Puff the Magic Corgi

My young cousin Piper calls her "Puff" as in Koko Puff. When he calls to her, he bellows, "PUFF!!" so I like to call her "Puff the Magic Corgi" for a myriad of reasons: Koko is a funny, sweet, super smart dog. She always has a glint of mischief in her eye, and talks in a variety of whuffs. Koko is such a character that she deserves her own post. :)

She's a mix of Corgi and chocolate lab. Her personality, intelligence and bright blue eyes are cattle dog through and through, but the lab comes through as evidenced by her color and the star splashed on her chest. The amused look on her face is typical Koko.

Ms. Snuffle-whuffle-Uffagus. As a cattle dog, she enjoys an ongoing conversation all day. If she wants to be petted and feels ignored, like when I'm working, she gives a single low, "Whuff". Continuing to ignore her makes her wag her tail and give loud, short, playful barks. But if she's nervous and wants reassurance and I'm ignoring her, she'll put a paw on my arm and whuff .

When she's content, she gives a sinus-y snuffle.

Typical daily conversation includes, "Koko, no chasing Benny. Benny's not your cow. No Benny". "Koko, be quiet. No barking at the TV." There is, of course, lots of "Good girl, Koko." with ear rubs and illegal treats.

And sometimes she thinks she's a cat.

Typical Corgi, she has the long, heavy waggy tail, upright ears, short legs and cute bunny butt. She sits regally with her chin up, and she sploots. She's also a quick learner, and especially quick to figure out how to get out of following directions.

The famous Corgi sploot:

Bunny butt!

Short Chicks Rule! I really hate it when she takes advantage of my lack of height! When I pick up my keys, she runs to my car, even if I explain I'm not going away, but just moving my car out of the driveway (or back into the driveway). Once when I reparked, I got out and called her, but she leaned back in the passenger seat and basically raised an eyebrow. "Really? Seriously?" Yes, Koko, really. I did say I was just moving the car. Since I'm too short to lean across the seat and pick her up, I walked around to the passenger side, Koko watching me. As I opened her door, she leapt to the driver's side and leaned into that door. So I walked back. Again she eyed me disapprovingly, and hopped into the opposite seat. We did this once more. She finally hopped out when I growled at her and pointed to the ground next to me.

I think it's our lack of height that's kind of created a bond between us; her mom is an Amazonian 5'11", and her son Piper is 6' 1".

Sign Language. Another time, she was sitting on a comfy chair and I was on the couch. I called her over to sit with me,and she wouldn't come. This is a little unusual in that she's such a cuddle bug! So I called a couple times, and she still wouldn't come over. Then I threw my arms around myself in the universal sign for a hug, and she leapt right over! Ha! Clever girl. That's a sign I'd never given her (or anyone else) before, but she got the message loud and clear.

Potty trained. She also has the vocabulary of a sailor. She absolutely understands cuss words. I know this because when I drop my phone and mutter an F bomb under my breath, she looks alarmed. Or if I burn something while cooking and let out the S word, she comes trotting in, looking very concerned. Smart girl!! I've never seen a dog react to a potty mouth!

Koko has inspired me to get a Corgi mix at some point. They're just too much fun.

Pics!

Koko likes to steal Piper's stuffed animals.

For all her moxie and bluster, guess who's afraid of thunder?

She has the cutest curl in her tail.

Fastest tail on the East Coast.