Dear Piggie

Dear Piggie: What do you suggest we add to the Thanksgiving meal this year for the corgis? What would be their favorite special treat for that day?

Patti Kleven
Lismore Pembroke Welsh Corgis

Dear Patti,

I would suggest you add seats at the table for your corgis, or at very least allow them to sit on your laps in order to fully experience the Thanksgiving festivities!

However, if those seating arrangements aren't an option, then you should definitely make sure they enjoy the feast by sharing ample amounts of turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes with gravy, and pumpkin pie.

-My siblings and I have never actually been allowed those accommodations, but you can be certain we would enjoy and appreciate the Thanksgiving holiday more fully if provided these luxuries!

Happy Thanksgiving and Bone Appetit!
XO Piggie

Ms. Piggy,

How do you feel about a similarly named corgi in the Emily Carmichael series?

~Angela

Angela Kau

Dear Angela,

It is a great honor to have a corgi named after me in a literary series, especially since this book was written before my time!

XO Piggie

"Ooh Piggy you are so sweet. My dog bounces 5 feet off the ground when she wants to go "OUT" to do her "bizzy bizzy" How do you let your owners know to open the door?"

Wendy Gould

Dear Wendy,

We have our pet humans well trained. They usually leave the back door open for us so we can go in and out as we please; however, they're also familiar with my specific disapproving look (and growl) whenever it's time to go outside.

XO Piggie

Dear Piggie:

When my pet humans come home from work at the end of the day, they are supposed to change into casual clothes and spend the rest of the night at home. However, they sometimes decide to go "out to dinner", or so they say, and this extra coming and going at night disturbs me. How can I discourage this behavior when they should be eating dinner at home like I do?

Sergeant Bobo

Dear Sergeant Bobo,

Pet humans are sometimes difficult to train and have a tendency to misbehave. They should know better than to leave home without our protective supervision.

This situation calls for a detailed team intervention in order to prevent them from leaving. In our household, each corgi has a specific job.
One particular example might be as follows: 1. Piggie loudly alerts the others in regards to the escape attempt; 2. Norah Jones runs interference by trying to trip them on the way to the door; 3. Buzzy Bear acts as a door block (with a very sad expression, of course); 4. Dottie Hinkle sprints out the door as a distraction, forcing them to chase her down, therefore causing such frustration that they give up their escape plans altogether!

Naturally this requires teamwork and cooperation with all involved. This needs to be a well-rehearsed plan, executed with speed and precision, to achieve maximum effectiveness.

Good Luck!
XO Piggie


Dear Piggie,

Why do corgis FRAP?

Love, Carter
Winddancer Inside Track

Dear Carter,

I believe that FRAP is an acronym for Frequent Random Acts of Play, and all corgis need LOTS of playtime each and every day in order to maintain their joyful and rambunctious disposition.

XO Piggie
Send your questions for Piggie to christmascorgi@gmail.com with "Dear Piggie" in the subject line. She stands ready to solve all of your problems. Piggie's fans can peruse her shop for Piggie approved gifts.

Happy Monday, my lovelies! xo xo ♥ CS

Ask Piggie

Good morning, dear reader!

We are pleased to welcome a very special regular guest

here at The Christmas Corgi.

Meet Piggie Von Espie.

Advice columnist extraordinaire.

Her motto: "It's all about me and what you're eating."

Piggie is owned and loved by Tom and Diane Blakeley.

She will be available for taking questions on life, love and daily mayhem from you and your Corgis and other critters.

Fair warning: She may give you her look of disapproval should she need to set you on the straight and narrow path.

Send your burning questions to Piggie at christmascorgi@gmail.com with "Ask Piggie" in the subject line.

Happy Friday, my dear Corgettes! xo xo ♥ Cathy

Quick chili for burgers in my favorite little Le Creuset

Him: "Hey Cat, you know what I could go for?"

Me: "Umm, no."
Him: "A really good burger on the barbeque. Can you make some chili?"
Me: "Coming right up." Hey, he's cleaning out the garage. Huzzah! His wish is my command.
Me: (again, this time to the to the Corgis who amazingly find their way under foot the moment I begin cooking) "Ground beef? Check. Olive oil? Check. Onions, garlic, tomato sauce, tabasco, spices? Check check check check check."

But first things first. I'll need my favorite little cooking pot.

Isn't she beautiful? She knows she is. She also knows that when I enlist her
amazing enamel coated cast iron loveliness that I feel like a cross between Julia Child and The Pioneer Woman. This is a two quart Le Creuset Dutch Oven. The color is called Kiwi. Isn't it cool? I am also in love with the color called Caribbean. The next Le Creuset I buy will definitely be that color. And bigger. I love to mix things up around here. Le Creuset is a little bit spendy, but oh so worth saving up for. It cooks everything evenly, browns beautifully, simmers delightfully and is oven safe. Clean up is surprisingly easy. I always let my pots cool down before washing them. A short soak in warm soapy water and a non-abrasive nylon scrubbie keeps them looking brand new. I never use anything in my Le Creuset other than a wooden spoon. Be good to her and she will be your friend for life.

Now, let's make that chili for The Mister.

Chop a small onion and a clove or two of garlic.

Put a splash of olive oil in your pot.
Remember to tell her
again how much you love her.

On a low flame, slightly brown the onion and garlic in the olive oil.

Add about a pound of freshly ground beef and brown with the onions and garlic. Drain
excess oil if you have any. Lean ground beef = not greasy chili.

You'll need about a tablespoon of chili powder. I also add a pinch of sea salt, a few cranks of
freshly ground black pepper, about a teaspoon of garlic powder, a teaspoon of dried oregano and a half teaspoon of cumin. Stir in a small can of tomato sauce or use a squeeze of tomato paste with about 1/2 cup of water if you'd prefer. We're not going for chunks of tomatoes and peppers and beans and things and cooking for hours. We also do not want too much liquid. This chili is intended for topping your burger and while the chili should be juicy, we want most of the liquid to eventually evaporate. We're going for flavor and a little heat.

Add a few splashes of tabasco

Add some crushed red pepper flakes for a little more heat.
Just how much you use is a purely personal thing.
The Mister and I like it on the hot and spicy side.

Set your timer for 10 minutes so you won't get distracted if there happens to
be a Hugh Jackman movie on TV.


Give it a little stir every now and then.

That's it! All done. This freezes well too, so you can store the extra if you have any left over, or make a double batch to keep on hand.

Here's John's burger. A simple supper can be perfect when you use the very best and freshest ingredients. A lightly grilled bun, a burger grilled to perfection, white Vermont cheddar cheese, topped with your yummy chili. John will add ketchup to this, and a slice of onion for sure. (After dinner smooches might be iffy...) Maybe a little salad on the side?


Do you use Le Creuset? Which pieces do you have? What do you love to cook in it? If you are even thinking about getting one, I highly recommend it. You will love it today, tomorrow, and always. Cooking.com is where I bought mine, (and lots of other great things.) Their selection is fantastic and I really like their customer service. Fan them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter and be the first to hear of great specials Have a wonderful week, my lovelies! ♥ CS

Go Zenyatta!

I get all teary eyed just watching this magnificent, beautiful filly.


Run like the wind, big girl! Be safe and win big at Churchill Downs! ♥ ♥ ♥ xo xo CS

The Watching: A Corgi Puppy's Christmas Surprise

Would you like to help Corgis and get a fantastic Christmas book?

I am so proud to be a part of this lovely tradition. On a personal level, doing my illustrations this year was especially cathartic after losing my beloved Indy and Bridget and her puppies. The story is a complete delight, and my fellow artist friends will enchant you with their work.

Here are the details:

The Watching: A Corgi Puppy's Christmas Surprise

By Millie J. Williams

With original art by Lyn Hamer Cook, Sari Davies, Sue Duffield, Kay Folk, Karen Howell, Kim Hundley, Susan Jacob, Chris Landers, Ginnie Mickelson, Linda Ozelis, Diane Puntenney, Cindy Read, Cathy Santarsiero, John Scarinci, Barbie Sonnett, and Milllie J. Williams

“Everyone has a gift, they told the little corgi puppy called Twice, but hers certainly wasn't singing. Thrown out of chorus practice, Twice found solace with her friend Grandfather Oak and a flock of mismatched birds that he had helped her rescue. But with Christmas coming, Twice soon joined the rest of the corgis and other animals at the Castle in preparing for the Watching. This was the first year Twice would be old enough to attend this mysterious and magical event, so she didn't quite know what would happen in the field far beyond the Castle walls. She had a few secret plans of her own, however!”

The annual version of “The Watching” by Millie J. Williams, usually released for Christmas Eve, has become a tradition in corgidom, enjoyed each year by thousands of readers. The 2009 story―The Watching: A Corgi Christmas Tale―was published to wide acclaim as a beautiful full color paperback book with dazzling artwork. Now we are happy to offer the equally wonderful 2010 book, The Watching: A Corgi Puppy's Christmas Surprise.

This new book will ship beginning December 1, in time for the holidays. Pre-order now to be sure you have your book in time for Christmas. Orders placed before December 1 will receive a bonus bookmark with original Watching artwork.

Coming December 1: A special two-week-only eBay auction of the original art created for The Watching: A Corgi Puppy's Christmas Surprise.

Also Coming December 1: New holiday ornaments from CorgiAid's CafePress store featuring art from The Watching: A Corgi Puppy's Christmas Surprise.

All net proceeds for these books (after printing and shipping) benefit CorgiAid. The books are only $20 each, which includes shipping, so order extras as gifts for all your animal-loving friends, young and old. International orders are $27 each.

Click here to order your copies!

Have a happy day, my lovelies! xo xo Cat ♥