While on our pontoon ride Friday night I was looking at the dogs and enjoying how happy they are on their boat ride and remembering how the absent four also loved to ride. I was trying not to think of how much I missed Francis (so I wouldn’t cry) our most recent loss 😥 (I am especially upset about her because I don’t know WHY). The afternoon was sunny with the big billowy clouds that are easy and fun to find shapes in (a game the kids and I always played but annoyed Tom because he could never see what we saw). To my surprise, I didn’t have to look very hard, there was FRANCIS floating along with us, she WAS on the ride and wanted me to know (I know I’m crazy, but choose to be). I was immediately cheered!! My girl is never far away 😥

We love our park sleepovers. We have movie marathons (Harry Potter this time) our favorite foods (Taco salad with edible bowl) and a fun desert (root beer floats). The dogs love our undivided attention and the extra time at the park playing ball. They swam for an hour earlier so they were pretty tired by the time we settled in. Harlee learned it is not wise to leave your spot to pee haha. Nobody was willing to move either 😀 I slept (or tried to) with Patti sue who takes 1/2 the twin bed, Reba, Dottie, Rene and Rosalie. I have no clue how we all got on there, I know I didn’t have ANY room! I usually sleep with four on a KING bed haha. Harlee had Grace on her couch (she doesn’t like the top bunk) Parris and Lexie were on the other couch. We’ve had the park 2 1/2 years how I wish I had thought of it sooner, we have SO much fun there!!

Lexie hasn’t been swimming since last summer and she LOVES it!! Rosalie is so happy she doesn’t know what to do. I was throwing three balls because that stinker Rene refuses to respect Nicoles “nobody but me touches this ball” rule, Rosalie came running to help her sister when a dispute erupted. Nothing serious, but Rene does need to learn respect for the old girls (little shit).

Poppy had a good day in California, she loves Pat’s nephew Jamie which surprises me, she is not a guys dog. He must be a very special guy for her to take to him like that 😀

The girls LOVE this weather, not super hot! We play at the park after breakfast when it is still cool and swim in the afternoon when it gets hot! Life is good!
Poppy has arrived in her new home and her daughter Pebbles/Rosie was happy to see her! They always stick their nose on the belly haha. Poppy was pretty overwhelmed but she’ll be fine, getting used to a new home is HUGE but they know when they are loved and adjust pretty fast! Lexie and Rosalie will be here today for a week while Tom and Mindy go to YELLOWSTONE!! I’m happy to have 9 dogs again, I feel lost with just seven 😦 I know, I’m NUTS!

Well she’s almost to her new home in Sacramento! She loves Pat, SMILED at her twice this morning! I’m so happy! It is SO HARD to send them off to a new home even through I KNEW it was best, she will get exactly what she needs, constant attention and a new position as PACK LEADER! She could never have that here (and longed for both) 😦 Any special attention led to issues with the other girls. Such a good girl, both Harlee and I want her happy, even if that’s not with us. We talked about it for a LONG time, changed out mind everytime we looked into those beautiful brown eyes, but it always came back to her need to be TOP DOG. Luckily not everybody cares about they, they are happy where they fit in the pack. She never has been, just a dominant girl and her baby girl and two males will let her have her way. Pat will send tons of pictures!!

I’m still worried about Reba, mostly because I’m freaked about losing someone else. She eats and wants to participate in everything we do, seems perky but I don’t like her breathing when she sleeps. Occasionally she pants when no one else is (low dose aspirin has helped that). I’d take her to the vet but I’ve learned visits generally result in antibiotics which I don’t think will help her. At 12 1/2 I know our days together are numbered. Her leg hurts her, she won’t let me touch it 😥 I take her brace off at bedtime and put it back on first thing in the morning as careful as I can. What a trooper she is. LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!!

We are all rested up from our busy weekend. The girls were raring to go this morning so after breakfast we loaded up the poohaul and went to the park. We are still adjusting to life without Poppy (and Francis for that matter) takes awhile, after having 10 dogs for years seven it’s a big adjustment, seems like I’m always missing somebody (and I am). It’s hard not to be sad even though giving her to Pat was what she really needed and wanted. Pack behavior is much different than having just two dogs. Everything you do, they see as a message about their place in the pack. If I want harmony there are strict rules to follow to avoid confusion that leads to fights (I know I lived it and it’s horrible). Pat will spoil her rotton (continue the spoiling I should say) her daughter Pebbles/Rosie and the two boys will be her loyal subjects and she’ll be a happy California girl!!

I love seeing our Ruben babies. Bob/Gonzo (Sponge Bob litter)makes me happy/sad he is SO his dad, those expressive loving eyes. Vincent/Merlin (Harry Potter litter, Gracie’s litter mate)too, Ruben’s beautiful face! Preston (Sex in the city) is SO TALL! So ELEGANT! Washington/Fozzie is the only Checkers baby I get to see, he is so devoted like his mother. The girls are PRECIOUS! Leslie/Pendill & Amy Farrah/Savannah are BIG BANG BABIES. Samantha/Sammy Sue is a SEX in the city baby. Fionia/Blanch from the SHREK litter!! All pretty girls!! I called Savanah GRACIE a dozen times! Those girls look & ACT so much alike!!
Poppy is doing better today, not as confused and nudging Pat to pet her. I can’t believe how little THOUGHT people give to rehoming (especially breeder that DUMP the retired “STOCK”), it’s stressful. Pets are NOT CARS, they should not be passed around with no regard to how it effects them. Pat sent me cloths she had wore for months before she came, Poppy KNEW her smell. We sent her home with her crate and bedding, toys and things that would comfort her. We want her to be happy and have an easy conversion. I can’t wait until she smiles at Pat!!

We need cheering up. Poppy is off to California with Pat and Jamie and Reggie are on their way back to Ohio. Even though the girls are DOG TIRED from yesterday they found enough energy to play! Sadly it was not as fun without GATERPOO and Poppy missing from the action. It didn’t help that Nicki and her beloved red ball were swimming with Harlee and grandpa at the sandbar (TOO many people to take everybody). So with numbers reduced by three we enjoyed ourselves as best we could.

WHAT A GREAT DAY!! SO MANY FRIENDS (47) AND SO MANY POODLES (46)!! Beautiful day! 80 and not a cloud in the sky! Ruben had NINE babies attend (8 Patti Sue babies and 1 Checkers baby) Reggie got to see SEVEN of his babies! He is so darn sweet! Gina Betti (Phyllis Betti’s toy poodle) stole everyone hearts, she proudly sat on someone lap, just adorable (seen below with Pat). Skully (Lynn Leifer’s 14 year old beagle mix) AKA the honorary poodle was happy in her corral in the shade, she prefered it to the muzzle that prevented her from nipping other unsuspecting canines passing by. Lots of Lexie babies. Just a fun mix of wonderful dogs and the special people who love them. We’ve decided to try to pick two Saturdays for future events. For Spring, the Saturday after Memorial day. And Fall the first Saturday in October (hoping for cooler weather). If you have some ideas on how to communicate what dish to pass please share, not everyone checks the events page where you can select JOIN and comment on what you’ll be bringing. We need a better way to plan 🙂 Thank you to everyone who came!! We are looking forward to FALL!!! TONS of pictures on Facebook! Face Book poodle page