Peter from Boca Raton

by Justin
(Fort lauderdale, FL, United States)

Andy, Justin, and Piers

Andy and I adopted Peter (we have since named him Piers) almost 2 years ago from a no-kill shelter in Boca Raton, Florida when he was only 2 1/2 years old. He was the last of almost 10 Standard poodles who were saved from a puppy mill where he was being used as the stud to breed the other females. He had spent most of his life caged with little to no medical care. Even after getting him home from the shelter he required many different ear drops for the next 2 months and was infested with ticks.

Now here we are, two years later and he is the best Standard Poodle I have ever had! As a child I was raised with Standard's and my Aunt Katherine was a breeder of them in Indiana for almost 10 years. Early on in my teens I learned how to groom them and although now I am only 26 years old I still think they are the best breed in the world.

Piers is the sweetest and most cuddly Standard I have ever had too! This past year I travelled around the country with him and he loved every minute! The picture I am posting below is me and my partner in Sacramento, CA last October. I have since moved on to NYC and now back down to Fort Lauderdale, which I think Piers prefers better because he can go outside almost any time without having to worry too much about the rain not stopping :)

I encourage anyone to adopt a rescue dog. Even if you like a particular breed more than another, you will find them at a rescue or your local shelter. There are so many dogs out there who need good homes, especially pure-bred dogs whose owner's can no longer care for them and dogs who have been rescued from mills and the streets. My best example is the french bulldog: to buy from a breeder it can cost you close to $2000, but there are listings on rescue sites for frechie's who need good homes for adoption fees less than $300!! Find a rescue or local shelter. Dogs who have been abused or neglected will appreciate you all that much more!!