Losing Felix was a throat punch from hell. I just can't overstate how hard it's been for us these last few weeks without him to make life worth getting out of bed for, but you've probably lost your own dogs and know only too well how that feels. It suffices to say that things have been bad.
We began looking at NZ poodle kennels just to get a feel for how long we'd have to wait for a pup from a reputable breeder (don't buy random/backyard dogs, people). We would like to have taken a rescue poodle, but there aren't many suitable candidates around. We also love the breed in particular and don't think it's unethical to support the people responsible for maintaining it in good standing; it's pretty glib to condemn show kennels when they seem to be the only ones who give a toss about genetic testing, appropriate matings and breed integrity. Those things matter. While some dogs are definitely being held to ridiculously extreme and physiologically deleterious standards, many more of the canine strains we love are with us today only because of the diligence of dedicated breeders. I just wanted to say that because they get a lot of hate from some quarters, much of it founded in ignorance.
We liked Inchcolm Poodles for their black miniature-only program and emphasis on health and confirmation, but we were resigned to waiting months. As it turned out, one little fellow was looking for a home and we were overjoyed to give him one.
We began looking at NZ poodle kennels just to get a feel for how long we'd have to wait for a pup from a reputable breeder (don't buy random/backyard dogs, people). We would like to have taken a rescue poodle, but there aren't many suitable candidates around. We also love the breed in particular and don't think it's unethical to support the people responsible for maintaining it in good standing; it's pretty glib to condemn show kennels when they seem to be the only ones who give a toss about genetic testing, appropriate matings and breed integrity. Those things matter. While some dogs are definitely being held to ridiculously extreme and physiologically deleterious standards, many more of the canine strains we love are with us today only because of the diligence of dedicated breeders. I just wanted to say that because they get a lot of hate from some quarters, much of it founded in ignorance.
We liked Inchcolm Poodles for their black miniature-only program and emphasis on health and confirmation, but we were resigned to waiting months. As it turned out, one little fellow was looking for a home and we were overjoyed to give him one.
 |  We called him Fir because F names are our tradition and we hope he will be as strong and beauteous as his namesake tree. Hi is 14 weeks old now and epically naughty, delightfully trusting and full of the joie de vivre that departed with Felix. Warm wee puddles underfoot and 5am starts are a small price to pay for the privilege of his company. |
These pics are about a week old and he's grown so much in that time. He had his first big boy haircut in the last couple of days and looks so much like a tiny adult that people stop and stare, unable to decide exactly what the hell is going on with him. Like most poodles, he is freakishly- some say malignly- intelligent, inherently militant and hero-worships the long suffering Hamish, my mother's Bichon/Maltese/Schnauzer veteran who has had enough of his shit already.
He sleeps in the bathroom (toilet training necessity) and brays like an angry helium-huffing werewolf when placed there. Fir shows great promise.
He sleeps in the bathroom (toilet training necessity) and brays like an angry helium-huffing werewolf when placed there. Fir shows great promise.
RSS Feed
