A big Daily Corgi thanks to Linda M. of Pet’s Second Chance for sharing with us the story of little Cady and all the wonderful people who’ve helped make one Pembroke Welsh Corgi’s happy-ever-after come true.
“What the heck is going on?”
Cady came from a commercial mill in southern Missouri at just two years old. Her coat, what there was of it, was terrible, and her teeth were a not so pretty shade of green. Most tragic of all was her fear of everything.
My friend in Rolla picked Cady up and delivered her to me. The photo above is Cady in the crate in my car. Getting her in was the easy part. Getting her out was a whole different story, but hot dogs finally did the trick.
Cady went to the foster home of Julie and Ken, who take in only the very shy and/or frightened dogs. Cady was both. The first month she spent all of her time hiding, then decided that being next to Julie’s desk was safe too. Julie and Ken’s dogs basically ignored her, and she ignored them.
Cady wouldn’t go outside, not even for treats. She was terrified. If Julie carried her out, she’d run back in the door. After a number of weeks, Julie and Ken decided to take Cady on their daily walk in the park with their dogs.
After several trips, Cady decided it was the best part of the day. She was still frightened of people and every noise, but she wanted to go. BIG step forward. Soon she was jumping out of the car when they got to the park.
Four months in, Julie began to feel frustrated, a bit like a failure. Eighteen foster dogs and they had always been able to turn them into “real Corgis”.
Then one day she called to tell me that Cady was sleeping in bed with them.
A few more days and she was on a dog bed in the family room … another couple of days and Cady began playing with a toy. At the end of the month, Julie called to say that Cady was ready for a new home. Her teeth were cleaned, she was spayed, had her vaccines, and was almost a Corgi. She even had a Corgi smile.
I put Cady on the site. Sometimes things simply happen for a reason. I received a call from a couple who adopted a very similar girl from us over six years ago. They were looking for a companion for their girl Hibby and were interested in Cady.
How lucky can a girl get?
They visited with Cady at Julie and Ken’s house, where they fell in love. Cady went home with them, and shortly afterwards I received their e-mail: “She is doing better and better every day. Every day we reach a new milestone.”
“That’s not to say we haven’t hit some snags. For instance, I worked late on Friday and decided to take the girls on a second, 9 PM walk. We normally do 5:30 AM and see no one and no cars. Cady flipped out when a man kicked an aluminum can close by. I’m pretty sure he saw she was startled to see him in the first place. I would’ve given him a piece of my mind if I didn’t think the yelling would make things worse. After the can incident, Cady walked with her nose right up to Hibby’s bottom.”
Little sister, big sister!
“I think she sees her as a pack leader, which is great because she seems to feel safer with Hibby around. When Jacob and I are at work, I’m glad to know that Cady has Hibby there to make her feel comfortable. They are truly becoming sisters and are so much alike. I believe their similar personalities help Jacob and me to understand how Cady thinks and anticipate how to best acclimate her to her Forever Home. I know snags are to be expected, I just have to learn from them and stick to the schedule. Cady LOVES being on a schedule and has done really well with potty accidents, etc.”
Cady and Hibby eventually began walking side by side. Being the older dog, Hibby couldn’t go as far as Cady, so now their Mom takes Hibby and Cady for a walk, then takes Hibby home and jogs with Cady, who loves it!
She and HIbby are now best friends. Hibby believes it’s her duty to take care of Cady. I am always amazed at the compassion of the dogs and their ability to sense a situation and react appropriately. Cady needed a friend and Hibby was there for her.
Now the “I’m scared, don’t touch me, what’s that noise?” little girl has a big sister and a loving family.
She’s finally a real Corgi!
“The foster parents Julie and Ken are so important in this story. The time, patience, love and understanding needed to work with these dogs isn’t something many people have, or if they do, the willingness to take on the work. They are the exception to the rule. It’s a frustrating, heartbreaking 24/7 job; at times it’s difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
After all the work and love foster parents give, the dog finally leaves them. I applaud Julie and Ken for their love of the Corgis!”
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Ken and Julie, may your home be especially blessed this year at Thanksgiving. In making the world a better place for these dogs, you make it a better world for those of us who love them.
THANK YOU and doG Bless!
A very special place in Heaven for these dear folks. Great post, Laurie
What an awesome outcome for poor Cady and what a lucky Corgi that fell into the places she did.Corgi people are the greatest. Thank you Laurie for all the stories. I can't start my day without a Corgi story fix!
Now that is something to be grateful for!
Great story! Blessings to all involved.
Wonderful news! So glad Cady has come around and has such wonderful parents now. 🙂
Such a heartwarming story….sad and encouraging at the same time. So happy for Cady and her new parents. Happy Thanksgiving!
Wonderful story about Cady and glad she has found her forever home with a wonderful big sister. Thank you to Ken and Julie for your hardwork and dedication.
I say over and over that the foster parents are the real heroes in our efforts to help these dogs who have suffered from trauma, neglect, abuse, or being in mills. They are so patient and loving and help turn these dogs from victims into dogs who are ready to become adopted in forever homes so they can have the gets lives possible. I have become deeply involved in rescue since the Corgi Rescues of America group was formed on Facebook because I want to do what I can to help dogs like Cady get out of shelters or other situations and into the loving arms of those who want to help them overcome whatever they have been through. Thank you so much to julie and Ken and everyone else who made It possible for Cady and others like her to have their happily ever after! Love, Amy, Magic, and new little rescue Romeo