Rachael & Waffle

Female

Blacksburg, VA

United States

Profile Information:

Hometown:
Virginia Beach, residing in Blacksburg
About Me:
I'm an engineering student at Virginia Tech with a passion for educating others about dog nutrition and responsible dog ownership.
Welsh Corgi Breeder?
No
Website:
http://ownresponsibly.blogspot.com/
About My Corgi(s):
Name: Waffle
Registered name: Corizma Better Together, CGC
Color: Dark Red/White
Birthday: June 20, 2009

I got Waffle May 16, 2010 from Terri and Mike New of Corizma corgis. He is my best bro and is masterfully skilled at eating, whining, and taking up valuable space on the bed and/or couch. But, he is even more masterfully skilled at being a beautiful ballerina, and he learns as fast as lightning. He's one of the most sensitive, compassionate animals I have had the pleasure of meeting. He is mine, and I feel like the luckiest person in the world because of that. :9
I have:
Pembroke

Comment Wall:

Load Previous Comments
  • Aber, Ragnar and Kelso

    Congratulations!!!!!! I know it's been a long long wait for you, so I'm happy to hear you has a Waffle!
  • John Wolff

    Gosh, he's a beauty. His splash is a bit like Gwynnie's. You'll have to keep in shape to keep up with that animal. I love those huge ears.
    Don't let him get overweight, but I've read that you can't overfeed a puppy. Check back with your breeder periodically to see how s(he) thinks he's doing. We just did a sick call with Al, his first nonroutine vet visit, and this vet thought he was underweight (!) 22.4 lbs (I'd guessed he was well over 25!), so they've had their rations increased.
    If you have a fenced open play area, our favorite ball is a water polo ball -- tooth-resistant, lighter than a soccer ball, lively, don't overinflate or it'll crack and die. 2nd best is a Nike childrens' basketball, tough toothproof basketball skin, but only about 8" diameter, I think it has the number "500" or "200" on it. You'll need an air pump with fill needle. Thrift stores and yard sales. Soccer balls are a good 3rd choice.
    The pet store sells big beef bones, uncooked, these can be great treats.
  • John Wolff

    Have you learned how to clip his claws? That can be challenging, but you learn. Play at it first, then cut just as wee bit, often. Try to get good at it before you make a mistake and cut the quick; once I did that, Al started totally freaking and I'd need Lori to hold him and reassure him, but nowadays I can manage alone, mostly. I trim the fur so it doesn't get under his pads on the smooth floor, that's supposed to help.
  • John Wolff

    to cool a corgi: sit on ground, place corgi upside-down between legs, pour copious water over dog's belly, soaking both of you thoroughly. Here, above treeline in summer mountain sun, the dogs wilt in the heat, seeking nonexistent shade. I hand-feed them scraped snow, which seems to help a lot and they love it. Exercise is very important for these animals, so maybe make time in the early morning or evening when it's cooler.
  • Beauty and the Beast

    Congrats on getting your Waffle! You patiently waited for such a long time and it was so worth it! He's absolutely precious and will make you very happy!
  • Jen and Miss Harley

    I'm sure some day Bella will be about 200 lbs, then we'll see who's beating up who ;)
  • Buddy & Wynstan

    I started running a Star Wars D20 game and I believe Wynstan enjoys it as much as the players, he seems to get excited when the players roll well and move beside some one when they do badly. he will even bring stray dice back
  • Michaela Ostara

    Thanks I love your art work...and oh by the way years ago I used to play table top Rifts , Shadow run, D&D and Star wars those were good times now I just play on line stuff Vanguard and EQ2
  • Jessie & Alwyn

    Hello Rachel and Waffle! I wanted to stop by and tell you how much I enjoyed your write up on how Waffle entered your life and how beautiful he is to begin with! =) By your pictures he seems to have such a great personality! The other reason why I'm writing to you is because his name caught my attention and I got a laugh as we have a cat named Pancake! Hope all is well!
  • John Wolff

    Uh, actually, Waffle, that wasn't exactly cake flour we had in the trunk, even though that's what it said on the bags. If Boss had wanted cake flour, we'd go to Costco. True story? Of course it's a true story. Would I lie?
    (-:

    Oh, BTW, Waffle, da Boss thinks you're criminally cute.
    -- Al
  • John Wolff

    Yeah, it's surprising how big a difference an individual dog's personality makes. We've had 3, all very different.
  • Christine

    You are the first person (EVER) in the last 6 years since we've had our thulhu-kitty that has gotten the reference besides the bf :) When I take him to the vet the poor cat has to be nicknamed Jonesy because NO ONE can say his name =/
  • Sam Tsang

    Hi Rachael! you're very welcome! It's been a pleasure launching MyCorgi.com! Here's to 3 more years :)
  • Mary

    Wow!!! I hadn't been on very much recently and actually hadn't been on for a long time! I'm so happy to see that you finally brought Waffle home!!! He is so cute and gorgeous, I'm so jealous! So cute!
  • Parker and Barbara

    Waffle is so cute corgi puppies are the cutest puppies ever!
  • Heather and Ella

    Thank Rachael! I'll pass your info on to my son. He does some art on computer, but most of his stuff is pen/paper. He might actually really like that program. We've talked about getting him a tablet, any tips?
  • Heather and Ella

    Great tips Rachael!!! Keep the adorable drawings of Waffle coming :)
  • Jane Christensen

    There will be more Taurus Rachel!
  • Rachel & Goldie

    Waffle just keeps getting cuter!!! I haven't talked to you for a while. Im the art girl =P I JUST GOT MY GRAPHIC TABLET TODAY!!!
    Some tips on how to draw corgi's? I got all the good programs =D
  • John Wolff

    He really is a handsome fellow. His snout looks just a bit slimmer than usual, giving him that lean, foxy look with the big ears, photogenic.

    You've got some nice action pictures playing in the snow with his littermates(?).

    Can I offer a suggestion?  You should do some portrait studies of him (if you can catch him sitting still) with an uncluttered background, soft lighting or maybe sunlight coming sideways across the face.   Get real close, or use the telephoto so you're not right in his face (remember that the tele needs more light and you have to hold it extra still).  Get plenty of natural light so you don't need the flash.  Remove distracting objects (#53, chewing on the antler, that's really nice -- always something peaceful about a dog working on a bone -- get your subject occupied -- but the other toys might be considered 'clutter').  Remember you can crop out extra margin later.  Shoot at max. resolution.

    You know what else might be fun?  If you photo him against a plain background -- sky, snow, or a plain wall -- it's quite easy to cut out that background in PhotoShop with the Magic Wand tool.  Then you could paste him into your artwork -- photo and drawing combined.

    I'm glad you're not letting him get overweight; I think that's hard on their joints and back.  He looks healthy.

    I'm glad you're enjoying your friend; I know you put so much planning into it.

  • John Wolff

    P.S.  Re portraits.  Your camera probably has a "portrait" setting -- maximum aperture -- so the depth-of-field is thin and the background gets slightly fuzzy but the portrait stays sharp.  Try that.  Helps to have an assistant brandish the dog treat just behind the camera.
  • John Wolff

    Try doing portraits with just any kind of uncluttered, distant background; shoot with maximum aperture/lowest f-number, to blurr it out. Don't foget to use an assistant -- unless you can shoot while balancing the dog treat on your head! :)
  • Rebecca

    That picture with the waterfall where is that.

  • Rebecca

    Hope waffle is getting better
  • Beth

    Sending good thoughts your way.
  • Stephanie

    Just checking on how Waffle is doing - lots of prayers coming your way.
  • John Wolff

    How's Waffle?
  • Heather Mason

    Thanks for your comment! :D I uploaded a couple pictures of Leo you can check out and I'll add more! I'm trying to read up now on the shiba inu personality to see which he's more like. Even for a six year old he's got a ton of energy and acts more like a puppy sometimes but he's pretty well-behaved. One thing I've read about shibas is that they're more aloof, not needing the constant attention - "cat-like". But Leo is definitely a lover! And he definitely retained the corgi shedding.

     

    Also, I gotta say, Waffle is a wonderful name and he is adorable!! Also, I'm gonna check out your deviantART.

  • Cindi & Twinkie

    I read your story about your first year with Waffle and was really moved. My sister just graduated from Kansas State University with a BS in Animal Science and Industry. She will attend graduate school for Animal Nutrition. What a small world! I wish you and Waffle all the best. As far as your education goes, now is the time to make the big changes. If you do what you love, it will never feel like work.
  • Jane Christensen

    Hi Rachael,

     

     I have never made chicken jerky. I have made beef for myself. I would just look up a recipe and make it without the sauce. You will have to either dehydrate it or bake it on very low for ???? amount of hours. I would then freeze it to make sure it stays fresh. the best way to slice the meat is partially frozen. sorry I can't help more!

    Love your Waffle pics!

  • Jane Christensen

    That's ok....I many times read something I myself wrote and then wonder why I wrote it:)
  • Erin S

    Hello there :-) Your blog post about your first year with Waffle pushed my BF over the edge and we should be getting our own Corgi shortly. Thanks a ton for such an inspirational read!
  • steve smith

    Rachael  You have done such a good job with Waffle and I love that name. Are you going to name the next one Pop Tart? I really enjoy reading your posts.
  • Leksi

    I got Crumpet in Poland:
    Breeder's Web Site
    (all their puppies have been placed in happy homes)


    From what I understand, docking has fallen out of fashion with European breeders. It seems to be more common in the US.

  • Tracy

    I love your dog.. he's beautiful.. and how you share about him and his fun life he provides to you is soooo great.  ; )  Love the name too.. ; )  Glad he's doing much better with his leg and back?  Good to know he has a mama who truly loves him.

  • Tracy

    So glad you've found some things for him.  In regards to his diet, have you tried the natural supplements of Glucosamine and Chondroitin for daily chews.. this healed up one of our males when he was having issues.  Just thought to share.

  • Tracy

    Never have found that an issue with our dogs.  We had to supplement with it for about a year; then the issue went away.. and has never came back. 

  • Beth

    It can be tough to go back and forth between talking to people who seriously breed/show/compete and regular pet owners!   Things that are normal conversation with serious dog people can sound a bit snobby when said to someone who go their beloved pet because their aunt's dog had puppies....   It's hard here where the audience is mixed!

  • Melissa and Franklin!

    Did you see these pictures from a few days ago? :-P

    http://www.mycorgi.com/forum/topics/so-far-so-good?id=1150197%3ATop...

  • Kayla and Mason

    AWESOME! They are so amazing looking! And such a good idea!

  • Kayla and Mason

    Also, hey blacksburgian! I'm in Broadway, and a few of my dear friends go to Tech :D

  • Kayla and Mason

    Haha well I promise to draw your Waffle when I do order one! (And i get my own computer... I have been drawing lots of corgi cards lately!) Yeah I think you picked right with Tech...JMU is definitely a PARTY school and I can't imagine that doesn't get annoying haha. I'm back at home with the rents, but if I moved out I'd definitely NOT go for apartments where JMU students live hahaha.

  • Vicki, Grace and Gizmo

    Thanks for all the pictures.  I want you to know that many yers ago I spayed a beautiful corgi.  Later I learned not all Vets can do an OFA picture.  I sat threw a specialist from OFA at a dog show and teared up , later crying that I had spayed this beautiful corgi I had waited 5 years to get because they had probly mis aligned her hips. Due to the fact they are so short legged Vets often position them wrong.  Always get a second opinion on your dog.  Find someone that is specialized in OFA or for that matter get a second opinion.  There are Vets and Then there are vets.

    Love your pics and the hair wash and knit it.  Oh find someone with a Great Pyr they have great hair to knit or a Samy.

  • Angel, Holly, & Mere

    waffle is such a cute name!

  • Lucy & Ricky (Wendy/Jack )

    Rachael, I love those photos you posted. I was barely awake and I got the biggest laugh. You and Waffle are hilarious. In bread Corgi. hahaha. And the smallest horse. Too funny.

  • John Wolff

    Rachael, did you know Waffle's on Cheezburger?

    http://dogs.icanhascheezburger.com/tag/corgi/

  • Lois B. Allen

    I'm sure glad he has taken you on.  Not only is he handsome but so very smart.  Such a good example of corgihood.

  • The Daily Corgi

    Hi there,


    I run The Daily Corgi (blog and facebook page) and have posted a link to your Comprehensive Corgi Guide. I thought it was clear, thoughtful and well written. To view the page, go to http://thedailycorgi.blogspot.com/p/is-corgi-right-for-you.html.

    If you would rather I removed the link, please let me know.

    Thanks,

    Laurie Eno

  • Rocky Road Gallagher

    Thanks for your friendship! <3 RRG

  • SJK

    It's totally fine. Nothing that sticking it under a heavy book won't fix. :) The folder insert you put inside took the beating and not the sticker.

    Thanks for the idea, too. :)