Sheldon and Penny, Corgi Twins
“‘We call them our twins because we were literally up all night with crying puppies, potty training, teething, feeding and playing,’ she says. ‘Sheldon is your typical boy dog, meaning he’s all about playing. He’s loud and obnoxious and rough. Penny has a sweet demeanor. She’s loving, gives kisses and loves to snuggle.’”
Amy and Aaron Podell have two Corgis who are brother and sister. Their names are Sheldon and Penny, inspired by the couple’s favorite TV show, The Big Bang Theory.
“We call them our twins because we were literally up all night with crying puppies, potty training, teething, feeding and playing,” she says. “Sheldon is your typical boy dog, meaning he’s all about playing. He’s loud and obnoxious and rough. Penny has a sweet demeanor. She’s loving, gives kisses and loves to snuggle.”
Amy with the Corgi twins!
Amy and Aaron with the Corgi twins.
Being a cat person most of her life, Amy didn’t expect to be such a passionate dog mama. When she met Aaron, she learned he had an extreme cat allergy. Co-owning cats was out of the question for the couple.
“Fast forward to us trying to start a family and the difficulties we encountered, including multiple miscarriages,” she says. “When I was at my lowest point, my husband surprised me with my first Corgi, Rupert. He knew I needed help with my depression.”
Amy had an undeniable maternal need to love and care for a child; meeting Rupert was like a light switch going off.
“The depression was gone and I felt like myself again,” Amy explains. “He filled that void. Shortly after and, to our surprise, we became pregnant with our son Harrison.”
When Rupert passed away many years later, Amy was devastated. She never knew how a dog could bring them so much joy and love.
“They truly are an extension of a family. That’s when my husband, being the awesome man that he is, surprised me with Sheldon and Penny,” she says. “I’d lost my first love, Rupert, and knew I had to be a Corgi mama again. I am so grateful for them and for my amazing husband and son.”
Dog Whisperer HQ: What are your Corgis’ favorite activities?
Amy: Our Corgis’ favorite activities are playing fetch and snuggling mama on the couch EVERY night. We can’t even say the word “play” around them or they’ll go crazy. We actually have to spell it. Even then I think they know what it means!
DW: What are their favorite snacks and foods?
A: They literally love to eat anything! However, if I had to choose, I’d say peanut butter and apples.
DW: How have your corgis grown (physically and personality-wise) since you got them?
A: Though they’re from the same litter, Sheldon is larger, around 35 pounds. Penny is a petite Corgi and about 29 pounds. Sheldon was always a large Corgi, though. He was actually the largest in his litter. Penny was a crazy puppy and very hyper. She’s mellowed out over the years.
It was definitely a handful to raise the twins. We were exhausted and took turns caring and playing with them. We tried crate training and eventually succeeded in getting them to sleep in it. Looking back though, I wouldn’t change a thing. We both work full-time and I’m grateful the twins have each other.
DW: Do you have any cute or touching stories to share about the corgis?
A: When the twins were four months old, we went to our first SoCal Corgi Beach Day in Huntington Beach. They were such an attraction that they made the local newspaper! That’s actually why I created their Instagram account. The rest is history.
One last fun story. Sheldon is a celebrity! He was selected last year as the Corgi for Hill’s Science Diet small bites dog food. I’m blown away even to this day when I walk into the pet store and see his adorable face on the shelf. Proud mama!
Sheldon being famous.
Check out the Corgi Twins’ Instagram @sheldonandpennycorgitwins.
