The Heart Of A Giant...

Kes has been an "Only Dog" for the past 5 years, since her dad, Morgan, died. She always had other dogs around her and seemed a little lost without the companionship of another. She's been really spoiled as an only dog, and Handsome has finally started thinking about getting another male Labrador retriever. Morgan was his, and while losing him was hard for both of us, it was especially painful for him.

He's always had large dogs his whole life. Labrador retrievers, Golden retrievers and a Gordon Setter were the dogs he grew up with. I had dogs of all sizes in my life - an English cocker spaniel that came with us from England, miniature schnauzers, along with German shepherds, an old English sheepdog and a dalmation. When I moved into my apartments I also had a beagle and later, a little buff-colored cocker spaniel.

I got the idea that a small, working breed might be more fun for Kes (she'll be 13 in November), than to get a dog that would get bigger and be more boisterous than she might like. I did a little research and settled on the Welsh corgi.

Handsome was pretty much flabbergasted. "What do you want with a little dog with no legs?" I could see I was going to have to push this rock uphill, and my arguments in favor of a corgi would have to be fact-based and reasonable. We had multiple conversations about the breed and the fact that they have the personality of a big dog in a little body. We talked some more.

I contacted the manager of our favorite boarding kennel and she told me about a gal who had a litter of four boys that were around 12 weeks old and looking for homes. I contacted the breeder and asked lots of questions (over a number of days), and today we went to look at them.

You do know that you never go to see the litter until you decide you'll get a pup, right? As former breeders, we always knew that if people were coming to actually see, hold and pet the pups, they would most likely leave with one. We knew not to go until we'd made that decision.
I'd like to introduce you to Fezzik. Yup. I'd even chosen his name before I saw him. I thought about Welsh names. Bryn was a Welsh name I'd chosen all those years ago for my first female Lab. Talfryn is a male variant of Bryn, but it didn't feel right. Perhaps because I wasn't getting a Lab and he wasn't going to be a little version of my beloved Bryn. Then I thought about Chip. Too simple, and Handsome said it reminded him of a local sports personality of the same name. Scratch that!

Then it hit me. Our all-time favorite movie is The Princess Bride. If you haven't seen it, you need to rent a copy and watch it. It's great for all ages, with sly humor that adults can enjoy, too. The giant in the story is played by Andre' the Giant, and his character name wass Fezzik. He's adorable.

So, I decided that my little Pembroke Welsh corgi boy would be named Fezzik. I haven't chosen his full registered name yet. I'll take more time to work on that, but his call name will remain Fezzik. A sweet-faced mini dog with the heart of a giant. I can see that it already suits him.
Kes is all waggin' tails and snuffles. She's not quite sure that she wants to share our attention with him yet, but he's already running circles around her and barking as he tries to gain her favor. I love the fact that they share the same color coat, too. Kes, with her little dog, Fessik.
Handsome has admitted that this little guy is full of charm...and he's got a great face. Who could not fall in love with this face! (I mean Fezzik. Handsome is already spoken for!)
It was a long first day for the tiny boy. As I write this, he's sound asleep in his kennel. Freshly bathed, fed, watered and aired. (You know...let the dog out, let the dog back in, repeat.)

I don't think we'll put him to work in the studio for a while. Aside from teaching him to be a good citizen, he'll be allowed to be a puppy. I sure hope you love his face, because I can guarantee you'll be seeing more of him - and Kes - in the future.

PS. Marion, my friend - I wish you lived closer. I know how much you'd love to hold this puppy. (There's still one male left in the litter!) xoxo