When Alex Mooney’s beloved Corgi Otis Mooney lost his fight with lymphoma in March of 2012, she thought she might never have another pet. Like so many who have loved and lost a precious companion, the pain and devastation had her nearly convinced of it.
As a citizen of Corgi Nation — the community of fellow Corgi Lovers connected virtually around the country and the world — Alex had a balm for her heartbreak. The show of solidarity and love from Corgi Nation — many of whom changed their Facebook profile to Otis’s picture — was overwhelming. In the week following Otis’s loss, her mailbox was full to overflowing with written cards and notes of sympathy. Most of these people had never met Otis, but they knew. They understood. With their help, Alex survived what felt like the un-survivable.
On the day Otis went to the Bridge, a Corgi mix in a shelter across the country was scheduled for euthanization. Starved, mostly hairless, with putrid, infected skin and long-neglected nails, this lost soul wasn’t long for the world when fellow Corgi lover Mark Segers (who wasn’t even sure if this was a Corgi) saw his photo on the shelter site and decided to bust him out.
Thus began a chain of merciful acts for this mangy dog. The tide of his fortune had changed — and changed for good. Mark brought the (literal) stinker home, fed him and got him on the road as far as Tennessee, where Judy Lyons picked him up Chattanooga and delivered him to Rebecca Garret’s home for tender loving rehabilitation. His smell, his pitifully thin frame and extensive infection shocked them.
Rebecca, known by many for her uncommon touch with “hard cases”, took this starved boy under her wing and began giving him daily baths. Under her gentle ministrations, he started to blossom. His tags said he was originally from Florida, though the tags hadn’t been registered to anyone in particular. He was still intact, and once his skin had stabilized and he was more acclimated, he was neutered and able to enjoy the distinct Corgi pleasure of lying flat on the cool floor!
At first they considered naming him Otis Junior, but Alex had a better idea, a name that would embody the spirit of Corgi Nation. The little dog was named Nation. Nate for short.
Rebecca wasn’t very subtle about posting Nate’s updates on Alex Mooney’s Facebook page, even though Alex wasn’t ready yet for another dog. By May, however, she had already fallen in love with Nate and was prepared to open her heart fully to him.
Enter stage right Randy Szczepaniak, who worked a little magic to get Alex flown out to Kentucky, where she met Nate’s contingent of heroes for the first time. On arrival at Rebecca’s, Nate came out with the rest of the Corgis and proceeded to pee on Alex’s pants. As if to say “This one’s mine!”
Nate went home with Alex to California, and is now officially a bi-coastal Corgi. On his first trips to the ocean he was timid, but by now he’s completely fearless and at home in the water. Nate actually runs directly into the surf, and will bound through the waves, nipping at their crests as if playing with them.
In September, Nate accompanied Alex to the Florida Corgi Picnic, where he frolicked on the Florida beach, mingled with the Florida Corgis and got to ride in the front of a Fiat.
When Nate first arrived, he was fairly aloof and distant, sleeping at the end of the bed facing away from Alex. Each time they traveled somewhere and returned home, Nate’s bond deepened. Now he sleeps up on the pillows, resting his chin on her head.
Nate loves visiting Alex’s horse, Milo, at the barn. At first, he wasn’t sure what to make of Milo, and tried to bark at him to get the horse to play. Now he’s settled into easy companionship and walks alongside Milo as they amble around the ranch.
This lucky dog goes to work with his Mom every day, usually in his own trailer behind her electric bicycle. In her off hours, they hike, visit the park, negotiate over ice cream (and cheese), and frolic at the famous Southern California Corgi Beach Day, where this last time in July, there were 350 Corgis on the beach!
No foolin’. That many Corgis, all in one place. Frap City USA!
In July he took an amazing birthday trip back to Kentucky to reunite with the people who got him out of the shelter, nursed him back to health and delivered him to Alex. They are his “first family”!
Whatta love story – that's what it's all abouts…!
A story of hope and perseverance. I just love it. God bless all of you for creating a situation such as this! Yipee for Nate and Alex!
I love happy endings!bihorvere 230
I so love the stories that are posted here. It just makes my day! It makes me love my own corgi boys so much more than they already are loved!
Blessings to all of you!
Love it!!
Judy and Rebecca were also the ones who rescued my corgi Izzy Blue. It was one year ago this week that my family and our other beloved corgi Yoshi made the long trek to Kentucky to get her. These women are wonderful angels for all animals who have been abused and neglected.
This is a GREAT story! Thank you for posting the story and thank you to all the people who gave love to Nate so Nate could give love to Alex.
I am new to your page and love it – I lost my little Corgi – Louie in February of this year and these stories and post make me miss him so much – heart warming story – loved it so much – I will one day have another Corgi – they are great companions!!!
I love this page – your story is heart warming – I lost my little Corgi – Louie back in February. I miss him so much – Corgi's are great little companions – I know I will have another one very soon – thanks for your post!!!
What an amazing physical/ mental change in the photos. Bless you, Corgi Nation.
Tears of joy all around.
I think Otis had a paw in helping Nate and Alex getting together.
Crying too hard to type and see clearly, oh their love is beyond any other! Thank you all for loving this dear one so he could in turn give all that locked love inside back out!!! Congrats!
We LOVE Nate!!! And…we love Alex and Rebecca too.
I have tears of joy going down my cheeks. Just seeing Nate's face reminds me of my own corgi. Other than Nate's white inbetween his eyes being smaller, they look so much a like (even the little pink and black nose and the broad white chest). I'm so glad Nate found you, Alex. What a wonderful story.
Very touching story…proof that the bond between dogs and their human parents surpasses the bond between two human beings…
Wow, a great and inspiring story indeed! I love the ending. Really, it makes me want to think that dogs are heaven sent for us humans.
Nate and Alex are just the best. Both are sweet spirited and very funny. These two deserve each other and I mean that in the most positive way ever! Rebecca Garrett is an angel on earth. She has rescued and brought so many dogs back to health and with open arms let them go. A great story!
Nate and Alex are just the best. Both are sweet spirited and very funny. These two deserve each other and I mean that in the most positive way ever! Rebecca Garrett is an angel on earth. She has rescued and brought so many dogs back to health and with open arms let them go. A great story!
Would that all such stories have such a glorious ending.
Lucky Nate, Lucky Alex! What a wonderful story!