26 April 2011

2/27 Soldier Training

Since I don't have work to do while 1/27 hasn't redeployed and 2/27 just deployed... I don't have much to blog about. My mom did get a link to A Co. Wolfhounds training. You may know some of them.  http://www.flickr.com/photos/29131009@N00/   I don't know them all well, but I do know I love them all. 

If you have photos of other companies in 1 or 2 / 27, you will you send me a link please? Mahalo.

Kolchak
a.k.a. Lucifur

14 April 2011

a.k.a. Lucifur

How do I begin? So, my dad left on Sunday. Since then, I've been trying to express my feelings about his absence. I'm comfortable enough here to choose a wild variety of methods to pour out my sadness. The normal things to chew like wooden clothes pins, pencils, plastic water bottles, and the occasional stuffed animal pilfered from my brother's room just would not suffice. I'm so sad that I'm not even interested in my stuffies.

My first inclination was to chew the China cabinet. That worked... for a little while. My mom was most distressed at my choice. I don't know why. It was quite cathartic, really. First I nibbled the corner. Then, I found its taste and texture quite interesting so I sampled more. I managed to scrape off a few decorations and get a good chunk of edge off. The problem was I left evidence. This means my Kolchak's Kozy Korner (my kennel) has since been renamed Kolchak's Korrectional Facility. hmmm... Someone thinks they're funny, right Madeline? It doesn't make staying there any nicer, but it's where I stay when the family leaves. Thank goodness I have a new ginormous sized kennel.

Once, I chewed the China cabinet when they were home. Now they gate me into the half of the house they are in - just like when I first got here. I'm slowly losing my freedom. I may need to go on strike.

Next, while my family was home, I found a new treat on the kitchen table. I took it to one of my special places - the landing on the stairs - where I protect my chew toys from theft by my sister. Only one of us fits on the landing. Rumor has it that mom heard me crunching plastic and thought nothing of it. I frequently raid the recycle bin for empty water bottles. Then she realized the plastic didn't sound quite right and immediately checked on what I was chewing... as I was smacking my lips. I really enjoyed those children's vitamins. Mom sure freaked out. She checked the amount I'd eaten (not too many, but one was too many in her opinion), called the vet, and got fairly mad at me. I guess just because a bottle is on the kitchen table doesn't mean it is mine. Who knew? The family, minus Dad, went through the whole house double checking that there wasn't a bottle, container, or anything plastic left within nose reach that might harm me. Now that Mom is sick, she's a bit irritated that her pile of medicines has to be stashed away where she forgets it. Is her senility my problem??? My search for sadness outlets continued...

... until I found that when one cannot find a pencil, a pen is just as satisfying. The first pen I located was on the floor. Must be OK to chew if it's on the floor, but NOOOOOO.... Mom gave me stink eye and took it away while mumbling something about how she'd tan my borzoi hide if I got ink on the rug the children got me (or her) for Christmas. When I found my next pen on the kitchen counter, you know... the one left out to take messages.... or snack on... I was wiser this time. I took it to Kolchak's Kozy Korner to chew. No rug in there. She's so OCD that she took that one away too. Sheeesh... what's a guy to do??

My family could tell I had "ants in my borzoi pants" (as they say), so they keep letting me outside to play with my sister. That works. I like all the dirt from when we laid pavers and there are so many toys there while we had the house painted. I found I enjoy paint stir sticks - nice wood - and no metal clip like a clothes pin. Then there's the empty tubes of caulking left by the painters that are nice and squishy. I'm a plastics kind of guy. The door trim and edging on the house are tasty too. Mom was irked that I was chewing trash and making a mess for her to clean up, but when she saw I nibbled the house, she was irate. I think the door jamb looks more personalized this way. And the painters just had to be more careful to collect each tube they used. Once, I almost got their little paint pot for touch up. This led Ralph (my favorite painter) to use his empty water bottles as toys. In the end, I got his attention and toys and I helped personalize the house. A most productive week. Still, no one could really tell that I missed my dad.

Mom has tried all sorts to distract me per Melissa's blog. Isabella and I got new Kongs the other day. They were filled with peanut butter so I'd be busy in my Korrectional Facility. That worked... for a while. We have a new tug-of-war toy that we got today. That worked for today. Mom got out old toys, tried to help me play with the new ones even though she's sick as a cat (you know she can't be sick as a dog because we are good).

I've also tried not eating my meals, instead counter cruising for snacks. I chewed a slipper (you mainlanders call them flip-flops), but Crocs are durable enough that I didn't do any damage. Mom moved it and then I cuddled it. She doesn't even trust me to hug her Croc slippers so now I can't get near any slippers. Rats. Madeline says I've been doing a lot of "sniff it, lick it, chew it" activities. The last straw was when I licked Mom's phone. She mumbled a death threat if I decided to chew that!

Finally, my latest expression is to be very pushy to get attention. No matter how much I am pet, tummy rubbed, given treats for learning something, or just talked to, I still need more love to make up for not having Dad home. I lean on people, block the hall, stick my nose where it doesn't belong (I guess humans don't sniff each other's hinnies), follow people around, and, my favorite, I hop onto Mom's bed and she doesn't even have to ask. I figure I'm doing her a favor because she won't miss Dad if I take up his spot. Apparently, I take up more than his spot and my constant cleaning - gotta get the burrs out of my fur - drives her nuts by jiggling the bed. A bit oversensitive, aren't we? Just because she's sick means I have to sleep on my own bed.

During this time I heard words like "bad" or "rotten" when I was just trying to express how I feel. I can tell my family has unconditional love for me and, knowing that, I feel more comfortable sharing my feelings. I guess I have to find other ways, so I'm going to see if blogging helps. Until I change my behavior, they've renamed me Lucifur. Normally, I'm Angel. Mom hopes this is just a phase and I'll adjust, like my staff will, to Dad's absence.

We'll see. I sure miss him. I miss all my Wolfhounds.

Until then, keep sending up prayers for the Wolfhounds,
Kolchak (a.k.a. Lucifur)

03 April 2011

My name history

I am often asked how such a cute puppy, such as myself, got a name like Kolchak. It is common for a Borzoi (as we are known now) to have a Russian name reflecting our heritage from Russia.  Here's how I got Kolchak XV.

Mom and I collected the all photos and the rest is attributed as best we could.

==========================

(Cut and pasted from: http://www.kolchak.org/history/general/history_pg1.htm)
The first mascot, a pure bred Russian Wolfhound [as they were known until 1936], was presented to the regiment in 1929. He was named after Admiral Alksandr Vassilyevich Kolchak, a White Russian Army commander who fought the Bolsheviks alongside the regiment in Siberia.  [It is said that Adm. Kolchak, after witnessing the regiment march over 1,000 miles over difficult ground in frigid Siberian temperatures in pursuit of the retreating Bolsheviks in the Siberia Campaign, alluded to the regiment having the endurance and tenacity of Wolfhounds.]

Admiral Alksandr Vassilyevich Kolchak
[Thankfully we bear no likeness to each other!]
Kolchak, and his successors, are more than a mere mascot. They personify both the name, Wolfhounds, by which the 27th Infantry is known throughout the Army, and the tenacious and ferocious fighting nature of the regiment.

The Regiment has a reputation of utter ferocity in combat and gentle compassion in peace. Our enemies have felt the ruthlessness of the Wolfhound's bite, our friends have found us to be loyal and steadfast, and the innocent have found the Wolfhounds are second to none in compassion. [See PeaceBridge, among other references, for more information on Wolfhound compassion.]

==========================

A Kolchak with two children from Holy Family Home in Osaka, Japan
visiting the regiment at Schofield Barracks, Hawai'i, USA.

Wolfhound compassion:
Hugh O'Reilly with a child at the Holy Family Home in Osaka, Japan.
==========================

Pasted from http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-vetscor/861975/posts (dated March 2003)

Where does a four footed Wolfhound march in a Parade? You won't find the answer in FM 22-5, Drill and Ceremonies or the old Infantry Drill Regulations, but the famous Wolfhound Regiment has it's present mascot, Kolchak XI lead the procession.

The first mascot, a pure bred Russian Wolfhound, was presented to the regiment in 1929. He was named after Admiral Aleksandr Vassilyevich Kolchak, who fought the Bolsheviks during the regiments stay in Siberia. Sergeant John Martin -- who served with the regiment in both the Philippines and Siberia -- took charge and promised to have "Kolchak" at all gatherings of the regiment.
 
Wolfhounds were used in ancient times as hunting dogs in Russia. The Russian aristocracy later used them for coursing wolves and other game. They were imported into the United States in the late 1880's and given the name "Borzoi" in 1936. Kolchak, and his 10 successors are more than a mere mascot. They personify both the name, Wolfhounds, by which the 27th Infantry is known throughout the Army, and the tenacious and ferocious fighting nature of the regiment.

Kolchak II entered service in 1939. He was often found rooting on Wolfhound athletic teams and marched with the regiment in all ceremonies. The Cossack hat or Shaktoes, belt and boots worn by the color guard may have been designed to please Kolchak II as well as the spectators at ceremonies who approved of the colorful trappings of a colorful regiment.
Kolchak II circa
Downloaded from Facebook page of:
 US 27th Infantry Regimental Historical Society (The Wolfhound Pack)
 
Same photo as above, uncropped version.
Kolchak leading the procession, as it should be.
The current mascot is Kolchak XI. Kolchak X retired to the care of his handler, Staff Sergeant White of the 1st Battalion Scouts.

2 posted on Tuesday, March 11, 2003 3:34:44 AM by SAMWolf

==========================


I am the 14th Kolchak - there was no 13 as some think that number to be unlucky. Usually a Kolchak is donated by a Borzoi breeder. Some of us serve longer than others. We come in a variety of colors, sizes, and temperaments, but all of us have the same job - representing and supporting the 27th Infantry Regiment.
A photo of a Kolchak photo hanging in D Quad.

Thank you for checking in on me.  I think it's cool that folks from around world, many countries and every continent (well, except Antarctica), check out my blog and, therefore, my soldiers. Remember them in your prayers, especially for the few months that both 1/27 and 2/27 are deployed.  I'll miss every one of them!

Mahalo nui loa for stopping by,
Korporal Kolchak XV

01 April 2011

Promotion!

Aloha from CPL (Corporal) Kolchak!  I got promoted today!!!

Here's the whole thing...

Grandpa Royce telling us all why we're here.
Dad's comforting me since my mom is a whole ten feet away.

Grandpa Royce (now as CSM Manis) telling why I'm getting promoted -
I'm a good dog, he loves me, I have a great disposition,
he loves me....

Grandpa says, "Publish the orders."
Then the tall guy (forgot his name) says, "Attention the orders."
All the army guys stand at attention.
Then he reads this from my Uncle Dan (LTC Wilson).
It says:
The United States Army has reposed special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity, and professional excellence of Kolchak XV. In view of these qualities and dedicated service to the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment (The Wolfhounds) and the US Army, he is, therefore promoted from Private to Corporal. With an effective date of rank of 31 March 2011.

                                                [something scribbley]
                                                DANIEL B. WILSON
                                                LTC, IN
                                                Commanding

The reading of the orders.
I think Grandpa is really proud of me and happy that I'm being promoted.
I'm glad Grandpa is happy and I just want to go play.


Off with the old mosquito wings.

Thank you to Carol for the velcro on my Kolchak Kollar
 so they can change my rank easily.
If not for that, we'd have been here for hours.
Can you believe these same men
are allowed to carry weapons?!  ;-)

See how great my Kolchak Kape looks?
I'm a handsome dude in uniform too.
And I'm behaving really well for all this standing around.
(Army = hurry up and wait)

Seriously? How long can this take?

The ceremony finished and then these guys talked about work stuff.
I don't suppose it was top-secret, but my sister and I listened in anyway.

My grandpa Royce is animated like Uncle Dan.
And how 'bout this new uniform pattern?
Just when a guy gets used to the digital patten, this comes out.

Mom and I rub noses so you can see my new rank.
Double mosquito wings!!!

A close up of my bling, bling!


Madeline helps me show off my bling while comforting me.
This is what older sisters are for.
After the ceremony, Isabella and I got treated to some play time at the baseball field.  Mom finally remembered the camera that takes video.  Most of my guys haven't seen the real speed of a Borzoi.  Now some of the Wolfhounds that read this can see the speed at which I run.  Betcha I could max out the run in a PT test! Check out these two videos:






As soon as I'm done playing, I let my staff know it's time to go home
by sitting next to the gates. Fairly obvious, even for humans.

My human sister and I cool down.

While Dad, Mom, and Madeline went to the mess hall,
Isabella and I hung out in my army home.
My fellow Wolfhounds are sooo busy today preparing
to deploy. There are already some in country.

Isabella and I are ready to go home.
It's been a full day.

I help Mom drive.

O.K. So I am really up here for some loving.
It worked.

I like to watch the view go by once we get out in the country.


It took me about 2 seconds to find my favorite
patch of tile and start doing what I do best. Sleeping.
As I said, the other half of the Wolfhounds are leaving. Now my heart is in Iraq with 1-27 and in Afghanistan with 2-27.  If you're the praying type, as I am, please include all the Wolfhounds in your prayers.
Mahalo nui loa for stopping by...
Korporal Kolchak XV