Everyone Loves Her

by Judith
(Colorado)

Taffy & Maggie on mountaintop

Taffy came into our lives almost 8 years ago. She was about 10 months old, and had spent most of her life in a crate in a private home. Luckily for her, and for us, the next door neighbor was familiar with Poodle Rescue, and was able to talk the owners into giving up the dog they could not deal with, that she would not be killed, but instead given to another home. Our timing was perfect, that she was brought in just as we were looking for her. We had always had "used dogs", as we called them, and up till this time they had all been terriers. (My husband has allergies). This time we wanted a larger dog, so went to the standard poodle. We've never had a better dog.
Taffy is well behaved. She had obviously had some training, so knew how to sit, stay, and heel. She's so smart, understands at least 100 words, including the names of all her friends. She loves to go on hikes (here dogs are off leash when out hiking, and are very socialized so they meet & greet and have no issues)and especially to go along when I go snowshoeing. She and Maggie,the Golden next door share a common outside area of about an acre, surrounded by an invisible fence. One "calls for" the other every morning, have sleep-overs when either set of "parents" goes out of town. They are best friends.
Since Taffy will be 9 this winter, I'm starting to look for another rescue poodle, a younger version, so Taffy can teach her everything she knows. And yes, it will be another female as Taffy has no problem with other female (or male) dogs in her home. We were so lucky to have found her and I dread the day she crosses the Rainbow Bridge.