Updates on Vivi!! (It's a long one!)
Hi everyone! We just recently adopted a black-headed tri Pem from a shelter. It's been a week to be exact, and Vivi, as we named him, has made tons of progress since he first set foot in our house. At first, he was very timid and withdrawn, but still followed us to be in the same room. It's understandable since he had just been neutered that day. He was very sore and stiff for a few days, and hardly wanted to move (except on walks, lol), but he wanted to sit with us and cuddle all day. His suture site and testicular area (not sure what to call it, but since he was intact until 1 year old, it had developed fully, so the sack is still there) was very bruised as well.
He wouldn't eat the food the shelter gave us (Pedigree) and wouldn't eat the mixed in Wellness kibble either so we were worried something was wrong. He would eat some kibble from my hand, but seemed to like the Wellness better, so I tried taking out all the Pedigree and he finally ate the whole bowl of Wellness! I guess he just hated that cheap stuff, hehe. So we ended up switching him to his new food right away, and he did fine with the transition.
He also had no interest in playing, even when we met him before his surgery, which worried me a little. I also noticed that he seemed to have a cold, with a little bit of clear mucus dripping from his nose, sneezing, and an occasional cough. It worried me enough to ask the vet for a prescription (of an antibiotic which he recommended) to be sent to our nearby pharmacy, but when I found out that it was $90 I decided to wait it out since it really wasn't that bad yet. Anyway, that has cleared up completely now on it's own, so I'm relieved.
A few days ago, my brother and a friend from college came over for the weekend, and they're pretty big guys with wide shoulders and deep, loud voices. Vivi was so scared of them, he eliminated when he was approached. I told them to leave him alone and to try to keep their voices down to see if he might warm up. Right now, he's still scared of them and is a little frightened when they move suddenly or hears them from another room, but at least he's not shaking or hiding anymore, and hasn't eliminated in the house since. He just won't get too close. So far, this is the only problem we're having with Vivi, and it's weird because he didn't act like this at all when he first met my husband. Does anyone have suggestions?
We're also a little concerned that he's too skinny. Could someone tell me if it looks like he needs to gain some weight from these pictures? If he does, I'm sure it won't be hard to get some weight on him though. :)
Standing:
Laying down:
Side view:
Anyway, while my brother and friend were still here, I tried playing with him with a stuffed loofa dog and he actually started playing with me! He played tug a little (I was sure not to let him win) and fetch and it made me so happy I was almost in tears! It was so great to see his little nub wagging for the first time. And while I was at work, and my husband was at home, he told me that he ran in circles in the back yard and played with his toy on his own. My little boy was frapping! Then last night I caught him on video playing with his toy by himself.
After what I saw today, I know he is definitely a normal corgi! I took him for a long walk with some running in the grassy park areas near our house and when we got home, I took him out back to furminate him. After I was done, he started frapping around again! It was too funny! He would charge full speed at the wall and turn just in time, and weave between our furniture out there, kicking up dust behind him the whole time. It lasted several minutes. I wish I could have gotten a video of it, but there will be more chances I'm sure. :)
Overall, Vivi is the best dog I've ever had. He's so sweet and loving. He loves to be with us and cuddle, which I hear isn't that normal for a corgi this young. He has no bad manners, is good on walks, house trained, crate trained, cuddly, adorable, funny, and has short legs. What else can I ask for? We love him.
Comment
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Comment by Jeny (and Wrigley) on November 24, 2009 at 6:01pm
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He's such a cutie! I'm so glad you found him, rescue corgis are the best! :)
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Comment by Potus on November 24, 2009 at 5:58pm
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So glad to hear about Vivi!! I've been waiting for an update and am so happy things are going well.
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Comment by Joanna, Rainy and Calvin on November 24, 2009 at 3:29pm
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Vivi is so cute and sweet! I love that video of him squeaking that toy on his back! I am so happy that you have found each other and that things are looking good. Keep snugglin'!!
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Comment by Bev Levy on November 24, 2009 at 3:24pm
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He is beautiful! I am so glad he has found a good home and I am sure he will bring you much love and laughs as time goes on. As far as his fears just take it slow like you have and have the big guys leave a treat (a good one like chicken or hot dogs) for him without approaching him. Eventually they can have the treat closer and closer to them. It will take time but as he becomes more secure with his home and with the help of your brother and his friends he will figure out they mean good things not bad.
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Comment by John Wolff on November 24, 2009 at 2:26pm
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If he has a fear of men with deep, loud voices, enlist men with deep, loud voices to offer him treats and fun and love -- you'll have to determine his comfort-distance at first, and see if you can decrease it as they gain his trust. Sounds like he may have had a bad experience with somebody.
His chest should deepen and maybe widen eventually. I'll try to remember to send you dorsal photos of Al & Gwynn.
What a stunning dog. Looks like both of you have met good fortune.
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Comment by Geri & Sidney on November 24, 2009 at 2:15pm
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Seeing this post has made my day! I love to hear success stories :)
Things will just get better and better. He seems just a little skinny, but now he's getting good food, I'm sure he'll hit his optimal weight soon. I loved seeing him play. Good job!
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Comment by Kristen on November 24, 2009 at 2:10pm
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Sounds like life is good for Vivi. He does look like he could gain just a tad bit of weight. The Wellness should help with that. Sky and Lyla's description is right on. How old is Vivi. If he is under two he will still be maturing through his chest as well. Good luck with this wonderful little guy!
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Comment by Erica on November 24, 2009 at 1:53pm
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he is so cute and playful in that video, i love him too.
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Comment by Beauty and the Beast on November 24, 2009 at 1:41pm
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Oh he is a cutie! He sounds like a real sweetheard and it's sad to read how scared he is. I imagine he's been through some hardship, poor thing.
About the food, Shiro wouldn't eat the food that breeder gave us either. It was Eukanuba and he hated it. I think that's why he was so small.It's great that Vivi adjusted to his new food so quickly.
I think he's got the best home and you're doing a great job with him!
Oh, and yes, he does seem a bit skinny. Male adult corgi should be around 27-30 pounds. I don't think you need to feed him more than a cup a day though, he's probably so skinny because he didn't eat that Pedigree.
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Comment by Sky and Lyla on November 24, 2009 at 1:37pm
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I'm so glad that you were able to give Vivi a home and that he seems to be warming up. His weight actually looks good to me. Dogs are supposed to have a clear waist, and from your pictures it looks like he does. So many dogs are overweight these days, that even vets don't seem to recognize a healthy dog when they see one. You should be able to feel his ribs when you run your hands over his side. In an underweight dog the ribs will be sticking out and can be seen, as well as you will be able to see the backbone and hips sticking out. If you have to choose between overweight and underweight though, especially on a small dog like a Corgi, being slightly underweight is better. Here is a chart with some pictures and descriptions (although I just would like to note that I DO NOT support Purina, I think that company has some terrible eithics): http://www.purina.com/dogs/health/AdultBodyCondChart.pdf. Oh, and when playing tug of war, it's okay to let him win about 10% of the time. More if he is a shy, scared dog and needs a confidence boost. Just make sure you win more than he does. Would you keep playing a game that you never ever won? Have fun with Vivi! I'm sure he will be a great companion for you for years to come!
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