2011 Corgi Gift Exchange

We participated in the corgi gift exchange again this year. Our Secret Santa Paws were Kipper and his human Marie. They sent the boys a 10 pack of bully sticks from bestbullysticks.com

It's been tough trying to keep them from Bender. I put them in a stocking under the tree on Thursday and he kept pulling the stocking out and carrying it around the house.

You can't tell, but his snout is in his stocking.

Notice the head tilt. The only way to get Bender to look at the camera is to say "treats."

MMM! ALL FOR ME!

"And so I'm offering this simple phrase, to kids from one to ninety-two. Although it's been said many times many ways, Merry Christmas to you."

Wordless Wednesday. Begging Edition.

Presents?

I'm at a loss this year on what I should get Bender. Bones is easy. Giant bag of tennis balls = 1 happy pup.

Bender is tricky. He doesn't really "play" like other dogs. Toys with stuffing end up de-stuffed. Rawhides hurt his tummy. He has an antler. So, what do I get him?

Any recommendations? Nothing with pieces that hang off as they will be ripped off. Nothing with stuffing. Preferably something tough that can be chewed on. Also made in USA is a bonus. Also under $10 is best, money is really tight this year.

I could always give him an empty box.

Wordless Wednesday

Updates

Hello Adventure Dog Blog followers! Once again I'll apologize for being a horrible blogger!

My last update was in May! Where to begin with the updates? This will be mostly non-Bender related. Sorry. Scroll down for Bender photos though!

Last you knew I was living in Idaho and teaching and the husfriend was sadly unemployed. After many long talks and tough decisions I resigned my teaching position.

Fast forward to October. The husfriend decided he wanted to go back to school to study Astronomy and Astrophysics and had been accepted to The University of Arizona and was waiting on acceptance to University of Texas at Austin. Where to go? We consulted a family friend (also from Michigan) well known in the astronomy field and he provided us with this analogy: "Tucson is like Houghton Michigan whereas Austin is like Ann Arbor." That settled it for us. We rented a 26' Penske truck and loaded it with all our possessions. A small lapse in judgement occurred at this point. We only have one car and decided to trailer it. At this point we asked, where will the dogs go? Obviously the only solutuion was on the bench seat in the cab with us.

Off we went on our adventure. 2 humans, 2 dogs, a 26' Penske truck and a trailer. What a long three day drive it was.

Fast forward past all the boring stuff. We are in Austin and sadly a bit lost. The husfriend was not accepted to UTAustin. I can't find a full time job. We're struggling, and it's tough.

Not sure what the future holds for us. Things in Austin may not last too long. We could move back with our parents in Michigan until we get back on our feet. Eventually we want to end up back in Boise.

As for the dogs they love it here. We have woods behind our apartment and they enjoy barking at the hawks and squirrels. There's a dog park they enjoy and they've been to a cage free doggie daycare which is great. Bones learned how to swim in the river and everyone on the trails thinks Bender is handsome.

Hopefully things turn around soon. Austin seems to be a great city and it's super doggie friendly.

Now for some doggie pictures!

Bender doesn't want the sheets washed.

"The Duke" in his fitting Halloween costume.

The boys in the office the day we signed our lease. Happy to have a home!

Bender hated the moving truck.

Bender's Sleeping

I know I've been awful at keeping up with the blog. Much has happened in the last few months. Working on tomorrow's big update post. Until then, enjoy this video of Bender sleeping.

New Blog

Hey all, I have a new blog! Teach, Cook, Run, Love Dogs and Carry on.

I made another blog because non-dog related stuff was making it's way here. If you only want to read about Bender and Bones keep checking here, I'll keep this blog updated with their antics. If you want to read about my life and my hobbies (teaching, cooking, and running) check out the new blog!

I'm Slacking...Again...

Hello everyone in corgi blog land! I know it's been a while. Here are a few quick updates.

Bender:

Bender is doing well, although I think he has obsessive disorder. He spends HOURS sitting in the backyard staring at the fence. I think there's a cat on the other side. Sometimes he'll sit two feet away and stare. Other times his nose is smooshed against the fence. He even tried digging under the fence which resulted in a broken knuckle, gash on paw and $40 vet bill.

Here are some recent photos of Bender. (If you have Facebook, you've seen them.)

Green Paws! (You wouldn't like the corgi when he's angry!)

Enjoying the sunshine and freshly mowed lawn.

Corgi Burrito!

Bones:

Bones is his goofy self. Enjoying the warmer weather and spending time collecting tennis balls in the backyard. He's up to 8. He's also become my running buddy while I train for my 5k's. I swear the only time he can move in a straight line is when he is running.

Me:

I've officially not renewed my contract and will be jobless as of June 2! (I still get paid over the summer though.) Looking for teaching jobs in Idaho, Arizona, Texas and Michigan. The husfriend has applied to University of Arizona, University of Texas at Austin, and University of Michigan. Not sure where we're going or what we'll be doing but I'm sure the universe will guide us.

I ran my second 5k yesterday. I didn't run the whole time. :( I slacked on my training. Although I finished my first 5K at 35:10 and my second at 39:51, so not bad. Training for another next month. I want to run the whole time and finish in under 30 minutes.

I'm running the school play. This accounts for the lack of posts. My usual day looks something like this: School 8-3:15, After School Program 3:15-4, Play Practice 4:15-8, home by 8:30-9, sleep. Repeat M-T sometimes Friday. Our play is on the 25th, 27th and 31st. I love my play kids, but I'll be glad when it's over with. I'd like my life back.

I promise I'll get better with the posting when school is out. These last 3 weeks will be crazy, hopefully I'll have time to post on a more regular basis after that.

Hope all is well with my fellow corgi bloggers!

My Calendar Boy (a month late)

Kelly over at CorgiButts makes these great corgi calendars each year. Bender was the April calendar boy for the More Corgis (with blogs) Mini Calendar. I didn't get around to posting it in April. I loved looking at his face on my calendar for 30 days! :)

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We're Healthy Omega Gourmet Dog Food Giveaway Winners!

Kelly over at CorgiButts did a Giveaway for Healthy Omega Gourmet Dog Food. We left our comment and she notified us that we won!

I shot her an email saying I wanted any of them except salmon. (I have a life-threatening seafood allergy. Even the smell makes me horribly sick.)

To my surprise when the package arrived I received two bags! Lamb and Chicken. I thought we only got one! If I would have known I would have taken all three and donated the salmon to our local shelter.

We've only tried a little as treats but both Bender and Bones seem to approve so far!

Thanks Kelly and Gibson!

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Bender does tricks for treats

When we give Bender a treat, we have the same routine. Sit, Down, Over. Sometimes he gets too excited and spins instead.

Bender Helps Make the Bed

Took this on my Birthday. Took me forever to make the bed. He's so helpful.

Presents!

Laurie and Sadie over at Sadie the Rescued Corgi picked us as their winners. They sent us an amazing care package filled with some of Sadie's favorite things.

We got the package last Monday, but it was Spring Break and I never got around to posting.

Bender really liked the paper. In the end they both found a favorite. Thank you so much Laurie and Sadie! Sorry this took us so long to post!

Draft Guard

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We got an Award!

Sadie and Laurie gave us an award!

The rules for accepting this award are to thank the person (or pups!) who gave you the award, share 7 things about yourself (and these are all true!), link to 15 recently discovered bloggers, and contact them to tell them about the award.

So thank you to Sadie and Laurie! :) We appreciate it!

1. Bender is an accidental rescue dog. We were just supposed to dog sit him. Bones is a lost and found dog.
2. Bender acts more like a cat than a dog. He only likes attention when he decides he needs it. Bones loves to be the center of attention.

3. Bender has to inspect all bags that come into the house.
4. If I have a sweatshirt on the floor Bender will sleep on it. If I have socks on the floor Bones will carry them around.
5. Bender hates to play fetch. Bones loves fetch (and Bender herds him.)
6. Bender and Bones are my first dogs.
7. Both dogs sleep in bed with me. They're better than a heating blanket.

I don't know who has already had this award, so I'm going to leave it open. If you have a blog and haven't had this award yet please take it! Leave a comment so we can come and read about you!

Sleepy Sunday

Brought to you by a napping Corgi on the couch cuddling his dad and mom while they watch GLEE.

Wordless Wednesday (a Day Late)

Bender + Snow = Happy

Husfriend took this video for me today while I was at work. I came home and he proclaimed (very excitedly) "I have a surprise for you!" It made me squeal with delight.

(Sorry about the NASA newsfeed in the background. Husfriend was watching the space walk.)

Sleepy Sunday

Today's sleepy Sunday is brought to you from the couch with a snuggie.

Hide n Go Seek

The husfriend and I recently picked up a box of Kirkland brand bones from Costco (made in the USA!). The dogs love them. We used to buy them for Bender and he would hide them all over the house.

He seems to remember his old ways and has taken to hiding them in couch cushions, under pillows on the bed, in the wires under hisfriend's computer desk and last night in my pile of clothes waiting to be washed.

I was getting ready for bed and couldn't figure out why Bender was so reluctant to join me on the bed. He's usually the first one in bed ready to claim his spot. I shrugged it off and went to bed without him.

"I'm not doing nothin." *innocent face*

"See Ma, I'm just seepin!"

Today I stayed home with a stomach bug, but figured I'd better not waste the day, so I decided to start some laundry. Bender became very protective of my clothes when I went to wash them. I figured there was a treat hidden somewhere in them, and sure enough I found a bone. After I found it he had to sulk and eat it.

"You don't see nothin Ma!"

*sulk*"But I hides it soo good."

He's still not happy that I destroyed his hiding place.

What about your dogs? Bones isn't one to hide a treat. If he sees it, it's nom time. Bender hides treats half the time and eats them right away the other half (probably so Bones won't get them.) What about your dog? Are there any other treat hiders out there in blog land? Where is your dog's favorite treat hiding place?

Blog-iversary

I realized on Monday that as of Sunday 2/13 I've had this blog 1 year. 65 posts in the first year. Not bad, but not so great either.

I'm already slacking on Wordless Wednesday and keeping up with the blog. I'll try to keep up as much as I can.

Valentine's Day was very low key. I gave each dog a bone. They enjoyed it.

A late Valentine's Poem:

"This boney's mine, that boney too,

Wishing a very Happy Valentine's Day to you!"

Thanks to Kelly over at Corgi Butts for point the way to Geri and Sidney over at My Corgi. "last August Sidney was diagnosed with hip dysplasia, and he underwent FHO surgery in order to give him mobility and alleviate some of the pain." Now they give away bandanas and in exchange ask for a donation of $8 for Sidney's fund.

We got our bandanas in the mail today. They're great! I think I may donate some more and get bandanas for all the dogs in my family. If you're interested in one, send Geri a message on My Corgi!

Bender, Bandana, Bone.

Strike a pose. Being sassy in his bandana.

Adorable little brother being a good model.

Christmas Bone

*Grrr. Nom. Nom.*

(The random toy pile belongs to Bones. He likes to pull all his toys out at once.)

I got the dogs one of those giant rawhides (from Target) for Christmas. (Notice it's as long as Bender.) He hogs it and doesn't share well with Bones. Usually it ends up in his crate with him.

Like this:

What Ma? It's mine.

Please take note of the empty coke box, the empty kleenex box, and the skineez fox. (We removed 2 other coke boxes earlier.)

My Corgi is a hoarder.

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Resolutions for 2011

I'll be the first to admit I'm horrible at keeping up the blog. Between teaching (and all that goes with it), working a second job, and trying to keep the house together updating the blog is the last thing I want to do.

But I have an adorable corgi lying by my side and I promised him this year I'd be better. Maybe this year I'll get Peabody Snarflenubbins treats on Etsy. (If we pack up and move to Austin or Tucson that may become my only income. More on that later.)

Here are my non-blog related resolutions:

1. Run a 5K. I started the couch to 5k program this week. I've never been a runner, but I've always wanted to complete a 5k. I've decided I don’t need to place I just want to run the entire time and finish the race!

2. Goal weight – 118-120lbs. I have this number in my head that makes me happy. I'm 130 right now, and that's not bad at all, but I've noticed since I started teaching in August of 2009 I've gained weight and it hasn't come off. I'd be happy if I became more lean and toned even if I didn't meet my "happy weight." I have a workout calendar on the wall in the bathroom and a pair of shorts that are a little too small hanging up as motivation.

3. Eat more veggies/healthier meals. We're big fans of meat around here. Usually chicken sometimes beef. We're trying to do vegetarian meals at least 2-3 times a week. I've found some great weight watchers meals and we're doing well so far!

4. Less snacking/ healthier snacks. I'm a bored snacker. Nothing to do? Snack. And usually it's not a good snack. It's chips, candy, etc. I'm trying really hard to eat more fruits as snack. I'm not cutting out the chocolate, but I'm definitely moderating it. This also includes lowering the amount of pop I consume. Casey and I are down to sharing 1 12oz can a day. Already improved, but I want to cut it out entirely.

5. (Once it warms up) Walk Bender and Bones DAILY! We're really bad since we have a nice big fenced in yard. We let the dogs outside and call it good. I really want to start walking them every day. 1. It's good exercise for them, and Bender has porked up a bit. 2. It helped immensely with keeping their nails trimmed. 3. It was a great way to work on obedience.

6. Be more money aware. I'm a horrible spender. I'll be the first to admit it. The red and white clearance stickers at Target are like a drug to me. "But it's such a great deal!" Same thing at my second job. I buy far too many clothes. I've set up a savings account and any time I feel the urge to buy anything that is a non-necessity I will instead not buy the item and deposit the same amount into the savings account.

Also this year, I'm going to take a risk. I've decided not to renew my contract at my school. I don't have another job lined up right now, but I'm decided on not staying. The school is a "sinking ship" and I need to get out before I'm sucked down with it. Casey and I have talked and we don't have a house payment, we don't have family or friends here, we really have no ties to Twin Falls so we're going to pack it up and move. We're looking at Tucson - because he was accepted to the Astronomy program at UofA, or Austin - we have friends there and it's a growing city. Job wise, I'll look for a teaching job, but if none is to be found, I can transfer with my retail job, I've worked in food service before, and if I can I'll set up the etsy shop and sell the dog treats.

I think 2011 has many big changes in store for us. I'm nervous and excited and ready to take it all on!

I'll get pictures posted when I find my camera. I think I'm going to start wordless wednesday and try to keep it up all year.

Also, this is horrible and I apologize, I have my holiday cards addressed and ready to be sent. Yup still haven't sent them. So you will get it, it just may not be until mid-January. :) Better late than never right?