Carolina Poodle Rescue

Happy Homecomings

Lailah's Choice
from Cason Lynley

In January of this year, we were officially adopted by our former foster dog, Lailah. She had been our foster home since late June 2014. For months she had been telling us that it was official--she was home--but it took her slow people a while to figure it out. She was home, we were hers.

When I first picked up Lailah from the farm, Donna made me put my hand on Lailah's chest so I could feel her heart pounding. Lailah was absolutely still. That wasn't calm, it was terror. Donna wanted me to understand how afraid this little girl really was. But as we walked around the farm, Lailah lifted her face to mine and I held still. I whispered to her and let her sniff my face. It was a sweet moment. I knew right then that she would be okay with me. It doesn't seem like much but I knew that for Lailah, it was a big deal.

At about 7 or 8 years old, Lailah was surrendered by a breeder to a shelter with two other sweet and also very shy girls, Ariel and Fannie. None of them had been well socialized and very well cared for. Lailah also had a problem with her eyes. Her tear ducts had completely ceased working. Without frequent eye drops, cleaning, medication, and gel, her eyes become gooey and mat over. Because of this condition her vision is significantly impaired and her eyes look extremely black (and huge). Dr. English, the veterinary ophthalmologist, said that her eyes were protecting themselves from the lack of tears by darkening and thickening. In spite of this issue, Lailah navigates really well.

Since she came home 10 months ago, Lailah has blossomed. Her confidence has grown. She bustles around the house doing her own thing, burying bones, going to sleep in her favorite spots, hustling in for treats when they are being given out, and running to the door when a walk is offered. When she arrived, she couldn't walk on a leash. She froze and wouldn't move at all. We carried her on walks with the other dogs and set her down periodically to let her sniff. The first time she took a step, I almost cheered (but I didn't want to startle her). With the other dogs near her, she began to catch on. She likes being one of the gang and her little legs move incredibly fast keeping up with the others. She's even been to the beach with us and seemed to love it--as long as she is with her family.

She's got the schedule of the house down now. She knows that when the microwave goes off breakfast and dinner often follow, so if I'm out of the room, she comes to let me know that the food is ready. She often asks for attention. She stretches up my leg or comes skidding around the corner for her "elevator" (me or my husband Mark) to carry her up or down the stairs so that she isn't separated from us. She peeks up on the sofa, standing on her hind legs, when my husband Mark lies on the sofa and wants to be put on his chest. When I find them this way, I can't tell who is happier--Lailah or Mark. She isn’t usually a snuggler but she likes to be nearby. Her tail wags now when I talk to her--that is new just in the last couple of months. Oh, and she loves to be sung too--even when her entertainer doesn't have a good voice.

But the biggest change is in her expression. When she first arrived, her face was mostly blank. She seemed to just endure. In the past months, her face has become more and more expressive. She tilts her head when she’s curious and she smiles. And, oh, what a beautiful smile she has! To me, she lights up a room.

For a very small dog, Lailah made huge impact on our family. And in the end, we are the lucky ones to have such a sweet and brave girl decide that we belong to her.

We need your stories! Do you have a happy homecoming that you'd like to share? Please send it to newsletter@carolinapoodlerescue.org.

Feature Pet of the Month
Meet Puppy and Bean!

Have you ever had a best friend? One who you couldn't imagine your life without? That's Puppy and Bean. Perhaps some would find them an unlikely pair--a Standard Poodle and a Pit Bull--but nothing seems more natural to Puppy and Bean.

As a bonded pair, Bean and Puppy must go to a home together. These two sweet boys are inseparable. At the shelter, Bean and Puppy were initially separated and Bean got very depressed and then very sick. Back together now, both boys are happy again!

About three years old, Bean is big and goofy. He is full of life, love and energy. He loves to play and is very loyal to his human--which is a true trait of his breed. He is a gentle giant and loves everyone that he meets. While Bean is more independent than Puppy is, he sure does love Puppy. Bean is energetic and playful, and could use some basic obedience as he has never been taught any skills. He pulls hard on the leash but does best when wearing a harness. Bean is happy and always wearing a smile and wagging his tail!

Puppy is still really a puppy! He is only around a year old and is an absolute love bug. He is high energy, and if you know standard poodles, then you know this is typical behavior. He is happy and loves everyone - canine and human. But what Puppy loves the most in the world is his buddy, Bean.

Both boys definitely need training. They have been allowed to run free their whole lives and they have a lot that they need to learn. They would do best in a home where they were the only two animals; they cannot be in a home with cats. They are okay with dogs their own size but, since these boys are going to need a lot of attention and training, it would be best if they could be the only dogs. They are great with people (haven't been tested with kids). And they MUST have a fenced in yard with supervision. Bean can escape--and Puppy will follow.

Both Bean and Puppy tested lightly positive for heart worms. They have begun the slow kill method treatment. This means they will be given a heartworm preventative once a month and the worms will eventually die.

If you are interested in Bean and Puppy, please visit our adoption application page. Puppy and Bean were also featured on their local t.v. station.

Chloe's Corner: Changes, changes, changes!
by Chloe Winburn,
S.O.S. Dog Reporter from the Poodle News Network

Changes, changes, changes- some happy-some sad. The happiest change is one of our SOS girls got adopted! Little Dori a 16 year old mini poodle who had only been an SOS dog for a month found her "furever" home. The other good news is we were able to add 3 more deserving dogs to the program who had been on death row in various shelters.

We welcome Phoebe a 13-year-old Bichon mix turned into a shelter because she allegedly had cancer. Luckily our vet could find no signs of cancer. April is a 13-year-old toy show poodle whose owner up and moved, leaving her behind! A neighbor took her and a few siblings in. They found homes for the siblings but not for April. The neighbor couldn't keep her. April has some medical issues, and we are still discovering what they all are. Marlene is about 10 years old and a poodle mix. She is blind and was found as a stray in Tennessee, but we found out today that she is a good candidate for cataract surgery! CPR will make sure that Marlene is able to see again! And last, but certainly not least, is Lady an 18-year-old poodle mix. She was turned into the shelter by the family that had her for her whole life because she was old and not in good health.

How could someone do that to their loyal pet? Luckily, our vet could find no sign of cancer.

All these girls want is a little love, some food, and a warm bed. I'm so happy we are able to give them this and let them live their remaining years in dignity. We were able to do this for Ickabod an approximately 15-year-old maltipoo from 09/2012 to 03/26/15 when he went to the Rainbow Bridge. Rest in peace little guy.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Another happy change! Phoebe was adopted before this article could be published! We wish her every happiness in her new home!

Please make a permanent change for the blurb to say: If you are interested in virtually adopting (sponsoring) any of these special dogs, please go to our new website and choose our dog. There are instructions on the site for how to set up your sponsorship. CPR Virtual Adoptions

Carolina Poodle Rescue's 2nd Annual Poodle Trot
May 2nd

It's the second annual Poodle Trot - a combination Charity Trail Ride and Poodle Picnic to benefit the Virtual Adoptables at Dreamweaver Farms.

When: Saturday May 2, 2015
Where: Camp Croft State Park, 450 Croft State Park Road, Spartanburg, SC 29302

It's a day filled with fun:

8 am -Trail ride registration (ride is BYOH - bring your own horse)
9:00 am - Trail ride begins - free choice of trails
9 am to noon - picnic registration begins for non riders - come and hang out and socialize with your fellow dog lovers
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm - Picnic lunch is served
1:30 pm - Announcements and Blessing of the meal
2 pm - Games for riders in the arena or free choice ride
2 pm - Games for poodles and their people in the picnic pavilion
4 pm - Thanks for enjoying a great day to benefit our virtual adoptions program

Horse owners - bring your favorite horse and plan to ride starting at 9:00 am. Croft has over 20 miles of equestrian trails to choose from.

Canine lovers - Camp Croft has 12 miles of hiking and biking trails for you to enjoy with your favorite 4-legged friend. Lake Craig offers non motorized boat rentals for fishing or come and hang out in the pavilion and enjoy good friends, good talk and beautiful dogs.

Meet our virtual adoptables! Many of our SOS dogs will be in attendance. Come see, play with and get to know these unique, lovable and hug-able dogs and learn why we think they are so special.

Cost is $30 per person until April 20 with T-shirt order or $ 20 without T-shirt order $30 at the door Advance purchase. $30 Includes T-shirt with our unique Poodle Trot Charity Trail Ride Logo Poodle heart. Price includes lunch -- being catered by our very own Deb Poston and Deanna Moore. Lunch includes chicken shish kabobs, vegetarian Greek pasta salad, fruit bowl, croissants.

Reserve your spot at the Poodle Trot: http://carolinapoodlerescue.org/poodletrot.html. Please let us know if you are bringing a horse and riding.

Third Annual Friends of Carolina Poodle Rescue-Weaverville Poodle Reunion
May 16th

Come join us for the Third Annual Friends of CPR-Weaverville Poodle Reunion!
1276 Dillingham Road, Barnardsville, NC 28709 (GPS is accurate!)
Saturday, May 16th -- Rain or Shine
10 am - 4 pm
Guest speaker at 1:00 pm

Bring your picnic lunch and enjoy scrumptious desserts from WellBred Cafe. Water, sodas, silverware, and plates will be provided. Enjoy the day with hikes in Pisgah National Forest, agility fun in our large indoor arena for all sizes and ages, outdoor fenced area for doggy business, mini-mountain climbing challenges, and relaxing with CPR friends while the dogs play!

Please bring a picnic lunch, clothes and shoes that can get dirty, folding chairs, doggy towels for dusty feet, and a desire to relax in a beautiful part of western NC! For more information and questions, please contact Phyllis Rathbone, 828-279-0321 or QCBRONCO@Gmail.com.

Join CPR's Facebook Page for Friends & Family

Why join another Facebook group? Well, if you love poodles or rescue dogs in general, if you want to keep in closer touch with the CPR community and everything that is going on at the Farm, with the current dogs, with adopted dogs, and with incoming dogs, then this is the place to be. We asked some of the members of the CPR Friends and Family Page why they love being a part of the page:

Hope to see you there! https://www.facebook.com/groups/122083703951/

Please Stay in Touch

If you have moved or plan to move in the near feature, please drop a line to CPR and let us know! We don't want to lose touch. Just send an email with your new mailing address and/or email address to cprmail@carolinapoodlerescue.org. We always love hearing from the CPR community!

And if you have a story about your CPR dog (or cat), we'd love for you to share it--happy homecomings, travel adventures, training achievements, or simply a story that you'd like to share about your CPR family member. Please send it to newsletter@carolinapoodlerescue.org.

The Rainbow Bridge

Dedicated to those who have passed over.

"Bambi" Idette and Rob Durbin--Mt. Pleasant, SC	"Chippendale" Angela and Michael Rudd Dreamweaver Farms--Morrisville, NC
"Damon" Dreamweaver Farms--Pacolet, SC	"Ickabod" Dreamweaver Farms--Pacolet, SC Many thanks to Ickabod's Virtual Adopters: Catherine W., Cason L.
"Spencer" Mike Rundle--Medicine Hat, Alberta CAN


	In this issue: Eleanor: A Tribute Happy Homecomings Feature Pet: Bean and Puppy Chloe's Corner: Changes, changes, changes Carolina Poodle Rescue Poodle Trot CPR Weaverville Poodle Reunion Rainbow Bridge Upcoming Events CPR Wishlist