Thanks for your comments about Links. As I am learning from all the comments on this site, his story is not at all uncommon. I had no idea that so many people consider a dog "disposable" if they don't plan to breed it for one reason or another after it has reached its champion status. So Sad....but....definitely our gain! We are absolutely convinced that our Links was royalty in an earlier life. The regal way that he runs and sits (and even sleeps) are surpassed only by his attitude of complete superiority over all that he surveys. He, too, has a heart problem. We know that we will not have him forever, but we have certainly enjoyed (almost) every minute of the time we have had so far and have every intention of enjoying his remaining time as the "king" of our family. By the way, he originally came from a kennel in Michigan called Ravendune. I understand that is has only recently ceased to exist due to the death of its two owners/breeders who passed away within a short time of one another. I used to go to their website to see some of Links's relatives. Apparently the owners of Ravendune were big "Bon Jovi" fans. His sire was Ravendune's Jon Bon Jovi and his given name is Ravendune's Richie Sambora. His former owner had both his grandfather and his aunt, but they were not related to each other...so he was the genetic "Link" between her other two poodles...hence, he became "Links". A few years after we adopted Links, we added our apricot girl, Lucy. She is as different from Links as it is possible to be. She is a total goof-ball. Clumsy, shy, silly, not particularly bright....but a total hoot to have around. Always getting herself into funny situations. Last year, we were approached about the possibility of adopting a 5 year old Labradoodle. After checking her out quite thoroughly, we brought her home. We are actually convinced that she is more likely a Golden Doodle rather than a Labradoodle, as she has really long silky (sheds like crazy) hair. But, whatever she is, she is a complete love. The sweetest demeanor imaginable. She completes our family beautifully. She gets along great with both Links and Lucy. Lucy loves having a great big bear of a girl to run and play with and Links, well, he is just really glad that Lucy has a distraction so she leaves him alone to nap in peace! We are believers that everything in this life happens for a reason. We know that Links was meant to be the dog who introduced us to the joys of poodles. We also know that Lucy came along to prove that you can't assume that all poodles (or people) are alike. Anyway....we appreciate your kind words of encouragement about our family...we love them all and are poodle fans for life!
Feb 16, 2009 Rating
Links by: Anonymous
What a wonderful story. Links sounds like every Standard I have ever had in my life which started with two Standard brothers from Carillion Kennel of Bedford New York in the 60's. Blanche Saunders was an old girlfriend of my dads and a lifelong friend, and one of the really greats of the breed and the started of dog obience in this country. So many people who are trainers nowadays have no idea who this great woman was. She is unfortunetaely long dead but even as a child taught me so much about dogs, Poodles, etc, and alot of people should realize who she was and that she was the dowager of dog obedience and always will be and before they give out these crackpot ideas about training maybe they should read her books. Good for Links that he has brought your family to this breed, they are the most wonderful dogs in the world.........the oldest in my family still steals out of the garbage as well at 10 just like his dad who lived to be 16 and like your Links, Raizen was very active even with a bad heart and Frost is very active at 10 and always will be a rascal........I got him back at age 10 after selling him as a show dog showing him to his championship like Links and then sending him home to his owners at 5. they decided they did not want him anymore at 8 and I have had him back on my bed ever since and that is where he loves to sleep.
