Untitled_1519 - Lakeshore Pembroke Welsh Corgi Rescue

Date & Referral Source
State:		Date of Application:	11/28/2017	Referred by:	Friend
Contact Information
First name:		Last name:		First name 2:		Last name 2:
Address
Street:
City:			State:		Zip:
Type of Dog Wanted
Ages interested in:	0 months – 1 year (we rarely get dogs in this age group), 1 year – 3 years, 3 years – 5 years	Gender preferred:	Either a Male or a Female	Color preferred:	Any color	Activity level:	Couch Potato, Outgoing, Quiet, Playful, Energetic, Very Active, Other (Please describe in the box below.)
Other preferences:	I live in an apartment on the third floor. It is big with a long hallway for an energetic Pembroke to run down and we have access to a walled-in, secure deck outside. The only thing I worry about are the stairs since we don’t have an elevator, but if the corgi has bad knees I can always carry him or her up and down the stairs. I am a 10-minute walk from the lake and 5 minutes from a local dog park.
Dog Ownership History
Previous dog owner?	No
	Dog 1
	Dog 1 name:
	Dog description:
	How long owned?
	Where is this dog now?
	Dog 2
	Dog 2 name:
	Dog description:
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	Where is the dog now?
	Dog 3
	Dog 3 name:
	Dog description:
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	Where is dog now?
	Dog 4
	Dog 4 name:
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	Where is this dog now?
Questions Regarding Motivation for Adopting and Intentions
Who is this dog for?	This Pembroke would be for me. My name is Michelle Aldridge and I love Pembrokes! I grew up with family dogs in Michigan and now I am 30, single, and ready to have a dog in my life again! Pembrokes are energetic and would fit with my lifestyle. I also love that they look like they're always smiling and seem to be very loyal. I am a member of the Chicago Corgi Owners group on Facebook and have been researching this decision for more than 10 months. I heard about Lakeshore Corgi Rescue through the Chicago Corgi Owners Facebook group. Thank you for taking the time to consider my application.
Why do you want a Pembroke?	I grew up with an American Water Spaniel and a Visalia so dogs have always been a part of my life. I recently turned 30, have an amazing job as an education coordinator, and am financially able to own a dog on my own. I love corgis and would give lots of love and attention to my dog. I miss having a dog in my life (other than my friends' doggos who I try to dogsit and take on walks as often as possible). Pembrokes are smart, energetic dogs that are always looking for something to do. I recently joined the Chicago Corgi Owners Facebook group and have been learning a lot about Pembrokes. They are such playful, loyal, smart, and sweet pups. I also just love how Pembrokes always look like they are smiling! I've been getting lots of advice from fellow corgi owners in the area about adopting a Pembroke. It would also be great to socialize with other corgi owners in the city and it seems to be a really active group. Mainly I’m looking for my best friend to come home to at the end of the day! When I come home from work I would love to be able to walk my corgi, take them to the local dog park, bring them to the lake, and have them sleep in my bed at home with me. I’m used to having larger dogs, but my apartment requires that I adopt a dog that is only up to 50 lbs. I think Pembrokes have the spirit of bigger dogs and lots of energy, but will still feel comfy and not cramped in my apartment. We have a really long hallway that my Pembroke could run up and down. My family are big dog people so I know my parents and sister would come help out if I needed help with training the corgi or if I ever needed a puppy sitter.
Activities planned with Pembroke:	I would give my Pembroke so much love, care, food, shelter, hugs, toys, (healthy) treats, and friendship. The first thing I would do is to enroll my corgi in the PAWS Chicago Training Center so it could meet some friends and also learn the obedience skills needed to live in my apartment in Chicago. I would also want to get it trained as a therapy dog for my mild anxiety if they are able to complete the PAWS Therapy Dog Training program. I would also take them to Lincoln Park Dog and Cat clinic for a check-up and make sure the doctor gets to know my corgi’s health concerns. If my corgi doesn’t already have a name I would love to name them Tater because Pembrokes remind me of little tater tots. I would let Tater sleep in my bed and I have a walled-off, outdoor deck at my apartment so I would play with him/her on the deck. I would also take my corgi baby around the block to the local dog park and to the lake when the weather is warm so they could meet friends and play outside. Corgis have a really playful spirit and a lot of energy so I hope my future corgi would love to play outside and go on walks with me. I will probably spoil my corgi with a lot of toys because they will be like my child since I’m currently single and not getting pregnant anytime soon. I’d also take my corgi back to Michigan with me during the holidays so it could meet its cousin, my sister’s French bulldog named Simon and so it could meet his Uncle Bailey, my family’s pet Visalia. I also have two roommates who love dogs and would make sure my corgi is the center of attention and getting lots of love and healthy treats and playtime!
Aware that Pembrokes are busy, noisy dogs?	Yes
Money for basic care?	Yes
Money for unforeseen medical expenses?	Yes
Willing to house train?	Yes Willing to do formal training? Yes
Do you have a veterinarian?	Yes
Vet contact info:
Will handle mistakes Pembroke makes like this:	If my Pembroke makes a mistake I would double down on training and positive reinforcement. I believe in positive reinforcement and obedience training. For example, if my Pembroke peed in the apartment I would clean it up and then take them outside more often to get them in the habit of going outside to pee. When they pee outside I would then give them some cuddles and tell them how good they are to positively reinforce this behavior. If I needed more help then I would take them back to the PAWS training center for advice on problem areas (chewing furniture, peeing inside, etc).
Discipline:	I follow a positivity-based training program when it comes to discipline and would start with obedience training to build a relationship between my Pembroke and I. Corgis are very smart so I would focus on teaching them basic commands at first and teaching them to respect me. I would only use physical contact for praise, not punishment. I want to build my dog up instead of tearing them down. I would do all of this with the help of the PAWS training program in Chicago. In the beginning I wouldn’t use treats, but I will use petting and positive affirmations so they wouldn’t confuse behaving well with getting a treat. Eventually I would start to give them treats sometimes for fun activities like rolling over.
Where would Pembroke spend the majority of the time:	My corgi would spend a lot of the time walking, running down the hall in my apartment, playing on our outdoor deck at the apartment, playing at the dog park (5 minute walk from my apartment), walking by Lake Michigan (15 minute walk from my apartment), and sleeping on the end of my Queen sized bed. During the winter months there won’t be as many fun adventures outside since Chicago winters are brutal, but I’ll buy them little winter boots and a coat so they can still walk and play outside during the winter. Most of their time will be spent in my large, sunny apartment and playing by the lake and dog park nearby in Lakeview and Lincoln Park.
Discipline:	I follow a positivity-based training program when it comes to discipline and would start with obedience training to build a relationship between my Pembroke and I. Corgis are very smart so I would focus on teaching them basic commands at first and teaching them to respect me. I would only use physical contact for praise, not punishment. I want to build my dog up instead of tearing them down. I would do all of this with the help of the PAWS training program in Chicago. In the beginning I wouldn’t use treats, but I will use petting and positive affirmations so they wouldn’t confuse behaving well with getting a treat. Eventually I would start to give them treats sometimes for fun activities like rolling over. Where would Pembroke spend the majority of the time: My corgi would spend a lot of the time walking, running down the hall in my apartment, playing on our outdoor deck at the apartment, playing at the dog park (5 minute walk from my apartment), walking by Lake Michigan (15 minute walk from my apartment), and sleeping on the end of my Queen sized bed. During the winter months there won’t be as many fun adventures outside since Chicago winters are brutal, but I’ll buy them little winter boots and a coat so they can still walk and play outside during the winter. Most of their time will be spent in my large, sunny apartment and playing by the lake and dog park nearby in Lakeview and Lincoln Park.
House dog or outside dog?	House dog
People at home during the day?	Sometimes. I am able to work from home during some weekdays as are my roommates, but during the weekdays we won't be at the apartment as often during the afternoon. I would have a dogwalker come and make sure my Pembroke got in some afternoon exercise and cuddles.
Where would dog eat?	After chatting with some Pembroke owners in the Chicago Corgi Owners Facebook group I decided I would feed my corgi Wellness CORE Grain Free Original Formula dog food or Orijen Adult Dog. I would want healthy food so my corgi could play and be active.
Where would dog sleep:	I grew up sleeping with our family dogs on the end of my bed so I would love to have my little Pembroke sleep in bed with me. If it’s not possible then I would have a little doggy bed in my bedroom or living room for my Pembroke.
Play & exercise:	Corgis are energetic and playful, which is what I love about them. I live 5 minutes from a dog park and 15 minutes from Lake Michigan. My corgi would get a lot of walks to the lake and exercise in the park. I would also play with toys at home with my Pembroke and try to do more active things even during the winter months. I would buy little boots for my Pembroke since Chicago winters can be brutal. We also have a super long hallway in our apartment that my Pembroke would be able to run up and down chasing balls and toys.
How will you exercise your dog?	Both on leash and restrained to the yard
Fenced yard?	Yes, I have a fenced in yard.
Willing to pick up dog waste?	Yes, I will clean up after my dog.
Willing to use a crate?	I don't have a yard, but I have a walled-off, outdoor deck. The walls are 4 feet high and there are two regular doors, one to the stairs outside and one door leading back inside to the kitchen, that can be locked.
Living arrangements:	Rent/lease home
Landlord info:
May we contact your landlord?	Yes, you may contact my landlord.
Lease allow dogs:	Yes, my lease permits dogs.
Landlord permission:	Yes, my landlord is fine with me owning a Pembroke
Restrictive covenants?	No, the condo covenants do not prevent me from having a dog.
Breed/size restrictions?	Yes
Description of yard:	N/A
Household members:
Everyone in household agrees about adopting a corgi?	Yes, everyone agrees and wants to adopt a Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
May we do a home visit?	Yes, I will allow LPWCR representatives to inspect my home prior to allowing me to adopt a Pembroke.
Who will be responsible for the adopted corgi’s care?	Michelle Aldridge
Willing to train children?	Yes
Any allergies?	No one is allergic.
Current pets:
Current pets dog friendly?
Are you willing to work on it if your new dog doesn’t get along with your current pets right away?	Yes. I would again take them to PAWS and enroll them in a training program to help guide me on what to do.
Lifetime commitment to Pembroke?	Yes, I am willing to commit to this dog for the rest of its life.
Return to Lakeshore if unable to care for Pembroke?	Yes, I will only surrender my adopted corgi to LPWCR if I am unable to care for it.
Understand no guarantees?	Yes, I understand that there are no guarantees regarding the condition, health, behavior or personality of the Pembroke I adopt.
Carefully considered the pluses and minuses of adopting a pet?	Yes, I have carefully thought out my decision to adopt a Pembroke and am willing to deal with the consequences.
Personal references: