Posts Tagged ‘story’

Today was another spoiled day in the life with Corky the shelter dog story as I got this stuffed toy owl from the flea market. For those from another state or planet, a flea market is NOT a place to get fleas, and besides that doggies should never have to buy them.

In some places a flea market is called a swap meet where people sell new or used stuff for a bargain. I didn’t see anyone swap stuff so why swap meet and I didn’t see any fleas, so why flea market? Humans are confusing!

Whatever you call it, Mom and Dad took me to the Orange County Fairgrounds Flea Market because they allow dogs. Last time we went I barked at half the people I met and some were scared. They don’t know the difference between a friendly bark and a you’re-gonna-get-bit bark. I only have a friendly bark (*Psst – look for the wagging tail as a sign of a friendly bark).

Anyway, the stuffed toy owl shown here was brand spanking new and made like the raccoon stuffed animal I got for Christmas. It’s lasted for months and months without a squeakerectomy, so the parents thought the owl was a good idea! Guess what. It wasn’t for sale.

Today I didn’t bark at half the people I met – maybe 1 in 10, and not at the man selling the owl toy. He LOVED doggies and thought I was extra extra cute and said “For Corky, it’s free!” He even gave me water and ice from his ice chest for a cool treat.

There you have it pals. If going to the flea market don’t worry about fleas. Next, always be friendly and extra cute and you might get free toys, too!

Today marks two years in my forever home since being rescued from doggy jail. Visit Corky the shelter dog videos on YouTube and you can see me captured and put in my jail cell or my interview with Mom before being adopted on this day in 2009.

I was a scruffy puppy when I was dumped on the street at 4 months old and left to wander. Having a nice family with 3 beds, food and safety, and a little older brother Sam the cat means life is grand.

As shown in this portrait of me in my forever home you can see I cleaned up pretty good for a street pup.

Want to help celebrate my anniversary?

Not all pets are as lucky as me, so on this two year forever home anniversary for Corky please consider adding a shelter pet to your family. I’m a mutt and sometimes a rescue mutt is your best choice for a special friend who stays loyal forever.

It took 2 years since I came to my forever home to become friends with the family cat, yet I can now say Sam our cat and I are pals. He’s shown here waiting by my cowbell at the back door. He doesn’t go outside but he understands the cowbell is my signal to ring when I want out.

Recently in a conversation with some Twitter pawpals I mentioned that Sam and I now play wrestle. I get low on the floor and let him attack (and win). I promised Dad would get some video footage to post on my site or YouTube and that’s coming soon. He needs to get around to compiling the intro, outro, and footage plus narration.

Lots can happen in 2 years. Sam was not very friendly when I joined the family. When asking kitty pals in Twitter in 2009 for tips on living with a cat one said there’s 2 rules: “When a cat is sleeping, leave them alone. Whenever they are awake, leave them alone.” Okie dokie.

Previously I wrote about 13 baby Muscovy ducklings born in late July and living on the canal near our home in Kissimmee, Florida, plus I published some updates of how they developed. In the course of nature the number of survivors dwindled down to 4 of the last 5 shown here. The 4 ducklings are now young adults and capable of flying away, so for this group this is the last chapter in my baby duck story.

While losing any of my little feathered friends is sad, this is the first group in several years to have at least some of the ducklings survive to become adults. The Mom (center) with her back to the camera and 2 of her ducklings flew away and live somewhere else. Poppa duck (far back) and 2 male ducklings have stayed on at the canal.

4 baby ducks have made it. Since my previous report a 6th duck was killed and eaten by a bald eagle. I know because Dad and I saw the eagle having breakfast one morning on the grass at the edge of the canal while going for a walk. **it Happens. The 5th of the young adult ducks shown here was killed in traffic when flying too low across a divided highway. I expect there will be another brood next Spring, so stay tuned for future baby duck news.

While at Fleet Peeples Dog Park near Orlando yesterday Corky the shelter dog had the opportunity to show off how he learned fireman rescue techniques. On the beach and not far from the edge of the lake other dogs had dug a deep pit in the wet sand.

While play wrestling with another puppy, Corky decided to show what he calls the Corky fireman rescue demonstration. In the photograph you can see how he climbs out of the sand pit while carrying a doggy actor who is pretending to be injured.

The same method of rescue could be used in a house fire, drowning rescue, mountain rescue, and maybe even situations like Timmy fell down the well! Take a closer look and you may notice that Corky stopped to smile for the camera to show he is super strong and has no problem carrying a doggy pal to safety.

This gives a whole new meaning to doggy rescue!

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)