I knew I wanted a Corgi, and it was just a matter of when. So I called up breederPat Buerger at Hickorybrook in Chalfont, Pennsylvania, to see if she had dogs for rescue. Pat had been recommended to me by my cousin, Marie Wilson, who'd raised a few litters herself, had worked with Pat, and raved about her.

I made arrangements to meet a dog of adoptable age--about a year and a half. Then Pat, a responsible sort, called my cousin to screen me a little and that's when Pat realized that she had a dog up for Rescue who was actually a cousin of mine.

Jake had been born eight years earlier to my cousin's bitch Hershey and one of Pat's stud dogs. Pat got pick of the litter and a sable dog whom my cousin's kids called Spanky. Pat sold Spanky to a family that named him Jake, but he was returned to her 8 years later. They gave him back to Pat, and he spent weeks waiting in her kennels. Eight years old, obese, with breath like a dead rat and a serious barking habit, Jake was not the most adoptable dog on earth. However, when Pat said, "By the way, I believe I have another dog here who's a family member of yours, IF you want to see him," and Marie said, "Uh, I don't want to pressure you or anything, but I have his baby pictures," I couldn't say no.

Cousin Jake has slimmed down nicely, and enjoys city living here inPhiladelphia. His mom, meanwhile, has moved to Pike's Peak and become a Mountain Dog. We all stay in touch, though. It's nice to know that my family watches out for each other.

Story by: Zeccar@aol.com