Porter is an almost six year-old Cardigan Welsh Corgi living in Kentucky bluegrass country.
Mom Merinda T. had owned two Pems prior to switching to the “tailed” side.
“I loved the Pembrokes but wanted to try a new breed, and couldn’t stray from the Corgi family!”
“Once he’d graduated from puppy obedience, Porter made his way through the next level class …
… then promptly flunked Level 2. He just enjoyed sniffing the butts of the dogs heeling in front of him too much!”
“So we moved on to agility classes!”
“Porter loves agility …
… not just the weave poles.”
He has his own youtube agility channel: http://www.youtube.com/merinda76
“In early January 2009, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Porter was my constant companion through my chemo treatments, surgeries, and radiation. We continued to train and trial in agility, scheduling everything around my treatments.”
“I had a wonderful group of agility friends who offered to run Porter in trials, but I just couldn’t sit on the sidelines and watch. I wanted every title earned by Porter to be earned by both of us.”
“We earned 15 titles that year, more than we’ve earned in any other year! We even competed at the NADAC (North American Dog Agility Council) Championships!”
“We also competed in our first herding trials.”
“Porter loves his sheep!”
“While he’s naturally gifted in this area, I struggle. A lot. It is by far the hardest thing I’ve ever attempted. Yes, even harder than all those chemo treatments!”
“Last year Porter made a brief foray into rally. He found it incredibly boring, but we earned our novice rally title, which also declares him a Versatile Cardigan by the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Club of America!”
“As you read this, we will be competing at the Cardigan Welsh Corgi National Specialty in Houston. Porter will be herding sheep, running agility, and will make his debut in obedience!”
“He loves our goldfish ponds and will sit for hours watching the fish, occasionally biting the water to try and catch one.”
“He also loves to wade in the creek, chasing and pouncing on all the small minnows.”
“We walk two miles every evening. He enjoys checking the local pee-mail and chasing various rodents. Porter’s favorite foods are pizza crusts and broccoli bones (the large stem of the broccoli bunches).”
“Porter is the former “Cookie-Toss” gold medal winner at the Canine Olympics in our area. He caught (and ate!) over 20 cookies in 30 seconds, beating even the Labradors!”
“He also won the bronze medal in the costume contest: he was Corgi Gaga.”
“His best friends are Dally the Pembroke and Mesa the Swedish Vallhund. Mesa is the only puppy he has ever liked, and is still one of the few dogs he will play with.”
“Porter goes to “work” once a week (actually doggie daycare, but he takes on the role of boss of the other dogs). This may be the only thing that actually tires him out; he passes out on the couch for the next 24 hours!”
“He enjoys tormenting one of his kitty sisters; the other enjoys tormenting him.”
Together we are a team!
* * * * *
Porter and Merinda for the win!
Welcome to The Daily Corgi!
That's terrific! Good luck in Houston and take care.
What a wonderful story – it definitely brought a tear to my eye! Merinda and Porter make a great team! Good luck to both of you this week!
I just love the photogenic Porter! He is quite the guy. Herding is the hardest thing you can do with your dog.
Marinda, I love this! Such great pix!! Just love you & Porter, and , of course, my Grand-puppy Mesa, the vallhund!
Grammy Michelle
Good luck to you both!! What a great story! I'm also from the bluegrass (Lexington) and I'm wondering where you do agility?? Eva the Diva needs a new way to run off some steam!
Yaaaaaaay!!!!!! Whooop Whoop! Porter and Merinda – you two are quite a team – both on and off the course!
Yay for Porter!!! My girls (Dally and Mesa) love Porter and love Merinda. We all know the wonders of Corgi love and they are a great example of it.
You are gorgeous and quite talented!! We love your ribbons and of course the cake
Benny & Lily
This is a marvelous story! Porter and Merinda, you rock!
So many talents! A true Renaissance Man…errr..Corgi!
Beautiful photos of this talented Card., and, of course, his brave and talented owner. All the best to you and Porter.
Mary and Pippin (a Pem)
Maryland
I am Gaga over Porter, his family and his many talents. Love the pics. Maple and he would be best buds instantly, but she is not nearly as "versatile", Linda