Fiona's first month home
After all of the months of research and waiting and planning and preparation...Fiona finally came home on February 1st. And oh, what a month it's been!
I have a Shepherd mix, Django, who is a big, mellow, love boy, but I was concerned about wanting to have their introduction go as smoothly as possible. The breeder, Barb, went over at length with me how to introduce a new pup to the home. Some things I knew, like introduce them on neutral territory. Others I didn't, like initially pick her up and let him sniff her behind. Then walk with Django on a leash, with her following him on her leash, and have him lead her in to the home inviting her in. This helps to set the tone that he's the pack leader. Seems so obvious, but I'd never thought of it. And wouldn't you know, it worked like a charm.
Fiona immediately thought Django was DA BOMB. She alternated between giving him kisses and egging him on to get him to play. She was also just *fascinated* by his tail, and was like, "Shut UP. What is THAT??!!??!!" It became an obsession.
Once I got her to stop thinking his tail was a play toy, he started to really warm up to her. Now their friendship is blossoming, and it is a joy to see. Last night I was sitting on the couch and they were giving each other kisses. That just made me insanely happy. The pic below is them resting after they have had their dinner. Too darn cute!
Ok, that's after one of them had their dinner...and it wasn't the puppy on her back! I seem to have gotten one of the few corgis in the world who aren't interested in food! I cut down the amount I give her to 1/2 cup twice a day, I cut out all treats, and pick up her dish after 20 minutes. She's eating enough that I think she's ok, it just doesn't seem to be a priority for her when there are SO many other more interesting things to be doing.
I had wanted a cuddly corgi, and became very worried the first week home that I might not have gotten what I anticipated. I had chosen a good breeder, and I had communicated what I was looking for and my lifestyle very clearly, so I was confused and worried. A BIG THANK YOU to all the kind and wise folks on here who gave me great advice that seven days is way too soon to be making judgements! They were right. :) One month in, and I already see signs that my girl is probably exactly the cuddlebug I was hoping for. The bond and trust just needed to grow a little bit. Now she is actually jumping up to try and get on the couch with me. I have no one but myself to blame...and I couldn't be happier. :)
The most wonderful surprise has been how relatively easy potty training has gone. (I give all credit to my breeder!) Fiona came to me on a very set schedule, and I have been doing my best to follow it. Fiona was already crate trained and was sleeping through the night when she came home, so I consider myself one very lucky gal. I am also helped by the fact that I work from home most days, and have a backyard I can take her out every hour or two and let her do her thing. I also consider baby gates the best thing since sliced bread. She's only had two accidents in the last week, which I consider nothing short of a minor miracle. We'll see in a few months if it is still going so well, but for now...I'm very grateful.
I put a bed for Fiona in my home office, and she stays in there with Django and me during the day and is a very good girl napping and playing wih her toys. She can be a little hellion frapping and running around after breakfast, but somehow she seems to sense that this room is for quieter times. She prefers to play with her toys and bones on the doggie bed...
...and then when she's tired she sleeps here at my feet under the desk.
...Or balances on the footrest. What you can't see is this thing rocks back and forth, and she had to find her balance perfectly to make this work - then fall asleep in exactly that position without moving. How can that possibly be comfortable? Only a corgi knows.
She's a joy, she's a pain, she's turned everything topsy turvey...and I couldn't be happier. Happy 15 weeks, Fiona!
Comment
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Comment by Chloe's parent Liz on March 9, 2013 at 12:51am
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so precious!
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Comment by Becky Focht on March 4, 2013 at 8:42am
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Your baby is soooo cute!!!! I am glad she's become everything you had hoped for.
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Comment by Natalie, Fiona, & Django on March 4, 2013 at 12:41am
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Thanks for your kind words, everyone! Please know they are all appreciated! I so love having a place to share these stories and photos. Joy is best when shared. :)
Sarah - Aw, thank you! And poor Phoebe...she just wants to play! (Poor kitty...she doesn't. ;)
Rae - thank you! And yes, I think Fiona and Machete are very close in age - maybe only a week or so apart? He's a good looking boy!
Jennifer - Aw, thanks! I'm glad you liked the pics! You are right - there is just pure love in the one of her looking up. She adores her big brother!
Diane - Thank you!
Jen - Thanks so much...and thanks for good advice. :)
Mai - Thank you!
Theresa - Thanks! I hope so! :)
Natalie L. - Thanks! The pic of her balancing always makes me giggle because I just remember looking down and going, "How did she DO that??"
Lois - Thank you! And I couldn't agree more. Baby corgis rule. :)
Connie - Oh, thank you! I think she's super cute, too, but admittedly I am biased! ;)
Nancy - thank you! I was so happy to capture that moment! They go by so quickly, don't they?
Bogart - Thank you! Fiona and Django send wags to you!
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Comment by Sarah Schantz on March 3, 2013 at 7:57pm
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Your corgi is sooo pretty - I liked her from the moment I saw the first picture you posted before I joined the site. Her name is one of my favorites - our last dog was Fiona and my husband is Scottish - very popular name over there. Your 2 dogs bonding makes me want another dog. Phoebe is trying really hard with our cat but just gets a bit too excited and the cat ends up running away which turns into a chase game. So happy to hear of the kinship and bonding going on ... these are sweet puppy days...
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Comment by Natalie, Lance &Tucker on March 3, 2013 at 3:41pm
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Glad to hear things are going well, thats awesome! Love all the pics, my favorite are Fiona on her back with her brother and the one of her sleeping while keeping herself balanced.
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Comment by Diane on March 3, 2013 at 3:13pm
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Oh... she is sooo cute. I love the picture of her with her big brother!
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Comment by Mai on March 3, 2013 at 2:03pm
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Beautiful! I'm so glad everything worked out for you!
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Comment by Teresa Gilpin on March 3, 2013 at 1:23pm
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She is such a precious girl! Congratulations. It sounds like you are going to have a great and loving home together!
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Comment by Connie on March 3, 2013 at 12:19pm
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oh my...TOTALLY gorgeous little girl...no doubt that Django is indeed the wonderful Big Brother that every little pup deserves..Thanks so much for sharing this.
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Comment by Lois B. Allen on March 3, 2013 at 11:57am
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I love your story and think your shepherd is being a very good father/brother. Both are very good looking but there is nothing as cute as a baby corgi.
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