Hope

On June the 16th, I put up a post featuring Lana, a Poodle who needed a home. I always try to find a dog or cat for the Tuesday's Tails Blog Hop. This is something my Facebook friends just have to put up about me.

The next day, I got a text and photo from my friend K that she had adopted Lana but she had named her Hope. Hope is a victim of the MO/KS puppy mill system. Having two of these survivors myself, I know the challenges that lie ahead for K and Hope. If anyone can help Hope it will be K. She is a special education specialist with the patience of Job. 

This first photo was taken in June, a couple of days after Hope came home. On the left is Jersey, her brother. This is a big change for him too. He has gone from being an only child to having someone else to share his space with. 

A couple of weeks ago I visited K and Hope to check up on how she was doing. I took along Millie, our senior Poodle. Millie is a very calm dog and she has never gotten to go anywhere alone with me. I thought she would do well at this little get together. I was right. Millie was so calm she just settled in and took a couple of naps while she was there. 

When we arrived, Hope was in her favorite place which is her bed right next to Mom's chair. Typical of these dogs, she does not take her eyes off K and usually follows her everywhere.

Jersey was the first to greet us. He is a very active boy and can play non stop forever. 

We had a wonderful surprise. K's Mom was there with Benny (yea, another Poodle). About a couple of years ago, I posted Benny on Facebook (not through Tuesday's Tails). Benny had a rough start in life and had been without a home for a while. At the time, I just couldn't believe he didn't have a home yet. Needless to say, he had a home the next day. 

Benny was so sweet with Millie. I caught this photo of them exchanging sniffs.  As you can see, I made sure Millie was decked out in her pretties.

Everyone was quite busy. But Hope was just a little tentative.

Finally, YEA, Hope emerges from her safe bed to join in.

I brought a selection of my hand-knitted dog wear for Hope and Bennie to choose from. Everyone was quite interested in the shopping bag that the doggie wear was in. Bennie got a scarf and Hope got a Doggie shawl. And I didn't get any pictures of them wearing their new finery. I guess better luck next time!

A small visit turned into a small Poodle party. I know the Mom's have a great time. It was so much fun to see the dogs interact with each other, especially Hope. I have a hunch we will have some more in the future. 

Hope has a way to go. Sometimes I think it is two steps forward and one step backward. The process is slow. We have had Sophia for five years now and just this year, we felt she made a giant leap as far as being comfortable with other members of the family. 

Millie is completely different. She was a breeder much longer than Hope or Sophia and she came with a sweet heart and just loves everyone. I think she is a very rare dog indeed. 

So this ends my ramble of our little get together. I have a feeling that there will be more about Benny, Hope and Gersey. As I mentioned earlier, I think there might be a few more Poodle parties in the future.

Well that is it for our Thoughtless Thursday and Barks and Bytes. 
And a big shout out to Rukus The Eskie, Owned By A Huskie, M.K. Clinton, Heart Like A Dog and Two Brown Dawgs for hosting these two great hops

Have a wonderful week and take care. Terri