Meet Dancer,
the Flying Cardigan,
formally known as C-Myste's Spirit Dancer
Dancer is a cardigan welsh corgi, the rarer of the two corgi breeds.
Cardigans are not a variation or type of the more commonly known
(and seen) pembroke corgi; they are a separate, older breed
entirely. When cardigans were first introduced to this country,
there was some cross-breeding between pembrokes and cardigans, but
it was soon halted. That is why today you will see pembrokes with a
blue eye or one of the breeds looking more like the other. In the
United States, pembrokes tails are docked; cardigan tails are never
docked. The cardigan is a larger, longer, heavier breed with larger,
fuller, more rounded ears and front legs that bow a bit. And their
head shape is different. Although cardigans and pembrokes are
distinctly different breeds, they herd in the same way - nipping
heels.
I am eternally grateful to Carolyn Cannon, Dancer's
breeder, for allowing him to become part of the Oxbow Crew 2.5 months after his world debut
on April Fool's Day, 1998. A responsible, ethical breeder, she has
become a friend as well as a mentor. Please take a moment to visit DanDan's first family:C-Myste Corgis
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Dancer
Like fluid
Spread out over my lap
Relaxed you sleep
A puppy nap.
You've grown so long
And active, too
You've eaten
My glasses and my shoe.
Curious head tilted
To all that you hear
Barking a story
For all who are near.
You're sensitive, loving
Full of surprise
You're Dancer, the only
Corgi that flies.
-Auntie Liss-
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DanDan started flying at a young age and never stopped!
(Photo by Sally Richardson, sallifoto@snowcrest.net)
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Day 1
June 13, 1998 - our HomeGoing Day. Gramma Carolyn is checking things out. DanDan had an undescended testicle and Gramma was checking to see if everything was the same. It was. |
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Week 2
DanDan discovered the knot. His ears were so big, they didn't know what to do. Right now, they look like angels wings - quite deceptive! |
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Sweet Sleep
It was apparent from the beginning that Dancer had found his very favorite way to sleep. This is standard sleeping arrangement for him to this day.
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Dancer's House
It was July and Dancer decided that my newly assembled micro-wave cart would make a most perfect puppy house. He was waiting, ever so patiently, for me to decorate it for him - new bed, a few toys and he would be set! |
DanDan's Hedgie
DanDan's first love is his Hedgie.
This photo was the inspiration for one of my pieces for the CoriAid
quilt |
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Look 'it Dem Ears!
Yes, DanDan's maturing, but - oh my! those ears...I
thought they'd never stop growing! |
Ever Alert
Those ears, those eyes. Always alert, ready for any and everything that happens. This guy doesn't miss a trick. |
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Libby Kisses
Libby adored Dancer and always wanted to be close to him.
The feeling was mutual. The quiet moments were just that - moments. Soon, they erupted into "frapture." |
And It Begins
The "frapture" begins
nano-seconds after the kiss.
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Herding
Dancer passed his Herding Instinct
Test and it was really great to watch as the instinct kicked in.
Once he got it, he really got it. Herding classes are in our future.
Who knows? We might even compete someday. To see more pictures of
DanDan's herding adventure go to:
and click on Herding Instinct Test
9/13/03
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Nite-Nite
At day's end, DanDan often likes
to tunnel. I never know quite where he'll end up. Here he had just
emerged from under the comforter |
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