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The Reluctant Valentine
by Perry Cantrell (dictated to his mom,
Christa Cantrell)
 Perry
here. It's come to my attention that I have a new holiday to
celebrate this year: Valentine's Day. Well, the holiday isn't new
I guess, but it is for me! See, this time last year my life looked
pretty different. I'd been living out my retirement in Columbia,
SC with my moms and pops for about 25 dog years, and I admit it --
I was pretty set in my ways. I had them well trained to basically
do what I want, when I want. The only problem was mom couldn't
stay off that darned Facebook page where she'd see pics of other
dogs at the Poodle Farm. And I guess I did hate being left alone
-- even for just a few minutes.
Anyways, one day last March we took a family road trip to Pacelot!
It was exciting to be back at Dreamweaver, and I was so busy with
all of the smells and commotion that I barely noticed this
abnormally long-bodied, short-legged, shaggy little girl named
Chloe mom and dad were fussing over. I did, however, take a quick
moment to admire her impressive eyebrows and adequate beard. Next
thing I know I'm settling into the front seat of the car to help
papa drive home . . . when I realize she's in the back! Of my car.
With my mom. Hmmmmmmm. Maybe she just needed a lift somewhere
(probably on account of her stubby legs).
Well, I must've dozed off because next thing I knew we were home
and she was following me inside MY HOUSE! She was acting a fool
too: drooling everywhere, grinning and panting. And she kept
getting tangled up in her leash! Like she'd never even seen one
before. When she jumped on the coffee table I admit it, I lost my
cool. I mean, who does that?! She had a lot to learn if she was
going to be a guest in my house.
Frankly, our early days together were not easy. She really got on
my nerves -- first, she was NOT A POODLE! And the worst part is no
one cared but me! I got lectures on "keeping an open mind" and
"respecting our differences" every time I tried to point out her
POODLE IMPOSTER status. It was especially rough when Chloe "found
her voice." I'm something called "going deaf," but my gosh, her
piercing bark cut straight through my schnoodle soul. And that's
not a good thing!
I tried to keep her in her place--even though I begrudgingly
noticed that she was considerably bigger, younger and faster than
I am.
As the days wore on we dealt with the usual growing pains, like
who eats first (me), pees first (also me), and calls the shots in
general (you guessed it -- yours truly). I discovered her soulful
eyes and expressive ears were just begging to be licked for, oh,
4-6 hours a day. I then discovered that we would have to do
something couples call "compromising" on this licking issue.
 We
weathered her pregnancy scare as a family (I'm serious when I say
I had nothing to do with that one) and then nursed her through
surgery to ensure there would be no more scares. I'm annoyed just
thinking about young pups running around!
By the dog days of summer (get it) she'd come a long way; sitting
and shaking hands for treats, begging with aplomb and getting into
an appropriate amount of mischief with me. Oh, and she'd also
learned to walk on a leash, "place" and "come" on command. On
account of my hearing loss, I don't have to worry about
those--wink wink. Chloe also developed an affinity for chasing
squeaking tennis balls and swimming in the pool. I know, I know,
she's crazy and did not learn either of those terrible hobbies
from me!
We survived our first Thanksgiving road trip to Ohio together, and
we were sharing a seat the entire trip! Then it was time to teach
her how to resist wearing a ridiculous Santa suit and sniff out
the edible wrapped gifts. Sometime around the first of the year we
were left alone together and it hit me: I was glad she was there
with me, and couldn't really remember a time when she wasn't with
us.
Back to the reason I'm writing this: What should I give her for
Valentine's Day, CPR friends? I'm debating between a semi-chewed
bone I hid under the sofa last week, the biggest dried worm I can
find or my personal favorite: a box of chocolates (complimentary
trip to the ER vet included). Report back soon!
Love, Perry
My Two Valentines
by Alyson
Westfall
 When
I was thirteen, I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and at
eighteen with Fibromyalgia. With the stress of my illnesses and
college, I decided to apply to adoption at CPR in May. I went to
the farm with the hopes of bringing Ellie (formerly Frankie) home
with me. When I arrived she jumped into my arms and I knew from
that moment that I was her mom.
In the past months since we brought her home, she has flown to
Ohio three times while sitting on my lap, she has discovered the
dog park, she now has twenty dress harnesses and she entered
obedience class, and she learned to play with other dogs. We
learned she was diabetic.
In December, Ellie, my boyfriend, and I made the trip back to the
farm with the hopes of bringing home Charlie. Her first few days
at her new home was hard with Ellie and Charlie learning to be
sisters, but now her personality has shined through. Her favorite
spot in the house is on my lap. She could lay on me for hours.
When my alarm goes off for school, she jumps up and stretches and
gives me a kiss. She is my little morning sunshine. She will be
making her first trip to Ohio on the airplane on March 9th.
The girls recently had pictures taken on the beach. They got to be
off their leashes and run around. They had so much fun.
These two have become the lights in my life. They keep me going
everyday even when the pain is just too much. They are my
supports, comforters, and bed buddies. I would like to thank
everyone at CPR for bringing me my babies.
 Feature
Pet of the Month
Meet Bo--a Valentine in waiting!
 Little
Bo is a newcomer to Dreamweaver Farms. His former owner could
no longer care for him so he is looking for a new start in
life. Bo is a sweetheart! He recently attended multiple
adoption events in Raleigh and did beautifully with all other
dogs and people. He is a happy little fella who just loves
being out and about or snuggling in a lap.
He is around 11 years old and does have some health issues but
they are manageable. He has a mild heart murmur 2/6 and an
enlarged heart. He is currently taking enalapril and lasix for
his heart. Enalapril costs around $10 a month and lasix costs
around $9 a month according to 1800petmeds. Bo also has early
cataracts but gets around just fine.
Bo isn't hard to please. He only wants a home where he can be
loved on and someone that is able to deal with his medical
condition. He is a complete love bug as he proved at the
Raleigh events where he snuggled with volunteers and visitors
and greeted everyone with a smile. He wants nothing more
than to be the center of your attention and giving you
thousands of kisses. In addition to getting along with people
and other dogs, he also does well with cats. He is trainable
because he is highly treat motivated, that boy loves his
treats as you can tell by his waistline. But he's on a diet
and doing well.
He does well on a leash and comes when he is called. He does
know how to sit for a treat and he likes to play with toys,
when he's in the mood. He would be a wonderful companion to
come home to or to be a day-long side kick. He's personable
and friendly, ready to be with the person or people that he
loves.
If you are interested in Bo, please
visit our adoption
application page.
Our Sweet Ree
by Darlene McGuigan
 Ree
(CPR 2016) has many Valentines. She loves everyone with whom she
comes in contact. She was found as a stray in Tennessee in 2016
and she was blind due to cataracts. We agreed to foster her and
transport another cataract dog (Marlene). We picked them both up
on Memorial Day weekend 2016. We dropped Marlene off with her
foster mom and brought Ree (aka Marianne) home. In June 2016, we
travelled to Cary, NC where Dr. English performed cataract surgery
on her. We did the cataract follow-up appointments with Dr. Blair
in Richmond, which is much closer to our home in Colonial Beach,
VA.
She was and is such a love. It seemed that she was meant to be
ours and so we became foster failures. I often say that had she
been adopted by someone else, she probably would have been
returned, as she barks, marks and bites/nips. We are aware of her
triggers and continue to work on them with her.
She LOVES her people! She is almost always near one of us. Her
vision has once again failed her, but she doesn't seem to mind.
She's happy as long as she can sense that one of us is near her.
She loves to run and play, though not with her two other poodle
siblings. She's a great "help" when we're cleaning up our yard.
She's soft and snugly and a great sleeper. We love her a lot!
Do you have a story to share or an
update? We'd love to include it in a newsletter! It doesn't
have to be long; just a quick update and a photo would be
great. Please send it to newsletter@carolinapoodlerescue.org.
S.O.S. Program
by Jennifer Reel
At Carolina Poodle, our mission is simple:
one by one until there are none. Our Seniors and Special Needs
(SOS) program says yes to dogs (and an occasional cat) in need
when others cannot.
Since the beginning of our efforts to save Seniors and Special
Needs, more than 172 pets have crossed through our program. 37
have "graduated" and gone on to find new furever homes. 58 have
crossed over the Bridge with CPR as their final home. We are very
proud of these efforts and thankful to our donors and sponsors who
have made this possible!
Today, our SOS program is home to more than 75 dogs. And our work
is not done! $240/month allows us to offer food, shelter, and
medical care for these babies. Learn more about our program at cprsos.org.
A
Special Night for Carolina Poodle Rescue
by Donna Ezzell
 In
animal rescue, we often find ourselves in dramatic, life altering
circumstances. There is laughter and there are tears. There is
heart lifting highs and heart wrenching lows. There are moments of
enjoyment punctuated by hours of hard work. We do have fun. We
often make our own fun, singing and dancing to the dogs as we
work. Humans are good about that -- finding the pleasure and the
delight in small things.
But an entire evening of nothing but camaraderie among our own
kind (humans who feel as we do about our animal friends), laughs
and some high jinks in a setting of high glamour, all to benefit
the very cause we've dedicated our lives to. That's a very, very
rare evening.
We got such an evening early in February when Carolina Poodle
Rescue was fortunate enough to be named one of the recipient
charities for the Auction for a Kaws, a benefit
"bachelor/bachlorette" auction and gala evening designed to raise
money and awareness for six Upstate SC animal rescues.
 I
do not know the final count, but the ballroom we were in showed a
maximum capacity of 1,524 people (according to the sign on the
wall) and that ballroom was full with people were spilling out
into the hallway. The ladies were dressed in their glamourous best
with evening gowns everywhere. Our men stepped out in suit and
ties, looking downright handsome. Over 25 CPR people attended the
event. We clean up well.
 The
entertainment out did themselves. One bachelorette, representing a
local wildlife rescue, made her way up and down the runway with
her pet, a rooster named Cooper. One bachelor had a very unique
approach to drawing attention to animals. He was outfitted in a
traditional Scottish kilt -- and showing a good bit of all male in
the process.
Our own dogfather, Wayne Ezzell, chose a more dignified approach.
Wearing a custom fit tuxedo, Wayne stepped out to the music of ZZ
Top singing "Sharp Dressed Man" and had ladies rushing the stage
to receive one of the several dozen long stemmed roses he had
ready for all his fans. Once the flowers made their way to eager
hands, Dreamweaver's Night Dancer a/k/a Luna, our own stunning
white standard poodle, joined her dad on stage to prance and strut
her stuff. All for a good cause.
CPR attendees helped make the silent auction a roaring success.
There were many beautiful, unique items up for bid and quite a few
made their way to CPR homes. CPR donors helped make that success
with their own donations to the Kaws.
Auction for a Kaws is now 7 years old. This is CPR's first year as
a recipient but it won't be our last. The event this year
generated over $100,000 for the six represented animal rescues,
it's best year ever. We're already planning to top it next year.
The date is set -- mark your calendars now for February 3, 2018.
Auction for a Kaws will be even bigger and better and a whole lot
of fun.
Love
Notes!
What some CPR adopters love about their
dogs.
I
love my Tillman (CPR 7/2014)! He knows just how to
comfort me when I'm lonely and can be such a goofball!
-- Megan Steele
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Oklahoma
Cleo is my best buddy and constant companion. He loves
to ride in the car and goes everywhere with me. He is
the best behaved standard of the five standards that I
have had. I have a hobby farm with sheep, goats,
chickens and guineas. He is better with my livestock
than my two Pyrenees. This is a photo that I took at
the Cone Mansion on the NC Blue Ridge Parkway. Thank
you CPR for letting me have this wonderful dog. --
Peggy Meyer
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Simba is just full of love! He's a
sweetie and makes me happy every day. He brings smiles to
the faces of complete strangers as well, with his high
wagging tail and little strut when he walks. Since he's
been with me, I've gotten to know more neighbors and their
dogs. And I spend a lot more time outside. Our walks make
us both happy. I've seen things I'd probably miss if not
for walking with Simba. Like the amazing sunrise in this
picture! -- Rose Manzo |
My Bentley. He is the first of my
many CPR rescues. I adopted him on June 21, 2003. He has
valve disease and his heart is getting worse so I have
been an emotional wreck. I'm cherishing every minute I
can. He is the love of my life. -- Sherry Kelly |
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Bella's
(formerly Nugget) 11th birthday is on Valentine's day.
The checkout lady at PetSmart summed her up well "a love
baby with a lot of love to share." -- Katie Saur |
My
boys keep me on my toes, even if I don't have the
strength that day! I'm never alone, and I'm always
loved! -- Joanne Rendon
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CPR
Signey (aka Doodlebug) and Banjo (not CPR) have become
fast friends. Signey has been such a blessing to our
family, it is so hard to believe she has been with us
for over 2 months! We love her sweet and curious
personality. Thank you CPR, sponsors, and transporters
for allowing wonderful dogs like Signey to have a
second chance at life. -- Hannah Evans
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Sophie and
Lulu. Both CPR rescues. I love how CPR was able to match
the perfect sister for Lulu! Remy, Lulu and Sophie's big
brother! One happy family! -- Vicky Narde |
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Best snuggles EVER! Sweet Pepper!
-- Elizabeth Sweet |
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For me the story is my husband Joe
that now insists that everywhere we go within driving
distance is pet friendly so we can bring Charlie, formerly
Charlee with us. She goes to bed with him every night and
falls asleep between his knees. Our other two dogs have
never wanted to sleep in bed, even when we tried so she's
got him wrapped around her little paw.--Christina
Lundqvist |
We love
that Raleigh, our cockapoo, is so smart and agreeable.
When we say "it's night-night time," Raleigh gallops to
his crate as though that's his favorite place on earth.
Sometimes when he sees us moving in the direction of
going to bed, he just goes on his own! Similarly, he can
tell when we're getting ready to leave the house and
just sits near the hallway waiting for us to say, "Mommy
and Daddy are going bye-bye," and then he runs back to
his crate.
Raleigh also knows the names of the various rooms of the
house. If he's looking for a toy, for example, we'll
tell him, "It's in the kitchen," and he'll trot into the
kitchen to find it. Or Daddy will say, "Mommy's
upstairs," and Raleigh skedaddles up the stairs to find
her. (He's a Momma's boy, you know.) We love our
Raleigh. He's a delight! -- Sue Walls
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Ongoing
Fundraisers and Updates
Help Carolina Poodle Rescue by Donating
Your Old Shoes!
 Wooftrax
is offering $1,000 to $3,000 to rescues who collect and donate old
shoes for the Spring 2017 WoofTrax Shoes for Shelters &
Rescues shoe drive! The shoes will go to help people in developing
nations around the world. So your shoes can help people and dogs!
Please help spread the word to family and friends as well!
Jennifer Smith collecting for
Raleigh, North Carolina area
Jennifer Reel collecting for Raleigh, North Carolina area
Cason Lynley collecting for the Chapel Hill, Carrboro, or
Durham, North Carolina area
Kelly Cates-Thornton collecting for Winston-Salem, North
Carolina area
Miriam Rockwell collecting for the Charleston, South Carolina
area
Linda Rogers LaForgia collecting for the Columbia, South
Carolina area
Pam Pelkey Rose collecting in the Gainseville, Florida area
Bring your old shoes to Dreamweaver Farms
at 6705 Union Highway Pacolet, SC 29372. If you aren't local,
volunteers in different areas have offered to collect donations
and get them to the farm. All of tese shoes will be consolidated
and shipped by Wooftrax to 25 developing nations around the world.
Please bring us your shoes by April 15, 2017.
Join CPR's Facebook Page
for Friends & Family
Why join another
Facebook group? Well, this is a group just for Carolina
Poodle Rescue adopters and long time supporters! It's a
great way to keep in closer touch with the CPR and
everything that is going on at the Farm, with the
current dogs, with adopted dogs, and with incoming dogs.
Hope
to see you there!
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Pet
Smart Information Event
