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Permalink Reply by Molly and Isabella on October 14, 2010 at 1:03pm

OK, get ready for a looong tail! Ha Ha...

When I was a child we had a red and white Pembroke...Ever since then, I've wanted one of my own!

After my husband and I got married and our daughter was almost 4 and I was pregnant with #2 we decided it was time for a puppy. Weird timing, huh? The corgi didn't materialize at that time and my husband realized his dream of getting his childhood dog - a German Shepherd.

When we got our own dog, I always wanted it to be an inside pet (as I've always known) and how I tried to do that with our German Shepherd. Being 6 months pregnant my energy was short in the puppy training department! Hindsight tells me I should have crate trained, but I didn't...Anyway, she turned out to be an outside dog and actually seemed to prefer it that way. We spent tons of time with her and she did come inside, just didn't live inside...Having a large breed outside was what my husband knew growing up...

Fast forward 10 years. We recently lost our German Shepherd and it was a really tough blow on the whole family, as you can imagine. While I never expected to get another dog so quickly, life around the house without a dog was just not right! I started entertaining the idea of a corgi this time. My daughter would hear nothing of it. After all, she was still grieving her loss, we all were. When it was time to get another dog, it would be another German Shepherd, no doubt in her mind!

I continued planting the seed of the corgi idea any chance I got...Cute pictures, information, etc. I researched online for local breeders and contacted several of them. One of them, a member of the Golden Gate Welsh Corgi Fanciers, was going to have a litter soon, but had a huge waiting list already. She was so kind as to email me a current availability list from other local breeders. So, I had my feelers out, but nothing too serious (I was the only one on board at this point!).

Then, I decided to share the idea with my mom and she loved it! She was so excited about the possibility of a corgi puppy that she contacted the breeder she got her corgi from. While years and years had passed and she knew she was no longer breeding, she figured she'd have contacts. She did! She provided a recommendation and I made contact. Struck out, no puppies, but I did get another referral! She referred me to yet another member of the Golden Gate Club. Ironically, this name was also on the current availability list that the other breeder had sent me. I made contact and wouldn't you know it, puppies!

Our breeder had 3 red and white males and a 2 tri-color fluffies, a female and a male. Hmmmm...what to do? See, I was originally in the market for a red and white female, and what the heck was a fluffy anyway? Wouldn't a fluffy require tons of grooming? My head was spinning! So, why did I want a female? Why did I want a red and white corgi? Well, I've only known female dogs and my corgi experience was with a red and white female. No other reasons. So, with the breeder I discussed all kinds of things, temperaments (in general), grooming, personalities of all the available pups, etc.. At that point I open to a male puppy. Then, I learned that fluffies actually shed less than normal coats. Wow, I was surprised! I looked at pics of all the pups and I was instantly in love! Finally, I had all my ducks (or bunny butts!) in a row to present to the family...I was scared. I knew my daughther had her heart set on a German Shepherd and I felt my husband was going that direction, too...and would not be ready for another dog for a good long while...

With great anticipation, I presented all the pics and info to my husband. He was on board! Yay! He said it was my turn. He was leaning toward the female tri-colored fluffy.

That evening, we presented to the kids. They were in love! That was it. Everyone voted for the tri-color female fluffy!

Within a week, we were at the breeders. All of their dogs and pups were amazing! I loved them all! We went home with our sweet Isabella that day, just shy of her 10 week birthday. The breeder let her go with us a little early... Her brother was a total doll, too. Big sister was the boss of the duo. She was spunky and sweet at the same time. We knew her personality would fit right in with us.

Needless to say, Isabella lives inside with us. She's being crate trained and doing a great job with everything! Sure, I'm tired -- a puppy is a ton of work! However, this puppy experience is so different than our last one. I'm doing everything differently this time! That's what 10 years and not being 6 months pregnant will do. The kids are also old enough to help...I'm much more involved with the training of Isabella. I've taught her sit, down and roll over so far. I didn't do any training with our last dog...that was all my husband (sit, stay and down was the extent of her training). What is funny now, with Isabella, is that the really important stuff, like dropping whatever nastiness she tries to eat outside, she is only good with my husband. She runs from me! She'll just drop it and roll over for a belly rub with my husband. That's what I get for teaching her the fun stuff. Not fair, but we're working on it!

I plan on doing formal obedience classes with Isabella and maybe even Agility down the road. That looks like fun! Also, she'll be going lots of places with us, meeting lots of people and playing with lots of other dogs. I'm just counting down the days she can safely go out in public and enjoy the world! We did none of this with our last dog. Live and learn...

I'm so excited about all the great adventures we will have. Already, the bond with the little fuzzball is beyond anything I could have ever imagined!

Permalink Reply by Melissa S. on October 15, 2010 at 12:47am

I absolutely love your story
It brings big smiles to my face and heart
isn't it funny the quests we go on to find our fairy steeds? I am so happy the family agreed on Isabella! She sounds so funn!! Thank you for sharing!

Permalink Reply by Hana on October 21, 2010 at 1:29pm

That is a great story!! I am glad to hear that your family and you got Isabella!! I told my boyfriend (my husband now) if he wanted to marry me having a corgi was put of the deal ; )

Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on October 15, 2010 at 1:17am

My story is strange as I had a red headed tri,unborn yet reserved when I decided to keep one of my own pups. I had picked out 2 pups that would have both been great for a therapy dog and gave the person her choice as to which one she wanted. I had been watching these 2 closely and when she chose the other, Sage had already ran away with my heart(and shoes)! I contacted the breeder and asked if I could back out but that someday I would want one of her red heads and she said that was fine. Sage is doing obedience rally and then I hope to move on to therapy dog also.My pem has her own tail:)

Permalink Reply by Lindsey Corkern on October 15, 2010 at 8:24am

Here's mine...it'll be long too, unlike Leia's nubby little tail!

I grew up with dogs all my life. Never had a moment without them. Taught my Cocker Spaniel French commands. Sweetest dog I've ever owned. Then I went to college 400 miles from home. Poor Vanna (the cocker), she missed me so much. She was depressed. Moped around, wouldn't eat or play. I came home for Christmas, and it was back to the usual for Vanna. She was so happy. Unfortunately I was committed to school and Vanna was already 14 years old. Her health failed quickly in the Spring of 2003 and she was put to sleep in May. I came home to spend her last week with her.

I am the kind of person whose heart will always ache for my pet's passing, but I am also the type that needs another pet right away to help the healing. I got a kitten in November. Wanted a dog badly. I knew that the time was not right. I lived on the second floor of an apartment unit that was sandwiched between the two busiest streets in Baton Rouge. I was a poor college student.

"When we have a yard, we're getting a dog." I firmly laid the groundwork for this possibility. A job offer came our way in 2008 in Houston. We bought a house away from busy streets. One with a large fenced in yard. "Yay, time to get a dog!" He shook his head no. Not now. Wait til we recover from the expense of moving and buying a new house that needed brand new everything (who wants college hand-me-down furniture in their brand new house?!)

Two years go by. I buy books from Cesar Milan, Animal Planet, and the ASPCA on choosing a dog, puppy care, and puppy training. "Its time," I say, handing the books to him. He resists. Tells me that all his life he's known dogs that are relatively uncared for, living outside, living short lives. He became attached to a puppy he got when he was 9. It was hit by a car. My heart went out to him. I've had nothing but good dog experiences. "This one will be different," I say. "We'll take such good care of her, she'll live a long time and be a big part of our family, just like Sam is." He agreed. My heart lept for joy. I try to let him have as much participation in the process as he wants.

The ASPCA book has many different dog breeds, their grooming needs, exercise needs, and breed traits. We choose a corgi because it fits our active lifestyle. Before we find one, I begin to work my magic. I try everything. I turn on the charm and say, "Sam has lived 6 years without another pet companion. We should get a puppy for him. He would adjust better to a puppy, I think." It works. He agrees! Puppy incoming!!!

We meet a lady who shows her pembroke. She has 7 week old puppies. Daddy is a cardi. The woman is nice, but gruff. She tells me the puppies are weaned and invites me to come and check them out. We do. There is only one female left. We want a female dog. Dustin and I use as many skills from the books as we can to determine if this is the right dog for us and if the circumstances are legit. Things work out and we go home a few days later with an 8 week old puppy. Dustin names her Leia after the Star Wars princess. The wheels begin turning before we even pull in the driveway.

You can't have Leia without Luke....

P.S.: Dustin is SO in love with her! I have to remind him to kiss me goodbye first, before kissing the dog in the mornings! In another year or two, I will work some more magic to find Luke, who will also be a corgi.