Love mah dogs. My Corgi Crew.

Almost eleven years ago I thought I wanted a bird for the four-seasons room off the kitchen. Dave and the kids went to the pet store to look at birds for a Mother’s Day gift. Nicole hates birds. I can’t help but think she instigated this outcome.

They didn’t buy the puppy, but they did come home with a very persuasive argument.

Now, over the years, we had tried the puppy thing. We just hadn’t been ready. Zach and Dave have allergies and no one (me) was in a position to be training a puppy. My response, if I’d wanted a third child, I’d have birthed it!

That said, they took me to see him and I swear, cutest puppy I’ve ever seen in person. Ever. Little friendly fur ball with a fox face and big ears, big eyes and round butt. His head was too big for his body. We referenced him as Cabeza de Grande.

Still, we left the store puppyless.

Having never heard of the Corgi breed, we did a ton of research. My sister-in-law worked at a barn and was familiar with them. She told us they were good dogs, but very short.

We looked at this adorable, big headed but otherwise proportional like any other tall dog and thought she was crazy. We looked up her claim. The average height is 12”.
No way!
Way.

Regardless of that freak stature, we brought him home.

Over time, he began to grow long instead of up. Over time, we became so conditioned that we forgot other dogs had tall legs. And tails. They were the freaks!

We liked Buehrle (pronounced Burley and named after the World Series Winning White Sox pitcher, Mark Buehrle, but also appropriate of the pronunciation because he is a solid dog) so much, we invested in a girl corgi.

We saw an ad in the Tribune for corgi pups from a breeder in Harvard. We’d done the pet store thing, and had a very positive experience, but thought we’d go with a breeder this time. She was the last pup left, the runt of the litter, and she was so freakin’ cute I was kicking myself for purposely not bringing my checkbook to force a responsible purchase. We (ir)responsibly returned home, then back again.

We named her Nellie Fox, a Hall of Fame White Sox player. (Our other option was Minnie Minoso, and although she is mini, I’m glad we went with Nellie.)

Nellie and Buehrle had a litter. Five adorable wonderful so much fun puppies. We found homes for all and a couple still keep in touch.

A few years later I was out shopping with a friend and we stopped by the pet store. I called Dave repeatedly and left messages—If you don’t tell me no, I’m buying this puppy. His silence was consent, right? So I bought that pup. We now owned THREE CORGIS. THREE.

Newbie was named Ozzie after the World Series winning White Sox manager, and it was a good fit. This dog talks a lot and no one understands what the hell he’s saying. As a young’un he had a chin full of black scruff, just like Ozzie Guillen, that has since turned white.

(You have noticed that they all have white socks, right?)

It hasn’t always been easy taking care of three. It’s a lot harder to ask someone to tend to them when we go on vacation and a lot more expensive to board, it’s a heck of a lot harder for one person (me) to walk all three on leashes, and we have had our occasional alpha-issues. The boys may fight, but we know Nellie is the boss.

We also bred a litter with Nellie and Ozzie, just two pups that time, but everydog is fixed now.

Knock wood, we haven’t had any health issues with our dogs. Ozzie got tagged by the cat once and needed six stitches. Buehrle broke one of his front teeth and had to have it removed (now when he smiles big he looks like a hillbilly).

They’re pretty spoiled—they live in the garage, the Corgi Condo, with a doggie door to get in an out to the fenced yard as they please. There’s a dresser with dog blankets, treats, and supplies, a couch, three ottomans, carpet and a television. Also a rabbit and a cat. But no bird.

When the kids were little we’d pack the car and go on a drive until we found a new park or forest preserve. We do that with the dogs now. Did I mention they have their own mode of transport? The Dog Van.

They are a big dog in a short dog’s body. They enjoy running and car rides and swimming.

They love the snow and don’t mind the cold.

But man, do they shed! Whoo-boy, all year ‘round. Right now this minute, in the middle of winter, I could grab a butt tuft. How can that be? It’s cold out, don’t you need that fur?!

But sheddy and barky as they may be, I love mah dogs!

http://www.facts-about-dogs.info/Corgi_Facts.html

This blog is my fourth in the series complying with the In Print ABC Blog Challenge. http://inprintwriters.com/2013/01/12/the-abc-blog-post-challenge/