Mike Wolanin | The Republic Amy Laker poses for a photo with her corgi named Moon at the Heritage Fund building in downtown Columbus, Ind., Thursday, July 24, 2025. Moon is Heritage Fund’s “office co-org-i-nator.
Moon, the Bartholomew County Heritage Fund corgi, is known by many titles: the “office co-org-i-nator,” head of security, head of “barketing” and emotional support for employees and donors alike. Some just prefer to use her nickname, “moonie” or “moon pie.”
Amy Laker, communications director, began her casual search for a puppy in 2021. At the time, she was not searching for an office companion. Kristin Munn, vice president of operations and development, sent her listing upon listing of pups, just for Laker to find fault with each of them. Long after Munn had given up, Laker finally found her match.
A small Pembroke Welsh corgi with “bluey” coloring captured her heart. Laker sent the listing picture to her sister, who called the pup “once in a bluey moon,” and the name stuck.
Laker adopted Moon and has brought her to work every day since then. The two have never spent a day apart, Laker said.
Moon now spends her weekdays in the office with Laker as a mascot for the Heritage Fund. Her schedule has remained unchanged in the past four years.
“She’s very schedule-oriented,” Laker said. “Which works, thankfully, because I am too.”
In the mornings, Moon enjoys a walk to the office from her downtown home, surveying local businesses and keeping an eye on any suspicious geese who may be lurking nearby.
She often tries to pull Laker into Viewpoint Books to start the day off right, with a treat. When the weather is too warm for a walk to work, the pair commutes. Moon enjoys “cruising” in her car seat and the wind blowing through her fur, Laker said.
The morning is not complete without seeing a friend or two on the way to work.
“There’s not a day that goes by that she’s not recognized by someone,” Laker said. “She’s a hidden gem of the community.”
At the office, she makes her initial rounds to check on other employees, making sure everyone is at their desks before starting her work day of lounging around the office, waiting for someone to give her a scratch behind the ears. Moon is often visited by her favorite UPS delivery man, Kevin, who always offers her treats.
A large part of Moon’s role is offering support for employees and donors. Employees can sometimes be found offering Moon a treat for her time or showering her with affection. For donors who come into the office to set up funds in remembrance of a loved one, Moon will often station herself at their side through the often emotional conversation and offer her silent support, Laker said.
On other afternoons, if employees are in office meetings, Moon demands to be allowed into the conference room with a bark. Or, Moon will lounge near the office’s old marble fireplaces like the regent she is.
“If corgis are good enough for the Queen, why not the Heritage Fund?” Laker said.
If Moon is feeling adventurous, she and Laker will take a walk around the downtown area. Laker often stops to get a picture or two for Moon’s Instagram page, MoonwalkingColumbus. The pair has been pictured exploring Exhibit Columbus installations, supervising construction or visiting local businesses.
After a long day of rest and relaxation, Moon is reluctant to leave the office. Laker often has to chase her around the office and coerce her to leave — maybe bribing her with a cod skin treat or two. Moon often doesn’t make it far, having to stop to say goodbye to the adjacent courtyard before the pair can finally begin their trek home.
A short walk later, the pair arrives home to an evening of relaxation on the balcony of their apartment, taking in the sights and sounds of the downtown that Moon loves so much.
“She aligns with the mission of the Heritage Fund really well,” Laker said. “One of our areas of impact is downtown vitality, and she’s very community-minded.”
Outside of work, Laker and Moon are inseparable, whether grocery shopping on the weekends or strolling downtown. Laker said that although she has worked at the Heritage Fund for over 12 years, she doesn’t remember a day without Moon.
“I would be so lost without her,” Laker said. “The Heritage Fund is a special place to work and she just makes it extra special. She’s a part of us and she knows it.”
