10/10/2026
10.5 years ago, sometime in early Spring, we added little Ivan to our lives. He was so tiny and so cute. There had actually been a mix up with him. The puppy we originally picked out in person was accidentally sold to another family. When I showed up, the breeder walked me to his pen. I looked down at Ivan and said, "That's not my puppy." After we figured out what happened, I still agreed to take Ivan. It wasn't that big of a deal to me, but I was a little upset that he didn't look like the puppy I originally picked out. Despite that, it wasn't long before Ivan did become "our puppy."
Ivan grew up with us and helped start our dog showing journey. As we progressed with AKC and learned more about the show world, we realized Ivan didn't fit the standard to go further in the show ring. In the dog show world, dogs who don't fit the standard are neutered or spayed and then rehomed to another family if the breeder cannot house their retired dogs. It's tough. It's hard being in the show and breeding world. You realistically cannot keep them all, or are forced to focus on the dogs who excel, and that's where rehoming to loving families is important for balancing that lifestyle. We didn't rush when rehoming Ivan. We didn't seek out a new home. He lived with us for the majority of his life. We waited until the right people came into our lives. That's when Deborah and Brian showed up. They were looking for a calmer companion. One that was already well socialized, had a known health history, and well experienced in every day life. One that didn't require a whole lot of care compared to an energetic dog in its prime. Ivan was the perfect fit for them and he was rehomed to his forever family with Deborah and Brian in October 2022.
At our home, Ivan was definitely loved. He shared a house with many other dogs and cats. Some of our fondest memories was him jumping, and I mean absolutely bailing, out of a camper into our arms repeatedly. We still have the video somewhere. Other times we'd place him outside to go potty and we he would always disappear, only for us to find him digging in the fire pit ash. Always. But rehoming Ivan meant he would have his own life again. A world that revolved only around him in his senior years. That's exactly what his new owners did. They spoiled him so much, as they should've.
We were lucky to still be involved in Ivans life, often seeing him at the boarding kennel. We eventually rehomed another corgi, Melon, his daughter, to the same family. She joined Ivan and he got to live out the rest of his life with another companion from our home. Although we're no longer breeders or involved in showing, what more could we ask for out of rehoming dogs we deeply cared for?
Ivan crossed the rainbow bridge today with love from his original vet, Dr. Tricia. Having experienced the veterinary field and hundreds of passings, many alongside Dr. Tricia, I find peace in euthanasia, not sadness. Euthanasia is special because, although pain is part of growing old, euthanasia gives us a choice to end pain in God's most precious creations in a comfortable way. Ivan did not have to experience the increase in pain that was on the horizon. He did not have to experience suffering to a degree of losing his dignity.
We will miss Ivan so much. 🌈🐾
You were always meant to be our puppy, Ivan.
