One of the most rewarding things about doing the The Daily Corgi is following the changes that happen in peoples’ lives as a result of their Corgis. While those passages can be painful, more often they are happy. Laureen J.’s story involves both sorrow and joy, two Cardis and a LOT of exclamation points.
Over the course of several e-mails, Laureen has shared with me her loss and subsequent re-discovery of a love she never thought she’d know again. Her beloved Cardigan Footsie passed in December of last year, after 15 years of gracing her Connecticut family with love, humor, and Corgi wonderfulness.”
In the wake of her grieving, Laureen wrote to me in early February: “I know one day I will have another Corgi, but when I do it couldn’t replace my love for Footsie. I definitely will love another Corgi, but I guess in a new and different way.”
Three months later, Laureen made the decision to welcome a new Corgi puppy into the fold. Here, in her own words, is the story of how it happened, and how a little boy named Brodie made her family whole again.
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April 11th:
“I have something to share with you. We are getting an eight week-old puppy at the end of April. We’re going to the Cardigan Nationals in Pennsylvania and one of the breeders I contacted was in Minnesota. He said he was bringing his pups (along with his other cardigans) to have them evaluated for which would be show potential from some of his friends who are breeders. I didn’t want to put this on facebook because my two daughters are on there all the time and we aren’t telling them until we bring the puppy back with us to surprise them! I still miss my girl Footsie so much, and hope I am doing the right thing in getting a pup, and that it’s not too soon.” — Laureen
April 26th:
“We will be bringing that new baby home this Friday :-). I’m a little nervous — haven’t had a wee one for quite awhile! I will send pics as soon as I can take some … I’m excited and probably won’t be getting much sleep :-).” — Laureen
May 1st:
“Here’s a few pics of our new guy BRODIE. He is a LOVE BUG!! Let me what you think OK? Of course I KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF HIM!!” 🙂
“We just LOVE HIM ALREADY!! He came from Minnesota, and then to Pennsylvania, where the breeder brought his whole litter to be evaluated. We were so-o-o-o-o lucky we could meet him in Pennsylvania, only a five hour drive, instead of 24 hour drive!” — Laureen
May 2nd:
“Whew, Brodie just did some serious frapping around and behind the sofa and loveseat, he is already into that crazy and cute Corgi. I was afraid he’d miss his littermates, but we have kept him busy, meeting all the neighbors, going on his first jeep ride, visiting my daughter’s PT clinic and pulling out the therapy bands, and climbing over everything in the place. Her patients LOVED him.”
“My house has had constant visitors since Brodie arrived! We are pooped, when he crashes is when we get stuff done. His first vet visit is tomorrow, and he is signed up for puppy preschool in two weeks, which is part socialization with puppies his age and part intro to obedience. Should be interesting indeed.” — Laureen
May 14th:
“Here’s a few more pics of Brodie. He went to puppy pre-K on Wednesday and HE LOVED IT! Combo of off-leash play for 15 second increments and beginning obedience. Of course he picked the 25 pound, 16 week-old black Lab to chase and play with. Mind you, he is eight pounds and the littlest one there at ten weeks. Amazing how the Lab gentled down to him. There’s a mix of puppies, from Goldendoodles, Labs, a Border Collie (who is deaf and white with brown spots) to Whippets, Havanese, and Aussie pups. Brodie already learned two commands. SMART BOY!!!” — Laureen
June 5th:
“Brodie is eleven pounds now and his ears are up! We had them taped and took it off today, omg he is so cute!! I am happy with this Corgi boy. I never thought I would want another dog after Footsie. It took quite a while for my heart to start to heal enough to even think about it, but you had told me that another Corgi would probably have some of FOOTSIE in him or her, and you were right!! Footsie will always be with me and in my heart, but I love BRODIE and I think she would approve. He is such a little terror sometimes and then is all Corgi angel:-). I will send some pics soon. He keeps me hopping every day. He is a lot of work, but is so worth it!!” — Laureen
June 29th:
“October 6th for Brodie’s post sounds good to me, October is my favorite month!! He goes in his little pool everyday since its been hot. He just lays in it loving it, but he recently had his first time in a big pool. He did very well! We have an above ground which he hasn’t gone in yet, thinking of getting him a life jacket maybe ;-). Everywhere we take Brodie people ask what kind of dog he is and think he is just the cutest thing going. He makes people smile when they see him and he loves everyone, and thinks every dog wants to play, which isn’t always true :(.” — Laureen
July 24th:
“Brodie is doing great!! He is growing like a weed, up to 18 pounds now and started his first obedience class last night. There is no off leash play at this class, so it is kind of different for him. Australian Shepherd Roxie is going too, and he definitely remembered her. They get along great, and the trainer asked if Brodie and Roxie could join in the puppy class going on downstairs for playtime, because enough pups didn’t show, so he had a great time learning AND playing. We get homework every week, so it is learning for us also, and working with your dog!! What a difference in the dogs that came to obedience but not the prior puppy pre-K. They were loud, barking, etc., some of them VERY LARGE DOGS!!! Anyhow, I did remember — HOW COULD I FORGET about Brodie’s blog post on October 6th?” — Laureen
October 3rd:
“Brodie is doing great, he is on his advanced obedience class and doing such a good job. He is actually doing better at some things than the older dogs in the class. What can I tell you about our boy? Well I never thought I could or would love another dog like I did Footsie, but this little guy has really stolen all of our hearts and helped heal them!! My daughters come over, not to see my husband and I mind you, but to get in some great playtime and love from Brodie. You can just see it on their faces, the love for him, as he runs towards them full of excitement and Corgi cuteness.”
“I never thought that dogs REALLY buried their bones, but our Corgi boy takes the bone from you and immediately heads outside. He starts to dig out grass and proceeds to cover his bone with it. If he is inside, he takes it in his crate and hides it either under his blanket or under a toy, he is so-o-o funny. Then he waits a bit and gets it back out.”
“Everywhere he goes people are attracted to him Brodie. ‘WHAT KIND OF DOG IS THAT?’ they always ask — exclaiming what a beautiful dog he is. He loves all people and all dogs, and has made many friends on his daily outings, never forgetting where he has stopped and whom he has met. He has brought so much joy to my family, we are so lucky we found him!” — Laureen
Happy Brodie! Happy Dog-tober!
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Brodie, you are WONDERFULLY Corgi-powered!
Four paw salute to you, fine boy!
Laurie, thank you for writing this story that captures my emotions and love for both BRODIE and FOOTSIE so perfectly. You have given so many corgi lovers the venue to share their pictures, stories, and love for this wonderful breed of special little dogs. It made me think of my FOOTSIE, and how lucky I was to make the right decision in bring BRODIE into my life. Corgi kisses to you:))) LAUREEN
WOW, Brodie has BIG ears!
Thank you for sharing. I lost my two Cardigan last winter..my girl Bailey in October and my boy Reilly in January. I cannot describe the pain…I resolved never to have another dog again, as I couldn't face the loss again, and doubted I could love another dog. I am happy to report that I was swayed by my daughter and husband into another Cardi, Alex, who is not 8 1/2 months old. He is amazing and I am once again in Corgi-love. Best part, is that he is uniquely Alex…nothing like Bailey or Reilly. Thanks posting your story. No one should have to go through life without a corgi!