Diva’s Daring Adventures: The Heart of a Champion!

Like any Corgi, Diva loves her food. She is the queen of the house, keeping Mary, the other Corgi in the house, and Xavier and LB, the feline members of the family, in line. She believes everything should be in its place, and if it isn’t, she will bark it into submission!

When Diva competes she’s focused, but also a bit of a ham. At one agility trial she ran up the A-frame (which was off-course). When Deb called her down she refused and stayed at the top, barking at Deb as if blaming her for the off-course move! Turns out Diva is aptly named!

But things change. In December, her Mum Deb noticed she wasn’t eating well (What? A Corgi not eating well?) and slowing down. Thus began a journey to find out what was wrong. Diva was first diagnosed with a bacterial infection and given antibiotics. When she didn’t improve, she was given a different medication.

After another week, she really began to go downhill. Deb took her to the e-vet and they determined something was really wrong; her heart rhythm was irregular and she was clearly very ill. Deb needed to get Diva to Iowa State University to see a cardiologist, and fast. But before she could make that trip they had to stabilize her heart rhythm.

Once Diva was stabilized, she made the trip to ISU. She was immediately admitted to the ICU, where the vets were deeply concerned for her survival. Diva is a fighter, but she was very, very sick. Deb didn’t know, from day to day, if her beloved girl would pull through or not. 

She could only visit her in the “Quiet Room” there.

Diva was in ICU for a week. Then Deb came one morning and was told that Diva had improved dramatically overnight, but they had no explanation why. Oddly enough, it was the morning after her dam crossed the Bridge. I’d like to think that her dam gave Diva strength to keep fighting — like any mother would.

Diva is home and on crate rest for a month. No running, no agility, no obedience. She is taking three different antibiotics and two heart pills. Turns out, she had a bacterial infection that caused an inflammation of the heart. Part of her left ventricle was damaged and they are working with meds to improve that. They still aren’t sure what caused this. She goes back for a re-check at the end of February.

Diva’s Mum Deb is one amazing lady in the Corgi Nation and I would bet that many don’t know her. She is a foster home for Lakeshore Corgi Rescue, Corgi Connection of Kansas, and the all-breed Midwest Dog Rescue Network. Since 2007, she has fostered over 50 Corgis. She does home visits. She arranges transport. She transports. She is a resource for people who discover a Corgi in need of rescue. Deb has a genuine heart of gold.

As you might imagine, the ongoing medical bills for Diva are astronomical. Deb’s trainer and another friend decided they wanted to help and started Dollars for Diva. And people have called and emailed their support. People she doesn’t even know have donated. THIS is what the Corgi Nation is all about!

Deb doesn’t know if Diva will ever run agility again. And that breaks her heart, because Diva loves to run and can’t understand why her life has changed so much. There’s hope, if they can heal the damage to her left ventricle.

If you would like to help pay for Diva’s care, there is a You Caring site set up HERE. If you can’t donate, prayers are welcome. Let’s get Diva well so she can once again run like the wind for which she’s named!


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Here’s what all those letters after Diva’s name stand for:

Obedience:

CGC (Canine Good Companion) AKCCD (Companion Dog) AKC
PCD (Pre-Companion Dog) AKC
BN (Beginner Novice) AKC
RN (Rally Novice) AKC
UR-01 (Rally Obedience 1) UKC

Agility:

NA (Novice Agility) AKCOAJ (Open Agility Jumper) AKC
NF (Novice Fast) AKC
CL-1 (Complete all parts of Level 1) CPE (Stands for Canine Performance Events)
CL-2 (Complete all parts of Level 2) CPE
CL-3HF (Complete Handle and Fun parts of Level 3)