Maddie
by Leslie
Nelson (brown) & Maddie (white)
We have been happy parents of standards for almost 20 years. One day while perusing Petfinder.com for a new (small!) companion for my dad, I couldn't resist clicking on the breed specific & checking out a few poodles. Among all the heartbreaking stories, Adele caught my attention & wouldn't let me go. She was in a group rescued from a puppy mill--not a puppy but one of the unfortunate used as breeders; she was estimated at 4 years old & although fine around other dogs, she was completely unsocialized to humans. Her foster mom had noted that the perfect home for her would already have several other dogs. Since we at the time had 2 happy, "well-balanced" standards, I decided to talk to my husband about taking her on. We were both worried about upsetting the status of our current pack but thought that Adele deserved a chance. The whole family ended up driving from our OKC home to Kansas City to meet her; from the first moment there was never any doubt. She went right to Misty & Nelson & they accepted her immediately. She was even happy to jump into her crate in the back of our Expedition--like she knew she was going to her forever home & new best friends. The first few months were challenging (initially it would take the 2 of us to corner her just to get a leash on; grooming was a real ordeal) but with much love, patience, positive reinforcement & the help of our other 2 "children" she has blossomed into one of the happiest dogs I have ever known. Along the way we changed her name to Maddie; all vestiges of her former life have completely disappeared. I may have to go to grooming school to keep all of them in haircuts without going broke, but it's been oh-so worth it!!! I only have to look at her to feel like we have made a life-changing difference to another creature; she has also taught me a great deal about patience & persistence. Click here to read or post comments.
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