Friday Phoebe

Blogger Phoebe here,
I'm just lying in my little bed, chewing my bone, while Lillian and Don are finishing their new book. They're so busy they let me have the blog today. I'm glad the snow is melting some here, so Lillian and Don can take me for long walks in the fields, one of my favorite things. Did you know there's a bird named a Phoebe? Yup, they actually named a bird after me. That's 'cuz I'm perfect. Do you think I have too many toys?

Til' later,
Blogger Phoebe, "woof"

Corgi Puppies!!

Hi there,

If you are reading this post you are probably very interested in Corgi puppies, which are very cute! Do not buy a puppy for Christmas, it is a bad idea, wait until things are calmer and you have done your research! We are Don and Lillian Stokes, famous bird authors of The Stokes Field Guide to the Birds of North America and 32 other bird and nature books. If you like birds, buy this book.

Click here to get book

We have two Pembroke Welsh Corgis, named Phoebe and Abby.

Phoebe, l., Abby, r.

Here is a post our Corgi, Phoebe, wrote about a litter of puppies, that included the puppy Abby, who we would later adopt, as well as the now famous Bubbles (GCH Llandian's Champagne on Ice) and Pearl (CH Llandian's Black Pearl). If you want to get a Corgi puppy, please get one from a reputable breeder, not a pet store. For a list of reputable breeders, click here. Also, you MUST take your Corgi puppy to dog school. Corgis are very smart and need a job and they will have you herded into a corner, feeding them treats all day, if you do not learn how to train them. They are loving, loyal, intelligent pets.

Phoebe and Bubbles

Blogger Phoebe here,

How about a break from Lillian talking about the birds/schmirds and hearing about me. Well, yesterday we had a puppy invasion. Not that I mind, I kinda like pupppies, after all I was once one also. My breeder, Dianne, came over with a new batch of 8-week-old puppies who are all my cousins (my mom's sister, Ella had a litter with Keiffer). So they're all perfect puppies, since they're related to me and you already know I'm perfect.

I decided to help train the puppies so Lillian could photograph them. This cutie is named Bubbles. She reminds me of me. I told her to listen to what Dianne said. I told her "Put your paws up on the pumpkin,

then stick your tongue out and look adorable." She has potential.

"Hello Laura, I'm your cousin Phoebe." Laura is a fluffy Corgi. They're just like other Corgis but they have longer fur.

Puppies are full of energy. Here Abby, (who we would later adopt), is talking to Pearl.

Trying to organize pupppies is kinda' like herding....well, herding puppies. Hey, herding puppies! That's what Corgis are, we're in the herding dog group. Corgis were bred to herd cattle.

Another cute fluffy named Phantom, who was kissing up to me. He's got the right idea.

I told him to look cute for the camera.

Here's Winston, Phantom's brother.

and here's my protege, Bubbles, with her tri-colored sister, Pearl.

Way to go girls. Your cousin Phoebe approves.
You can learn more about the puppies and their availability by contacting Dianne at her Llandian Corgi website, click here.

Good-bye Phoebe, Aug. 3, 2006 - Dec. 7, 2020

Phoebe 

Puppy Phoebe

Last photo of her this morning when she could not move

Phoebe's Paw Print Memento

Cover Girl Phoebe

Phoebe excelled at agility

Abby always looked up to Phoebe

Running to the dock this summer

Phoebe in front, Andre on left, Abby on right

Now we have two Corgis, Abby on left, Andre on right. Abby loves Andre.

We lost our precious, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Phoebe (age 14 1/2), this morning, she went over the rainbow bridge. Having to put a pet down is one of the hardest things in life, as many of you know. Each pet takes a piece of your heart. It was even harder for me as I was not able to hold her in my arms and comfort her when they put her down, because of Covid. But I know she knew I was with her. I waited in the car and sent her my love. When it was over I was left with her paw print memento and my tears. (I will get her ashes later).

Phoebe was a special girl, sweet, wise, independent, and still was doing well at age 14. In her last year she became nearly deaf (fortunately she knew hand signals from her obedience training) and clingy. She decided to sleep under my bed, wake me at 6 a.m., then kiss my ankles when I got up to take her out. Phoebe was many things: a photogenic cover girl, agility dog, blogger, excellent tracker, foodie, and wonderful mentor to cousin Abby. By the time we got Andre, a year ago, she had become pack leader emeritus, while Abby moved up in leadership. All three Corgis got along extremely well. She died of complications from back disease exacerbated by a slip during the recent storm. Ironically, yesterday, as a Christmas present for myself, I ordered a mug with three Corgis on it and they put the names on under each Corgi, Phoebe, Abby and Andre. We will miss her so much. We are grateful to still have two Corgis, thank god.

Phoebe Hawk Watch/Pet Fest

Blogger Phoebe here,

You've been listening to Lillian and Don tell you about their hawk watching fun. Well let me tell you about my hawk watching experiences. First of all, it had nothing to do with hawk watching. What really went on was that it was a pet fest, starring me! Cuz' I'm perfect.
I got petted by the third grade class. Their teacher took them to see hawks but all they wanted to do was to pet me. They were really good at it, I especially love the scratching of my chest.

Then there was the ecology class of older kids, who spent a lot of time petting and admiring me.

In my spare time, not that I had much, I was so busy getting petted, I let the other canine visitors admire me. Here's a 4 month old Golden Retriever puppy showing he's clearly interested in me.

and even a Pug came over to check me out. Reminds me of my Georgia boyfiriend, Stockton, the Pug whose breathing quickens evey time he sees me.

Speaking of petting, did you humans know that research has shown that petting a dog can lower your blood pressure, anxiety, triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Research has also shown that "after just 15 minutes of positive contact with humans, dogs have beneficial increases in hormones and neurotransmitters such as dopamine, oxytocin, prolactin, beta endorphins and beta phenylethylamine. Similar neurochemical changes occur in humans when they interact positively with dogs." (From article in the Mayflower Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club magazine The Corgi Cryer.) Win, win.

Until next time, this is Blogger Phoebe signing off
"Woof, Woof"

Phoebe In Love

Hi there, it's blogger Phoebe reporting again. Well, I'm head over heels in love!

This big hunk o' burning love is named Scooter. Have I got good taste or what!! I fell for him the minute I laid eyes on him. Scooter is a tri-colored Corgi from Indiana, and he and his humans came to visit us recently.

I gave him my dynamite 'come hither' look,

and he couldn't resist me. Here we are hugging.

The humans started to notice what was going on, and I heard them muttering words like..
"floozy"...

....."getting X rated",

and, "it's a good thing she's spayed" (whatever that means).

But what do they know...my true love and I just whispered sweet nothings...

Then posed for the camera.
This is blogger Phoebe, signing off, until next time..."woof, woof".

Photos © Lillian Stokes, 2007

Blogger Phoebe's Birding Tip

Black-capped Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Hi there, Bloggger Phoebe here,

Usually I don't give birding advice, I leave that up to my owners, Lillian and Don Stokes, 'cuz they're the birding experts. However, here's a tip I can't pass up and best of all, it has to do with me. My owners comb me (then give me a cookie and tell me "good girl") and take my nice soft fur and put it in a suet cage holder. The little birdies just go nuts for my fur. Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, even American Goldfinches grab big mouthfulls and take them. They fly to their little birdie nests and line them with my fur, turning them into little perfect birdie nests, 'cuz, y' know, I'm perfect.



Until later,
Blogger Phoebe, "Woof"

Mom's a Ch.!!!

Ch. LLandian's Talkin' Bout My Girl (Chanel)

Chanel, Phoebe's Mom

Blogger Phoebe here today,

Lillian and Don are busy working on their book, so I have taken over the blog. I have a news flash, my mom, Chanel, won at a dog show yesterday and got her championship. Yeah, way to go mom!! You are now, officially, "Champion (Ch.) LLandian's Talkin' Bout My Girl."

To become a champion, you have to earn points at AKC (American Kennel Club) sanctioned dog shows. According to the AKC, a dog must get 15 points, including two majors (wins of three, four or five points) awarded by at least three different judges, to become an American Kennel Club "Champion of Record." The amount of points you get at a show is based on how many dogs of your breed are competing at that show. The more dogs that are entered, the more points you get if you win. As I said, in order for a dog to become an AKC Champion two of their wins must be major wins, this is a show that is a 3, 4, or 5 points in value. This rule is in place to make sure that every Champion has been chosen from a large cross section of the breed, making each Champion pretty close to the breed standard. As you can see it's not easy for a dog to achieve an AKC Champion of Record but a very rewarding one when it is achieved.

The Judge has the ultimate say, at a show, of what dogs win. Spayed or neutered dogs are not eligible to compete in conformation classes at a dog show, because the purpose of a dog show is to evaluate breeding stock.

At a dog show, a judge examines each and every dog in the breed they are judging, and then gives awards according to how closely each dog compares to the judge's mental image of the "perfect" dog described in the breed's official standard. It is very important to understand here that one judge may have a different mental image of the perfect dog so, judging is subjective. Yes, there is a standard for each and every breed and the judge is very familiar with the standard. According to the AKC, the standard describes the characteristics that allow the breed to perform the function for which it was bred. These standards include specifications for structure, temperament and movement. We are Pembroke Welsh Corgis and are herding dogs so our breed standard says we should be....
"Low-set, strong, sturdily built and active, giving an impression of substance and stamina in a small space. .... Outlook bold, but kindly. Expression intelligent and interested.... Correct type, including general balance and outline, attractiveness of headpiece, intelligent outlook and correct temperament is of primary importance. Movement is especially important, particularly as viewed from the side. A dog with smooth and free gait has to be reasonably sound and must be highly regarded....."
To see the rest of our breed standard, click here.

My mom did her part to win by standing pretty in the ring, moving well and just being her usual charming self. As I told you many times before, I'm perfect. Now you can see where I get some of my perfection from— my perfect mom.
I love my Mom, she's my best friend. She lives with my breeder, Dianne, but sometimes she comes to stay with me, just for fun.
Until later, this is Blogger Phoebe signing off. Woof!

Blogger photo upload

This morning we, and many others who use blogger, are not able to upload photos to our blogs. When you try and upload photos, blogger gives this error message:

We're sorry, but we were unable to complete your request.

It appears you can upload text, but the photo upload probem is something the folks at blogger will need to fix. When they do, we will have a photo for you. Today we were going to post a cute photo of Phoebe, so check back later.

Some people ask us, what is a blog and what is Blogger. Blogger is a website (Blogger.com) that lets one create their own "blog", that looks like a "journal" or "log", using the Blogger tools. The blogs are often hosted on the Blogger server, that's why the website addresses for blogs appear like http://stokesbirdingblog.blogspot.com, with the blogspot.com at the end. Or blogs may be hosted on one's own website, if you have one. Blogger is for free.

The "Corgi Force"

Greetings from Blogger Phoebe, the Corgi,

That's me on the right. My fans have been asking about me, so I thought it was time for a Corgi update. As you know, my cousin, Abby, has come to live with us. Since I am the perfect one, I have decided she is "in-training-to-be-perfect." Don't tell her, but she will never be perfect, since there is only one perfect one, and that is me! However, I am the perfect teacher for her, just like Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars, trained Luke Skywalker to use "the force."

I am training her in using the "Corgi force," and we practice wrestle. I often let her think she is winning, to build her confidence, but I could take her down anytime I wanted.

This Corgi in training has much to learn. Here is a lesson in dog physics. She is licking the raindrops through the window. I must teach her that you sit at the door and whine, like you need to go out, then Lillian and Don will let you out, then you can play with the raindrops all you want. That is using the "Corgi force" on humans. I am an expert at that.

All in all I really like having Abby around. Just wait until she is smarter, then we can both use the "Corgi force" on Lillian and Don.







Until later, this is Blogger Phoebe signing off, Woof-Woof, and to all you Corgis who are reading this, "May the Corgi Force be with you."