I have 3 standard poodles, 2 females and 1 dog, that I adore. They are my lifeline even though they are a huge responsibility. But maybe that's one of the reasons why they are such a lifeline. We need, I believe, responsibility. Without my care and nurture they would not be looked after. They give me a focus that I need and they offer me unconditional love.
Do you love dogs, like them, indifferent to them or really dislike them? I purposefully haven't added 'hate' to the list as I don't understand the word at all.
If you're not a dog lover I wonder why that is? Is it the attention they need? Are you afraid of responsibility for an animal that would find it difficult to survive without human intervention? Is it the extra mess that means dust and hair to clean up (poodles don't shed hair)? Is it the noise they make? The smell? - wet dog smell, doggy breath, other disgusting smells that dogs don't hold in!
I guess there could be all kind of reasons and I'd be really interested to know since I cannot imagine life without loving dogs or, indeed, most animals. To me, they are God's creatures that we should care for (and whilst I state 'God' I don't necessarily mean the Christian God but a spiritual being).
You see I just don't understand people not liking dogs. I become so emotionally attached to them that I suffer heartache if one of them is poorly or when the end of their life arrives. But I also experience tremendous joy from some of the things they do. Yes, sometimes I find I'm stressed by some of their actions but that really is because I've not taken the time to train them and be consistent with how I am with them and not firm enough maybe with how other people treat them. Puppies are so adorable when they jump up at you but a big dog is not! But of course as puppies they have learnt by jumping up we pet them so that of course is why they continue to do so when older.
I don't totally agree with the phrase 'there is no such thing as a bad dog, only a bad owner' since some illnesses may create aggression. But in the main the saying is correct.
So, having rambled on and on let me introduce me to my poodles:
Willow is just over 4 years old and I have had her since she was 10 months old. She is white (I get reminded of this when she is bathed since muddy dog syndrome and dusty dog syndrome often disguise this fact) and is the matriarch of the three, often keeping the two younger poodles in check. She had her first litter of puppies last year, in 2010, and will probably have a second litter next year. I cried every time a puppy left for his or her new home but that's another story. Yes, I really do get attached to my dogs. Willow follows me everywhere throughout the house, every single time I move. I really like that but can understand that many people would find it irritating. The only time I don't like it is if I accidentally tread on her or trip over. I so often start to do something so my movement triggers her to follow me, then I'll remember I could be time efficient by doing another action and halving my 'journey'. And when this happens (most of the time!) I'm quicker than the dog or dogs following me and end up tripping over them. I'm sure that Willow thinks I am her pet and she is responsible for ME. Outside of the home, however, on our daily walks, once off the lead and is pursuit of interesting smells she ignores me until SHE is ready to come back. Hmmmmm, some training needed methinks.
Floyd is my boy. He is pale apricot in colour and is 2 years old. At just 10 months old he fathered Willow's litter! So he is a dog daddy to 8 gorgeous 1 year old poodles. But he has no idea whatsoever about it. He was totally uninterested with his offspring when they were small puppies - no good to play with, not bothered with any care or nurture and no good for what 'complete' dogs are otherwise keen to do! Floyd is, bless him, a little, how shall I put it tactfully, unintelligent. Now let me tell you, if you don't know already, that contrary to popular belief poodles are extremely intelligent dogs and they are also hunters. Much as they are beautiful movers and pretty dogs they truly are DOGs with natural doggy instincts. Floyd tries to be macho but he resides at the bottom of the pack being told off and 'put in his place' by the girlies, mainly Miss Willow. He is real scaredy-cat (even though he's a dog you understand) and will bark at people and other dogs occasionally because of his fear. More about Floyd another time.
My third, and probably prettiest, poodle is Lola - yes she thinks she is a showgirl! Lola is litter sister to Floyd and came to live with us approximately 3 weeks after her brother arrived. Oh dear, I decided to drop in and visit Floyd's brothers and sisters having drunk a number of cups of tea. I am very susceptible to caffeine (and more about THAT another time) - it makes me massively hyperactive - and was offered Lola to foster until she was sold and I just took her home. Needless to say, because of the way I am with animals, I fell in love with her before 2 days had passed and the fostering continues after almost two years. This is called permanent fostering I guess! Lola is the naughty poodle but also the comedian of the pack. I'll elucidate some other time. Oh, I forgot to say - Lola is blue. She was born looking quite black but not as black as the black puppies (confused yet???) but is turning a slate grey colour, very pretty. When her face is shaven the 'black eyeliner' is very noticeable (noooooooo, I don't put makeup on her face, the eyeliner is natural black hairs around the eyes, very striking). Lola is also the clever one of the three.
Enough of the introduction: there is much much more to say about my 3 poodles but hey there are plenty more blogs to write I'm sure.
All three are lying very close whilst I have been writing this blog. Floyd is lying over my feet and the 2 girls are just a paw's breadth away from him.
When I'm sad they comfort me because they respond to cuddles and tears. It's so wonderful that they want to be close to me. And if I'm feeling energetic they'll respond to that also. In fact they respond to any of my moods and would follow me anywhere. For me and my personality that's just the most fabulous thing ever.
And here's the funny thing - I thought I was a 'cat person'!
Do you love dogs, like them, indifferent to them or really dislike them? I purposefully haven't added 'hate' to the list as I don't understand the word at all.
If you're not a dog lover I wonder why that is? Is it the attention they need? Are you afraid of responsibility for an animal that would find it difficult to survive without human intervention? Is it the extra mess that means dust and hair to clean up (poodles don't shed hair)? Is it the noise they make? The smell? - wet dog smell, doggy breath, other disgusting smells that dogs don't hold in!
I guess there could be all kind of reasons and I'd be really interested to know since I cannot imagine life without loving dogs or, indeed, most animals. To me, they are God's creatures that we should care for (and whilst I state 'God' I don't necessarily mean the Christian God but a spiritual being).
You see I just don't understand people not liking dogs. I become so emotionally attached to them that I suffer heartache if one of them is poorly or when the end of their life arrives. But I also experience tremendous joy from some of the things they do. Yes, sometimes I find I'm stressed by some of their actions but that really is because I've not taken the time to train them and be consistent with how I am with them and not firm enough maybe with how other people treat them. Puppies are so adorable when they jump up at you but a big dog is not! But of course as puppies they have learnt by jumping up we pet them so that of course is why they continue to do so when older.
I don't totally agree with the phrase 'there is no such thing as a bad dog, only a bad owner' since some illnesses may create aggression. But in the main the saying is correct.
So, having rambled on and on let me introduce me to my poodles:
Willow is just over 4 years old and I have had her since she was 10 months old. She is white (I get reminded of this when she is bathed since muddy dog syndrome and dusty dog syndrome often disguise this fact) and is the matriarch of the three, often keeping the two younger poodles in check. She had her first litter of puppies last year, in 2010, and will probably have a second litter next year. I cried every time a puppy left for his or her new home but that's another story. Yes, I really do get attached to my dogs. Willow follows me everywhere throughout the house, every single time I move. I really like that but can understand that many people would find it irritating. The only time I don't like it is if I accidentally tread on her or trip over. I so often start to do something so my movement triggers her to follow me, then I'll remember I could be time efficient by doing another action and halving my 'journey'. And when this happens (most of the time!) I'm quicker than the dog or dogs following me and end up tripping over them. I'm sure that Willow thinks I am her pet and she is responsible for ME. Outside of the home, however, on our daily walks, once off the lead and is pursuit of interesting smells she ignores me until SHE is ready to come back. Hmmmmm, some training needed methinks.
Floyd is my boy. He is pale apricot in colour and is 2 years old. At just 10 months old he fathered Willow's litter! So he is a dog daddy to 8 gorgeous 1 year old poodles. But he has no idea whatsoever about it. He was totally uninterested with his offspring when they were small puppies - no good to play with, not bothered with any care or nurture and no good for what 'complete' dogs are otherwise keen to do! Floyd is, bless him, a little, how shall I put it tactfully, unintelligent. Now let me tell you, if you don't know already, that contrary to popular belief poodles are extremely intelligent dogs and they are also hunters. Much as they are beautiful movers and pretty dogs they truly are DOGs with natural doggy instincts. Floyd tries to be macho but he resides at the bottom of the pack being told off and 'put in his place' by the girlies, mainly Miss Willow. He is real scaredy-cat (even though he's a dog you understand) and will bark at people and other dogs occasionally because of his fear. More about Floyd another time.
My third, and probably prettiest, poodle is Lola - yes she thinks she is a showgirl! Lola is litter sister to Floyd and came to live with us approximately 3 weeks after her brother arrived. Oh dear, I decided to drop in and visit Floyd's brothers and sisters having drunk a number of cups of tea. I am very susceptible to caffeine (and more about THAT another time) - it makes me massively hyperactive - and was offered Lola to foster until she was sold and I just took her home. Needless to say, because of the way I am with animals, I fell in love with her before 2 days had passed and the fostering continues after almost two years. This is called permanent fostering I guess! Lola is the naughty poodle but also the comedian of the pack. I'll elucidate some other time. Oh, I forgot to say - Lola is blue. She was born looking quite black but not as black as the black puppies (confused yet???) but is turning a slate grey colour, very pretty. When her face is shaven the 'black eyeliner' is very noticeable (noooooooo, I don't put makeup on her face, the eyeliner is natural black hairs around the eyes, very striking). Lola is also the clever one of the three.
Enough of the introduction: there is much much more to say about my 3 poodles but hey there are plenty more blogs to write I'm sure.
All three are lying very close whilst I have been writing this blog. Floyd is lying over my feet and the 2 girls are just a paw's breadth away from him.
When I'm sad they comfort me because they respond to cuddles and tears. It's so wonderful that they want to be close to me. And if I'm feeling energetic they'll respond to that also. In fact they respond to any of my moods and would follow me anywhere. For me and my personality that's just the most fabulous thing ever.
And here's the funny thing - I thought I was a 'cat person'!
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