Posts Tagged ‘story’

Earlier today my life story on video continued as Corky Trip to the Groomers became the newest Corky video released. This is #7 and the last video of January 2009 (yes, 18 months ago) which featured 6 other early videos including my capture and doing time in doggy jail before becoming adopted. Playtime (02:39 min./sec.)

The Life with Corky the Shelter Dog video series and format shown on my main website includes the transcript of each video and narration for the benefit of hearing impaired persons, or others who just want to read along.

In addition, the life story series in video is on YouTube, plus my channel has exclusive YouTube Corky videos not shown on my website.

The next Life with Corky video episode “First Doggy Store Shopping Trip” was released earlier on YouTube as well as in the shelter dog video story section of this website. Watch this new episode here or visit Corky’s channel on YouTube to see this plus exclusive Corky videos NOT on this website. (Playtime 01:32 min/sec)

Some visitors may wonder why the site includes a different version with our custom video player in the story section. Those videos have a text transcript of the narration for hearing impaired persons so they may read the story while they watch.

You are welcome to comment here on the blog or follow the link in the right column and comment on YouTube, also.

Instead of having to select “Previous Video” or “Next Video” to navigate through each episode of my video story of Corky the shelter dog, I decided to add a new option on the video pages. With the release of the latest video entitled Corky and My Three Beds the list of all videos was added as shown here on every video page:

The illustration (smaller than actual size) shows the video player (left) for viewing dog videos on my website, and to the right is an example of the video episodes in order. This way as you view one video you can follow links to watch my entire story in sequence from the beginning.

A special thanks to all my fans, and remember there are more pet videos of Corky on YouTube including exclusive video not shown on my website!

This week marks one year in my forever home since being rescued from doggy jail. The photo shown is me just over a year old and my favorite for 2009 and was originally taken in color. Who could imagine that cute face being dumped on the street and discarded like yesterday’s newspaper?

It happens to pets every day worldwide. The economy nosedive to rock bottom and the worst conditions in nearly 100 years explains why.

Humans are forced to cut costs and choose between paying bills for basic necessities and that unconditional love and loyalty from their dog. Cats get dumped, too. I get it. Being a responsible pet owner means if you must surrender your pet in the face of unforseen and extreme financial difficulties there’s a right way to do it.

A year ago my groomer was telling my guardians that people bring pets to their grooming business, open the door, toss the pet inside, and then close the door and run. Why? They know pet groomers are pet lovers and will have a slightly better chance than just being tossed on the street (like I was). The situation is worse when the pet is let loose outside the business and must be chased down in a parking lot or traffic!

If you must surrender your pet, take it to a pet shelter or rescue organization. When you voluntarily give up your pet you can at least share health or other issues so caregivers know what is needed. PLEASE. Do not dump your pets. They were family members and have a better chance of survival to find a forever home and family if you do the right thing.

Enjoy this audio recording of Twas the Night Before Christmas narrated by Jim Degerstrom who Corky calls “Dad”. The photo to the left is Jim’s Dad reading this story to him when he was a little boy more than 50 years ago!

Listen to this mp3 version recorded today for his grandchildren Hannah and Sarah (and YOU) to enjoy on Christmas eve, plus read along with the full text version by Clement Clarke Moore inserted below. In addition, you may download the Night Before Christmas mp3 and take it with you.

Press right button below to listen. (play time 03:41 min/sec)

PLAY NOW

Twas the Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

“Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!”

Poem written by Clement Clarke Moore (1779-1863)

This blog post is a series of tweets published here in chronological order for the #mummypawty Twitter critter party with the theme of a pretend trip to Cairo, Egypt, and taking a ride on the Nile River.

My guardian, “Dad”, has been to the source of the Blue Nile in Ethiopia for real, and he does my typing in Twitter plus the narration for my videos. I wanted him to tell me and my anipals that African adventure story on Twitter. The challenge was creating a story of 140 character tweets and trying to tell his real life adventure in 25 tweets.

Here goes the true African adventure Dad made to the Blue Nile River presented in a series of 25 tweets.

Trip to the Source of the Blue Nile

Intro a: Dad went with buddies on an African adventure to the Blue Nile source in Ethiopia years ago.

Intro b: The Nile splits into the White Nile and Blue Nile. The Blue begins in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.

Intro c: Destination? A half mile wide waterfalls at the source of the Blue Nile in Bahir Dar.

Intro d: Traveled from Eritrea over a mountain, across plains, then desert to get to the falls.

Intro e: Self guided camera safari of 6 adult males in 2 vehicles. Told little of what to expect.

Day 1a: Expected to arrive at foot of 10K foot high mountain named Soira Amba. Did not see it.

Day 1b: Slept in the African jungle that night. Every wild animal calling that you can imagine.

Day 1c: Same night. Saw a line of lights, obviously torches, move along the far side of the valley.

Day 1d: Night. Nervous? Oh yeah. Wild critters and torch bearers. Had pocket knives only. No guns.

Day 1e: Night. Rotated to guard and watch fire. Surrounded by pairs of eyeballs lit up by firelight.

Day 2a: Awoke. Broke camp. Traveled 500 feet around a bend. 10K foot Mount Soira Amba right there.

Day 2b: Thinking we saw the top of the mountain, squinted and saw more higher up hidden in clouds.

Day 2c: Strained eyes again, twice more thinking we saw the mountain top. Finally did. Majestic!

Day 2d: Half way up mountain attacked by baboons. Not hand to hand combat. They were too smart.

Day 2e: Baboon tactic: climb very high. Lob large rocks at us while too high for us to return fire.

Day 3a: Camped out. Another thrilling night. Morning travel and arrived at mountain top village.

Day 3b: Only person who spoke English? A child. Schooled in the city. Asked our destination.

Day 3c: Replied “Bahir Dar”. He said “Oh, to see the falls?”, then “What is your occupation?”.

Day 3d: Occupation? Dad and buddies were amazed with his incredible English. They said “military”.

Day 3e: “No you’re not. You’re movie stars. Some came through last year. I KNOW what they look like!”

Day 4a: Not mentioned, but each day was like traveling further back in time. Day 4: Grass huts.

Day 4b: Arrived in Bahir Dar. The waterfalls were a half mile wide hillside. Dried up. Drought.

Day 4c: Some civilization catering to tourists. Ate real food in a rustic (being polite) restaurant.

Day 4d: Elvis sighting! Flick that night at the town theater was an old Elvis movie. Decision was don’t attend.

Day 4e: Slept that night in Bahir Dar in real (being polite again) beds. Return trip took 3 days.
(THE END)

(Nice story, Dad). Hope all the pawpals enjoyed the adventure!

This past week of interacting with animal and human pals in Twitter has created an unexpected emotional toll of pain building up as pet parents type news about pawpals crossing the Rainbow Bridge. Perhaps this pretend Pet Letter from the Rainbow Bridge will help you or someone you know who has lost a pet.

Yes, it is a person behind those tweets typing for their pet and sharing that unique personality from their perspective, yet that persona becomes as real as if that pet could actually talk and type. Here’s a letter they might write if they could.

Pet Letter from the Rainbow Bridge

Dearest Friend,

I crossed the Rainbow Bridge much sooner than you or my guardians expected. It happens to human pals and their friends or family, too. Please don’t be sad or disappointed, at least not for long anyway. There are reasons I left that you may not understand until it’s your turn to pass over.

For now I have permission to let you in on a secret. Truth is there is no secret because God has already revealed words of comfort in the bible for us to find. Perhaps this verse will help you understand why I left so soon.

The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. Isa 57:1 (KJV)

See? As much as you wanted me there, the path my life was taking may have been an even more painful experience for you to witness. Besides being “taken away from the evil to come”, I have work to do making people happy on this side of the Rainbow Bridge. While waiting for you I greeted a human baby, very old kitty, and a grandmother this week. Here’s another secret that’s not really a secret.

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 1 Cor 2:9 (KJV)

Either me or someone you love will be waiting. For now, read that last verse again. You cannot imagine the joy on this side of the Rainbow Bridge, yet the details are not yours to know until you have completed your time on earth and it’s your turn to cross over, so I can’t elaborate.

Time will heal your sorrow. As a parting message, consider one reason behind the short lives of animal friends. You cannot replace me or our special relationship. However, most humans will outlive their pets and the loss of one is an opportunity to rescue another. When the time is right, please search your heart to make room and adopt a shelter pet.

The real forever home awaits on this side of the Rainbow Bridge where there is only joy and no fear or pain. However, there is no limit on pets or people to share your love for eternity. Until we meet again I forever remain…

Lovingly,

Your Faithful Friend

To all my fans, and especially my friends on Twitter, hopefully this pretend pet letter will help ease the pain of losing a loved one and sharing the grief of bad news. If nothing else, understand that life is truly fragile and unpredictable, so make the best of each moment to love and appreciate those around you.

It began like any normal day with a puppy and his guardian going for their morning walk. Imagine the shock while passing under palm trees and suddenly hearing “FWOP! FWOP!” as squirrels dropped from the sky landing at the puppy’s feet! Wow! Incredible? Yes, but TRUE. This IS the true story of raining squirrels!

Late last week the event just described happened. I, Corky the Shelter Dog, was a witness. Stunned by squirrels dropping around us, my guardian (Dad) had no time to react and document the raining squirrels on video. He did, however, have his camera and after overcoming the shock was able to capture still photos.

The photo illustration inserted below has been marked up 1 through 7 to help you visualize this incredible day.

Photo Illustration of Raining Squirrels Story

1. Squirrel story protagonist perched atop a light pole
2. Photo insert of the scene of the Raining Squirrels
3. Wrestling squirrels fell from this 20 foot palm tree
4. Stunned temporarily, squirrel #1 then ran up the light pole
5. (Irrelevant daytime moon captured in photo. Nice shot, Dad.)
6. Squirrel #2 ran up this palm tree and hid out of sight
7. Closeup of squirrel #1 atop the pole and evil booby traps

You’ve probably heard the saying “raining cats and dogs”. Well, friends, this week it was squirrels. Given their choice of 3 palms trees, 2 squirrels fought for one and flopped 20 feet to the ground during the battle. They landed at my paws (and Dad’s feet) then recovered and scampered up that tree and pole.

Each stayed in place until we left. The one on the pole (1,4) had the safest hideout with wires and stuff (7) like evil booby traps. With a fortress like that, the closest I got was sniffing the tiny little squirrel tracks left behind. I’ll be ready next time.

This new Life with Corky video on YouTube was promised last week to the Twitter Squirrel Club after bragging about being an expert squirrel tracker. The evidence is in the video. I did get close to the squirrel. The transcript of Dad narrating is below the video display for those who want to read along (or can’t understand some of the words).

Narration script: This special video presentation is for the Twitter weekly Squirrel Club meeting.

Dad will narrate for me. I became a squirrel tracking expert as a puppy. You will be amazed at how close I can get to squirrels as demonstrated in this video. First step is find squirrels. Go to a known squirrel hangout and begin by looking for squirrels far far away.

If they see a puppy or especially a big dog they will run away. Spot them before they see you, and they’ll come closer.

Next, get down low to the ground. As you can imagine here, a white puppy stands out in the green grass, but when I scrunch down flat on the ground, and stay quiet… I’m invisible! Yep. That squirrel is coming closer and closer because he can’t see me… hiding… and waiting.

Okay, now imagine that little rascal is getting really really close. Stay down low to the ground because if you can’t see him, he can’t see you. Of course it’s okay to take a peek at the squirrel when he’s looking the other way.

Finally, it’s your choice what to do next. I just track squirrels. Didn’t say anything about catching them. When they get close like this little guy, I jumps out to scare the little critters away and teach ‘em a lesson.

Seems like yesterday this puppy was dumped on the street, off to doggy jail, and eventually adopted from the animal shelter.

Today is exactly 8 months from the day I was adopted on January 14, 2009, and now I have a blog, a family, a website, videos on YouTube, and 3 (yes 3) beds, plus a full time job in security.

Barking at an occasional noise or passersby is work, right? I’m on duty 24/7.

With my change in luck at one year old, life is grand. The Life with Corky website documents my story as a rescued shelter dog in pictures, text, and video.

My life goal is to promote adoption of shelter pets, so I tell my story and my guardian, “Dad”, narrates or types as I dictate.

Old English proverb: Every dog has his day.

Looking ahead, I will continue telling my life story through my guardians as my main site and this blog develop. Follow the links in the sidebar to view my puppy videos on YouTube or follow my tweets as @CorkyStory on Twitter.

Finally, if you are looking to add a pet to your home, please visit a local animal shelter. Millions of healthy cats and dogs are euthanized worldwide every year. I was a lucky puppy. Other pets are waiting for you, so please adopt.