My wife and I have taken the gamble of adopting a Standard Poodle from the shelter where I volunteer. (It is a gamble because my wife may have an allergic reaction to some dogs, that's one reason why we waited for a Poodle. They typically cause less reaction.) Soon after we signed the papers, she became ill. She hasn't been home with us even for a minute so far. She has been in the clinic for the past week undergoing tests and they still don't know if it's a virulent strain of canine influenza or some other infectious disease.

In order to set the stage for happy before and after photos... here is the ragtag before shot. She was on a quick break from her quarantine. Think happy thoughts for our sweetie.... We're hoping for many road trips with the three of us in the E.

My wife and I have taken the gamble of adopting a Standard Poodle from the shelter where I volunteer. (It is a gamble because my wife may have an allergic reaction to some dogs, that's one reason why we waited for a Poodle. They typically cause less reaction.) Soon after we signed the papers, she became ill. She hasn't been home with us even for a minute so far. She has been in the clinic for the past week undergoing tests and they still don't know if it's a virulent strain of canine influenza or some other infectious disease.

In order to set the stage for happy before and after photos... here is the ragtag before shot. She was on a quick break from her quarantine. Think happy thoughts for our sweetie.... We're hoping for many road trips with the three of us in the E.


She is so cute. I feel badly that she is so ill. I hope she has a speedy recovery. I know she will have a wonderful life with you and your wife. Does she have a name?

She is so cute. I feel badly that she is so ill. I hope she has a speedy recovery. I know she will have a wonderful life with you and your wife. Does she have a name?
Her name was Ethel, but will change that to something that is from us. We are going to wait to see what her personality is like and then decide on an appropriate name. Right now she's just Sweetie...:D

Her name was Ethel, but will change that to something that is from us. We are going to wait to see what her personality is like and then decide on an appropriate name. Right now she's just Sweetie...:D


I had a cat named Ethel Red, she was the greatest cat ever. She passed away at 14.

Thinking happy thoughts in Houston!

Best of luck!

I had a cat named Ethel Red, she was the greatest cat ever. She passed away at 14.



Sorry, I forgot, only happy thoughts for your Ethel.:)

Here's hoping Sweetie makes a quick recovery! Bless you for giving her a home. :) And here's Gidget to commiserate with the lampshade experience (she's spent a lot of quality time wearing hers this year).

All the pups around here have their paws crossed for a speedy recovery too. Dexter's done lampshade time too, so he knows how "just sweetie " feels.

28465

Happy thoughts from Kearney and her bad-a$$ hat.

Happy thoughts from Kearney and her bad-a$$ hat.

Kearney looks happy in her lampshade!!

I'll hand it to Gidget, I no longer have to attach and re-attach the cone -- she walks right into it. And she does not try to get it off so her thick hair is enough to keep it on and I don't have to tie it.

But she's never smiled like Kearney while wearing it!

Am looking forward to pictures of a healthy happy Sweetie...

:D

Hiker Chick, thats a good looking dog but all the dogs on here are good looking
not fond of poodles though ... ya ever see a poodle attack dog dam scary...:D

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y59/inkstudios/indiSno.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y59/inkstudios/Little%20Bit%20Of%20Everything/indisnooz.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y59/inkstudios/Little%20Bit%20Of%20Everything/indisn.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y59/inkstudios/Little%20Bit%20Of%20Everything/girls.jpg

You can see why I think so! This is Indi - she is 5.
26" tall at the shoulder and 60 lbs.
And nobody wants to come in our house or yard without her permission.
Warning - Standard Poodles are just Labs in a Poodle Suit - or as a famous breeder once said... Labs with a college degree. They are smart, funny, loving, cuddly and protective without being biters. They do not shed or smell like dogs, but they DO like to swim so be prepared for a wet dog, they were bred originally as retrievers. We keep Indi in a short sport clip - highly recommended for ease of care and grooming.

I hope your baby is well soon and home with you - you will LOVE her!

Hiker Chick, thats a good looking dog but all the dogs on here are good looking
not fond of poodles though ... ya ever see a poodle attack dog dam scary...:D
Yep, I've seen Gidget in various posts and she is a beauty.

Poodles, especially standards, really have a bad rap. The smaller varieties can be "yippy" and temperamental if spoiled and allowed to be in charge. They are nonetheless very bright little dogs. The standards are very different. They are likely the origin of the breed and they are VERY intelligent, athletic and have an even temperament. This breed was originally a hardy gun dog. Many people still use them for this purpose today. The silly haircuts came along as a way to protect the dogs while retrieving in freezing waters.

Like I say about pit bulls, if you dislike pits or are afraid of them because of their reputation, spend five minutes with one that was raised by civilized people. Not everyone takes a liking to every breed, but anyone who can dislike a pit (or standard poodle) after having spent time with them is probably not a true dog lover. Both are wonderful creatures.

Kearney looks happy in her lampshade!!:D

Yeah, I told her how cool she looked in her sassy sun bonnet and she totally went for it. Either that or it was just luck with the picture. ;)

Gidget looks so different not totally smiling and tongue hanging out! Sounds like she's a trooper now though.

Keep us updated DJA.

DJA, i am not fond of Poodles but i was talking about attack dogs i worked with a guy who trained dogs for cops years ago and private folks that needed working dogs one guy wanted to use Poodles i got to say they were smart did their jobs and taught and were nasty when i had the suit on. to pits
i have been around them they do get a bad rap but i have seen both sides of this breed do you own a Pit?..

to pits
i have been around them they do get a bad rap but i have seen both sides of this breed do you own a Pit?..
<preaching>

Because of my wife's asthma-like allergies, we cannot own one. We adopted the Poodle because allergic people can often tolerate that breed. But I am an experienced volunteer at a shelter that handles the animal control work for the city (Pittsburgh). As you can imagine, we handle a LOT of pit bulls. Certainly not all of them are well-socialized or suitable for placement back into a home. If they are raised to attack other creatures, they are clearly dangerous and no responsible person or organization will knowingly put people or other animals at risk.

Their true "sin" however is their ferocious strength, determination and desire to please. ANY dog can be taught to be aggressive, but the pits are naturally well-suited for the evil purpose that a collection of psychopaths seem to consider a sport. If they are conditioned to be destructive, they are very good at it. What is ironic, and almost never discussed, is this dog's innate love of people and outgoing personality. It tears you up to see a battle-scarred and maimed pit bull wagging it's tail with joy at the sight of a person they've never met before. I'm certain that was also their reaction to the "person" who threw them into a pit to fight to the death.

Our shelter adopts out many hundreds of pit bulls every year and the vast majority become beloved members of the family. They live with children and other pets just like any other breed. We hear follow-up reports from people who struggle to find the words to express their affection for the dog.

Before I became a volunteer, I think I had the same prejudice many others still have toward these dogs. But I am now an evangelist for them. This change was simply a result of having interacted with thousands of pit bulls. I can tell you that every other volunteer in the shelter would likely say the same thing. Are they suitable and desirable to everyone? No way. But no dog is. They look like a muscle shaped like a dog and many people just aren't drawn to them. That's certainly OK. But they shouldn't be hated and feared like they are simple because the evening news likes to report each and every pit bull attack like it's all they do.

In my years as a volunteer I have handled countless of dogs and I have been bitten only once. It was by the cutest little Husky-ish mutt. All the dogs are evaluated prior to being made available and I honestly cannot recall ever having a pit growl or direct any aggressive posturing at me. If they are not taught to be a monster they are just a dog...and a particularly affectionate dog. I would own one of these wonderful animals without hesitation if I could.

Sorry about this... you pull my string when you mention pit bulls..

(Terrific video) (http://www.petvideo.com./play.cgi?showId=629)

</preaching>

so that is what this string is....:-o well we will havta disagree about this one .. but i give you credit for helpin out all those critters .:D

so that is what this string is....:-o well we will havta disagree about this one .. but i give you credit for helpin out all those critters .:D
No problem. You aren't the first and won't be the last to disagree with me over pit bulls. But so far everyone who's disagreed with me has had less experience with the dogs, so I understand.

If any animal people out there are looking for something rewarding in their life, I strongly recommend getting involved with animal welfare. It can be gut-wrenching and it's not for those who are easily discouraged, but if you can handle the ugly side, the rewards are tremendous.

One of my tenants had two Pit Bulls, mother and daughterl. They were the sweetest dogs. I have little dogs myself, rescues, but I have friends who adopted a dog they think is part Pitt Bull. Sammy is very sweet and cuddly. I know that Pitt Bulls get a bad rap, but actually, Rottweilers, ****er Spaniels, and Akitas bite more often, at least according to statistics

Well, as we hoped, here is an "after" photo of our sweetie, now named Winnie. After two bouts in the hospital and many hours of worry and difficult discussions, she is looking like a new dog. She is eating like a pig so hopefully her weight will come back quickly. Thanks for the good wishes.

Awwwwww!!!
SHE IS BEAUTIFUL!
Congrats and Welcome HOME Winnie!
Our "never sick" SP was almost that skinny until she was 4 years old so Winnie is well on her way to being healthy and hearty and, best of all, loved forever!
Enjoy her - next thing you know she will be playing "poodle jokes" on you and entertaining you with her intelligence and wit. That quick mind is always working. Note---they DO counter surf so beware, LOL
You've never been loved until you have experienced the "poodle" kind - what a great adventure awaits you- blessings all around!

Awwwwww!!!
SHE IS BEAUTIFUL!
Congrats and Welcome HOME Winnie!
Our "never sick" SP was almost that skinny until she was 4 years old so Winnie is well on her way to being healthy and hearty and, best of all, loved forever!
Enjoy her - next thing you know she will be playing "poodle jokes" on you and entertaining you with her intelligence and wit. That quick mind is always working. Note---they DO counter surf so beware, LOL
You've never been loved until you have experienced the "poodle" kind - what a great adventure awaits you- blessings all around!
Thanks Tango... you're a peach.

(I do see what you mean about the counter-surfing... We've been there already :) )