A poodle storyI've been fortunate to be around some sort of poodle nearly my entire life. I have the most special memories of spending the weekend with at my grandparents' house with their Yorkie-poo (Yorkshire Terrier/Poodle mix) who was named Cocoa. She was a loving and energetic little dog who was unfailingly loyal to her family and kind enough to snuggle in bed with any grandchild who happened to be staying the night.
During my middle school/high school years, my Mama was most proud of her best friend, a black toy poodle named Oscar. She had always dreamed of having a poodle, so naturally he went everywhere with her! He was a faithful companion as poodles tend to be! Not many years later, my Mama was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer. I was in Los Angeles pursuing a music degree at USC. I spent the entire Summer home with my Mama, but when Fall came, we both felt I should continue on to school. I got back to LA for my second year of school and had an immediate urge to go to the nearby animal shelter. There were lots of Chihuahuas as I guess one might expect in LA....and various other shedding-coat dogs as well. I'd always had allergies and knew I couldn't have a dog that would shed - I'd be sneezing constantly! I turned a corner to find absolutely the shaggiest and dirtiest little "white" poodle mix I'd ever seen. The shelter claimed her to be a full toy poodle, but to do this day, I think she is mixed with a little of something else. Anyhow, I talked myself into realizing I DID NOT need the responsibility of a dog at the time and went back to my apartment. My oboe teacher in LA owned a beautiful black miniature poodle (Ella) who I got to see, love, and dog-sit often (poodles everywhere, I tell you!) That should be enough dog time, right? But back at my apartment, I couldn't do anything for several hours without thinking about that dog at the shelter. So I finally went back that afternoon and she was still there just barking her life away! I immediately grabbed her up, adopted her and we went home together. MY first dog and poodle, Izzy, was an immediate best friend. There was no "warm-up" period - she was all in! Little did I know how dear she would be to me during the next months when I flew back to South Carolina to care for my Mama who eventually passed away the following January. Izzy was my rock through all of that and still is a dear dear friend to this day! Later, out of school and "grown up," buying a house meant a yard and room for a big dog! It had to be a poodle of course and a black one at that (still thinking of my Mama and her favorite dog). We picked out our first standard poodle, Isaiah before he was really even opening his eyes. His parents were huge standard poodles (some call Royal Poodles) and Isaiah didn't disappoint in that department. These days, he weighs in at nearly 90 pounds! Imagine him on your lap in the evenings! Eventually moving to a bigger house on 5 acres, we wanted another poodle that we could eventually breed to experience the magic and excitement that brings. We researched lines all over the country and eventually ended up at Family Affairs in NC. We wanted a show quality dog that was bred for pet quality temperament. Family Affairs maintains the most varied poodle breeding program in the country (to my knowledge) and they were able to match us up with one of their lines which always produced stunning dogs with unbelievably calm and loving dispositions. The diversity in their breeding program also means we know we have poodles with vary diverse lineages (no in-breeding), so they are healthy, healthy, healthy! We'd rather have a healthy dog than the brightest-white-ever dog. Not too long after we got Inx from another one of the Family Affairs lines. His sire (dad) is from England, which added yet another level of diversity into his genes/bloodline and therefore into our pups. Izzy, Isaiah, Ivy, and Inx all enjoy life on our 5 acres where we also have 2 horses. They run and chase each other all over, and live a life most dogs would dream of. They are all 4 spoiled rotten pets and the most cherished members of our family. Before allowing Ivy and Inx to mate, they were each checked over thoroughly by our trusted veterinarian, and he agreed that the diversity of their lines, along with their fantastic personalities and matching beauty, they would produce beautiful and healthy pups. -Patrick Preacher |
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