My Little Vinny

by Pam Florian
(Dayton, Oh)

My boy was Born on June 6 of 2009. He was first one out, and mom went early when the breeder was gone. My guy got stuck under a freezer ( his mom was a first time mom and was doing nothing for the pup). When she got home and saw what was going on she heard the puppy crying. They used salad tongs to pull him out. In doing so his little ear was torn from his scalp and his skull fractured which we later learned pushed his one eye out of the socket. I got a call to come help her and I quickly saw how seriously he was hurt. I put him in my shirt against my skin and wrapped a warm rice pack over him and went to the emergency vet clinic where they asked me his name.... I just looked up and said"Vinny"? For Vincent Van Gough!!! They sewed his ear on( part of it was gone) and sent us back with antibiotics and pain meds. I fed him from a bottle and cuddled him for the first few hrs. of his life. When we realized in a couple of weeks that he was also blind in one eye they were going to put him down since he was a Standard Poodle and no one would want to purchase one "defective". I commited to take him. A Poodle was not a breed I ever thought about owning! Have I ever been surprised!!! He is the sweetest guy! Very smart and protective. He is a real clown at times and he always makes me laugh at is crazy antics. He is 10 mo and holds 2 AKC titles and will get his Canine Good Citizen this month. He is so elegant at times with his long legs and I love watching him run with pure joy! He has no idea he is less than "perfect" physically. My life was enhanced by this beautiful, tall , black beauty and I tell everyone how wonderful a breed they are. I would do it all again and am so very glad I did!