How Did You Get Into Poodles?

[Michael]

I know some of us have posted a bit in the welcome wagon section, but this is a more involved question. I always think it's neat to know how people got into a breed. Whether they grew up knowing the breed, or were a later bloomer in discovering them and what brought them to loving the breed. And, with poodles, that's all the more interesting, because I think some people love poodles and clearly some make them the butt of many jokes. But, as we all know, once you've really known poodles, it's hard not to love them. So, just curious how everyone got into poodles and what you love about them.

For myself, I grew up with mostly German Shepherds and some other mixes in the country. NEVER thought I'd own a poodle, let alone a 2nd one! But life has a way of taking you down roads you didn't expect to travel. When I ended up working at a boarding kennel/grooming shop in the 80s/90s, I began to know poodles. The lady I worked for bred/showed toys and minis. At first, I just began to "accept" poodles, but as time went on, I began to appreciate them more and more. I really came to see that each dog is an individual and it makes a big difference how they are bred and raised. That the breed may have some impact, but so does the rest of it. And well, those darn poodles made me laugh, smile, cry, and every other emotion over time. And how can you not appreciate that. Poodles really are fun dogs.

But I still wasn't hooked. I still only appreciated poodles. Then came Jamie! I would let some of the puppies "help" me around the kennel in the afternoons when grooming dogs were gone and it was mostly final cleanup for the day. Jamie, her brother, and another girl we had from another litter at the time were my main helpers at this one point. Jamie's brother then got a home before long too, and it was Jamie and Sarah. I will always remember Sarah too...she was just a wonderful nutty girl! But Jamie....she became my little buddy. I liked having her help me, and she loved being my helper. Anne was planning to show Jamie, but was looking for a show home for her. She finally found one and placed Jamie. She came back for grooming every few weeks, but that was about it. Well, Jamie didn't take to the family as well as we'd all hoped, and so eventually she came back to stay. And she started being my helper again. Well, it was clear there was more there than just that.....it was like she was devoted to me, and wanted only me in her life. How humbling. So, Anne and I ended up talking it over and decided I should get Jamie and she can finish showing and then just be a pet after that. I didn't hesitate one bit....though I did know it was something new to me. She was "my" first dog....even though I'd only ever been without dogs 2 years in my whole life.....she was "mine" and mine alone. And that ended up working pretty well. Jamie will always be my sweet little girl.

But I still wasn't hooked! Yes, I loved Jamie, but I loved her, not the breed! Yet! And when I *discovered* the American Eskimo Dog in '97, I just loved this breed. I thought this was perfect. The ideal breed (for me!). And I even remember thinking...no matter how special Jamie was to me, and how much I loved her, I figured she'd be the only poodle I'd ever have. I'd probably stick with eskies from then on. Even though Jamie was incredibly dear to me all along, and even then. But, then things started to evolve.....

Having an eskie, I loved it. I still do. I think they are a wonderful breed. I am sure I'll always want one in my life. If not more! But....I also began to see more in poodles that I appreciated over time. Poodles and eskies are different, but in wonderful ways. I can't totally explain it at the moment, but well before Jamie had her seizures and had to be put down in '03, I knew she'd not be my last poodle afterall. I knew I'd miss having one in my life when she is gone. I sure wish they could live and be healthy forever sometimes! And it was abundantly clear to me when we were without her, that we needed another poodle someday. And, honestly, if I'd had my pick at the time, I'd have gone for a blue or black mini bitch. Because I so loved that in Jamie. But, again, life has a way of taking us down unexpected roads. And so, we ended up with Amber. VERY different girl than Jamie was, but Amber is so sweet and a joy in her own ways. She and Shelby actually play a lot more and Amber's more active and a real brat than Jamie was.

And in the end, I've come to love the breed more than I ever thought. I love how they indeed are creative. It's a subtle smartness though....but they are clearly smart dogs. I love the regal look of a well groomed poodle. A good specimen of the breed is absolutely stunning! I love the look of their heads. I love their lightness and true devotion. How softly human they are. Sometimes I look at Shelby and tell her "you're such a dog", and it's not something I'd say to Amber. Yet, eskies are a riot too....so agile and active and smart themselves. I find life all the more complete with both breeds around all the time. I know life would be less complete without one or the other. I love the variation and colors in poodles, and that it takes swallowing some pride to be proud to own a poodle, if you know what I mean. But I'll gladly do that, because they are a truly wonderful breed. (See, Zefi...I brag the poodles up too!)

Anyway, that's my basic story....not what I'd ever thought would happen, but I'm glad it has. My life is better because of the poodles and eskies and people I've known.

So, what's everybody else's stories?

[zefi]

Gosh. Everyone in the world knows my story. Its on my website!

I fell in love with poodles after reading Jacqueline Susanne's book 'Every Night Josephine'. She wanted a white boy and got a black girl. I wanted a black girl like Josephine and found a white boy. I took one look at that little white bundle in a pet store and fell in love.

From that day on there were no other dogs for me. Poodles. Toy poodles. I left Timmy in Greece with mom and dad when I moved to Australia and for the next 10 years I missed poodles so much I cried at times. Soon as I could (soon as I bought my own house) I went out and got my toy poodle: Scooter. And since he couldnt be alone all day I bought him a playmate: Billybear.

I joined the poodle club and I started showing for fun. I saw my first standard poodle up close and wished that one day I would have a white girl to show... the rest is history! 

[auntie c]

since michael has put the topic out here goes....

When i was a teenager i used to beg my parents at every opportunity for an Old english sheepdog, that was my dream dog, or so i thought through all those raging hormones...... and ofcourse my parents resisted my begging and pleading, which made me even more determined. so the minute I finally left home and married the first thing I bought was the OES, we didnt own a washing machine, but I finally got my beautiful Holly.... She lived until 12 wonderful years, in those years I had two children, moved house several times..... So I was so wanting a break from all the grooming. My son who was 8 at the time asked if we could get a dobie, and we were asked to take a 4 year old liver coloured boy... so the next thing I knew I was vacuuming every day, all the short sharp hair was everywhere, i even had white skirting boards at the time.... damm.... so much for the break from the grooming, i had taken up a career in vacuuming.... so when Axel was 10 years old, we moved house to a new area. I was a recently divorced, single working mum who bought an old house that I thought I needed the challenge of renovating.  I had employed a tiler to come and tile a bathroom floor for us.  After he met Axel, the dobie, he was very impressed with what a beautiful dog he was and how good the kids and I treated him......
Then after the third day he asked if i was interested in having another dog that he was trying to find a home for. A friend of his was left in a bit of a mess. The wife walked out on him and left him with 3 children under 5 and a 8 month old white standard poodle. Of course we said "HELL YES"!!!!!. Unbeknowns to the children I had put a deposit down on a standard poodle litter that was yet to be born. I had done my homework and for totally selfish reasons I wanted the most LOW MAINTENANCE DOG IN THE WORLD.... But what I didnt realize that he would become my magnificent maxwell smart, my best friend no matter what. He introduced us to many other standard poodles and the standard poodle community that we have here today.... i still miss him terribly, but am lucky enough to have rehoused yet another white standard boy that came to us from a labradoodle breeder that no longer needed his services for her two female labradors. He had fathered 2 litters that i know of before he was 10 months old...
so my story is more about how the poodles got into me!
carlene and harry who
maxwell smart and the bridge.

[Helen]

Let's see.... 

I've been allergic to dogs ever since I was a kid.  Cats too.  It's didn't stop me though.  My mom let me get a puppy from a litter when we saw a sign for "Free Puppies" on the way to church one day.  I was eleven years old.  I named that cute little brown furball, "Socrates" and I loved him to pieces.  I always thought he was a mutt, but my dad had fun telling people he was a Rhodesian Ridgeback!  (haha.. not hardly!  He was a tiny little guy).  Only recently I discovered he was actually a Border Terrier!  (I accidentally found them on the net, and they are the spitting image of my Socrates.)  Anyway, by complete accident, we'd gotten me a dog that was very good for allergies!  No wonder I never had any trouble with him. 

Well, when I was 19, I moved out of home.  I decided to leave Soc at home with my parents.  They loved him and he was happy there.  A friend gave me a teeny tiny kitten whom I named "Munchie" and Munchie was my darling for the next 14 years until he was killed on my front porch when three roving pit bulls cornered him.   Over these years I also had several other dogs.  My Afghan "Sarah" (beautiful but neurotic), various Australian Shepherds (loved them!) and a few short periods of rescuing odd dogs as I'd come across them.  I loved them all, BUT I was completely allergic to them.  I didn't even realise how MUCH it affected me.  I went through life constantly blowing my nose and itchy tearing eyes, etc.  I knew I was allergic to the dogs, and I couldn't really pet and cuddle them like I wanted to.  I'd occassionally give them some good loving and then have to go immediately wash up.  Or I'd just pet them with my foot.

I had NO interest in Poodles and said that the ONE dog I would NEVER have is a poodle.  (blush)  I thought they were silly dogs.  I was completely prejudiced against poodles.

When I left my ex-husband in 1992, I left the dogs with him.   And for the first time in my LIFE I could BREATHE!  I couldn't BELIEVE the difference that not living with cats and dogs made in my health. 

But I sure missed having a dog.  (Cats by now were out of the question.. I can't even be in the same room with them anymore, which breaks my heart).

So then I met Richard.  He was my physical therapist, and we fell in love and got married.   While we were still engaged, Richard decided he wanted a dog.  He talked to the people in the Dog Rescue organization.  He told them everything he wanted in a dog.  He wanted a loyal dog, who would be calm and dignified, and wouldn't shed everywhere, be good around strangers, etc.  The Rescue people said, "You want a Standard Poodle!"  He said, "WHAT???  I don't want a POODLE!"  But they insisted.. "Yes, you DO!" 

Richard decided to trust them, and he ended up adopting "Teddy", a five year old 70 pound White SP from Texas.  Teddy had been abused and ignored all his life.  He was terrified when he arrived.  He was VERY big.. very tall.  We were a little scared of him.  But quickly we learned that Teddy was truly a "Gentle Giant".  He bonded with Richard right away, and he was the perfect dog for Richard.   He was quiet, and absolutely loyal, and well behaved around the patients who come to our home everyday for therapy. 

When I saw how sweet Teddy was, I wanted a poodle for myself too.  But I didn't think I wanted a big one.  I imagined cuddling a little one on my lap.  So we bought "Papi" as a tiny pup from a backyard breeder.  (we knew NOTHING about breeders back then)  Papi was 8 weeks old when we got him, and he was a black Toy Poodle.  He quickly bonded to me, and he was the cutest funniest little guy.  Wherever I went in the house, Papi would race to get in front of me to lead the way, constantly looking back to make sure he was leading me in the right direction.  Prancing along like a carriage horse!  He would spin and jump and twirl around when I was getting their dinner ready.  Such a happy little guy. 

Teddy and Papi became best buddies.  Where Teddy was, Papi would go.  Papi would cuddle up to him, and climb all over him, and good natured Teddy put up with everything.  When we went on vacation and kenneled the dogs, we'd have them together in one run, because we knew they'd be miserable apart. 

Well, Teddy finally passed away about 7 years ago.  It about killed my husband.  And Papi was lost without Teddy.  He lost his happiness, and spent all his time laying on the couch.  It was the saddest thing.  

Then one of our patients got married, and she used to bring her husband with her, to wait in the living room while she had her therapy with Richard.  Her husband, an older man named "Bud", would sit for an hour on the couch and he and Papi fell in love with eachother.  Bud would pet and cuddle with Papi, and it was clear that they were completely enamoured with eachother.

In the meantime, we wanted to get more Standard Poodles.  Richard was arranging to get another white SP puppy from Wisconsin, but there was a long wait because it was summer in Arizona and much too hot to fly a puppy here.  And I'd decided I wanted an SP too, and I found Chula (3 months old) at a local breeder.  We brought Chula home.  And Papi HATED her.  He kept attacking her.  It was awful!  I felt so bad!  Finally Papi bit her pretty seriously and we knew something needed to be done.  Since Chula was the "new" dog, I felt like I SHOULD find her a new home.  But I was completely in love with her by this time!   Then I remembered Bud, and how he and Papi had bonded.  The next time Bud and Betty came to the office, we asked them if they'd like to have Papi.  They leaped at the opportunity and Papi went home with them.  I cried, but I kept in touch with them, and Papi has been living in complete happiness with Bud.  Bud adores him, and the feeling is mutual.  So it's good.

Okay.. let's see here...

Richard was waiting anxiously for the Wisconsin pup, but then we heard of another dog.  A 8 month old black SP out of California.   He cancelled the WI one, and we got "Glenn".  Glenn was huge and a real beauty.  Unfortunately, he didn't want anything to do with Richard, which just killed him.  perhaps eventually that would have changed, but my husband was still torn up over Teddy and it hurt too much to be rejected by this dog.  We gave him back to the breeder. 

Then we Rescued "Ana".... a 3 year old black SP who suffered from Addisons.   They were having trouble finding a home for a dog with health problems.  Ana was delicate and beautiful and perfect.  My hubby was in love again!   We gave her the meds she needed and figured our family was complete again.  But it turned out that Ana also had cancer.   She died within 3 weeks of coming to live with us.  OMG.. I thought my husband was going to break apart.  He'd fallen in love with her in such a short time, and it killed him to lose her.

So, another SP hunt.  This is when we went to a breeder in Prescott.  They'd told us of an older SP they had available.  But when we drove up there, "Echo" (7 months old) attached himself to Richard, and he's who we brought home!  So Chula and Echo have been our loves ever since then.  And now that Echo is gone, we have "Archie" this little maniac (almost 4 months old now) who is making us laugh with delight.

Anyhoo.... I went from being a person who would NEVER EVER have a poodle, to being a person who knows.. I will ALWAYS have a Poodle in my life.  Absolutely! 

I have NO allergic problems.  From our first SP Teddy, I discovered the love and joy in burying my face into a poodles warm coat and just breathing in their poodleness.  Plus, they are so smart, loyal, funny, and nothing short of wonderful.  I adore poodles, and I will ALWAYS have at least one poodle in my life!

[zefi]

Wow Helen... I didnt realise you'd been through so much. I remember the sp you got who hated Richard and forgot about poor Ana.

Its been really interesting hearing your stories.

[Lesly]

I was first introduced up-close-and-personal to Standard Poodles through my former boyfriend.  Tom had a 4-yr. old cream female, who adored him, yet was very affectionate with me, too.  Sadly, she became ill and crashed one Sunday morning, and despite due dilligence by the emergency vet hospital, she died.  Tom was heartbroken.

About nine weeks later, on a Sunday, Tom picked me up from work, and we drove for two hours to go look at six remaining puppies from an "oops" litter.  I don't know how we found the place in the dark, way out in the middle of nowhere, but, we did!  The place was a shack, and run down ugly!  The guy came out and went to the back to bring out the puppies.  The dam and sire were not home, he said.  The puppies were 14 wks. old, all male, and (except for the dirt) were pure white.  Unfortunately, whoever docked the tails docked them too short.  There was no saying no to Tom, he was hell-bent on bringing one home.  One little guy kept coming to me, and climbed in my lap, looked up in my face and smiled!  I was hooked, and talked Tom into bring him home.  Oh my, he smelled like a pig pen, and I couldn't wait to get him into the tub!   He rode on my lap the entire way, and was good as gold in the car.

I named him Oliver.  I swear, he must'be been born trained.  Housetrained, obedience trained, the works!  LOL  What a wonderful temperament he had, and he was stunning to look at.  His coat was snow white, and black rimmed eyes, black lips, oh, he was just perfect!  And BIG! 

Fast forward, two years later I had to leave Oliver when I left Tom.  I lasted 3 weeks before major Poodle withdrawal was so bad I ached from it.  I found, and brought home little 9 week old Madoline, or "Maddy."   She was a little spitfire!  I wondered for awhile what the heck I had gotten myself into with this little girl from hell!  LOL  Very challenging, to say the least, but when I finally "got it," our relationship became unlike anything I have ever experienced with another living creature before or since.  She is my once in a lifetime girl!  Gives me goosebumps when I actually think about how deep the bond, and the level of communication that exists between us. 

When Maddy was 16 months old, I took home a 16 month old former show dog who was in rough shape.  He was supposedly a re-home, but truly a rescue.  He had been bitten by a Brown Recluse Spider, and nearly died.  His owner left him with his "professional handler," who, I'm told, was having "mental health issues."  Bo had been crated for several months, allegedly shoved into a closet.  He was emaciated, filthy with dirt and feces and urine, his face badly stained from eye infection.  I was told he was a bad dog, that he would tear up crates and poop and pee all over.  That he was dog aggressive.  He was so gassy on the long ride home that I was the one who wanted to hang my head out the window!  He was gagging, coughing, and puking bile.  He walked stiff-legged, and clumsy.  Poor baby.  Several thousand dollars and some months later, he was on the mend.  Fed him 7 x/day with a spoon, given probiotics after a liver detox, massage, lots of attention, and lessons on how to play and have fun by Miss Maddy.  I couldn't have done it without her help.  Gone is that wary look in his eyes, and gone, too, the cool reserve.  Today, he smiles and cuddles and races with the wind, always looking my way, and running back to me to "check in," joy shining in his eyes, my bigga, bigga, hunka love!   Sigh.

Bo became my hero, along with Maddy, last year when I fell and broke my leg and ankle in the back yard.  None of the neighbors heard me, so I would have been faced with being outside all night in the cold and damp of February, until the next door neighbor came outside to leave for work the next morning, had it not been for the resourcefulness of Maddy and Bo.  My right leg - the tibia - was fractured at the neck by the knee, and my right ankle  badly broken.   My right wrist was sprained, so crawling into the house was not working.  Maddy tried, but pulling me was a struggle.  I sent her into the house for the phone.  Bo stood beside me, clearly worried.  As he looked down into my face, his eyes soulful, and nose dripping, I decided to slide my right arm over his shoulders, and told him to "go get Maddy," which prompted a wild ride into the house!  LOL  Maddy brought me the phone, and I called for help.  My heroes! 

I couldn't imagine not have a Standard Poodle in my life! 

Lesly, Poodleholic

[auntie c]

lesly

welcome to the poodleroom....

what a beautiful, soulful story....
when do we get to see pics of the magnificent poodles of yours...

carlene and harry who
australia

[zefi]

What a great story Lesly. Arent poodles the most special dogs in the world. Honestly, I just dont understand when I see people who've had a poodle in the past and who have now got another breed. I just dont get it.

Pagan was a very difficult puppy. A wild child. Not that I remember much - she's just so perfect nowdays that it seems she always was.  I'm told she was by my friends who apparently all felt sorry for me having a dog like her. Thing is, I remember she was full of energy and due to a combination of things she had 'issues' to overcome (an idiot non-doggy friend of mine literary scared the poop out of her when she was only 9 weeks old, a judge scared her when she was 6 months old, a couple of dogs she was playing with at the park attacked her - add to that my own inexperience handling a large breed...   ) She never chewed or destroyed things in the house or garden, but she wasnt an easy dog by any means. Now however she's wonderful. Always does what I say (well, unless there's something small and furry or feathered out there she wants) and is so well behaved in the house. I love my girlie. 

[Michael]

Yes, that's a beautiful story. I actually love the name Maddy for a girl dog. Glad you had the poodles steal your heart... Also looking forward to more stories and pics!

[silverdog]

Since I'm still awake and haven't yet added my story, here goes....

When I was growing up my parents had an Irish Setter named Ginger and a tiny puff ball named Coco.  Ginger was from show lines (or at least that's what we were told) but she was never more than a pet to us.  They were wonderful dogs but already in their older years by the time I was old enough to remember them.  Time moved along and I got older...  my path seemed to branch away from dogs in general.  I always loved them and often felt the urge to get my own but never seemed to have a life that allowed it.  Several years, moves, homes and jobs later that all changed.

Fast forward a few decades (ha) and I met Alena.  Her life seemed to revolve around the animals in it.  She and her mother (Julie, the owner of Alemir) worked together to breed show rabbits and horses (they, and now WE breed Warmbloods).  Show rabbits?  Who knew!??  But yes, this is a world unto itself.

The family was active in 4H and later Sanctioned showing of all sorts.... including the canine variety.  And I, being the lucky one who "joined the family" was taken along to all of these events...  Silly silly me did not realize at first what it really meant to show.  What an education!

Julie was and still is an active trainer and board member of a service dog organization in the area.  The dog that she was training at the time Alena and I met was a cream SP named (of all things) Sparky.  I can't even remember my first impression of all of this but I'm sure it wasn't the best.  I was like so many others who having never met one in person, taking poodles for granted as those "fluffy ditzy things with no more use than to prance around and look pretty".  how wrong I was!  Sparky gave me a quick education in the genius of poodles.  He's now moved on to bigger and better things, matched with a wonderful young woman who is a teacher and just happens to be in a wheelchair.  He has actually become her hands and feet and that is something amazing to see.

So the path to poodles was set and in the tradition of this great family I had fallen into, they went on to learn, study, research and love the breed.  Julie first purchased and then began to breed poodles that have spread out into the service, performance and conformation world.  And I've found that they are no longer dragging me anywhere!  I am more than willing to go and loving every minute of it.  I've also discovered that I love poodle hair!  As silly as that might seem!  I have a fascination and find great enjoyment in the entire bathing, blwing brushing and clipping process!!!  Though I must admit my first few trimming projects did NOT turn out the way I thought they would.  I guess thats why it's a good thing hair grows back!

We, their family and myself, are still relatively new to this world but the people we have met are well worth every minute of being a "newbie".  I'll be honest when I say that we have already begun to run into the "good, bad and everything in between".  I think it's all just part of the game though. So far we've taken it in stride.

I still remember the first litter I witnessed coming into this world and the many days/weeks that followed of weighing, bathing and playing.  Crazy!

Now we've settled into a life that hopefully will stretch on for awhile.  Alena and I live on the family farm in West Virginia with the horses and four dogs (one of which is the amazing Ricky who she co-owns with her mother).  Alena's grandparents live in their house across the farm (just a shout away really) and last but not least Julie, Alena's younger sister Miriya and the rest of the pack share their time between her house in Maryland and the farm.  It's a crazy life but a good one.  I've amazed myself with how much fun I've gotten out of sharing the ups and downs of showing and I thats a good thing!  Ricky is the biggest clown and sweetest thing I've ever met.  The way she looks and acts towards Alena (her true mom) is just amazing.  Yes I'm a little jealous...   You can see her thinking over problems and trying to find a way to get that thing she really wants that you just happen to be holding...

What more is there to say?  I guess the rest of the story will write itself and I will make sure to keep everyone posted as it does!

[Michael]

Good story, Terri! We, of course, love knowing that most of our experiences with poodles are "in progress...".....a process that starts, but never ends! I'm sure most of us wouldn't have it any other way. They do indeed become such special parts of our lives. As you know, I didn't think poodles were anything special until I got to know them. And now I can see why they are such a loved breed. They truly deserve the respect and admiration that many of us give them! And yes, we're looking forward to hearing about the continuing sage of poodles in your life....and the same goes for all of us....to continue to share the lifes and times with our great companions!

[poodlepower]

I am really enjoying reading everyones stories.
As a child I was raised with large guard dogs, german shepherds, Rotti's, Dobermanns, pitbulls and up until I started grooming 11 years ago I loved these breeds and didn't understand why anyone would want to own a fluffy yappy dog of any kind especially poodles.
My first boss was a poodle breeder and show judge and she was the first to introduce me to the breed I liked them a lot but still didn't think i'd own one. The next place I worked was in walking distance from home it was there I was given the responsibility of picking up a silver toy poodle named Misty on a regular basis, his owner refused to put him in the car because he scratched the leather seats on her new BMW. It didn't take long before I was in love.Out of all the dogs I worked with I found something special in this boy, over time I found out he was being confined to a concrete pen with no toys or interaction from anyone except the maid (that was only when he was fed) he was only taken out when their daughter had show and tell at school,he had never been for a walk, a swim at the beach or played a game of fetch with a ball. I made it my mission to somehow make his life better, then I got lucky 2 years after we first met his owner and family decided to move to a city apartment where no animals were allowed, I asked if I could have him and they said yes.
When I went to pick him up (he was 4years old) I was informed he was epileptic but had never been treated, I also knew he had a few rotten teeth and was quite skinny. The next day he was off to the vet a few teeth were taken out and a treatment of antibiotics prescribed we also organised to put him on medication for his epilepsy.

That was the beginning of our journey together, over the next six years he almost never left my side, he became my other dogs best mate and the two of them would come to work everyday. The first time he went to the beach was one of the most funniest days of my life, he ran around and around in circles on the sand and then plonked in the water without even caring about the waves. Due to his bad start I would have thought he would be affraid of other dogs or new experiences but he was the exact opposite he loved every dog he met and enjoyed every new experience 100% and definately gave me a new outlook on life.
Over the years his epilepsy got worse and he developed PRA we dealt with both accordingly but one day due to the combination he misjudged the back of the couch and landed flat on his back on a concrete floor doing damage to a disk, I took him to the vet where I work and they put him on medication within 3 days he was vomiting blood and he was examined and found to have a stomache ulcer caused by the medication. We treated the ulcer but was told there was nothing else safe to give him for his back. I took him home and kept him as comfortable as possible but within 2-3 months we decided it was his time to say good bye.That was 3 years ago.Within his lifetime we also got the two mini's I now have, thats when I knew I was addicted.
My partner and I both still miss him a lot a know we'll never get another the same, once our children grow up I would love to get another toy (or two). We both know poodles will always share our life but I do still have a very soft spot for the dobes and pibulls I grew up with.