I Got Sooo Many Treats in Ohio!
By Penny Smith
Hi, my name is Penny, and I’m a three-year-old Cardigan Welsh Corgi. I live with Paisleystopthat, Jaxdog, and two hoomans.
Corgis 101
Some of you may know the Pembroke Welsh Corgi (better known as the Queen’s dogs) and ask my hooman what kind of Corgi mix I am. But I’m descended from a long line of herding dogs believed to have been brought to Wales by Celtic tribes from central Europe around 1200 BC—making our breed about 3,000 years old! In other words, we’re the OG’s of herding dogs in Wales. I’m not even related to Pembroke’s – Corgi just means “gather” or “low dog” in Welsh. It would be like saying a Basset Hound and Greyhound are the same ‘cause they have hound in their name.
Cardigan Welsh Corgi National Specialty
Anyhoo – enough of the history lesson. I’m here to tell you about my very special week in Ohio. Recently, my hooman brought me to the Cardigan Welsh Corgi National Specialty. Hundreds of hoomans and Cardi’s gathered to celebrate, well, me and my friends. There were Herding, Scent Work, Agility, Obedience, Rally, Fast Cat, and Conformation events. There was also a parade of title holders and my personal favorite—the parade of therapy dogs. But more on that in a bit.
Fun With My Nose, My Legs, and Sheep!
Me in the Cardigan Air Transport (CAT) showing off my ribbons
After a VERY long car ride with my friend CJ and my hooman’s friend Auntpat we got to “go sheepies” with Cardigans like me! The next game was “sniffies”. Hooman told everyone I qualified in 4 of my 6 runs and got a second and third place, but I dunno what that means. I do know I found a particular smell for hooman and got loads of treats. So easy with my nose! Then was Fast Cat and more ribbons and treats. (Did I mention loads of treats????)
Therapy Dog Parade
But then, my favorite. Hooman put on my special collar and Roxy™ bandana, and we waited to be announced over a PA system. There were a bunch of us who each got a special turn around the show ring as we got cheered on for our therapy dog work.
Me and hooman walking our Therapy Dog Parade lap
This is what hooman submitted to the announcer.
Penny - CH Rochars Snow Day PT CGC TKN
I asked for a potential therapy dog puppy, and Penny was the one. At age 2.5, she passed her CGC and Bright and Beautiful certifications to qualify for Roxy Therapy Dogs, a local organization that visits schools, the courthouse, and the library. We’ve been visiting about twice a month at high schools and colleges. We’re looking forward to being assigned a classroom and helping spread the word about the good work therapy dogs do next school year.
Did I Mention Treats?
Hooman looked so happy as we took our turn around the ring, and I even liked the ribbon (and more treats) for that event. I’m home now, but what a fun week!
