Who are these two little sweethearts? Well, they are my "puppykids!" Josh, to your left, is 4 years old. He is a grey, miniature poodle. His fancy name is "Gris Joshua Mon Ami." He is not a registered poodle, due to a disreputable breeder who was very dishonest with me. When I purchased Josh, I was told his "papers" were sent for and that she would forward them on to me when they arrived. After two years of going around and around, getting no response from the breeder, and several appeals to the AKC...I found out that Josh was being held back from becoming registered only because of the breeders refusal to do so. He does come from registered "parents" but the AKC could not release any info to me without the breeders permission. Why this woman would stop Josh from becoming registered I do not know? But I feel like he has been denied his heritage! And I caution you about dealing with disreputable breeders.
I have often wondered if perhaps this breeder knew about
the fact that there was epilepsy in her poodle's bloodline?
As Josh matured, I noticed that he hardly ever wagged his
tail, and just never barked. He seemed normal in every
other way, but it seemed odd to me that he'd lack these two
very "doggy" qualities. But he was so delightful and loving,
I didn't become alarmed. I began to think about buying Josh
a mate, I knew if the two were later to "wed" their pups
could not be registered. But I hadn't given up trying to
plead with the AKC at that time.
We brought Josey into our home a few months after Josh
had his 2nd birthday. In fact, both of them were born in the
month of July! To make a long story shorter, by the time Josey
had her first "heat" Josh had his first episode with epilepsy.
The first thing I noticed was, one day after jumping down from
the sofa, Josh acted as if he had hurt his back left leg. He held
it stiff, and was growling. I rubbed his leg, and he seemed to
ease out of what I thought was a muscle cramp. In the next two
weeks this situation was repeated four more times, each time
getting progressively more involved. Josh would go stiff in his
back leg, start to growl & whimper, as he seeemed to "cramp up."
I began to grow suspicious of a seizure type condition and called
to discuss it with the vet.
After an examination and blood tests, the vet agreed that Josh was having partial spacial seizures, a form of hereditary epilepsy. Josh was put on phenobarbitol, and hasn't had another episode while on the medication. He is doing very well, and since we caught his condition early, his prognosis looks good. The sad part was that the vet recommended that he be neutured right away, and this was done. I lost the chance of breeding him with his mate, Josey.
I decided to dub him with a formal name myself. He is a champ in my book!
Josh is my pal. He has a very "responsible" attitude,
and is very intelligent. He understands everything I
say to him, and usually complies with my wishes. But,
there is also his tendency to "grumble" in the form of growls
and vocal sounds that might seem intimidating to a stranger
if he doesn't completely agree with what I ask of him. All in all, he leads an easy life. And his duties consist of taking
care of the house when we are not at home, and keeping
Josey on the straight and narrow. We have been able to
go away to shop or visit friends, since the pups were
quite young, and returned to find nothing out of place, or
damaged in any way.
From puppyhood, I teach them that they own their toys,
and blankets, etc. And we own the rest....what is ours, they
leave alone. Also, each pup was taught to ring a bell by the
back door, to tell us they needed to go outside for a "potty stop"
This took only two weeks of "conditioning" before they were
doing it by themselves. From the first moment they came to
our home, each time we went outside, we would pause at the
back door to touch their paw on the small bell and give a ring.
There is only one drawback to this. After they get more
intelligent and realize that, the bell ringing makes people
"obey" them, by hurrying to the door to let them out....they
go through a stage of "game playing" by ringing the bell just
to go outside to play! But it is an invaluable talent for them
to know, and I encourage you to try it with your pets.
Josey is a black, minature poodle. She is registered with the AKC under the name of "Mademoiselle Josette Monique." With that name you would think she was a dainty little waif. But you will find her playing in her yard, rolling in the freshly mown grass, stalking birds, jumping after butterflies, barking at passersby, and tromping in the flowerbeds! What a girl!
Josey has a million kisses for everyone. And her household
duties include caring for her "Pound Puppy" toys, which she has
treated as real babies since she was very young. She carries
them about the house, sleeps with them, licks them clean, protects them, and sets them by the back door and rings the pottybell for them when they need to go out. (Of course when mom comes to let Josey out and sees it's the Pound Puppy who wants to go out. She gets a little tiffed.)
Josey has a tolerant disposition. She is the first female
poodle I have had. And her personality is a pleasure to share.
Her "feelings" are much more sensitive and she shows her "hurt"
when she gets in trouble. She needs to be reassured after any
reprimands, with a "good girl!" And why would she need any scolding? Well, mom didn't like it when Josey kept pulling out the plants that had just been planted! And mom yelled when Josey tried to play with that Bumble Bee!
Poodles are a special breed. I have shared my life with six of them. My first pair were a father & son team, Prince & Peppy. They are a part of my fond memories. As well as B.J. and Dusty, who were brothers. I have had poodles in my life for over 35 yrs, and I would not have it any other way. They have been wonderful companions. And they have given me so much love & joy. My life has been truely enriched by them.
July is birthday month for my pups!
(Age 3yrs) Josey has just been through an illness that came upon her over the past 3 weeks, and needs your prayers. She is doing better now, but has had to have antibiotics and IV treatments to keep her going. She was one sick little girl pup. When an X-ray of her lungs was taken, it was discovered that she has fluid in her lungs, and a slightly enlarged heart. I am awaiting further info.
...I am glad to report that Josey is doing much better now. She really had me worried for awhile, she was a very sick little girl. But she is her old self again...running & playing. The vet has recommended that I have her spayed very soon. He said that the heat cycle is very stressing for some females and lowers their resistance to infections. I have doubts as to whether this is true or not. But I do not want to see Josey suffer anymore, as she did with this debilitating illness. So, in two weeks, I will let my beautiful little girl pup be operated on, with a sad heart.
Josey was spayed and has not been ill again. The vet must have been correct in his assumption that her health problems were related to her hormones & heat periods. The energy she has had remains the same, but her waistline has increased in size. Her body weight went from slender to matronly and ample. But this hasn't seemed to bother her. I am hoping that in her older years this excess body fat is not a burden on her stll thin legs. The injury she recieved to her heal while chasing a rabbit when she was only a pup still comes back to bother her every winter & Spring. She spends those months limping and whinning a bit, but she will not give in and slow down to a walk when out in her yard. It seems to be her obligated duty to "bark up the yard" every time she goes out of the house.
Joshua has allowed her to be the queen of the yard, as long as he is king of the house. His health has remained pretty good, although he has had to have his medication for epilipsy increased slightly, after he had a slight episode a few months ago. He does very well, otherwise. I am so garteful for the companionship of my dear pups. Poodles are so wonderfully "familyish" and adapt so well to each family member's needs and they try to fit right in.
A Dog's Prayer
by: Beth Norman Harris
Do not break my spirit with a stick,
for although I should lick your hand between the blows,
your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me
the things you would have me do.
Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music,
as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail
when your footsteps fall upon my waiting ear.
When it is cold and wet, please take me inside,
for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to the bitter elements.
And I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet
beside the hearth.
Though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow
than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in the land,
for you are my god and I am your devoted worshiper.
Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not
reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst.
Feed me clean food so that I may stay well to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing, and able
to protect you with my life; should your life be in danger.
And beloved master, should the Great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you.
Rather, hold me gently in your arms, as skilled hands grant me the
merciful boon of eternal rest...and I will leave you knowing,
with the last breath I draw, my fate was ever in your hands.
High up in the courts of heaven today The other angels pass him by And his master, down on earth below, And when at last his master waits This and other such poems were featured at the Rainbow Bridge/ Pet Loss
My new tribute page is now open. Visit myAngelpupswhere they run and play amoung the clouds of puppy heaven, and wait for me.
I have a very heartwarming story to add to the Pups Page. One that needs to be acknowledged. For each negative experience there are also positive ones. Josey's sire and dam have had many more pups, and in that succession of brother and sisters is Casey Angelheart Scott. Casey's people parents are my stepdaughter and her husband. At age 6 months it was discovered that Casey had a birth defect in her heart that would soon be fatal, if not surgically corrected. With all the sad stories we hear, I feel that it is very important to share what happened to this little "miracle pup."
You could look at Josey's puppy pictures, and there you would have a vision of little Casey, a black, female, minature poodle, full of life and mischief. She came to join my step-daughter's family, and Cody, a male minature poodle who was waiting for a playmate. The two were from the same mother, but had different father's. Cody came along a couple of litters prior to Casey.
Casey & Cody are farm-poodles. They have pigs, cows, chickens, rabbits, and various other animals to play with. So, it would be an active surrounding for Casey to adapt to. The bright little pup took to everything well, including her two young "kids" who liked to play hard and run fast. Casey never showed any signs of illness until the age of six months, when she suddenly began to vomit frequently, and her family noticed she seemed to be having trouble breathing.
A trip to the vet proved very alarming. After examination, it was discovered that Casey's heart was not functioning properly. Further tests revealed a serious congenital heart defect called PDA. Casey needed risky surgical proceedures, not locally available, or she would not survive. Several phonecalls were made to all the local vets to seek help, but none were equiped to perform this surgery. The closest animal clinic who could help was the University of Madison. They required $1,500 just to begin Casey's surgery and care.
It was then that Casey's doctor decided to try doing the heart surgery at his small country clinic. He was in touch with the larger hospital, requesting information on the surgical proceedures, importing equipment needed, etc. Going way beyond his previous scope of experience, Dr. Scott did a crash course in the required proceedure. He and his staff took Casey's case very seriously. They were compassionate and efficient as they prepared to save this small animal's life.
They closed the clinic for the day of the surgery and after several hours the "miracle" took place. Casey came through like a champ! It was successful in all ways. Three days later, Casey was up and running again, with only the long incision on her side to show that she had been through such a tremendous experience. Today, she is is doing fine, and she has been given a good chance at having a normal life. Thanks to a wonderful, caring, vet who was willing to take risks, and give his personal love and efforts to save Casey. We need more vets like this man.
Author Unknown
A little dog angel waits;
With the other angels he will not play,
But he sits alone at the gates.
For I know my master will come, says he,
And when he comes he will call for me.
As they hurry toward the throne,
And he watches them with a wistful eye
As he sits at the gates alone.
But I know if I just wait patiently
That someday my master will call for me.
As he sits in his easy chair,
Forgets sometimes, and whispers low
To the dog, who is not there.
And the little dog angel cocks his ears
And dreams that his masters voice he hears.
Outside in the dark and cold,
For the hand of death to open the door,
That leads to those courts of gold,
He will hear a sound through the gathering dark,
A little dog angel's bark.
In Memory of My Beloved Angelpups!
Peppy
B.J.
Dusty
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