It all began just after New Year's 2008. For years, my husband and I desired to breed dogs. We tried on a small
scale (a pair of dogs) with little to no knowledge, and it is no surprise that didn't succeed too well.
All in The Lord's Timing! Thing is, He tends to throw things at us rather unexpectantly, and this time was no exception!
On New Year's Day, the thought never entered my mind that 6 days later we would be heading to the Southern part of the state for our
first purchase to begin Lawpdoodle Kennel. It has been a challenging year, as I've told many...."We put the Cart before
the Horse!" We are catching up, and it boggles my mind as to how much we've learned and accomplished in a very short period
of time. Thanks to the generosity of experienced fellow breeders we have become acquainted with, as well as our own
diligent research, we are still learning!
Our Big Lovable Bear, as we called him, was part of a bred pair we came across in our
initial search. We purchased Bear and Fanny from Laura, a breeder in Wayne, WV. She continues to breed
quality Toy and Miniature Poodles. You will find her link on my links page. Three weeks later, we had puppies! Talk
about jumping in with both feet! Bear and Fanny had a litter of beautiful black, apricot and cream puppies, and they sold very
quickly to wonderful, approved homes. We still hear from our puppy buyers, and everyone is happy and growing! We decided
to have one more litter with Bear and Fanny. We kept the one and only girl, our little Annie, from their last litter to carry
on their wonderful line. The remaining litter sold quickly to all of their forever homes. Bear, who will be 5 in January,
we decided was due for a well deserved retirement. We had made some changes in our breeding program, and he would not
fit into our plans. I considered, and even advertised him, as a stud....but when I'd go out and play with him, guilt would take
over me and I'd come in and take his ad down. Then, The Lord laid it upon my heart to list him for adoption as a Rescue dog.
I did....and WOW....what response we received. As it turned out, a wonderful couple, Suzanne and George, and their other
dog, Buster decided to welcome Bear into their home. We receive updates from them periodically, and I decided to share them
with you. We Praise God for people like Suzanne and George, and as you read their testimonies, you will see why.
We will never accept less for any of our dogs we may have to place after retirement in the future. Besides, their job
is done....it is now time for them to be the lovable house pets they were always intended to be.
Messages from Suzanne and George before and after bringing Bear into their family:
How does one fall in love with
pictures of a dog? It is possible and we are still definitely interested. George was especially excited to see Bear playing with the
ball and thought that looked just right to him. I am forwarding a scan that came out only so-so of George, me, one of our goats, Patch,
the Rooster and Buster. This way you can see who we are and whether it feels right to you. So, know that we would love to invite Bear
into our family and we do think he would be happy here. There is plenty of love to go 'round. Suzanne
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When
I read your e-mail, I started to cry, of course! Accepting Bear into our home is a wonderful thing. We will honor his life and his
personality so that he might be at peace and happy. I am wondering about neutering him. My husband, George, expressed the concern
that he might equate coming to us with this operation and it might turn into an overall negative experience. Our veterinary service
is excellent with kind, caring and knowledgeable people so I know Bear will have a positive experience with them. I can't think
of what else to ask at the moment but a huge THANK YOU is in order! We are figuring out a good strategy to introduce Bear to Buster
and I will research this introduction process further to ensure they can get along. Look forward to speaking with you soon.
Suzanne
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Tina,
So, my husband has taken to Bear like a duck to water. He has walked him all over the neighborhood making introductions. Yesterday
morning, he was out and gone with our neighbor walking Bear with the little lab puppy (actually, almost six months), Finn before I
was up out of bed. We have had calls and e-mails telling us how beautiful Bear is. George has been walking him about a mile and a
half or two miles three times a day (that's what he did yesterday and he has already been out two miles this morning) but I think
Bear could really just let loose and feel better. We have a park nearby with lots of space, meadows and woods and fields This morning,
he got spooked by something on a nearby road - quiet and not traveled much. George could not figure out what it was and Bear started
to run away. George told him to "Sit!" and do you know Bear just sat right down? He was shaking and George took care to comfort him.
Could this have been a scent of coyote? This is the only thing we can think of - we have quite a few of them around right now. Bear,
however, is one of the most relaxed beings I have ever met! He is so just plain sweet. Yesterday on one of his walks, he and George
met a man with a standard poodle. George and this man got to talking and, of course, the poodles started to play. George thought they
were fighting but the gentleman said that poodles "play hard." According to George, it seemed as though Bear was having fun so we
will learn! So, I will keep you posted - we could not be more delighted and grateful. We are so happy to have Bear. Suzanne
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Yesterday
and today has been exciting and challenging with Bear. We took he and Buster to a fenced in dog park in Rowayton, CT, a village set
next to the ocean. The park is a large field situated next to the Rowayton Community Center and Library, a renovated old mansion from
the 1930's. Bear ran and ran and played and played. He got along with everyone. He is the most beautiful dog when he runs! The only
hitch: he went behind an adjacent out-building and found a forest of stickers. He did not get a one but George, worried, walked right
into the sticker forest and came out covered. Buster, with his little legs, was trying to follow Bear or at least supervise and ended
up in the mess too. He came out covered and I can't get them out! He is slowly chewing them out himself, I think, but the rest I think
can be removed by Lucia, his groomer, next week. Bear slept like a rock beginning at about 9PM on the big puffy bed George got
for him. It was fun to see him so stretched out and relaxed.
Today, he went for his first vet exam. I think Bear could have
said, "I'm ready for my close-up" and those vets would have pulled out cameras. They absolutely adored him and found him to be very
relaxed and very beautiful. One said to us, "Enough with all the labs! I sure would like to see more standards like this one in this
area." (Never! Bear is one of a kind!) They have all of his records now and took some blood to test for heart worm which they thought
was unlikely because his heart sounded solid and steady. I scheduled his neuter for October 20th. He is going to meet Lucia
next week on Thursday along with Buster. I know this is a very different life for him but, you are right, he seems to really connect
with "his people" no matter how confusing and is very well mannered. When I came home from errands today, I took Bear out back with
Buster. Buster started barking and Bear started barking (thank goodness! At least they are bonding over something.) Well, Bear kept
barking and I couldn't figure it out. Finally, I took him out again this afternoon and discovered that he was unsure in our landscape
- our back perimeter area is heavily wooded with undergrowth. The shrubs do not please him. The tree trunks appear ominous. He walks
toward them after a while with a little coaxing from me then blesses them in his own way.... Suzanne
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Today,
we had the nicest time with Bear and Buster. We are having our yard excavated so there is a lot of activity going on. The project
director is a good friend – we just spent about an hour sitting on our front stoop on this beautiful Fall day talking about everything
and anything. Bear sat with George between his legs and Buster sat on our friend’s lap. It was very peaceful with the leaves falling,
changing color before our eyes! It took longer than the week allowed for Bear’s incision to heal. So, we played it a bit more
conservatively with shorter walks and no runs. Those will resume next Monday, Wednesday and Friday. We also lost track of training
too. What I do know is that the invisible fence will be repaired as a priority so Bear can stretch his legs and run. We removed a
couple of trellises that seemed too much of a barrier so that he can run a full “circuit.” Once the tree work is complete there will
be no more obstructions. Bear just came up to me and sat down. I gave him a good hug and rub and he touched his nose to my cheek.
Now, he is lying down on his bed next to ours. (While George was gone and while I wasn’t looking, he decided “his bed” was George’s
side of the bed. I woke up to see his nose sticking out between pillows and most of his body tucked in. Since George is home, he is
listening a bit better about that!) Bear really gets good attention with all of our visitors – last week, when I had him at the vet’s
for a check-up I received numerous compliments on what a beautiful and well-behaved dog he is (like we had something to do with it
– not!) When we had him groomed, Lucia, our groomer, made sure he had a short cut all around. It is simple, no fluff, but best for
now, I think. Anyway, just a catch up about Bear. He is getting calmer by the day and more settled. Of course, so are we and I am
sure that helps. My husband is very, very glad to have Bear and keeps repeating that – he was uncertain at first as I am the initiator
about such things but just loves him and they have really bonded. Take good care. Suzanne
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Bear
has a serious silly gene. It is coming out more and more each day. Also, he is very huggable. He and Buster have been in training
with us under the direction of the kindest, gentlest trainer I have ever met. I think what is happening is that Buster is learning
that he is a dog and not responsible for all of us. Bear is learning he can trust and goof around – our house is a bit small and we
have mostly wood floors. Bear is learning to fetch his favorite squeaky, stuffed bone by bounding forward and setting his feet so
that he slides into the bone and catches it with perfect form. Last night, he started to paw at his bed, jumping up and down on it
and throwing out his front paws, his hind end up in the air and barking at nothing. He then whipped around in circles, running out
of the room and back in, jumping on the bed (yes, we do allow it and I am sure that is a big no-no somewhere) like a flash then running
out again. Now, Buster has done this for quite some time but Buster is a seventh the size of Bear. Getting used to this difference
in size has been fun and also a bit mind-boggling. His hair is growing out from his first grooming and we can really see the “apricot”
on his back and ears. He is a beautiful dog. I am anxiously awaiting the Invisible Fence people so he can run, run, run in our yard
without us worrying about a dash out along the river and to the street. I re-read your story today on the WEB about you and your husband
finding it odd you would ever allow anything with the word “poodle” attached into your lives. Boy, it is SO easy to fall in love with
this breed and we can see why you have embraced them. So, just a quick update and a note of thanks. I have to get pictures downloaded
to you so you can see how Bear is doing as well. Right now, Buster is on my lap and Bear is right behind me on the bed snoozing and
absolutely at peace. We are still having him run two miles twice a week and George is walking him twice a day. He and Buster are “touching
noses” more and more and I think there is a slow meltdown occurring. Each have engaged the other for a few seconds of play. We praise
them a lot when they are together and that seems to be its own reward. I hope you and yours are well and enjoying this increasingly
nippy Fall!
Suzanne