When someone suggested I write about “Five Ways Corgis Make You Laugh,” I wanted to take the easy way out, cute — furry butts, adorable too, big ears, nosey noses, soft fur that tickles your face, an infectious grin — and it’s true that all of those things can provoke a chuckle, or at least a smile, but that’s one sentence, which hardly constitutes an article. So, here are some things my Corgis do that make me laugh.

As with any breed, there are common attributes, but then each dog has his or her own personality within the breed traits. For instance, there’s nothing cuter than a Corgi sound asleep on his back. Most Corgis sleep this way now and then, and it always brings a smile. Currently, Tegan does something else on his back that makes me laugh. When he’s chewing on a toy, he rolls onto his back, holds the toy between his front paws, and chews on the toy. This can’t be as easy as chewing right side up, yet he does it consistently.

I laugh at my Corgis plowing their way through fresh snow. Our first snowfall last November put 18 inches of fluffy white stuff in our backyard. I bundled up to break trail for the dogs, but they charged past me, plunging into the snow, completely disappearing, only to leap up and forward, disappearing again and again as they crossed the yard, like land-locked dolphins.

My Corgis also love to play ball, and they want to play even when snow covers the ground. So, instead of bouncing across the lawn, the ball instantly disappears into a snow drift, with a Corgi close behind. Watching a Corgi digging for a ball in the snow definitely brings a laugh.

I currently have two Corgis. Gael is the eight-year-old, calmer, more laid back. Tegan is just over a year old, and is full of bounce. In the evening, he has learned that I will block any attempt he makes at landing in my lap, but my husband is fair game. Without even seeming to gather himself, Tegan will leap over the arm of my husband’s chair, landing squarely in his lap. Makes me laugh every time.

I also laugh at the dogs as they play. Watching them tear around the yard, barking and snarling at each other, always brings a smile to my face. I laugh at their indoor play, too, while shaking my head in amazement. Gael bares her fangs and snarls ferociously, but those teeth never touch Tegan, who bites at her hocks, or pushes into her shoulder, half rolling on his side. It sounds like they are in the middle of a horrible fight, but it’s all in fun.

I sometimes laugh when I shouldn’t. Tegan, being the younger, is still learning what is allowed and what is not. I know I shouldn’t laugh when I’m trying to teach him something, but I can’t help it.

As an example, Tegan loves to shred paper, any kind of paper. I haven’t had a napkin on my lap since we brought him home. If I’m reading the paper, and am not careful, suddenly, like a shark attack, Corgi teeth rip away a corner. I know I shouldn’t laugh, but seeing those big, innocent brown eyes and that cute face, with a scrap of paper hanging from his jaws, I do. It’s hard to frown and say “no” in a firm voice when I’m laughing. The best I can do is try to remember to read the paper while it’s spread out on the table and even then, sometimes a corner gets over the edge, and then it’s fair game for a Corgi attack which, in turn, leads to more laughter. I am not likely to improve, so I hope Tegan outgrows his paper fetish.

Sometimes, Tegan beats me to my chair in the evening. Both dogs have access during the day but in the evening, the chair is mine. Tegan didn’t get the memo and sometimes, he jumps up into the chair before I can sit down.

When that happens, I just sit on the edge, and Tegan immediately pushes past me to get off the chair. Apparently, it’s okay for him to jump on us, but if we join him on the chair, he’s horrified, and can’t wait to get away. Then my smile is more like a satisfied smirk.

I have had Pembroke Welsh Corgis for more than 35 years, and all the dogs have brought me laughter and joy every single day.