When Virginia Beach resident Karen Parsons heard a new Corgi-themed restaurant was open in Williamsburg, she knew she needed to make a date out of it.
That’s when Parsons, the owner of a young Corgi named Séamus, sent out an invitation to her fellow Corgi-lovers on Facebook.
On Sunday afternoon, five Corgis of varying ages and personalities traveled with their owners to Toby’s Dog House on Jamestown Road. The hot dog joint, which opened May 8, serves over a dozen different hot dogs, all named after various dog breeds.
Sunday was a first for both Parsons and Toby’s: Parsons hasn’t organized a Corgi party before, and Toby’s has not hosted one either.
From conversations about Corgi Halloween costumes and dog parks, to universities and cancer treatments, the Corgi owners used the afternoon to find common ground.
“All of us like to have Corgi groups and get-togethers,” James City County resident Nancy Geddes said. Geddes owns two Corgis named Flier and Linus.
Judith Williams, of Williamsburg, came with her two service Corgis, Henry VIII and Sir Chesterfield. Williams, as well as the other dog owners, shared stories about their lives with the Corgis.
“When you get a Corgi, you’ll never go to the bathroom alone again,” Williams said. “And you’ll never take a shower alone, either.”
Most of the Corgis were from the Historic Triangle area, but some – like Parsons and Séamus – came from farther away.
There are Corgi meetups across the country, but Parsons said she wanted to invite people to meet at Toby’s to make new friends.
The fact Toby’s is open on Sundays was a major selling point for Parsons, she said.
“I usually work Saturdays, so I can’t go to the Corgi meetups in Virginia Beach because they’re usually on those days,” she said.
Before leaving on an errand, Toby’s owner Glenn Helseth came out to greet the each of the dogs individually.
Glenn and Debi Helseth said they are making arrangements at the restaurant to encourage more dog-friendly events. The restaurant is named after the couple’s late Corgi, Toby.
“We’re getting the outside back porch ready for all our furry friends,” Debi Helseth said.
Helseth added that she and her husband were not aware Parsons had planned the gathering, but happily welcomed the dogs. The couple keeps a large glass jar of Milk-Bone dog treats next to the cash register, just in case hungry canines drop by.
Sunday may have been the first Corgi party at Toby’s, but it certainly won’t be the last. Next weekend, some Corgi owners are planning another party at Toby’s, this time to surprise a fellow Corgi-lover and her boyfriend, Parsons said.
“That one may be even bigger,” Parsons said.
Fearing may be reached at [email protected].
