It has been a long time since Mom and I have done any writing. A lot in our lives has changed. I don’t live in Alaska anymore. I’m not really sure why things changed but my kibble keeps coming so that’s good. Arlo, aka The Cat, The Little Bastard, The Gosh Darn Gitty Gat, still lives with us.  

Lee, my other person, is gone. That’s really sad and Mom doesn’t talk about it much. I don’t know how long Lee has been gone but I haven’t been licking tears off of Mom’s face as often so I guess it has been a while. Mom says that Lee is still watching over us and I can tell that’s true. Every time Arlo does something annoying I hear Lee telling me to go get him. Don’t tell Mom.

I have a new job description and title. I’m Chief of RV Security. I’m not a young pup anymore. I’m 14 now, so it hasn’t been easy learning a new skill set. Plus, our RV configuration has been a moving target. For a while we lived in a pickup camper. Then we lived in a travel trailer. That was nice but then we went back to the camper. Just when I was getting used to that we moved back into the travel trailer. While I almost never agree with Arlo, I have to say that he was right on when he made some rather loud protests about the lack of stability in our living arrangements. Then Mom bribed him with canned cat food and the Little Bastard backed down.

Arlo is a better traveler than anyone thought he would be. He has to ride in a cage thing which I think is awesome. But he sleeps all day and then when we stop for the night, he is hell on wheels, literally. It’s quite disturbing. He runs around leaping on things and going to areas of the RV he’s not supposed to be in – basically where ever I am. I don’t understand why he can’t just stay in the cage. But I get to ride shot gun which is excellent.

We’ve done a lot of traveling. We’ve been back to Alaska a couple of times which has been really fun. It’s been about the only time I’ve gotten to be outside off of my leash. One of my favorite places was when we got to live in the travel trailer at the place my boy Kyle and his dog Ruger worked in Colorado. He had lots of horses there. There were a lot of people too but the horses were the best part. Horses are very big. Their nostrils are huge. They eat a lot and they poop a lot. I just love horse poop. Ruger showed me that horse hooves are a tasty treat, too. Obviously horses aren’t the smartest animals but they are smart enough not to let a dog chew on their hooves while they are still attached. Ruger and me like to chew on the trimmed off pieces. Some dogs like to roll in horse poop but not me. I don’t like to get baths and if you roll in horse poop you are guaranteed, 100%, going to get a bath.

We spent last winter in Texas at the Aransas Wildlife Refuge. I made friends with a retired gray hound named Ziggy. Really, we were friends. His person is Penni. She gets me. There were lots of deer, pocket gophers and turkeys where we lived and some really weird animals, too. Once I sounded the alarm big time when I saw a creature unlike anything I had ever seen before. I got praised for letting the neighbors know there was an armadillo in the yard and then told to shut up. Everyone stood outside taking pictures. I was telling them to kill it or to let me kill it, not take pictures of it. What possible purpose could a creature that looks like that have? But once again, I was misunderstood.

Then we went to Oregon. I really like the place we had there. We were close to the ocean and the travel trailer was parked in a place where I could be off of my leash as long as I behaved. There were deer there. Their poop is also tasty but not as good as horse poop. Anyway, Mom likes it there a lot so we are going back this spring. Mom says we have to hit the road before it gets too hot here. I don’t understand that saying but Mom says to stop being so literal.

For now we are at a place called an RV park and we have something called a Class C. It is very comfy. Bigger than the camper, about the same as the travel trailer. We are in a town called Casa Grande which is kind of ironic when you think about it. RV parks are weird. I’ll tell you more about living in an RV park next time. Right now I have to take a nap. Naps and drinking a lot of water have always been important but now that I’m 14 napping is more of a reflex than a choice.

Bow wow,

Pearl

Ruger, You Forgot Your Kitty!

The past month or so has been very trying. 

First, Kyle comes home.  That’s OK because I really like Kyle.  I have faint tickles of puppyhood memories every time I smell him.  He picked me up in Colorado and brought me to Alaska.  At least that’s the story.  I just remember his smell which I think is awesome.  But he brought a dog home with him.  I had heard he had a dog but I didn’t believe it.  This dog’s name is Ruger.  He’s young and he pretty much does what I tell him to and that is by far his most attractive quality.  He’s actually useful in the yard when it comes to chasing rodents because he is faster than me.  But he has a really short attention span.  Me, I can bark at a rodent in a tree for hours.  Ruger almost never barks and if the squirrel doesn’t come down in a couple of minutes he’s off doing something else.  Sheesh.

One great thing about Ruger is that it is easy and quite entertaining to get him into trouble.  All have I have to do is show him something stinky and he rolls in it.  Ha, ha.  Then he gets a bath.  Very funny.

I don’t like having Ruger in the house.  And I don’t like him to stand at the door waiting to get let in with me.  I go in first.  That’s just the way it is.  Fortunately, we have a front and back door so we split up.  I decided it was OK for him to be on the porch with me because I could explain things to him but not at the door.  Rules are rules.

As if bringing Ruger wasn’t bad enough, Kyle also brought Ruger’s cat.  His name is Arlo.  Mom thinks that’s a cool name because of some singer.  I say, who cares.  Arlo is just a year old and he doesn’t listen to a thing anyone says to him.  He plays with rubber bands for God’s sake.  Arlo is kind of fun to chase but I get yelled at when I do.  Am I just supposed to ignore his rude behavior?  We have rules around here.  Besides I’m not really chasing him.  I’m trying to herd him.  I’m told it’s impossible to herd cats but I don’t believe it.

Kyle was supposed to stay all summer.  Mom made it abundantly clear to me that I was going to have to not only tolerate Ruger and Arlo but be nice to them.  I’ll tell you, I saw nothing but misery ahead.  I had plans for the summer and none of them involved a black and white dog following me around.  Ruger is always happy and he always wants to play.  I have work to do – security rounds, maintaining my look out on the porch, guarding the chickens and ducks (that’s another story) – I’m a busy dog.  Oh, and that doesn’t include letting Mom pet me and sitting on her lap once in a while.

Then I got some wonderful news.  Kyle got a job in Seward.  I love Seward.  I was there when I was a puppy and swam in the ocean.  Do you know how many great stinky dead things there are on beaches?  Anyway, Kyle and Ruger and Arlo would be leaving.  Yes, siree, there is a God.  I couldn’t wait.  Suddenly, I didn’t mind Ruger leaving in the middle of a squirrel chase or jumping over me on the way to the chicken coop.  I didn’t mind if Arlo got me in trouble.  In fact, I just gave him dirty looks instead of chasing him.

I started getting really excited when Kyle started packing.  Ruger got nervous and anxious and that made me even happier.  I know how packing works.  Once the suitcases come out travel is eminent.  Ah, soon I would be alone with Mom and Lee.  The homestead would return to its normal patterns.  My afternoon nap would be undisturbed.  No more weird meowing sounds.  No more of Ruger’s ridiculous tail wagging.

 

Then the morning of Kyle’s departure arrived.  I could tell Mom was a little sad.  She took pictures of Kyle and Ruger and we sat on the porch and waved to them as they drove out of the yard.  I comforted Mom as best I could but inside I wanted to do my happy dance.

We went back into the house and right away I found a bunch of rawhide flip chips Ruger forgot to pack.  I’m sure me hiding them under the desk had nothing to do with why he forgot them.  I was just settling in for a good chew when I heard it.  I shook my head and figured I must have just imagined it.  But no, there it was again – a meow.  And then I saw him.  Arlo!

Mom, Mom, Mom, let me out, which she did because she is very compliant.  I ran down the driveway barking and crying out, Ruuugeeeer, you forgot your kitty.  But it was no good.  The dust had settled and they were already miles away.

Mom has promised me that it’s just for the summer.  I’m getting used to Arlo but really, he does such undignified things.  This morning he was in the window sill and he stretched and fell on the floor.  I kid you not.  And playing with rubber bands?  It doesn’t get much more stupid than that.  I mean, who cares?  I don’t even feel jealous of that.

What really hurts is that Kyle left Arlo here with Mom and Lee’s permission.  I was not consulted.  Obviously I must have dozed off during a critical discussion.  I will have to make sure this never happens again.  For the time being, I guess Arlo is pretty funny and he’s a sloppy eater meaning I get a few pieces of kitty kibble once in a while.   In the mean time, I will do as corgis have always done and persevere, making the most of even this horrible situation.  Excuse me now, I think I’ll go root around in the compost pile.

Until next time,

Bow Wow

There's One Creature Stirring

It’s Christmas Eve and I know in some houses the creatures aren’t stirring but that is not the case here.  There is a rodent under the house and it is chewing and gnawing and scurrying and driving me nuts.  It really pisses Lee off too.  He says he’s going to shoot the little bastard if he sees it coming out from under the house.  I have to tell you that the rodent might be more worried about it if Lee hadn’t been saying that for three months!

I really like it when we hear the rodent chewing and Mom runs to that part of the house.  She stomps her feet really fast and loud and yells.  I bark in my highest pitch that can still be heard by rodents.  I can tell it freaks it out.

Lee hired one of the kids from out at Slana to help repair damage under the house caused by the rodent.  It chewed through plywood and was tearing into the insulation.  The rodents like to use it for their nests.  I think that’s pretty dumb.  I guess maybe they like the pink color but that stuff is full of sticker things that cling to you forever – or that’s what Lee says.  Now the floor is much warmer and Lee thought he had all the access points sealed but the other night the wind blew open the door to the crawl space and the little bastard took advantage of it.

 

We used to have a lot more rodents but this summer a lynx family lived in the yard.  The mom taught the young ones how to hunt using MY rodents.  I only have about six left.  The mother lynx also ate most of the wild rabbits in the yard.  I only mention this because it just isn’t fair.  I told mother lynx that she could go hunt any where.  If I leave the yard I get into big trouble.  She, on the other hand, is free to go wherever she wants.  She has a whole national park to hunt in.  She said that my rodents were dumber than the ones who lived out of the yard and she was enjoying not having to work so hard to feed her family.

Mom is making me post this picture of me in my winter clothes.  She says that I look great and she’s right.  I know you probably don’t usually think of me as a trend setter, but there you go.  You should see Lee when I have to wear this get up.  The tough old grouchy hermit gets all giggly and silly and practically gushes about how cute I am and how cute it is that I run funny with my boots on.  Mom made my coat.  Ellie the Poodle used to wear it but she died so I wear it now.  It’s a little small but Ellie left big shoes to fill.  Anyway, the boots are weird to walk in but they do keep my feet warmer.  I don’t wear this get up until it’s -25 or colder and we are going to be outside for more than ten minutes.  Without the boots I have to stop and either sit or lie down and hold one or more paws up in the air.  It’s a bother.

So anyway, I hope the only creatures stirring at your house tonight are dogs and little kids and maybe some kitties.  Of course Santa and the reindeer.  But that’s a given.  Merry Christmas!

Under the Weather or The Trials of a Middle Aged Corgi

I've had a rough time the last week. I was doing something heroic and I hurt my neck. I hurt it so bad that Mom had to take me back to Eagle River. It was miserable. I'm still not well but I'm much better.

It all started last week on Wednesday. I was really sore and just not feeling like myself. Mom gave me some aspirin and that helped a little. By Friday I was starting to get worse so Mom loaded up our stuff and drove me to town. Lee stayed home to deliver mail and take care of the chickens. My doctor, Dr. Hawn, told Mom not to give me any more aspirin because they would want me to take some different medicine.

I started having muscle spasms in my neck and it hurt just to walk. I had a splitting headache on top of everything. Thank God it didn't affect my appetite! Saturday morning Dr. Frost took a look at me. She felt really sorry for me. She said I needed a neck x-ray but she'd have to put me under to do it. I wasn't sure what that meant but since Mom had given me my breakfast the x-ray had to wait until Monday. Dr. Frost gave me a shot in the butt which really hurt bad and a bunch of pills. I don't remember a whole lot more until the next day. We stayed with our friends Dean and Mike. Mike is a Springer Spaniel I've told you about. Mike says I staggered and drooled. It would be embarrassing but he's done worse.

On Monday morning I was not in good shape. Poor Mom was sure upset. Back to the vet's office. By the way, I go to Ravenwood Vet Clinic in Eagle River, Alaska. Not that I recommend going to the vet but my doctors are the best. Mom had to leave me there. I found out what getting put under means! I had to have another shot but then I don't remember much again. I guess I have an inflamed cervical disc that is putting pressure on my spinal column. Whatever, I just know my neck hurts.

When I woke up back at Dean's house, I felt better. But I discovered that while I was incapacitated, Dr. Hawn trimmed my nails! Plus I have more pills to take. Now I'm on prednisone for 7 days. Taking pills isn't so bad. Mom puts cream cheese on the pills.

Finally on Wednesday, Dr. Hawn said I was doing well enough to come home. Whew. It was great getting out of the city. I did score a new halter gizmo out of the deal. It's a really pretty purple color. I miss my LiveStrong collar though.

I have to rest for two weeks. The squirrels are completely out of control and they are laughing at me. This is so humiliating! Oh well, what goes around comes around you rodents.

I hope that you are all very healthy. Once you get to be middle aged you have to start doing more to take care of yourself. Me and Mom are taking glucosamine and vitamins. Lee takes vitamins, too. I take salmon oil, too. Mom says no thanks. Fine, more for me. Oh yeah, and I have to keep my weight down so Mom and I are on diets, too.

Woof for now!
Pearl

My Work Is Never Done

I know that I don't have to tell you how hard I work for these people because I know all of you work hard. Just being happy and wagging your tail all the time is tiring. 'Course I can't say much about the tail thing since I don't have one. I can wiggle my stump if I want to. Honestly, I don't know how people would get by without us.

One of my chores is to help with filling the water tank in the house. We have a well but it's not hooked into the house 'cause things freeze so easy. So every once in a while we have to fill the storage tank in the house. When we do that, we have to let the hose run for a while to clear out any sediment. For some reason, Mom and Lee don't seem to appreciate how dangerous it is to just leave a hose running like that! Lucky for them I know what to do. I start by barking at the hose. If that doesn't work, I grab the end where the water comes out with my mouth and give it a good shake. Then I bark some more. I can keep this up for a long time. But the hose is never out of control. I want you all to know that I perform this service even when it's -40!

My mom says we have to go to Anchorage again. Guess I'll get to see my friend Mike, the Springer Spaniel, and his dad Dean. They are bachelors and they LOVE Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream. Well, who doesn't. Bark at ya next week.

Woof,
Pearl

Homestead Happenings

Well, it's been really frustrating here the past week. The sun has been shining and the days are long but the wind has been blowing. This doesn't bother me that much. Let's face it, one of the advantages of being short is staying out of the wind! I hate it when humans try to make it sound like I'm not short by saying stuff like, "Oh, Pearl is vertically challenged." How dumb do they think I am. I know I'm short. I'm supposed to be short. Anyway, my people don't like to go outside when it's windy. Mom says that when it's zero degrees and the wind is blowing 15 miles per hour, she's not going out.

Yesterday she had to go out because she and Lee needed to cut some firewood. It's still winter here in Alaska and we were running short. That was really fun because I got to pee on top of all the places the coyotes and foxes have peed. I don't really like the chain saw but otherwise it was a good outing. Plus when we got home I had to help Mom with the wheel barrow she uses to haul the wood. I have to guide her or she'd never get it to the right place. I bite the wheel which works great except a couple of times when my tongue got hurt.

Today Lee is packing and I'm not happy. I'm trying to help but he doesn't follow direction any better than Mom does. Lee is going to a gun show tomorrow. Mom and I are staying home. Last time we went to a gun show in Palmer, I got to go in. It was great because a lot of people wanted to scratch my ears and tell me how great I am. I was exhausted by the time we headed home. The people next to us have a dog that's half corgi and half lab! I did get in a little trouble because a Golden Retriever who was training to be a guide dog walked by. I had to let her know not to come to close to our space. She got the message but Lee got upset with me. Sheesh - I'm just doing my job!

I'd rather stay home but I worry when Mom and Lee are in different places. Mom says if it's nice tomorrow we can go for a walk. Hope you all get to go for a walk tomorrow. As the Governor of Caleefornea says, "I'll be back!"

Woof,
Pearl

PS. I have gotten messages from several cats. It was great to hear from Delta and Adagio who's foolish humans left Alaska. I like to hear from many different breeds and species. After all better understanding might lead to world peace.

The Joys of Rolling in the Snow and a Letter from Viggo

Hello everyone,

I know that some of you had problems posting comments and Mom thinks she fixed it so I hope you will come back and try again.

We have lots of snow this year. You might think that would be a problem for a dog with short legs. Well, you'd be wrong. There's nothing I love more than going out after a fresh snow fall and plowing my way through the drifts. I high center once in a while which is embarrassing, but I just power through it. I have trails all over the place. Plus Mom is pretty good about keeping some of the paths shoveled. I do have to herd the snow shovel because, well just because it's what I do. This process involves lots of barking because, well just because.

Another great thing is that the voles and shrews have tunnels in the snow. It's fun to crash into the tunnels. The best tunnels are the ones the squirrels dig to hide food. Usually it's just icky old spruce cones but once in a while I hit pay dirt. Sometimes they get stuff out of the trash like perfectly good bones or something Mom calls garbage. I call it delish!

Last week I had to have a bath for some reason and then my nails trimmed. I don't know about you but I don't like being bathed. I'm very concerned about hygiene and I spend time every morning getting myself cleaned up. And this time of year, I have a lot of fur so getting wet takes a long time but getting dry takes even longer. What a bother and to no purpose that I can figure out. After my bath, I love to go outside and run around and then roll in the snow. That's what I was doing when Lee took this photo. It helps get the smell of the shampoo and cream rinse off.

Keep reading - next is a nice letter from Viggo. He's a Dachshund who divides his time between Nabesna and Anchorage. I know what it's like to have to be in the city when you are used to bush living so I'm glad he's found some things to have fun with.

See you all later!
Pearl


Hi Pearl,

Lucky you. Getting to chase rabbits and squirrels. People who think dogs with short legs can't run fast are just silly.

I'm stuck here in Anchorage with only a small yard and a few little tiny birds to go bark at in the three trees I have. When it snows, there's only a narrow path to go and poop in. There's a horrid rottweiler next door, who thinks he's all tough because he has a big booming voice. He doesn't scare me though, I bark from the back porch (a couple feet from the door) and I don't know why the older woman laughs when I come back in. The fur on my back is all puffed up a whole quarter inch and everything.

The only other excitement I have is when an occasional UPS or mail carrier drops off a package. I used to run out the door and my people were trained to holler and come after me. It was great! For some reason, that's all changed. Now they just shut the door. I wait at the door to be let in. It's degrading to have to whine.

Chase some critters for me, and roll in something stinky if you get a chance. That's what I really miss about living in Nabesna.

I'd like to sniff your butt too.

Bored in Anchorage, Viggo

Welcome to my blog.

For those of you who don't know me, I'm Pearl. I'm a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. And yes my legs are that short. My ancestors came from Wales where they herded cattle so don't let my height decieve you. I'm tough and I'm fast. Anyway, I live with my Mom and Lee on a 5 acre homestead near the north side of the Wrangell Mountains in Alaska. I've done a little traveling and I can tell you that I am living in paradise.

I used to get e-mails from my cousins Sophie in Denver and Angel from wherever her 5th Wheel is parked. But everybody got so busy we sort of let that drop. Me and Mom figure that with the blog it'll be easier for them to write to me plus I might hear from other doggie friends like Sadie in Montrose or Lupita in Kenny Lake, or Mashu and Cheno in Scottsdale. Now Mashu and Cheno have full time jobs like I do. They are also Corgis so you know they do good work. They are in charge of gallery security at Rima Fine Art. That's a lot of responsibility. I know because I'm in charge of homestead security here at Jack Creek. You would not believe the dangers that are lurking behind every spruce tree. Some of the squirrels here are not to be trusted. And as if I didn't have enough to do, Mom got chickens last summer. We also have bunnies. Sometimes I get to go in their pen. They are cool but don't respond well to herding. They are kind of like automatic poop dispensers - Yum. Plus the wild rabbits, OK they're hares, are everywhere and they have no respect for boundaries. I do like them because I occaisionally catch them. They are good to eat. I catch voles, too, but they aren't tasty so after I get done shaking them, I leave their carcasses for the birds. Hey, don't go getting all grossed out about it. That's the real world out here in the wilderness.

It's almost time for my dinner so I'll close this for now. I'll be back to share my adventures and hopefully read your posts. I'd rather sniff your butt . . . Oh well. Ruff, Ruff for now.

Your friend,
Pearl

PS - I guess it's all right if other species want to contribute.