Cardi Mom Linda B. describes what a perfect day looks like for spunky eight year-old Maple:
“First up is a long walk with her neighborhood buddies, or a trip to the off-leash Luther Burbank park on Lake Washington. For Maple this is a blast, because as all the local dogs and their owners know, she’s the park’s security force. She bounces in and starts restoring order by making sure that all the Labs bring back the correct balls to their people. Labs are subject to herding anywhere, at any time. If tug of war games are underway, those toys are returned to their rightful owner, and if there’s a big chase, she’s the one chasing — not being chased.”
“Maple’s not aggressive, just assertive, and noisy. Of course, it’s hard to stop that Corgi bark, which I think is the loudest of all. Most owners enjoy her antics and she’s made many dog friends for herself and people friends for me.”
“Cardigan Corgis are not very common around here, especially not blue merles, so we always get to play the guessing game of what kind of mutt is she. She actually comes from a very good kennel on Vashon Island.”
“While she hates to leave Luther Burbank and it’s a pain to get her out, when we get home Maple is usually more than happy to have breakfast and conk out a long nap.”
“Because I work from home, I get to take Maple to work. She’s a two walk a day girl if she has her choice, and she has lots of local buddies. She knows where all of her friends live, and her vocabulary includes their names and their owners’ names too. At the same time we got Maple, two of our neighbors got Pembroke brothers, so they have all been friends since they were puppies and we’ve had a Corgi neighborhood network for quite a while.”
“We’re lucky to live in a very dog oriented neighborhood with lots of parks and walking trails, so our walks are quite social. If by chance her dog walker Sam is available, Maple prances even more when he’s at the other end of the leash. He’s the 10 year-old boy in the neighborhood who took care of Maple’s daily walks while we were in Zurich this Summer visiting family.”
“She loves most dogs and people but is especially fond of boys, and is sad that her two grew up so fast and aren’t around much anymore since they went away to college. Maple was ecstatic to go to Sam’s house, play with his two younger siblings and twelve year-old poodle Gracie.”
“Maple loves any boy she sees, and if she had her choice she’d join the practice soccer, basketball or cross-country runners in the park.”
“If it’s a hot day in the Pacific Northwest, we might head for a swim at Chism Beach or Beaux Arts Beach, where Maple swims if there are other dogs in the water.”
“When her buddies Chase and Sadie are along for the ride, she’ll herd Sadie the Lab in and out of the water.”
“Maple enjoys a leisurely dip in her wading pool. She circles in it about three times before she stretches out, then relaxes for a while, then circles and stretches out the other way. It’s a tradition.”
“Of course she loves to roll afterwards, too.”
“If she’s not too tired, on nice nights Maple’s favorite thing is to have one last “frap” around the backyard, where she does circuits on her own imaginary paths, up and down the rock garden and all around. She runs full out, laughing the whole time. Then she’s ready for a nice long sleep.”
“Maple loves the outdoors so long as it doesn’t get too hot or rain too hard. She likes snow that’s powdery so she can use her chest as a bulldozer and plow through it.”
“Corgis are always entertaining, but when the snow froze and crusted over, it was hilarious to see how much she hated walking on that and falling through the crust.”
“We think that Maple has two best friends: Chip, a Golden Retriever who belongs to my close friends and has been her “big brother” all her life, and Chico, a Portuguese Podengo.”
“Chico is quite macho, and has made himself many enemies. Maple has distinguished herself several times as his “therapy” dog by putting herself between him and his enemies and herding him away, but it’s a little scary when that happens.”
“We now avoid those situations.”
“At home, Maple lives for treats, chew toys, lounging and food. Her vocabulary amazes me. I’ll say something and she’ll perk up and I’ll realize she knows what I’m talking about. She knows all the names of her favorite people, dogs, parks, food and toys, and as you know it’s impossible to talk to a Corgi without tilting your head, too. We have great conversations. It’s always great to have my comedy break with her.”
“Her dislikes include baths, Fourth of July, fireworks of any kind, and thunderstorms. While she loves going “bye bye in the car” she doesn’t like car rides much, and hates being left in the car if we run errands.”
“Maple’s parents had been champions. We’ve met her litter mates and they are all gorgeous party animals.”
“She’s a happy, healthy, and comical dog. Maple has been priceless to us!”
* * * * *
Welcome to The Daily Corgi, Maple!
You sure do keep things Corgi-Powered in the Pacific Northwest!
Maple sounds like the epitome of an awesome Cardi Lady! Bless her fussy heart!
(I am Mama to Cardi-girls, and I find that Cardi-girls are such amazingly wonderful and special family members, every one!)
I wonder if Maple is related to my Emmy – I live in Washington and she is a blue merle – I got her from a friend's friend who couldn't afford to keep her anymore. So I don't know what breeder they got her from! But she looks a lot like Maple and sounds like similar personalities – especially the barking thing! =)
What a great girl!!! Maple sounds like a wonderful dog friend.
What a great post about a special Cardi!! Thanks for sharing it.
Judy & Max
I believe I am the proud owner of Maples mom. Her name is Zoe, she is a blue merle and was the main breeding bitch at Paul Chen's kennel for years. She will be 10 this spring and is still going strong herding her human boys and tri colored fluffy c.corgi nephew JJ
Thanks for the pics and stories.. good to know I'm not the only human so amused by c. corgi antics