Snoozing at Starbuck's 05-02-09

Corky really zoned out while Liz and I were having coffee at our Starbuck's meeting place in Brea. He was very alert for quite a long time - watching the people and the other dogs. There are always lots of them, I suppose it is because there are several small restaurants that share the patio and there are lots of tables and, therefore, lots of space between dogs! The place was packed today and it took a long time to order and receive our coffee. Then Liz went to Corner Bakery looking for some better breakfast treats than the Starbuck's offerings, which were slim. By the time we started on our coffee and goodies Corky was bored with the entire deal and did what he does best - took a nap.

The grass is cool 04-15-09

It was quite a cool day (low to mid 50s) and very, very windy. Corky's parents were at an all day meeting, so I went down to Long Beach this morning and picked him up. Then we drove around doing errands. Every time we got out of Lexus the wind messed up Corky's ears, but he is like the proverbial postman - neither wind nor rain nor snow nor.....! He just keeps trotting along. We had a lovely day and when I returned him to his house he just laid down on the grass for a few minutes and observed his neighborhood. He has completely lost his hearing, except maybe he can hear low tones in his left ear. He knows some sign language, but we are trying to teach him more. We must be even more diligent because he doesn't hear us approaching and is frightened when we touch him. We'll figure out something! He is still a happy, active almost-thirteen-year-old and shows no sign of slowing down.

Corky Riding 03-25-09

I had never been around dogs that ride in cars until I met Corky. At six months he was riding like a pro and I have never seen him the slightest bit disturbed. He likes to go fast and will complain when I slow down to exit the freeway/highway. Sometimes when we are in his neighborhood or mine I roll down the windows and only go about 20 MPH - I guess most dogs love to have the wind blowing in their face. Weird, eh?

People are amused when they look over and see him sitting up in the seat looking through the windshield - a real navigator look. But I worry about the sun in his eyes, maybe I should get him sun goggles.

Sometimes he sits looking at me as though he is going to make a comment. Here the wind has fluffed up his ears.

And today he was just tired, so he propped his chin on the edge of his bed and went to sleep. He is home with the Poodle Parents tonight and, as usual, I miss him.

Being carried 08-26-07

Since I have been gone for such a long stretch of time I haven't taken any pictures of Corky lately. But I have a million in my Picasa files.

This picture is from March 4, 2007, taken in front of Doris Day's Cypress Inn in Carmel, CA. They allow dogs as guests and there were a lot of dogs in residence - I was amazed at how well they all got along. Not a great picture of either Corky or his mommy, but one that holds great memories.

I've always liked this one of Corky and his mommy taken in the upstairs hall in Long Beach.

Corky + quilt 08-14-05

This is one of Auntie Del's favorite pictures of Corky taken in August 2005. He looks so studious sitting on the patio in front of her quilt "Woad" (a dye plant). The quilt is pinned basted for quilting.

Sleeeeeep! 02-05-09

Corky has always spent a lot of his time sleeping when he is at my house. His mommy and I think it is because his house is always busy with different people coming and going. While my house is very quiet and the only coming and going is done by the mail man.

This may be his way of 'disappearing' when he is here. He does love his pink poodle pillow.

He went to lunch yesterday with my friend Toni and me. He sits in his doggy stroller and spends the first half hour or so looking at the people around him. Then he gets tired of them and of our scintillating conversation and just goes to sleep. We have to sit outside on the patio if Corky is with us and we were concerned we might have to cancel because of the predicted rain. But it didn't start raining until 1pm, just as we were walking to our vehicles.

Corky poses 01-27-09 thru 02-04-09

I am a little behind in updating Corky's blog, so I am posting four pictures at once. The dates are when the pictures were taken.

Corky rides in the front passenger seat, wearing his seat belt and somewhat protected by the high sides of his red bed. We are driving north on the 55 Freeway and Saddleback Mountain can be seen out the window. 01-27-09

People are always commenting on how white Corky is. In the two weeks between his grooming appointments he has his face washed twice a day and his feet washed every time he goes outside. And he has periodic 'brush ups' when he gets really messed up - I'll give him one tomorrow before taking him home because we had to walk in the rain today. Besides all that, his mommy is a perfectionist housekeeper! 02-02-09

Corky and I stopped to see Tina at Discoveries Jewelry shop in Tustin. I frequently buy jewelry here and Corky likes to go because he can roam the shop without a leash. And, I suppose, because Tina usually has a treat for him! The jewelry is handcrafted by artists all over the country. 02-03-09

Here is the little guy hanging out of his bed after we left Discoveries. He looks like he is saying, "Auntie Del, lean over here I want to tell you something." I did lean over and he gave me a kiss -sweet dog. 02-03-09