A great deal of people felt sorrow upon Queen Elizabeth II’s passing in 2022. She was adored by the public and the longest-reigning monarch in British history, having ruled for 70 years.
The late queen is now being honored with a monument that was recently unveiled, honoring her affection for her pet corgis!
The Queen’s new statue, together with her dogs
On Sunday, a 7-foot-tall bronze statue of Queen Elizabeth was unveiled in observance of the monarch’s 98th birthday.
In Oakham, England, the sculpture was made by artist Hywel Pratley and is situated close to the Oakham Library. It is Queen Elizabeth’s first ever permanent memorial.
Rutland City Council said that hundreds attended the unveiling. There was music from local school bands and bagpipers.
The most priceless feature of this new memorial is that the queen’s cherished Corgis pet is also depicted, immortalized in bronze by the monarch’s feet:
The city authority claims that local schoolchildren created the designs for the Corgi monuments.
In contrast to the many stern and imposing monuments of queens like Queen Victoria, Pratley stated he wanted the statue to portray the idea of Queen Elizabeth as “an almost motherly figure,” according to the New York Times.
During the unveiling, local dignitary Sarah Furness remarked, “What most of us remember about Queen Elizabeth is her warmth.” “We demonstrate Queen Elizabeth’s humanity by showcasing her affection for dogs.”
The statue’s creator claims that he intended it to be hospitable to onlookers. Pratley said, “We designed it with a bench you can sit on.” “And there’s a corgi you can pet, and I do believe that this will eventually become a selfie-encouraging statue.”
The Times reports that a number of Corgi owners brought their dogs to the unveiling, indicating that a large number of people have already visited the statue.
The history of Queen Elizabeth’s Corgis pet
For many years, the Queen’s corgis were an iconic aspect of her life and a solace during tough political and personal times. Fans all throughout the world were likewise pleased by the cute pets.
The first Corgi was acquired by the royal family in 1933 when Dookie, a dog owned by Elizabeth’s father and predecessor George VI (who was then the Duke of York), was brought home.
Dookie was reportedly extremely cantankerous, yet Elizabeth and him appeared to have a unique relationship.
Then, on her eighteenth birthday, the Queen received a Pembroke Welsh corgi of her own, named Susan.
Susan reportedly slipped under a rug in the royal carriage to disrupt the wedding of the Queen and her husband, Prince Philip, according to the BBC.
1959 saw Susan’s death at the age of almost fifteen. Her epitaph referred to her as “the faithful companion of the Queen,” and she was laid to rest at the royal estate of Sandringham House.
The Queen stated, “I had always feared losing her, but I am ever so thankful that her suffering was so mercifully brief.”
But Susan left quite the legacy; during the ensuing few decades, the Queen accumulated over thirty corgis, all descended from her original canine companion.
The Queen always had at least one corgi, and often had several at once, from 1933 until 2018. She traveled with the dogs in tow, and they resided in a designated “Corgi room” at Buckingham Palace with wicker beds. It is said that the Queen took care of them personally and baked them biscuits over the holiday season.
These canines undoubtedly received royal treatment and grew to represent the Queen throughout her life.
While Elizabeth valued the dogs greatly, Prince Philip apparently didn’t feel the same way. Like many others, she took great solace from the dogs, who served as a link to the simpler times in her early years due to their relationship with her late father and her upbringing.
According to Penny Junor, a royal biographer, “her corgis are hugely important to her.” Over time, they have become more intimate with her than any human has ever been. She has never been let down by the incredibly affectionate and devoted corgis.
It also makes sense that the Queen, who represents both Britain and the United Kingdom, would have a strong bond with a quintessential British dog. Wales, a member of the UK and a neighbor of England, is where corgis first originated. When corgis were adopted as royal dogs, the breed was rare in England; yet, the Queen had a major role in the globalization of the breed.
The Queen owned several “dorgis,” or corgis bred with daschshunds, in addition to purebred Pembroke Welsh Corgis.
When the corgis and dorgis appeared alongside Queen Elizabeth on the cover of Vanity Fair in 2016, they became well-known worldwide because to Annie Leibovitz’s photography. At the time, the dogs were Candy, Vulcan, Willow, and Holly.
A notable aspect of Queen Elizabeth’s reign and a significant aspect of her life were her corgis. Their inclusion in this first memorial statue of her seems so fitting.
While Walking Home from Work, I Witnessed a Man Degrading His Wife in Public, Unable to Tolerate It, I Stepped In and Gave Him a Lesson
As I made my way home after a long day at work, my mind was heavy with stress. Suddenly, a loud, angry shout broke through the usual noise of the city. In a nearby park, I saw a man shouting at his wife, who was crying. The scene was disturbing, and I felt a surge of anger. I had to intervene.
It had been one of those overwhelming days, filled with looming deadlines and my boss’s constant demands. All I wanted was to get home to my family and escape the stress. I envisioned my wife’s delicious cooking and the joyful laughter of my kids playing outside, but that was overshadowed by guilt about bringing work home.
As I approached the park, I heard the man hurl insults at his wife. She stood with her head down, clearly terrified and shaking. My heart ached for her. I couldn’t believe someone would treat their partner this way, especially in public. Just as I got closer, the man angrily knocked her purse to the ground, sending its contents everywhere while she stood there in tears.
The usual crowd of people walked by, casting disapproving glances but doing nothing to help. It was frustrating to see so many ignore the situation. When the man yelled at her to look at him, I felt my blood boil. I could no longer stand by.
I decided to call 911 but realized I needed to do more. Switching to my camera, I began recording. I captured the moment he pushed her and shouted terrible things. I moved closer to ensure I got a clear shot of both their faces. Then, I shouted at him, trying to distract him.
He turned his rage toward me, and I stood my ground, reminding him that his behavior couldn’t go unchecked. My intervention caught the attention of others, and soon, more people began recording. The man realized he was no longer alone and started to lose his bravado.
He attempted to dismiss the crowd but quickly retreated, humiliated. I rushed over to the woman and asked if she was okay. She looked up at me, tears of relief in her eyes, grateful for the support
As more people gathered, one kind woman, who happened to be a lawyer, offered her card in case the man caused any more trouble. The woman thanked her, clearly feeling hopeful for the first time. She told me she had already called the police and wanted to stay until everything was resolved.
Later that evening, as I settled at home, I felt both exhausted and exhilarated. I uploaded the video online, hoping it would encourage others to take action against abuse. The response was incredible. Within hours, it went viral, sparking conversations about domestic violence and the importance of standing up for those in need.
A few days later, I received a message from the woman I had helped. She had found the strength to leave her husband and was staying with friends. She thanked me for my intervention and mentioned seeking legal action with the help of the lawyer.
Feeling a deep sense of accomplishment, I reflected on the whole experience. My actions had not only helped one woman but also reminded everyone present of their ability to make a difference. When I shared the story with my family, they expressed admiration, and my wife hugged me tightly, proud of what I had done.
That Tuesday evening became more than just another day; it was a pivotal moment that reinforced the values of courage and compassion I wanted to instill in my children. It reminded me that even small actions can have a lasting impact on someone’s life, inspiring them to stand up for others in need.
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