We have a high deck and we toss fruit and Veg off the deck into the grass zone and sniffing and eating commence (they look like grazing cows). The Enrichment zone gives the dogs a reason to go out and sniff. Sniffing really engages their brains and to find the treats they not only have to use their senses but it is a competition too. We are currently working on our Sensory Garden too, we are getting lots of ideas from the Facebook groups Canine Enrichment and Sensory Gardens for Dogs. We have our slide and kiddy pool, agility tunnel and we recently cut down a tree so adding some logs as soon as we can get them in position and I am working on a scentwall to use for fun and Scentwork training.
Inside we use treats and chews, bones and stuffed Kongs, lickimats, etc for self-entertaining as well as assorted squeakies and tugs. JeffJeff and Cali mostly play with the toys. Banner does love to carry around a soft toy so we always have something causing a trip hazard on the floor. JeffJeff loves his squirrel tree and hedgehog log where he gets to pull the critters out of their dens. Of course, most of what they do during work from home time is engage with their dog beds all around my office.
Snufflemats
All of the Senior dogs are retired show Champions so they spent their younger years going out and about, everyone except sweet Banner (who is the ultimate stay-at-home girl) has some sort of working title so training has always been part of their lives. We try to keep it up but admittedly it doesn’t get done as much as I would like. We don’t use our doggy gym equipment enough either. As an AKC Level 1 Fitness instructor, I am very lazy with doing fitness exercises with my dogs. Like most fitness things I find more interesting things to do, bad owner!
Keeping my pack of sound mind and body has become much more than good nutrition and veterinary care but the everyday conscious effort to engage their minds and be present in their lives, they are so much more than just background and they deserve to be front and center.
Hope this gave you some ideas and resources for doggy engagement.
Puppy Culture –https://shoppuppyculture.com/
Avidog – https://www.avidog.com/
Canine Country Academy – http://www.caninecountryacademy.com/
Atlanta Obedience Club – https://atlantaobedienceclub.org/our-events/
Resources: Facebook Groups – Canine Enrichment and Sensory Gardens for Dogs
Books: Canine Enrichment the book your dog needs you to read by Shay Kelly
Toys and Puzzles:
https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/duktig-14-piece-vegetables-set-70185750/
Our Season in the Sun
PJ – GCH/UKC CH/ICKC CH Mariel’s Flying Spirit, RN, FDC
January 17, 2007 to April 23 2021
Goodbye to you my trusted friend
We had joy, we had fun
We had seasons in the sun
But the hills that we climbed
Were just seasons out of time
My very good boy’s spirit has flown away from me towards the Rainbow Bridge.
I wanted him in my life before he was ever born and I can’t thank Marian Mizelle for the honor of letting him be part of my life for all these years. And to my dear friend Kathy Davis for being his co-owner (our very first partnership).
I adored him from the first moment and we have enjoyed our love affair with each other all this time.
He was a winner from the first time he stepped in the Show Ring. He was biddable boy and earned an RN when the sport was new with very little training or practice, just because I asked him to do it.
At home he was a “frat boy dog” he liked to chase the girls, hang out on the couch and eat chips and watch sports.
He was the “fest” dog as he loved to go to events to visit and “eat”, cruising for snacks was always a favorite activity, I often joked that PJ stood for Porky Joe.
I could telling stories about my beloved boy’s 14+ years, I could brag on his accomplishments but nothing I can say would paint the picture of what a truly delightful dog he was in life.
I loved him every day with all my heart and having to make the choice to help him leave this life has been so very hard and has broken my heart.
My promise to each of my dogs is that I will always do the very best for them and to let PJ go is the only thing I could do to keep that promise.
I will remember him on his very best day and I can only hope that every day he knew that I loved him.
Yes, he was a very good boy.
Godspeed my beloved boy, I will be with you again, but until then know you are tucked safely in my heart.
I would like to thank Dr. Alicia Darden from #petlossathome for her care and compassion so I could say goodbye to my good boy here at home. Made a hard thing a little less hard.
The Long Goodbye
A while back I wrote about the privilege of having old dogs.
One of the good things that came out of the pandemic was the opportunity to stay home every day with the dogs.
With a houseful of veterans every day is a gift. Along with the privilege is great responsibility and remembering about the promise you made to that wonderful puppy that joined your family. I am starting the process of keeping that promise.
PJ turned 14 in January and this time last year he was showing in the Veteran groups at the IABCA shows and winning but over the last year he has been slowly growing old. His hearing has been gone for a while but then day by day his sight started to narrow as did his mind.
Now we face the long goodbye, but because of my promise to him that goodbye will be on his terms and not mine.
PJ is suffering from Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS), like many owners it sort of snuck up on me, with a few behavior changes. Health wise the old guy is fine, losing some weight like old dogs do but still eating and drinking. But he wanders and paces, gets stuck in the corners and lost in the yard. He is anxious and disoriented a lot of the time.
Currently he is getting all the support we can give him and as long as he is not scared or hurting we will treasure a little bit more time.
I write this to remind myself that I made a promise to always to the very best for my dogs, even if the best is what breaks my heart, and saying goodbye a week too early is more important than saying goodbye a day too late. A promise is a promise after all and love often hurts.
Holding your breath
Breeders who have the best interest of the breed at heart spend a lot of time studying, testing and planning. One of the things that brings any breeder stress is the wait for testing results.
DNA tests that let you know how the genetic material has come together, Xrays to see how Hips and sometimes elbows line up. Eye exams to make sure all is right in the eyeball. Some tests results are pretty instant but some take time for lab results or Xray reviews. And waiting for those results can have breeders on pins and needles.
Cardigans are a relatively long-lived and healthy breed and those of us who are heritage breeders continue to work hard to keep them that way.There are some standard tests breeders should be doing. One of the longest available tests is for the DNA test for PRA – Progressive Retinal Atrophy which is a degeneration of the retina. We also have a DNA test for DM – Degenerative Myelopathy which is the Canine version of ALS. In addition to DNA tests breeders generally do Eye exams every couple of years on their breeding stock. Hips X-Rays are done and sent for review from either OFA – Orthopedic Foundation for Animals or Penn Hip to evaluate for Hip Dysplasia. Those are the standard expected health test for Cardigans.
There are others things that breeders check just for more information. Outside of the health tests there are also some DNA tests that will let a breeder know about the possibilities of color and coat length which although cosmetic these have historical working connotations.
Not all test show up on the OFA database but some of them should or you should be able to review the results certificates. You can check out any dog in the database at http://www.ofa.org. Any breeder who isn’t testing doesn’t have the breed’s best interest in mind. Beware of marketing gimmicks. Breeders whose main motivations is to sell puppies use the term “triple” clear a lot. We are not sure what they mean by that term but you want to look for health tests that matter. There are several DNA companies that offer a battery of tests that have results for lots of DNA markers that are irrelevant to Cardigans. Don’t get fooled by seeing tests listed as not affected or DNA not carried, each breed has their own issues so again look for tests that mean something for the Cardigan Welsh Corgis. You can check out breed health information at the Parent Club website https://cardigancorgis.com/cwcca/breed/health/
So about our testing, prior to the Cali x Jimmy breeding we had done hip xrays. Cali was very uncooperative and OFA didn’t like the films, we reviewed them with other knowledgeable breeders and were OK with them so we moved forward without a Hip score, I redid them last month with a more cooperative Cali and we got the results of a PASS! Hooray! So we have a pending certificate for a normal eye test (should be done every couple of years) to be uploaded and all breeding health tests are current. Now we wait!
Cali’s OFA page https://www.ofa.org/advanced-search?f=sr&appnum=2004252
Test and Tell is what every breeder should be doing.
The Privilege of an Old Dog
It has been a hard week, a friend lost her old friend, a dog (and human) I admired. Another friend is facing the diagnosis of the end of life of their long time friend. And I am watching my household age every day. It has hit me hard.
Everyone one loves a puppy and they understand the chewing and housebreaking and silly things that happen with a puppy but they often don’t think about what happens in 12 plus years. Sometimes we forget the privilege and honor we have when we have an old dog who has loved us and we have loved. We forget who they were when age makes them someone else. We need to remember what an honor we have to love that old dog.
As Solstice we have 4 senior dogs and although the girls at 11 and 12 are just not as active as they once were, the old man PJ (14+) has lost most of his hearing and vision and is suffering doggy dementia and some times he is incontinent. He sleeps most of the time and he can’t go out in the yard alone as he gets lost especially at night. It hurts my heart. We use nutritional support and make sure he has whatever makes his happy (treats and jerky and soft beddies), clean up after him but everyday I watch and evaluate his quality of life. When do we know they are ready to move on and are we keeping them with us for us or for them. I try and remember that we make a promise to them to always take the best care of the them and sometimes that care is the thing that hurts you more than you can bear.
I have understood this poem by Kipling since I was young. I have loved many a dog and each time they leave the take a piece of my heart. Hug your dogs, young and old, time is always too short with them. We are lucky ones who have given our hearts for a dog to tear.
The Power Of The Dog
By Rudyard Kipling
There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.
Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie—
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.
When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet’s unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find—it’s your own affair—
But … you’ve given your heart to a dog to tear.
When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!).
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone—wherever it goes—for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.
We’ve sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we’ve kept ’em, the more do we grieve:
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-time loan is as bad as a long—
So why in—Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?
Source: https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/the-power-of-the-dog-by-rudyard-kipling
What’s happening in 2021?
2020 was such a weird year for all of us, it is hard to think about normal. What will normal be? Who knows, I sure don’t but what I do know is that regardless of how normal becomes normal the dogs will be as always playing a big part of life.
We are going to try and do doggy games that we can do outside or with safe protocols, Some don’t believe they need to wear masks or keep apart but I do and even after I get my 2nd Covid 19 vacination next week I still plan on keeping me and mine and you safe until all is well.
JeffJeff, the best thing about 2020 is growing up and today he started learning about Barnhunt and he and Cody start his competition puppy class next week. He will be busy as he will also be working Scentwork with me too.
Bailey and Cali will keep running in FastCat as they love to chase the “bunny” and of course our favorite venue of Scentwork. Cali will do some more Barnhunt, she needs one more leg to earn her Novice Barnhunt title.
We are hoping that Cali and our own Sammich will become parents and are excited at our planned litter later this spring.
As for me I hope to keep giving back to our community by teaching classes, evaluating and helping to run tests and trials.
Puppy Dreams
Quick, Run
What’s that? What’s that?
Got to pee
Run, Chew
Yip, Growl
Sniff, What’s that?
What’s that?
Run, tumble
Dig, What’s that?
Quick, chew
Bark
Got to pee
Sleep
Twitch, growl, yip
What could I be dreaming of?
You wonder.
Welcome to our world
I have been a very bad blogger. We had a very significant happening here at Solstice. In March right before things closed down Cali and I traveled to Florida for a date with the handsome Jimmy Neutron and on Cinco de Mayo she whelped her litter. Sadly for us 2 of the 3 puppies were DOA but we are happy that one little red boy was born safely.
Now 7 weeks later he is growing like a weed and completely monopolizing our lives. We are happy to introduce Jeff Jeff who will be officially know as Solstice Jalapeno Popper. He will be owned by Cali’s team, myself along with Cody, Kathy and Ellie.
Here are some fun photos from the past 7 weeks.
Why I joined Good Dog and why you should too.
It is 2020 and most people shop online. This goes for shopping for a dog, yep I said “shopping”! People looking for a dog are shopping different breeders or shelters or rescue organizations and the Good Dog website is a great way to look for breeders who can help them find a puppy.
There are lots of online options including the American Kennel Club market place or their parent club websites.. Some are slick websites or not so slick websites. All of them are looking to help people find puppies. Some are trying to sell puppies and some are trying to educate and find the right dog to fit a buyer’s lifestyle.
The Solstice Cardigans have this Blog/Website and our Facebook page and now we are on Good Dog. Now we haven’t had a litter since we moved to Georgia in 2017 since breeding and raising a litter is both expensive and time consuming but we always like being a resource for folks looking for Cardigan Welsh Corgi information.
Cali’s trading card
So why Good Dog? Because they require things to be included on their site, not the least of which is hecredentialsalth testing (and they require proof). The shopping public can see breeder side by side and why comparing Apples to Apples you can plainly see an Orange. It is a way to help educate.
Now like most of my fellow breeders, I don’t really need Good Dog, I get multiple good puppy inquiries every week but I think Good Breeders need to be out there for people to see and Good Dog is a good way to do it. Check them out, and yes they still have some work to do but I would rather Good Breeders help Good Dog to be a great resource!.
Check it out for yourself at the Good Breeder Center http://www.gooddog.com
The end of the decade
We are done playing dog sports for the year. We will close out the last month of this decade by doing family things and hanging out with friends.
The dogs had a pretty good year. Of course they life a pretty good life but they indulge me in playing games.
We ended last year doing Scentwork and we added some new Scentwork titles this year too. Bailey added a couple of Advanced titles to her name and started on her Excellent titles. Caliwags earned her 1st Scentwork title, her Scentwork Novice Container.
We did a little Barnhunt, Cali got her 1st Novice leg and did it in style by going High Novice (It was beginner’s luck).
Bailey and Cali each added a Fast Cat Title, Bailey earned her DCAT and Cali earned her BCAT.
We had some fun with some of the International Shows earning ICE and IABCA titles and some big ribbons at their events. Cali also earned more points toward her Grand Championship. She just needs a few singles to finish her Grand Championship.
Mr PJ earned his Farm Dog Certificate and Cali earned her AKC Herding Instinct Tested Certificate.
I added AKC Canine Ambassador and AKC Temperment Test Evaluator to my resume.
The AZ kids did great with Sammich finishing his Championship, Clover earned several titles and is very close to her Championship and Daphne is working on several titles as well.
Of course we had great saddness with the loss of our Lindy Hop. My heart is still broken.
We don’t have a ton of plans for 2020. I am hoping we have puppies in the early spring. But what I really hope is that we have a happy and safe year.
Solstice Kennels 