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Bradley--Who
Rescued Whom?
by Richard and Mary Szulewski
 We are poodle people and have been for
decades. We came to know the bittersweet feelings of
entrusting little lives to near strangers and of sending
pieces of our very hearts to the Rainbow Bridge when the
time came.
In the mid-90s we raised two toy poodle puppies and
reveled in their company for 13 years with Misty and 17
years with Lexie. We had gotten comfortable with the idea
that these two would be the last of a long line for us, or
so we thought.
It was Mary, my Lady Wife, when searching for poodle
diapers small enough for aging and frail Lexie, who first
encountered the Carolina Poodle Rescue, in the person of
Jennifer Smith. Like so many, we had no idea that a poodle
rescue even existed. There sat Jennifer at the table in
PetSmart, happy to share all one would want to know about
CPR. An important moment for us.
Some time after Lexie went to the Bridge, Mary started
visiting the CPR site using the information she got from
Jennifer, checking out the faces of so many that needed
homes. After much soul searching, we filled out an
application. Enter Cason Lynley, our Adoption Counselor,
an exemplar of her trade. She gently drew us out,
encouraging us while doing the due diligence necessary to
ensure we were ready and prepared to take another soul
into our lives.
 We selected Tin Tin, a mature dog from the
web site and we asked for an invite to the Farm. We were
anxious about meeting Tin Tin. We were also anxious about
facing the Force of Nature we now happily call our Fairy
Dogmother, Donna Ezzell. Would she like us and allow us to
take one of her precious ones home? Little did we realize
how open and welcoming a visit to the Farm can be. Thanks
to Joni and Donna and the totally silly SPOO that greeted
us, any anxiety we had was gone.
Donna brought in Tin Tin who proceeded to remain glued to
her side. After much trying, it was clear our selection
was not the right one for him or us. Meanwhile, Donna had
included a very young puppy in the meeting, so new to CPR
that he was not yet on the web page. This was Bradley.
Bradley would not leave us alone. He was exuberant,
relentless in his affection and totally into being with
us. But, we did not want a puppy! But Bradley wanted us!
Guess who won.
On 11 May 2016, it will be four years that Bradley has
been a part of our lives. This little man, found wandering
the streets in South Carolina at what the vets guessed to
be 9 months old, has been through a lot--from kennel cough
to unwanted hitchhikers in his bowels to being mauled by
the neighbor's dog. He has conquered all, including our
hearts. He is in constant search for a warm lap or a sunny
spot to snooze. When we are out and about, Bradley greets
each person and dog with exuberant joy, bringing smiles to
people and pets, alike. With Bradley, even visits to the
dump are a treat. He has one of the people who work there
trained to give him a treat while I empty the car. No one
can resist his overpowering case of cuteness. Bradley is
also an excellent Ambassador for CPR at adoption events.
To Jennifer, Cason, Donna and so many others who helped
bring Bradley in to our lives, our thanks and
appreciation. To all those who share the joy of rescuing
dogs and people, thank you. As the Fairy DogMother says:
One by one, until there are none.
Feature
Pet of the Month
Meet Toto!
 My name is Toto! You know, just like
from the Wizard of Oz. We look a little alike, don't
you think? My previous owner gave me up to find a new
home--I don't really know why. I'm a great little guy.
I'm only about a year and a half old and I'm a terrier
mix, so you know that means! It means I'm a small dog
with a big heart!
I don't run up to greet people right away; I'm a
little shy. But if you give me a little attention (and
maybe a few treats), and I'll be your best friend. I
would love to be someone's shadow--we could go
everywhere together. I'd be a great walking companion
and all around pal.
My ideal home would be with an experienced dog owner,
who has time to spend with me. They say I should be in
an adult only home but I get along great with other
dogs.
 If you are
interested in Toto, please visit our adoption
application page.
Rag's Forever Home
by Sue Anne Bybee Randolph
 I adopted Ragnar, now Rags in December
2014. Rags was originally scheduled to go to New York for
the big adoption event up there. Fortunately, I called in
time and he was released from the New York group. I still
remember the drive from Chattanooga with my two other
malteses, Cody and Darcy, to pick up Rags. It had been a
long day by the time we arrived but, from the moment we
meet Donna and Rags, the time seemed to fly by.
We visited, the dogs had lunch, completed the necessary
adoption papers, and we were on the road again. The drive
on the way home flew by. Rags was and is an awesome little
traveler. He rides in his crate and hardly ever makes a
peep until he knows that we have reached our destination.
Darcy, my rescued Maltese female is a mommy, big sister,
and his best best friend. She deserves a lot of the credit
for helping Rags adjust, build his confidence, and making
him feel safe. They have a special bond. Darcy has been
bathing and mothering Rags several times a day since
almost the beginning.
Rags loves to spend time with Darcy, Cody and myself, but
he enjoys his alone time. He is the only dog that I have
had that will go into a separate room by himself and rest
or take a nap. Darcy likes to be with me, but if Rags is
gone for an extended period of time she will either wake
him up so they can play or watch over him and rest in the
same room with him.
 It's easy to understand why Rags is so
special. He is an innocent little shy boy with different
personalities and quirks all wrapped up in one small
package. For the first six months Rags never barked. Now,
if Darcy's with him, he stands his ground and lets me know
if he perceives trouble or danger. He's still pretty shy
and quiet without Darcy; she has such a positive
influence on him. As I told you Rags has made such
progress in the last 14 months.
All of my dogs have been through numerous training
classes. Rags and I have been through four training
classes at Pet Smart, not necessarily for the training but
more to socialize him and to build his confidence. In the
first two classes, he was scared and spent most of his
time under my chair. He's still shy, but the last two
classes he started investigating and spending time with
the other dogs. The funniest class he's been in was his
3rd class. He was with a young Rottweiler that weighed 175
lbs. Rags, 5.1 lbs, was smaller than his head. Prior to
the class, the trainer Nancy explained that his only
classmate the Rottweiler, was just a big gentle baby and
that they would do well together. They did, it was the
funniest thing to watch the expressions on the faces of
the people watching them interact together in class.
We are grateful to you and CPR for being a part of our
loving family. We sincerely hope that everyone at CPR gets
their own special “Forever Home” filled with love.
S.O.S. Update - Maverick
 During a recent visit to the farm, we
rounded the corner and spotted the most pristine, black,
mini poodle in the cottage. Great coloring -- check. Great
size -- check. Fierce personality -- check, check! As we
bent down to say hello, we were politely reminded that
this was his space and his kennel and we would have to
earn the right to enter his "home." Understood little man
-- we can be territorial about our personal spaces too!
 Meet Maverick, an approximately 7-year old
miniature male poodle that is part of our SOS club. Found
as a stray in Cumberland County, this awesome guy is a
ball of fire, to say the least. Like the infamous Mighty
Mouse, Maverick is cute and tiny, with a pretty big
attitude. You see, we don't know what Maverick went
through before he hopped a ride to the farm in 2013. He
can be the sweetest boy when he wants to be and loves
attention on his terms. He loves to horse around with his
favorite pals in the cottage. But Maverick can also be
unpredictable and is very territorial over his crate. We
can say that over the years, like a fine wine, Maverick
seems to be settling and getting calmer with time.
Maverick has been with us at the farm for close to 3 years
now. This is most likely his long term home. Maverick
sends a special THANK YOU to his virtual adopters: Barbara
Gaines, Mike Rundle, Martha Woodward, and Denise Hunt. If
you are interested in sponsoring or adopting Maverick,
please check out our SOS page on the CPR website.
XOXO,
Your SOS Team
Happy Tails
Finding April and Hershey
by Carolyn Dundon
 Our first poodle (miniature) came to
our door as a stray and stayed for 12 years. We didn't
really "need" a second dog, but my husband and Pooh
Bear bonded immediately. He had obviously been abused,
but he trusted us and did well with our love and care.
He was such a loyal, amazing companion with my husband
who had cancer. He stayed in bed with my husband at
hospice from 7 am to 7 pm. After my husband's passing,
he never stopped looking for his friend and master.
For the above reasons and many more, we, and others,
thought we had the best dog in the world.
Four months after Pooh Bear died, I was ready to start
looking for a new dog companion. Pooh Bear had
convinced me I'd like another poodle. I read many dog
books and decided I'd get two dogs so they wouldn't be
lonely while I'm not at home. From all I read I was
able to know exactly what I wanted. I don't have a
computer so I asked someone else to get me in touch
with a place where I could find two poodles. I was
given a phone number for CPR. I called them on Friday,
telling Donna Ezzell what I was looking for. In five
days I had exactly what I had asked for. They are two
toy poodles, April and Jesse (renamed Hershey). We
believed God had sent us our first wonderful poodle. I
believe he has now sent me two equally wonderful
poodles. I love my new babies.
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.
Book Review: Irresistible
Force, Book 1 in D-9 Rescue Series by D.D. Ayres
Review by Becke Turner
 What could be better than learning
your adopted dog is super smart, especially when
your ex-boyfriend has turned stalker? In the first
novel of D.D. Ayres's K-9 Rescue series, Shay
Appleton is over the moon with her adoption. The
gorgeous stray needs a home and she needs a
companion and a protector.
But Shay's seemingly good fortune turns south when
she learns her new companion has been dognapped from
the Raleigh K-9 force and his partner is one hunky
unhappy officer who plans to press charges against
her. Shay's not giving up. She can prove the cop has
the wrong dog and the wrong suspect. Too bad, she's
only half right. She shows her adoption papers and
James, the cop, shows the K-9's ID. Shay's
devastated because she's lost her new companion. The
officer recognizes the instant bond between the
bristly woman and his K-9 partner so he agrees to
allow visitation. Unknown to Shay, the visits merely
intensify the threat. Now, the danger is coming from
all sides and it may take Shay, James, and super
dog, Bogart to stop the threat.
In addition to the fast-paced suspense peppered with
romance, dog lovers will be treated to an inside
look into K-9 rescue training and the amazing bond
between the dogs and their handlers.
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.
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
melinda.j@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.
"Beau"
Libby Steadman- Walterboro, SC
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"Cooper"
Carole Van Ness- Crossville, TN
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"Dusty"
Dreamweaver Farms - Pacolet, SC
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"Happy"
Lisa
Parson--Pine
Hall, NC
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"Inky" (aka
Blacky)
Suzi Brantley,
foster mom -
Charlotte, NC
Dreamweaver
Farms -
Pacolet, SC
Memorial
image by Bobby
Clark
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"Jasmine Jane"
Elisse
Thompson - Raleigh, NC
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"Ricky"
Mary and Beau Winburn - Port Orange, FL
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"Sunshine"
Carol Middleton - Lexington,
SC
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