http://thefocc.com/xoops/ The UK and Global Corso Community Fri, 12 Mar 2010 02:04:36 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss/ Corso Diaries weBLog en http://thefocc.com/xoops/images/logo.gif http://thefocc.com/xoops/ 144 80 http://thefocc.com/xoops/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=155 After much deliberation and careful consideration, I’ve decided to extend my Corso family. As a single girl living in the middle of Lincolnshire countryside and working from home, this burning desire for more doggies will just not lapse!! Since I have time, space and the energy, my mind is made up to search for my third and final Corso...yes…it will stop here...(!), this time a boy.Some of you may already know my personal journey started almost three years ago when I made a phone call to Jo Lueck enquiring into the breed. Based on circumstances at the time, she and her husband, Marc, very kindly loaned me Viggo (their pride and joy) for protection; four months later I adopted Renai and a year later bought my very own Corso pup, Bona Dea. Since Viggo left, I’ve missed him terribly – any of you that have met him will completely understand why and whilst it may be the male temperament I miss, I believe it more likely his noble character. Since having Renai and Bona Dea, I’ve been so comforted by their company but for some mysterious reason, a boy remains essential in my house full of girls. So, on speaking with Jo, (discussing Corsos with anyone else is out of the question), we’ve decided to allow Bona Dea one litter of her own due to her being from ‘excellent stock,’ her mother being the beautiful Rhumba and father Cocoon (Italian Champion). Additionally and unfortunately, my sweet Renai was recently diagnosed with Pyometra (severe infection in the Uterus) and when I almost lost her, I was devastated. Thankfully my favourite vet, Richard Huddart, (I’d visited five different veterinary centres in the area and knew Avenue Vet Surgery was the best), operated immediately and quite literally saved her from certain death. It was following this episode that I knew Bona Dea was either going to be spayed or allowed one litter – I definitely don’t want her to go through what Renai went through. I’m so looking forward to spending more time with Jo and Marc next year and offering my help if they need it when Bona Dea goes to the Boleyn Centre, but in the meantime will also be looking forward to my third Cane Corso (my little-soon to be big boy). Lots of love, Cane Corso girl, April and the doggies, Renai & Bona Dea xxx Fri, 19 Feb 2010 13:21:42 +0000 http://thefocc.com/xoops/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=155 http://thefocc.com/xoops/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=154 Hello everyone! My name is Belinda, I live in West Hampstead, London with my no.3 son, Lars. We have almost always had rescue dogs but over the past few years the rescue's have been heartbreaking. So abused that they were permanently disabled and/or riddled with disease.Nevertheless, they all got loved to bits until the very end and all went peacefully, in my arms.So, early last year, we found ourselves looking for another dog. I had, besides the rescues, kept British Bulldogs for over 20 years and was searching for them on the internet when one of the strands led me to a rescue organisation called Many Tears, which had, among many others, a "Victorian Bulldog" looking for a good home. Well, for starters, there ain't no such breed as a Victorian Bulldog but one look at her picture and both Lars and I fell in love. Subsequent to applying for her we went to meet her at her fosterers and shortly after that, took her home.She had been rejected by a South Wales puppy farmer because, at 10 months old, she didn't get pregnant. Now, not so long ago, that would have earned her a sharp blow to the head with a pickaxe handle and a swift kick into a shallow grave but Many Tears have persuaded these b*****ds to hand the dogs to them, instead. Polly, as we called her, had obviously been starved as well as abused and was so terrified of everything that the first few months were a nightmare. Regardless, slowly but surely, she began to come out of her shell and by the time we got a 2nd rescue - a Pug, would you believe, she was at least 2/3rds of the way there.But a week or so ago, I saw, on Animal Precinct, a dog that looked very familiar. I made enquiries about the "Cani Corso" and found the Cane Corso & Mollossus Rescue website, to whom I sent Polly's story and pictures. They came back to me and immediately confirmed that yes, she was a CC! Possibly, she has been crossed with an American Bulldog, but they don't think so.We don't care - to us she's Polly and just a donkey-sized, loving lump we wouldn't change for the world. But, after watching a further episode of Animal Precinct which featured a female CC, a great deal of Polly's "odd" behaviour was explained. This was not just Polly - this timidity seems to be a breed behaviour, certainly for the females. The more I look into this breed the more fascinated I become. They really are beautiful dogs and have such lovely natures. I am absolutely AMAZED to see so many looking for new homes, I can hardly believe it.One thing that should be noted - these puppy farmers are obviously trying to breed CC into their mythical "Victorian Bulldog" and they must be getting them from somewhere. Are there sufficiant controls on the sale of this breed?If I knew how to do it, I'd upload a photo of our Pol so you could see for yourself.By the way, I also board dogs (I'm a pensioner and need the income) so, if there are any other CC owners in North London and you are short of a holiday home for your dog - I'll be more then glad to help! Wed, 17 Feb 2010 12:44:57 +0000 http://thefocc.com/xoops/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=154 http://thefocc.com/xoops/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=153 In which Pres makes a new friend, and Troy becomes a snowploughSaddling up two nine year olds, a baby, two dogs who've never met before and James is no mean feat - but we did it!Troy adores snow, as does Pres, and it was time to get them both out and about together. After Presley's traditional bristling (which got no response whatsoever from King Troy) they decided it was far more important to dedicate their time to their shared hobby - snowploughing. Collapse front legs and attach to body, run full pelt with back legs, shove head on floor and Bingo! You're a one-dog snowplough!They were both lovely with the kids, apart from some clumsiness on Troy's part, mittens are indeed delicious and need to be stolen; and ranged around happily before coming home for a game of eat the blanket and some treats. Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:03:37 +0000 http://thefocc.com/xoops/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=153 http://thefocc.com/xoops/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=152 My special kenny bear never stops surprising me with his intelligence and the amazing amount of love he has to give. A little miracle occured thanks to the snow, as Ric had previously posted, kenny and oddspot have bonded so suddenly, thanks mostly to the snow. Kenny is obssessed with it, if i let him, he would bounce around the garden in the snow with oddy all day, they both have silly big grins on their faces, chasing each other, making yellow snow cones!!!!!!! it is such a joy to watch them, oddy has always been a bit of a lone wolf so to speak, but now he has a new best friend and mischief is their common goal.Kenny has also become a big snuggle monster, he loves nothing more than sitting on you and cuddling and snuggling for all he is worth, even when he is eating he has to lean against me while he eats. He is just bursting with love and if we could harness his little stump we would never need to pay for power again, he would beat any dog paws down for the waggiest tail ever.Kenny's settee is next to Rics armchair and kenny will lay with his chin on the arm gazing at his dad with pure unadulterated love, it is so sweet and innocent in its purity that it warms the heart, yet makes you wonder how anyone could have hurt this beautiful boy, he has brought so much love and joy to viking house at a time when he was needed the most. ( i'll remind myself of this post when kenny wants to play in the snow at 3am !!!!) Wed, 06 Jan 2010 23:02:44 +0000 http://thefocc.com/xoops/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=152 http://thefocc.com/xoops/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=151 Just a short note, the last few days have seen a new and greater bond between Oddy and Kenny, they have been playing pounce and run in the snow most of the day. I have not seen a greater bond between Oddy and another dog, except maybe with the much loved and missed Keegan. Tue, 05 Jan 2010 23:59:20 +0000 http://thefocc.com/xoops/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=151 http://thefocc.com/xoops/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=150 In which we see the worst snow for 30 years and Presley has a coldPresley has had many trials of late. Being covered in wrapping paper, being rushed to the vets at 6am the day after boxing day, having a nasty cough, and to compound it all there is another dog in the house.Not just another dog mind. Troy.Troy is...magic. He's been here 3 days and is already walking without a leash (fine if you're a country hound but pretty impressive for a town mouse) and is a true joy to be out with. The novelty of a new dog can make you remember how much you enjoy your original dog - so the whole foster thing works for everyone here!Today Troy had neglected to have a poo on walk 2. So at 11pm I took him out in one of the worst blizzards we've seen in years. Me being me, the first thought was 'well we won't have to worry about other dogs!' and off we went.A dog in the snow is fun. A dog in virgin snow is brilliant. A dog who usually pulls like a train in snow, without a leash, is fantastic.We ambled up a short path in Richmond park - with the moonlight reflecting off the snow that was carpeting the place with a reflective glow. This big lump, who's had so little freedom. This long nose, who's done nothing but aim to please since he arrived, this silly sausage, who someone left behind (and I think it hurt them to do so; a lot of love went into this dog) trotted alongside me the whole way. Main roads. Strangers. Herds of deer. The Ghost of Henry VIII galloping through his park. Interesting lampposts. Fresh scent trails.There was nothing more interesting than Foster Lady. What a Boy. Tue, 05 Jan 2010 23:43:34 +0000 http://thefocc.com/xoops/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=150 http://thefocc.com/xoops/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=149 well, what a curious day at viking house. It all started with the heavy snow fall which kenny hated to the point that he would not go out to pee, then lo and behold at 3.00am on his mummy's birthday he discovered the joy of bouncing in the thick snow. We have taught kenny to sit and ask to go out, which works very well, until he decides that he is having so much fun in the snow that he sat next to his sleeping mummy and barked in her ear to go out every 5 minutes. Mummy not being very pleased with this, decided to give up and sleep in the lounge with him as this settles him. Here is the curious part. sometime between bugging mummy and going out for a wee at 10.00am BOTH his collars disapeared!!!!. He has a thick choke chain and a half choke collar with a thors hammer from daddy on it (zac has one as well) as well as a bone shaped id tag, he went out to play with oddie, came in covered in snow, both grinning from ear to ear, to have his breakfast. Breakfast over he comes in the lounge to help mummy open her presents, observant mummy!!!!! noticed something strange about kenny, he was naked!!!!!! NO collars.Daddy searched the very large, 4 inches of snow, garden to no avail. Loki (ric's huskie girl we lost last year) used to be a master at taking winnie's, our dane girl, collar off at every chance she could, did Oddie take Kenny's collars off?????? did Kenny take his collars off???? (bearing in mind he hates it if you take his collar off) will we ever know????The mystery continues............. Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:58:47 +0000 http://thefocc.com/xoops/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=149 http://thefocc.com/xoops/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=148 Hi All,Just a quick update on how Kenny is going. Pretty well really, spray gun has proven a great tool for Kenny especially over the mouthing (not saying it's stopped overnight but a good 90% down) this is with a couple of spray's and then repositioning the bottle upon unwanted behaviour (this a behaviour modification technique learnt at Uni HNC Behaviour course). He has discovered the joy of the armchair, which has not gone down with Oddy to well as Kenzo couldn't fit in it so it has been Oddy's chair until now, but Oddy sleeps on anything of Kenny's he wants to, Oddy still has that 'well its been fun whens he going then' look every now and then. Kenny's manners over feeding time continues to grow better, he not only waits until Oddy has been sorted, but he has now clamed down during eating it. We are trying and winning (hopefully) to convert Kenny's barking to asking for toilet and other positive behaviour. Sat, 19 Dec 2009 12:04:53 +0000 http://thefocc.com/xoops/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=148 http://thefocc.com/xoops/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=147 Well, what a week!! it is amazing that in such a short time a lost little soul like kenny can turn into a big brave boy that has learnt all his commands, stopped mouthing (after 2 days!! 99% and replaced with soft little licks!) he only woofs when he wants to go out to the toilet and most important of all the creature comforts of his own settee and double mattress. He has his own teddy called vik the viking (a viking bear!) whose clothes he immediately took off, and now cuddles at bed time. He has learnt all his commands in Dutch as well as English. He has a monkey frisbee that we play fetch with in the garden, he loves it, and always perfect recall, except when he gets bored he will leave it as far away as possible!!!!! then mummy has to fetch it. He snores like a trooper, farts for England, they are no ordinary farts, these are kingsize, choke and retch farts, but he will sniff his bum and look at us in disgust like we did it!!! His stump never stops wagging, he is my little shadow, where mummy goes, kenny goes. even the bath and toilet!!!!!!!It feels like he has been with us for ever, we love him with all our hearts, and kenny loves us back with such warmth and devotion. Fate sent this gorgeous boy to us and helped mend our broken hearts. We feel priviliged to be kenny's mum and dad. He loves the beach and in the summer will go swimming.Every day he becomes more and more relaxed. He loves his food but will sit and wait for it like a good boy and does not try to nick oddy's food (any more!!)It is heart breaking every time we look at his poor little ears but we have told him that we will protect him and never let anyone hurt him again. He loves giving me little kisses on my nose!! not on daddy's though as he has a hairy face!!!!He sleeps through the night now with oddy on there beds only getting up for a wee, (unless it is raining, he does not like the rain!!!)Ric will post some new pictures on Kenny as soon as we can sort out the pc.Big thanks to jojo and monkey for bringing such joy to our hearts and life. Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:12:15 +0000 http://thefocc.com/xoops/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=147 http://thefocc.com/xoops/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=146 First night passes well with Charlie sleeping in the front room just to be around for Kenny so he doesn't feel the anguish of the move too much.Next day out in the garden and scenting what's going on out there and exploring in general. Kenny eating well and after night time wee-wee and chew it's bed time, Kenny is shown his new bed and settles down for the night.Wedneday, out in the garden and charging around the garden after a football, I tie up a car tyre for him and (pause) NO can't be bothered with it rather be of seeing what Oddspot is upto!! Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:53:41 +0000 http://thefocc.com/xoops/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=146