After having cats for many years, Pat and Linda M. were ready for a dog. “We were leaning towards a Yorkie, but that just wouldn’t work on my Saturday pickup trips to the dump” says Pat. “As we were evaluating dogs, we came across the Corgi and said hey — this looks interesting.”
“In 2004 we went to Ireland on vacation, where we came across our first Corgi in Doolin and agreed it was a Really Cool Dog. Later, on the town green in Blarney we got to play with a Corgi and a German Shepherd for about half hour. We were hooked!”
“When we got back home we started to look into breeders. Eventually we found one nearby and were on the list for a litter due in the Spring of 2006. During the wait, we’d sometimes visit pet stores to get a puppy fix. Sometimes there were Corgis.”
“On a visit in 2006 we went and there were three Corgis, one of whom really caught our eye. My wife fell in love with him. I didn’t want to buy from a pet store; I called our vet and they said don’t buy from a pet store.”
“A few weeks passed and we stopped by there again. I figured they’d be gone since they were so darn cute. Well, we went in and who sticks his head out of the first pen as we walked in? The dog my wife fell in love with! Not only was he on sale, an additional reduction had been taken off the sale price (think Clearance Puppy from Marley and Me).”
“We took him into the back of the store and he went into a full FRAP. When he finished, he just came back and hung out with us. We decided to take him and called him Byron.”
“He was a great puppy, happy and non-destructive. We always made time to play with him; it was like having a two year-old in the house. We did have to keep him entertained. He enjoyed his runs at the beach and his times at day care. From day care he learned the joys of ball, an addiction of his down to this day.”
“Byron went everywhere with us. As a matter of fact, I traded my convertible for him since he hated it. He loves our wagon. and took many trips with us to Maine, as well as a trip to Kentucky; we always found places he could stay with us.”
“When he got to two years old, we figured it was time to get another Corgi, so the search was on. On this one I really wanted to do a rescue.”
“After watching Petfinder and rescue sites, we came across Fergie at Tri-State Corgi Rescue. We filled out an application and were approved. She came up the following weekend on Petersons Pet Transportation and we picked her up in Windham, New Hampshire.”
“She fit right into the household, no problems at all. Tr State’s Deb N. said we were getting a special little girl and she was right.”
“Byron and Fergie are the best of friends and do everything together, they are incredibly bonded. They continue to go everywhere with us, Fergie hanging out the window “cussing out” just about everyone she sees. That pretty much always draws smiles. They are also a fixture in town, greeting (well barking) at everyone who walks by.”
“Last Summer, Fergie stopped eating her food. We changed her food and her appetite got better, but still she wasn’t thrilled with it. She seemed to be just finicky.”
“We took a vacation to Lubec, Maine in late September to a place where we could bring the dogs. They really enjoyed their off leash time going for walks or playing ball on isolated beaches. Fergie was doing fine, but we noticed a lump in her neck. We decided she needed to go the vet when we got back.”
“When we took her in, she had lost five pounds since her last visit. An abdominal x-ray showed a number of swollen lymph nodes and a mass. We followed up with an ultrasound, which revealed rather large tumor was found between the liver and spleen. We were devastated.”
“After discussions with the vet, we decided against surgery and chemo, because the most they could buy us was two to three months, and we couldn’t put Fergie through that.”
“Still, she was a happy little girl. My wife pushed to get a second opinion, and it was determined that the tumor between the spleen and the liver was just enlarged lymph nodes. There was no need to do surgery. Multiple lymph nodes were needle aspirated, and Fergie was diagnosed with lymphoma.”
“We scheduled an appointment with an Oncologist, who determined the condition was fairly advanced but thought it might respond to treatment. We decided to go ahead, and Fergie responded really well. There was a bit of a loss of appetite after each treatment, but that was short lived.”
“She completed a full round of chemo that ended in the mid February. She went through her first re-check with flying colors and got the same results on most recent re-check.”
“So as long as Fergie is Fergie, she will go on. I know the day will come when we’ll have to say our goodbyes and Byron will be lost, but we have had seven happy months with her and are hoping for many more.”
What a wonderful story, and such happy faces! They are both so different and so charming. I know everyone is sincerely rooting for Fergie! Thank you for sharing!
What a wonderful story! We have met both Fergi and Byron. They are WONDERFUL corgis. Great companions and great ball players. Lucky dogs, lucky owners!
what a heartfelt story! thanks for sharing with us.
Congrats to you Byron and Fergie are both adorable. They look like pure joys! My Duncan also came from Tri-State Rescue. Deb was so good to work with. I was scared getting a dog sight unseen but everything works out. Duncan was featured July 1st as the "Corgi of the Day". http://thedailycorgi.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-07-04T03:02:00-04:00&max-results=7&start=49&by-date=false
We are going to New Hamshire in July. Every summer we stay on Lake Winnipesaukee in Wolfeboro. Maybe we will see you around while we are there.
Enjoy your two blessings. Hope all works out with the two of them and much happiness is brought to you all.
Your kids are adorable! I hope you all have many more years together. I'm so glad Fergie is doing well. Hugs and kisses for both Byron and Fergie!
This posting was an emotional rollercoaster! I am so glad your pet-store pup has worked out and I am even happier that you chose rescue the second time around. I am happy to hear that Fergie is okay, I love her rounded ears!
I'm so glad that Fergie as responded so well to treatment!
It's so glad to hear she came through all the problems. Many would have just given up. She may have many good years left and I'd enjoy them with her and Bryon to the max.
I love all of the beautiful pictures of both Fergie and Byron! They look so happy and healthy! Good luck to Fergie as she continues to push on!!