Ian

CH Woodrose The Mighty Quinn x CH Woodrose Pudleduck Rumour Has It

Woodrose Innuendo at Wits’ End, CD

DOB 09/03/2006     Bred by:  Karen Lyons, Woodrose Kennel

Prior to stumbling across a photo of Ian on Karen Lyons’ website, I had never even given any thought to a Cardigan.  I had owned a Pembroke previously and was awaiting another Pem puppy when I found Ian on Karen’s “Available” page.  Described by her as a “happy, happy boy,” Ian had been returned to Karen after his original placement didn’t work out.  He arrived at my house a few days prior to Christmas 2007.  He’s the best Christmas present I’ve ever received!

Though conformation showing was not necessarily a goal of mine, I agreed to show Ian to see if we could earn any points.  So, in April 2008 we headed to the Spring Fling shows in West Springfield, MA — me with no clue what I was getting myself into.  I had no idea how to “show groom” a corgi, and since Ian was *ahem* blessed with an abundance of wave in his coat, he had no business going into the ring looking like he did.

I knew how the class progressions worked and what-not, but I had virtually no experience of actually being in the ring and show handling.  Ian comported himself well despite being “handler-capped” and, much to my surprise and delight, he earned one point at that first show.

The next day rolled around, this time with a 3-point major under a breeder judge on the line.   One of us was an unmitigated disaster.  (Hint:  It wasn’t Ian.)  During the course of my two minutes of judging, I  a) bonked Ian’s head on the bottom of the grooming table when I lifted him up;  b) had my armband slip off and go sliding under the ring gate;  c) spilled bait all over when I went to retrieve the armband; and d) had a wardrobe malfunction.  I imagine the spectators all thought it was nice that they let the “special people” compete.  Yet even with the devastating handler-capping, Ian won again and earned his first major.

I was hooked.

Ian topped out at 13 points, with 3 majors.  I have every confidence that he would have finished had he not suffered a bout of IVDD (intervertebral disk disease).  Though his case was mild, and he recovered with full function, his topline and rear movement suffered for it, and I made the decision not to pursue those last two points.

Sidelined from his agility training by his injury, Ian started his obedience career and quickly earned his CD.  His CDX has been slower in coming; he has one Open leg currently, and it is my hope that I’ll have him ready to shoot for the second and third at the spring trials.