Hoss and Puppy Festus Came For A Visit!

Oh what fun we had! 18 month old Festus came bounding through the gate with the same exhilaration as before. Every tree, every bench, every garden statue and leaf gave him a new burst of energy and off he zoomed to the far side of the yard. Any other dog that happened to be in his way was a cause for even greater excitement. The possibility of PLAY was overwhelming!! Oh to be a puppy again!

Festus - "Hi! Wanna ZOOM with me?"
Princess MollyDawg - "No thanks. I'm grasshopper hunting"

His 6.5 yr old big brother, Hoss, entered with aged style and grace. He did his yard walk and selected his vantage point to oversee what was going on. It was as though he knew to stay clear of Festus' zoom path until he was fully ready to join in. He seemed to know he had no alternative but to stay in the yard this time. There was no open van door for him to climb in. Mom was gone.

Hoss decides it's okay to be here since mom isn't coming back for awhile.

Hoss finds a great vantage point that's safe from his brothers ZOOMIES!

Once everyone had their fill of play Hoss asked to go indoors. On his last visit he wasn't sure about being in the house with us. Did he know this would be a place where mom would leave him for awhile? Of course we don't know, but we sure can wonder.   On his previous visit, he chose to go back in the van while mom and Festus came in.  So, this time, as soon as he asked, I made sure to open up and bring them in. He did his walk through like it was a M&G day.  Perfect! When every room had been checked out he found a cozy spot and settled down. Then he up and found another cozy spot and settled down, then another and yet another. Good boy Hoss, There's plenty of spots for you to relax. Check everything buddy. That's what we want!

This spot might not be the best for resting

Ahh, a bit of cool floor on the tummy

Hoss finds a good resting spot.

Festus continued to have a fun time in the house. He found the toy box and made sure to test each one.  Lady May was not feeling particularly pleased with his exuberance so we gave her a safe place to lay. The Princess was ready for quiet time so she chose a mat in the safety area. They could still watch the activity but from a safe distance. When two big boys are exploring the house it just seems best. 

LadyMay - "Are you gonna leave stinky boy breath on my toys?"

"Yup and the porch toys too!"

Check out the tongue. I'd say he had fun!

 Of all the places to lay for resting, Festus finally decided on the smallest and squeezed in for a lay dawn. Good boy Festus. You only have a half hour now before mommy comes back for you.

The Bernie brothers wait to go out. Good boys!

These two delightful brothers will be back in a few weeks for an afternoon previsit. We're hoping our weather holds out so they can fully enjoy the yard again before being "confined" indoors.

Thanks for the visit.  See you soon Boys!
You can check out their facebook album here- Hoss and Festus

Welcome Zorro!

Zorro returned for another half hour visit with us. This time mom only stayed a few minutes. She had a few things to do downtown.  We kept the other dogs indoors to give Zorro free rein to wander the yard in quiet comfort. When it was time for mom to go, he watched quietly with me, from the gated off smaller yard, as mom walked out the main gate.  He never complained and soon wandered around the yard to take in all the scents of the other dogs.  I think he handled being left with a great deal of dignity.

Feeling a little more relaxed about mom leaving

In between short walks around the yard, I took a few minutes to brush his lovely coat. He allowed me to encourage him to sit on a mat and was very compliant. We had a very nice conversation about horses and the farm at home.  He listened intently to my conversation and did his best to answer me with a tilt of his head, a tussle of his fur and a snuggle into my arms and lap.  It was very easy to fall in love with this little boy.

Beginning to trust me more.

We sat together on the mat in the sunshine and talked more as I stroked him and brushed his tail.
By the end of the half hour visit we had accumulated a nice full bucket of excess fur! Good boy Zorro. I bet your tail feels much better now! 
At one point, while we walked about the yard, he surprised me.  He headed down the basement stairs and asked to go in the house. You betcha boy!  That's bravery at best.  I knew the others were safely behind gates and wouldn’t bother Zorro.  He walked in and had a good sniff around before he headed straight up the stairs. He could see Lady May and Princess Mollydawg behind the gates just passed the kitchen. No one made a sound, but each cocked their head and ears and stood watching the other.  I was very proud of the Royals polite behaviour and just as proud of Zorro's courage.  I decided that would be enough of an introduction for today and encouraged Zorro to come back outdoors with me.  Even though I kept the lead on him it just hung on the ground as he stayed right by my side. He's a well-trained boy for sure! Well done mommy!!

Zorro - "I'm so happy you're here mommy! Are we going home now?
I think I hear the horses!"

When mom arrived to pick him up, it was obvious how happy he was BUT he remained calm. A shear delight to watch this boy greet his mom. True love and respect on both parts in the utmost!

Zorro will be back again soon. I sure hope he'll feel comfortable with us again. We'll see if further introductions take place. There's no rush. Besides Zorro is a very busy boy this time of year!

You can check out Zorro's new album on our Facebook page - Zorro's Facebook Album
Maybe mom can see if it's possible to get a photo of Zorro at work! We'll ask.

Thanks for visiting us Zorro.
See you soon!

The Royal Order

At Royal K9 Korner we maintain a safe, smooth operating facility for all our visitors.
Our extended pack is constantly changing. The dogs vie for position as each new member comes in on any given visit.  We know the importance of position and rank that dogs have. Each of our extended pack members are required to learn, and they do learn, to respect those higher up the ladder.  They are also required to help teach those “below” them.
As new comers arrive we watch to see who fits where in the order.  We do not assign rank or position. The dogs do that for us.  As each dog meets, they set who is where for that day.  It varies with the dynamics of the day’s pack.  Some of our pack don’t see each other for long stints at a time.  Although the dynamics change with each visit, it doesn't take them long to remember where they sit in the order and sort it out. 

Thinking that age plays a role in their position is not always so.  There are many other factors that come into play. It’s easy to see how each dog’s behaviours and personality help to determine their position within this pack.  The level of confidence, their demeanour, health, the smells they exude that day, play a role in hierarchy of each dog on premise.  When everyone is familiar with all in the extended pack our Royal Family runs like a pack “coming to Court”.

We people like to assign rank by names/titles. To help us know where each dog sits in the hierarchy at Royal K9 Korner we do just that.  We give them a title that reminds us where they stand within the pack.  New comers are given a low title because we don't know their status yet.  They do for sure.  I think it's determined right from their puppyhood.  Does that status change? Nope, not really.  Once a dog has announced their specific position they remain there.  Others may come along with higher or equal rank, but theirs does not drop. They determine which one is of higher status, and they remain in their position, just a notch above, below or of equal status.   How often a visitor comes to “Court” can certainly affect where they sit. It’s quite difficult to see their permanent role if they haven’t yet had an opportunity to meet and visit with everyone.  Thus, our newcomers are assigned ranks as “Miss” or “Page”.   I'm sure if we spoke to the dogs themselves they would tell us otherwise!

*Even though some of our family has passed over Rainbow Bridge, they remain a part in our Family and hold their given title.  We just assign a tiny rainbow to their names. RIP to all our past darlings. So, who’s where in the Royal family at Royal K9 Korner? How did they get there? Well that’s a whole different blog post for sure. I’ve put together a quick table with all our current dogs. It helps to show where we think they are in rank to date.

The Royal Pack Oct. 2019

I'm currently working on a post that will introduce our newest Royal to move in position to Tier 2!
The Littlest Countess - Lady River. WATCH FOR IT!

Welcome Hazel, Zorro, Sadie, Hoss and Festus!

Our house and yard are pretty much ready for Winter whenever it decides to arrive. The outdoor crates are folded up and under tarps.  The foamies and mats and covers are re washed up and ready again.  I’ve taken all the quilts and heavier blankets out of storage. Everything is washed up and ready for use.

We’ve almost finished our pruning and most of the perennials are stored away.  There are a few things not completed in the yard because our weather is still very mild.  The dogs are still asking to play outside and most of the rains are holding off.  
It’s time for Royal K9 Korner to update our Walks ‘n Wags Pet First Aid certificate. So we’re also in the middle of getting that completed. Lady May has been a good patient and allowed me to practice my bandaging on her and my makeshift stretcher building skills.  

Patient Lady May: "This is cozy mommy!
Can I stay here please?"

 Yep we are busy!  We think we’re set so bring it on!
During the preparing for the cooler temps, we’ve had a few new visitors to Royal K9 Korner.
Please help us welcome them. 
First in for a Meet ‘n Greet was sweet little 6 mon. old, Hazel. She is about the calmest level-headed little Bull mastiff mix I have ever met.  What a darling!  She wandered throughout the yard and gardens with her nose set to the ground and inhaled all the new aromas.  She met The Royals with such confidence I was like a fly on the wall. No need for intervention here. Hazel will be spayed on Oct. 30^th and return for another day visit on Nov. 4^th. We’re excited to have her return and hope her surgery goes well.
Welcome little Hazel!

Photo courtesy of Hazel's mom. Thank you!

Next in was hard working, faithful, farm boy, border collie, Zorro.

[insert photo here]

This 4 yr. old young man is an over the top horse herding boy. He learned from one of the best, who has unfortunately passed on and left big shoes to fill.  Zorro’s mom tells me he’s filing those shoes quite well now that he’s in charge.  Zorro hasn’t had an opportunity to get in for a good brushing for awhile so his mom asked if we can help keep his coat clean and well brushed during his visits.  Absolutely!
Here is where I usually post a picture. Right?
Ya! I know and guess what? I forgot to take any of this delightful fella! I'm so mad at me! I have a message out to his mom for a photo so hopefully we'll get one asap. If not, well then, I have to try to get that camera happening during his next visit. In the meantime, just imagine a handsome, happy, hard working border collie and you've got him pegged!
Welcome Sir Zorro!

We also had the privilege of welcoming our newest neighbour, Miss Sadie!  She’s a 2.5 yr. old rescued golden lab from a few miles out of town. She had been let run the grounds of a very large farm and didn’t get much of a chance to learn basic house manners. Her mom adopted her and had her spayed before she ended up with a littler of unwanted puppies. Whew! Good catch mom!  Sadie has wonderful social skills and is a very happy little girl. She’s been next door for a while now. Her mom has been working to teach her manners and how to remain calm on her everyday walks and outings. I’ve watched from across the way as she has developed into a well behaved little lady. Sadie will be back for a few practice visits while her mom is in town. We want to make sure she feels comfortable here before her mom must leave her here.  Welcome sweet Sadie!
Thank you for the photo mommy, Melissa. I really must remember to take pictures!

Miss Sadie - "Hi! Im allowed to have LOTS of cookies!
Right mom? What??? hmmmm"

Then "The Bernies" arrived!! OMdawG! Anyone who knows me, knows these are among my favourite breeds. These two boys are both very social and as sweet as can be!

6.5 yr. old Bernese, Hoss and 18 mon. Berniedoodle, Festus!

Yep that’s right, for anyone who’s old enough to remember, they are named after characters from the old western tv shows. Bonanza and Gunsmoke!
After doing a complete walk around the yard to take in all the smells and sights, Hoss made a speedy retreat to the van. It seemed like he had decided this was a much cozier, (safer) place to stay.  This family is new to our little town. The previous day care was on the lower mainland. Hoss is a super calm and very happy boy. His desire to stay in the van makes me wonder if he had an inkling this was going to be another one of those places he has to stay when mm and dad are away.  He’s not quite ready for his mommy to leave him here just yet. No worries buddy, we’ll make sure you get a few more short visits with us before that crucial time when you must stay.
Puppy Festus was eager to continue his visit and even tried to entice The Princess MollyDawg to play. Nawww. Not gonna happen boy.  It'll take some time for him to understand her age and status. I know there will be loads of new buddies for him soon. These two boys are going to fit in with no qualms!  We look forward to their return visits.
Welcome Hoss and Festus!

So we have a few busy days coming up in the cooler weather.  We’re excited about all the new furries and can’t wait to see how the dynamics play out.
Welcome to all our newbies!

How To Say Thank You

Lady May waits, oblivious to the new
set of wheels that has arrived

Sometimes there isn't enough ‘just right’ words to express how the heart feels. Gratitude is a feeling!
A deep, warm, full emotional, heart felt feeling. There are people in this world who just ‘do’ for others. Many of them don’t even recognize or acknowledge that they are being true heroes to someone.
I have been very privileged to know more than my share of this type of people. I am truly grateful for them all. Today I have a new team of people to add to that wonderful list!

Thank  you to all the moms and dads who bring their best furry friends over to visit and stay with us at Royal K9 Korner.  We saved and with your dollars we were able to purchase Lady Mays' Wheels! 

Thank you again Cache Creek veterinarian, Dr. Q. Gavaga DVM and staff! You helped us start the ball rolling. You assessed Lady May's physical condition and current strength.  You took the very first, all important measurements. The little cardboard caliper we made was no match for your accurate steel professional one.

Thank you to my daughter Kathi Mathwig and neighbour Melissa Roque. You made yourselves available to come by at the drop of a hat to help us hold, measure and take the multitude of photos for the required measurements to build Lady May’s wheel cart. It took a few times but we did it!!
The measurements were sent in, accepted and The Team of Eddies Wheels set to work on designing and building a just right fit cart for our Lady May.

Thank you Ed and Leslie and Chris Grinnell  for creating the concept of the amazing carts you build at Eddies Wheels! Thank you for putting in all the years of perfecting your service! Now we benefit from them.
Your entire  team goes to work everyday and designs, creates/builds a brand new specifically designed wheel cart for a lucky recipient. We are thrilled that Lady May is now one of those recipients.

Thank you to the specific people we spoke to at Eddies Wheels Jill, Leslie, Sue, and Chris.
You made it an easy purchase.
We felt your empathy when we struggled to provide the accurate measurements. I worried Lady May would not be a candidate for a wheel cart. You walked us through the measuring process, making sure we sent appropriate data for our little Lady May. You've never met her, yet listened well to our explanation of her curved back and crocked little leg. You made suggestions for improving her cart to accommodate her body and dragging leg.

We thought we would be looking at the winter months before it would be built and sent all the way across the globe to our little town of Lillooet.
Thank you for designing, creating, building her cart and having it shipped at an unbelievable speedy fashion. We felt cared for and understood, from the very first inquiry email sent.

Please send a special word of gratitude to these highly skilled and selfless working group of people.
If you haven't already done so, 
PLEASE go visit their website and read this page. How Our Lives Went to the Dogs
They are an amazing TEAM of experts!

Thank you to the transporters for safely driving/flying the distance. Lady May's cart came all the way from the east side of the continent at Eddies Wheels facility in Shelburne Falls, MA to the far west side of Canada. It was safely delivered here in just 6 days! You Rock!

Lady May says hello to her new cart.

First inquiry email to Eddies Wheels
– August 27/19

Wheel Cart Shipped from Eddies Wheels
-  Sept. 20/19

Wheel Cart arrived in Vanc.
– Sept. 26/19

Lady May receives her Cart
- Sept. 29th 2019 

Stay tuned for details of Lady Mays progress as we introduce her cart to her.