Hi All

It has been a very long time since I filled you in on the escapades of tbe inhabitants of Poodle Place.  Dylan insists I begin with him.  He earned his Canine Good Citizen award! This was quite an accomplishment and I am proud of him.  There is one tiny glitch:  he came home and ate a corner of a rug to celebrate.  This redefines “good citizen”.

There is a much more to share, so stay tuned!

Botswain

Our Dylan

Hi All,


I must admit I am way behind on my blogging.  This photo  of Dylan was taken when he was a puppy and now he is 1 year old (hold the party)!  More recent pictures of Dylan will appear in future entries.  We named him Dylan after Bob Dylan.  As a nobel laureate in literature, he qualifies to have a dog named after him.

Dylan is a delight! Well, mostly a delight.  As a poodle (think Baron and Byron) in our household there would have to be a few glitches.  At any rate I wanted to introduce him to you before I chronicle his escapades.

More later - a lot more.

As always,
Botswain

Heart Felt

Hi All,
I must admit that it has taken awhile to mourn the loss of Baron.  If you have read this blog you know how unique he was (see "Home on the Range" for details).  Our pets become an important part of our lives.  They bring such joy and love, and, in Baron's case, many challenges (i.e. to my intellect and patience).

I am having trouble closing this chapter of my life and of this blog, so I won't.  Baron, as Byron before him, will remain a part of it - in my heart, soul and laughter.

Future posts will focus on our newest member of Poodle Place and his oh so patient big brother, so stay tuned!

With sadness and a smile,
Botswain

For Baron, Farewell Dear Friend

                                For Baron, Farewell Dear Friend
                                            2007-2016

                Oh Baron, our wonderful mischievous big-hearted boy
                You have pranced through our lives spreading chaos and joy.
                Being with you was often a challenge, yet gleeful and fun
                Even if we frequently felt undone.

                You opened the cabinet, jelly jar and the canned soup
                 It was "only" a pop top but you found the loop.
                 The stove, cuisinart, computer too
                 Nothing was too big a challenge for you.

                You did not notice size whether large or small
                 Because your heart had room for us all.
                 The most joyful being to have graced our hearth
                 With wings and a smile you left this earth.

                  So go now, go without delay
                  Leap into the clouds - run and play.
                  Your unselfish love and courage, dear friend
                  Shall live in my soul till we meet again.

Newest Member of the Pack

Hi All
It has been quite awhile since I brought you up to date on activities at Poodle Place.  Here is a picture of the newest member of the Poodle Place Pack.  Isabella is the queen of Baron and Blake's hearts, not to mention ours.

More later, I will leave you with the image of our pink poodle.
Botswain

Blake potentially sets a family record!

Hi All,
I know it has been awhile since I last wrote.
 Here is the latest.  I am taking an intermediate obedience class with Blake - our only obedience class (although he does receive private tutoring). During the 1st class it was obvious that Blake was the oldest in the class and one of the least obedient dogs. Nonetheless, the "professor", Connie,  told me he should be a therapy dog. Who knew? Probably because, while the other dogs were behaving obediently, Blake was greeting the humans (Connie included), tale wagging.  He has mastered apple polishing.
As class has progressed, Blake has done well. The only thing holding him back is me.
Connie just told me that Blake is doing great and will probably graduate to the advanced class.  To be honest, Blake is the only canine family member to get past the beginning class.  When Baron rook the beginning class, I encouraged our entire family to attend the "graduation", because Baron was not graduating and I did not want him to notice - bad for his ego.  We will see what happens.
All for now
Botswain

A New Plate

Hi All,
I have not written lately because I have had mechanical difficulties - which I mean literally.
Here is the update:  I had a "traumatic" fall which caused a broken clavicle.  For those unfamiliar with the clavicle it is also known as the collar bone.  I kid you not, someone thought I broke my back - untrue, thank heavens.  You can all vote or make a quiet speculation as to how this occurred. Here are your 3 choices:
1) I was thrown from a bridge table.  If you have ever played duplicate bridge with me, you will know this is not as unlikely as it might initially appear.
2) I was thrown from a horse.  This, too, is quite feasible.  If you have ever watched me ride, you might feel compassion for both the horse and my trainer.
3) I fell out of a tree birdwatching.  This option has led to much speculation amongst those who know me and my love of nature.  I have fielded questions such as: how high up were you? How did you get in the tree?  Was the bird interesting enough to be worth the risk?

As a result of my injury I now sport a brand new plate and 6 adorable screws!
All for now
Botswain