Luke's On His Way

Zoey here—I’m really nervous, tonight I meet Trekker’s boy. He’s flying in for Thanksgiving and Trekker can’t wait. Trekker tells me the first thing he does is shower Luke with kisses and sits on his lap so he can reach his boy’s face better. Trekker also told me that it is his job to follow Luke all around the house and love him up every time he sits down. Trekker even says he that he sleeps with his boy when he is home. That Luke must be really special because Trekker guards Mom’s head while she sleeps every night. He’ll have to leave guarding Mom to me while he’s busy with Luke. I am up to the task. While I have the chance I’m going to try and sleep up by her head where Trekker won’t let me go.

What’s really got me worried though is whether Luke will like me. I know that I am not Shiloh, the dog he grew up with, but I’ve been trying really hard to make the family love me. I’ve been really good and I snuggle up to Mom or Grandma every chance I get. I guard the yard from quail and rabbit. I heard Grandma say that I am a real sweetie so I know that I have her heart, but can I win Luke over this weekend. I’ll sure try. I’ve got to go and make more plans because the plane is in the air and he’ll be here soon!

A Team in the Making



Grandma says they march along like little soldiers, but I compare them more to a team of horses. No matter what you compare them to, they love their walks and are always ready to go!






They are Corgi

The three years Shiloh and Trekker were together I was amazed at the differences between them. Their characteristics were unique, in no way did they look at the world the same. Now with having two dogs of the same breed I am amazed with the similarities. When stalking a quail they both lift their front paw in anticipation. They caulk their head when listening to me in the same way. After play they stretch out with one foot behind them. They even patrol the yard for wildlife with the same methodical way. But the most fun to watch is the intense laps around the house. Zoey is by far the fastest on the straight away, but Trekker has a quicker, sharper turn. Then the play becomes a close wrestling match. Groundhog, the stuff toy, is the prize. They are corgi and boy are they fun!

You'd Think We Lived in the Middle of Nowhere

What a pain!!! I want to get Zoey in an obedience class and can't find any on our side of town other than Petsmart. The closest class appears to be a 30 to 40 minute drive. There seem to be plenty of trainers that come to your home, but I want a class that has other dogs and owners as detractors. I have started with sits and downs on my own. Once we have those I'll go to stay. The question is, how important is heel? Zoey does a nice loose leash walk but has no clue what heel means. I'm just not sure until I know where I want to go with her that I need a strong heel. I sure wish that I kept the weekly lists for training from other classes that way I'd have a better than my own pacing guide. On a positive note, she is a willing and quick learner. I think she'd make a better therapy dog than Trekker. She wants to please.

Becoming Buds

The floors will never look the same.

By Sunday night Trekker wanted Zoey to pack her bags and leave. She was fun for a little romp and snuggle, but enough is enough. Trekker did not like sharing his people and wanted her out of his house. By Monday morning I began searching the internet for articles on getting two adult dogs to bond. (Not much there.) I called Cindy back in Iowa, but got no answer so I just winged it. Then this morning they decided they could share my lap and were buds. I guess Trekker decided Zoey wasn't going any place and it was nicer to just get along. As I write this the two are guarding the yard from rabbit invaders. So far three have been run off and they are looking for more. I think I can breathe a sigh of relief and just relax in a two corgi home.



Zoey feels that the lemon tree is shedding lemons just for her. 

First she collects them, then she rolls them around the patio.







Zoey Has Arrived

From strangers

Zoey is now part of the family. I picked up her up about 5:15 Friday night. Zoey decided the front seat suited her just fine for the ride home. I didn't know I could drive an hour and a half of freeway traffic one handed, but I can. I stroked and talked to her the whole way. If I stopped stroking she nudged for more. I can also say she does not care for the GPS voice and the car calling unit. I think that long ride helped the bonding process.

When we got home Rich and I introduced Trekker and Zoey in the neighbor's driveway. I then took both for a walk. When we got home we went into the backyard and hung out. All Trekker wanted to do is sniff Zoey. Neither dog showed any aggression. Zoey would explore part of the yard and then run back to me. Maybe it was all that petting and talking on the ride home seemed to anchor her to me. I sat down on the dog pillow so I was accessible to both dogs. Finally, Trekker enticed her to a little play.


Trekker is not used to heavy play and can't keep up with Zoey, but he has learned from the best. Trekker used to run lap after lap and then run to close to Shiloh. Bam! Shiloh would have him. Trekker found that same works for Zoey.

To pillow snugglers



My only problem is that we have had two accidents. We will have just been outside and Zoey waits until she comes in. Now all of our doors are closed and have moved furniture to limit her access to other rooms until she is over this. I guess everything can not be a perfect transition.





Taking Care of Everyone's Needs

As a teacher I have always known what is good for one student is not always good for another. To be the best educator I can be I need look at the needs of individual students as well as my class. So it is, as well as, with having dogs. Trekker has grown up as part of a canine-people pac, there has never been a time that he was a lone dog. I have known that since Trekker was young that he would need to be part of a dog and people family. He loves me, but Shiloh was his best friend and buddy. When the vet gave the announcement that Shiloh had probably no more than three months left, I knew that I had to do something to help both my babies. For Shiloh I had to make his last days the best I could and for Trekker it meant finding a new sibling.

The first of September I saw Darci's breeder ad. She was looking for a family home for a fifteen month little girl, Zoey. Zoey had been intended for the show ring, but she her nose was to long and she was too "lighter of bone" to be a good show dog. Hence her need for a forever home. Darci had had several people inquire and had turned down three perspective owners. We both felt that Zoey would make a perfect sister for Trekker. I explained my situation about Shiloh and told Darci that as long as Shiloh was living I would not bring home a new dog, no matter how perfect. Because the two corgis seemed to a perfect match and Darci agreed to keep Zoey until we were ready to bring her home.

When I knew that I didn't have to worry about Trekker's needs, my attention went to making Shiloh's last days the best they could be. He could no longer take walks, but Shiloh loved riding on the golf cart. Every night after dinner I took him out for his ride so that he could savor the neighborhood smells. He got treats that Trekker didn't (to fattening for Trekker.) And when Shiloh's appetite was leaving him, I treated his food with broth. On the days Shiloh could crawled up into Rich's beloved recliner, Rich gave it to him and sat on the sofa. He'd say that he didn't want to disturb Shiloh. We hope Shiloh knew how much he was loved.

Now the focus must return to Trekker. He walks the house and the yard looking for Shiloh. He wants to sleep more than play. I went and bought him new toys and they lay unused on the floor. It is evident that Trekker is mourning as much as we are. Next week I will deliver Trekker to Grandma's house before work and pick him up after, this will keep him from being home alone. Then next Friday I will pick up Zoey. Zoey will never replace Shiloh, but she will find her own nitch in each of our hearts.

Thank You

My best friend and loyal companion was called to the Rainbow Bridge this morning. It is amazing that one dog could touch so many hearts, but Shiloh did. He was loved by many. Thank you Shiloh for giving me fourteen years of love and devotion. I love you and will miss you terribly.

Trekker is a cave man. He likes to lay under furniture or in the corners of rooms where his back is protected. His favorite cave is under the desk. As we do paperwork, Trek loves to burrow down.