Hal Stedman and the Chicago Corgi Crew

Awww, you have puppies!

The joys of puppyhood...on screen it looks like heaven. They are so cute! I love puppy breath! Oh, look at that fluffy butt! I just want to kiss that little face! He looks like a little trouble maker! I just want to tickle their tummies! Makes me want a puppy! You are so lucky! Oh, the things I've heard!

I wasn't too nervous about Miss Otis having her second and LAST litter of puppies, afterall, the first litter of 3 precious little babies were a breeze. Two adorable & sweet little girls, Annabelle & Dusty. They had a brother, a real charmer named Bentley who was, and is, devilishly handsome. The three little darlings were so easy to take care of. Most of the time.

"What do you mean she had 5 this time." I asked John when he called me with the news of the second litter. I was surprised and so excited. "What, 4 boys and a girl? I can't wait until you bring them to Chicago!" Famous last words.

Seeing them for the first time, just takes your breath away. So small, so vulnerable, so beautiful. Miss Otis by their side and she almost seems excited that I'm seeing them and making a fuss. It's a wonderful moment and little do I know that this Awww Glow will only last a few short weeks, that is until, they start moving.

Miss Otis does most of the work for the first few weeks, my job is to check on them constantly and take pictures. Oh, I also give Miss Otis lots of attention. Much to my surprise, Missy allows Annabelle to be with the pups, but only her. Any of the other dogs come near and Missy goes nuts.

Then the little darlings start moving, crawling inside the pen. Screaming until you put them all back in a little group or with mom when she comes in with the milk wagon. I can hear them feeding, all 5 of them, in another room. Poor Miss Otis! I notice the 4 boys, are making it difficult for the smaller little girl to catch a snack. I work with Miss Otis and she's soon on her back, making the ENTIRE bar available. I always make sure she gets her own space.

Good Lord, their eyes are opened and they can see. They are all over the enclosure. Miss Otis is under constant attack, as are my feet when I step in to tidy up. They're not quite walking yet. They are vocal and LOUD. They are constantly demanding attention, Awww.

I get sick and John takes the little angels to the farm for a few weeks, I only see them on weekends and when he brings them back, full-time...gone are the little darlings. Hello, puppies from hell!

Remember being vocal, well, they still are only they're MUCH louder now. Even though I've enlarged their enclosure, it's still not big enough. They are given the two rooms I'm pretty much always in most of the time and they are CONSTANTLY monitored. I call it 'Free Time' and little by little, Free Time gets longer and longer. Newspapers have become my new throw rugs. Good bye trying to keep the house clean, or what I consider clean.

They all follow me. They are constantly under foot. My iPhone cord and CROCS (usually the ones I'm wearing) have become their primary targets, forget all the toys. If I forget to put my CROCS on, my feet are abused with razor sharp teeth. The cats are past tolerating them now, they smack the pups around when the little darlings get to aggressive. Mom is finding hiding places. Nick is afraid to come upstairs. Star and Bear (Daddy) are constantly letting out growls...the 5 little darlings are being taught manners. Taking them outside, though a major chore for me, gives them much needed fresh air and all the room they want to run around. Miss Otis and Annabelle are always watching them. OK, Annabelle is always instigating them to rough house. They are being Batbutt trained and will be ready for anything.

Even though these little darling have increased my Valium intake, I still am very picky, probably too picky, about where they're going. I've had to say no. A lot.

The first pup, Benny, goes to his new home. I bombarded with "it must be so hard?" His move becomes legendary. He already has over a thousand FB friends. He is going to live with Deb and Ron, I have followed them on FB for quite a while. A handful of people are involved in this big day, and many others follow it while attending one of the biggest corgi events of the year. Benjamin is now the Justin Beiber of Corgis. I hand him to Deb after our long trek (million miles) to an area about a block away from the North Pole. I know instantly this is a perfect match. "It must be so hard?" Yeah, it is, especially after help raising these pups, getting to watch their personalities blossom and getting an UNLIMITED amount of puppy kisses. However, knowing that the pup is going to the perfect home, is the best feeling in the world.

We decide, finally, that the girl, Delta Dawn (Dee Dee,) will be staying with us. Actually, staying more with John on the farm. She will be learning all about farm life from Star, doesn't get much better.

Barney is going to Cheyenne, WY and he's going to live with Neal and Jen. Deb had nothing but glowing things about them. People are messaging me telling me how great they are. This was a no brainer.

Butkus and Crosby are still with me. Both big boys who are ALWAYS getting in trouble and always loving me to death, the feeling is mutual. There are folks deciding on whether or not they will become furever Moms and Dads. I'm glad they take their time to think it over. Personally, I hope they become a part of the Corgi Nation too.

Having pups around give you a hodge podge of feelings. Frustration, anger, humor, amazement, etc... The best way to deal with any negative feelings is simple. No matter what they've done. Pick one up and hold it. The kisses are endless, the love is unquestionable and the warmth in your heart is just incredible.

One very important thing that I've learned in the last year is that introducing a pup into your already canine infested home, is amazing. The older dogs become young again. Annabelle made my precious, precious Rosie act like a puppy again for the last year or so of her life. I've rambled too long.

Peace Out, Homies.