Friday, January 9, 2009

Down a Road Less Traveled.......

on this blog, anyway. The newest member of our family arrived a little more than three weeks ago. He is a 7 year old standard poodle named Ranger (formerly Raven) who arrived in really sad shape. He was the stud for (what I would consider) a puppy mill - he lived in a barn in not so stellar conditions and he was just a really sad boy when he arrived. We cleaned him up, rough cut his hair (he was very shy and not comfortable with being touched) and then let the rest of the dogs take care of him. They did a really good job, coaxed him out of his shell, disabused him of any "alpha male" fantasies and actually accepted him - he now uses his own voice, initiates play, shows physical affection and let us run the clippers over his face, tail and feet.


The before picture was taken the day he got here









The after was taken three days ago. He's a happy boy now. There is something so uplifting about watching a dog transform the way Ranger has transformed - if you're thinking about getting a dog, check with a local shelter or look for rescue organizations in your area. Ranger came to us through a Standard Poodle Rescue group here in Maine, and as a matter of fact all 4 of our dogs are rescue dogs - and that makes a family!

**and as they say, now down off my soapbox..........stay tuned for regularly scheduled program of jewelry blogs!**

4 comments:

Lou's addictions said...

I definately agree, my last dog was a rescue dog and it is so rewarding to see a change for the better in these abandoned or abused animals.

Anonymous said...

Hello Mrs. Beadsley's Workshop... Wish you so much luck with your new poodle boy... He looks like such a sweetie.. I am a poodle person I live with (4) standards myself... (2) Blacks (2) Browns.... they are all a blessing every minute of every day... Poodles are so loving, and forgiving..... enjoy enjoy enjoy...

Lynne said...

A lovely story. We have 3 rescue greyhounds. They're enjoying the snow here in Sweden at present, loving life!

Anonymous said...

Hi, Just checked your blog. We have a 3 year old female from the same place and she is doing about what Ranger is doing. Very skittish around humans, but a loving, sweet poo otherwise.