The Cuteness of Corg (Resistance was Futile)


Figures, I thought, staring at the door. He’d use my love of anime to get me to face up to my worst fear. “Well, let’s get this over with,” I said.

Eric attempted to rope in his giddiness, but his glee came out in his voice. “I swear we’ll leave if you get too uncomfortable. It’s not like we’re getting a dog today. What’re the chances there’s a corgi here?” He held the door open for me to walk into the dog rescue center.


When we first started dating, I thought the differences in our religions would be one of the hardest obstacles to overcome. Nope. Eric was a dog lover. A raised-one-from-a-pup, had-wholesome-adventures-together, hard-core, unabashed dog lover.

Me? Well, a neighbor dog jumped on me when I was 4. I knew now that the face licking meant he was happy to see me, not taking a taste test. But you couldn’t tell 4-year-old me that. Since then, I had a hard time not running in the other direction, screaming as if Cerberus himself were about to drag me into the netherworld, if I saw so much as a chihuahua.  

But Eric was persistent. I got to be comfortable with a dog walking on the same street as me. When I said the dog on the anime Cowboy Bebop looked cute, he claimed victory, researching that type of dog and extolling their virtues with all the zeal of an infomercial spokesman.


I walked through the doors, ready to bolt if it became too much. And there, in a cage right in front of me was a tiny corgi pup, shivering next to a St. Bernard. The attendant put her on my lap, we both looked at each other and stopped shaking.

“We are not leaving here without her,” I said.

“What are we naming her?” Eric grinned.

“Faye Valentine, like the anime.”


This was my Faye. We had twelve really great years together. 
Thanks for making a dog lover, sweet girl.



Liner Notes for this Groove: This non-fiction prose piece was created for Pantry of Prose over at Poets United.

32 comments:

  1. A charming reminiscence! You and Queen Elizabeth, both corgi lovers.

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    1. My current dog Kit thinks he is royalty. :D

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  2. Oh, what a sweet story, and what a sweetheart she was. I love the moment when you both stopped shaking.

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    1. I still have such vivid memories of that moment. What a sweet little ball of fluff she was. And what a valiant dog she grew up to be.

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  3. I shouldn't laugh at the thought of you running from a chihuahua. That is not very friendly of me. Not when those little dogs can be such beasts, when they smell fear (or food).

    You know, people might say that it's silly to suggest that love can kick fear in the teeth, they can even make gag noises at the thought. But it's still true--we do many brave things, when those we love stand with us... We can even love a furry ball that refuses to walk unless there is snow near (and, in this case, by "we" I mean "you"). I wonder if Kit, sends little thank you prayers to Faye.

    The bit when you both stopped shaking is just perfect.

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    1. I had to navigate around a chichuachua and two Scottie dogs during the very brief time I was in public school and I was completely petrified by it.I jumped more than once at their "yap yap yap yap yap yap yap yap yap yap yap". I hated changing schools, but I was relieved to never have to go past them again.

      LOL, I'd like to believe that Kit does talk to Faye, and Eric's Muffin too.

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  4. Now, that was very sweet indeed. The end definitely has a lovely beginning :)

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  5. This is a great story, Rommy, human, canine, and full of warmth. I was afraid of dogs after my grandma’s bit me when I was little, but I managed to get over it when I fell in love with a runt of the litter Rottweiler and was heartbroken when he was stolen. I’m first and foremost a cat person but I love dogs too.

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    1. I am so sorry he was stolen from you! I'd have been heartbroken if that happened to either of my furry goofs.

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  6. Wonderful story. I do understand how childhood experiences can influence a person's fears. I am glad that Eric was patiently persistent and that you eventually found Faye who showed you what dog love could be like. I have a granddaughter who likes Corgis too, but we seldom see them around.

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    1. He was very, very patient. But I am so glad he was. It broke my heart when Faye died, but I wouldn't trade the 12 wonderful years we had for anything.

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  7. What a lovely story! And somewhat like my own: terrified as a small child by being greeted affectionately by a neighbour's greyhound which seemed very big to me then, and scared of all dogs ever since – until the first dog to win my heart years later. First of many! The funny thing is, I now prefer really big dogs.

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    1. I've learned to appreciate great big dogs too now, though our townhouse is better suited to medium sized dogs.

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  8. This is such a heartwarming story, Rommy!❤️ To be honest I am really afraid of dogs whereas my sister on the other hand adores them. We have been debating whether or not to get one for years! The part where you both stopped shaking moved me to tears!❤️

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    1. It is tough when you are scared! But there are sweet and gentle dogs out there. I'm sure you'll find a good pupper who can love you through it.:)

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  9. I love this.. I also had fear of dogs as a kid... I remember the boxer my piano teacher had, but she also had a lot of comic books, and it ended up with me and the dog reading comics together.

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    1. Any story that ends with a love of dogs and comics is an awesome one in my book.

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  10. What a great story about fear and relationships, how they are formed and how they strengthen us. Guess I may have read too much into the story, but I loved it.

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    1. I think you read exactly the right sort of things into it. :)

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  11. Love this! (Currently campaigning for a family corgi as well...) When you met Faye I wanted to cheer. :)

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    1. Woot! Good luck in your corgi campaign, They are stubborn little floofs, but so worth having.

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  12. What a wonderful story Rommy! I can only imagine the hold that kind of attack on a young child could truly have! The ending made me so happy! I love Faye Valentine!!

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    1. She was the sweetest little thing. I'm so glad I had her in my life.

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  13. Ah, beautiful! Both a heartwarming and romantic story. Faye Valentine is such a fitting name; a heroine that helped you overcome your fears.

    Each time I read about your Faye, I realise I miss having pets. Probably have to do something about it...*sigh*

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    1. LOL, pets are work, but they are a wonderful addition to a home. And yes, she was my hero, right up to the end.

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  14. Oh, this is so sweet. You just needed the right dog to own your heart, and you found her. My husband's grandmother's name was Violet Valentine.

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    1. It was kind of magic we found each other. :) And I love your grandmother-in-law's name.

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  15. Yep...once you look into those trusting, hopeful eyes there is no going back (and dogs are pretty cute too :D )XXX

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