Corgi love
6/1/2022
Orth’s second Corgi, Piper, was rehomed after being found in bad shape with her previous owner.
Stumpy legs and a full-sized body. That’s the reason Emily Orth likes her Corgi breed of dogs. The process of getting her two Corgis, Waylon and Piper, prompted her to start “Adopt A Corgi.” The Facebook group currently has more than 86,000 members and serves as a resource for current and potential Corgi owners across the U.S.
Before Orth acquired Waylon, she read three books about the Corgi breed. She knew they were herd dogs and difficult to adopt since the breed is popular, so she found a breeder with a Corgi. By the time Waylon was two years old, she was “itching” for a second dog.
“I knew I wanted to adopt. I tried to find any rescue, rehome or adoption site,” she said.
She found Piper with a rehome fee. A young woman had Piper, who was in dire shape.
“Piper lived in a kennel all day while the owner was at work,” Orth said. “After I took Piper to a vet, they said if I hadn’t gotten her, she would have passed away.”
It was because of Piper that she felt people needed more information about Corgis, which is why she started her Corgi Facebook group and Instagram page.
Emily Orth got Waylon from a breeder after she realized it is difficult to find Corgis for adoption.
The group serves as a volunteer resource site so people can ask questions about Corgis.
“I want to be accessible to people if they need help with potty training or nipping. I try to be the advocate to keeping the pets in the home,” she said. “People are unsure of the breed. They are not a cute dog to have for looks. They are a working breed and like to herd you around the house. They aren’t always family-oriented, and hyper kids can clash. Some are rehomed because a Corgi nipped at a child.”
Both Waylon and Piper got along splendidly until Orth began working at home during the pandemic.
“The dogs stopped getting along. I worked with a behavior trainer,” she said. “The trainer observed Piper and thought she had a PTSD response, thinking she might get attacked again as she had in the past with a previous dog.”
Through Adopt A Corgi, Orth partners with other Corgi groups across the U.S., looking for Corgis to be adopted or rehomed.
“It’s frustrating. In the Corgi world, there’s none up for adoption,” she said.
People also share their Corgi success stories through the group. Personal emails and texts offer updates about Corgis adopted from the site.
“It’s a great feeling,” she said. “I used to cry in the beginning because I got so excited to hear success stories. It’s validating to show what I’m here for.”
Orth works with anybody local who needs help with a Corgi. One owner whose Corgi had lost its back legs needed a wheelchair fitted for a dog. Within a few days, Orth had a service lined up for them.
Orth said owners can feel stressed when their dog acts up.
“People can feel vulnerable at a stressful time,” she said. “I love to help. It never gets old. I’m excited about helping out the breed.”
To keep up with Orth’s Corgis, follow @Waylon.Piper on Instagram. ♦
