A while ago I posted about my dog sitting for Guardians and how I fell in love with Hugo who is a miniature schnauzer. I've not been in a position to have a dog since arriving back in NZ as I have been so busy with my mother and her cancer. Its been a tough time returning to NZ alone and caring for my mum and sadly more recently her long term companion Graham has also been diagnosed with terminal cancer and is very ill. It hit me hard with regards to Graham as it was so unexpected and seeing someone you care about suffering is heartbreaking. I made the decision a few weeks ago to get a puppy for company and some unconditional love to help lift me up when I am down.
I loved the personality of Hugo and the fact that Schnauzers don't shed and are allergy free. I previously owned 2 Standard Poodles who were wonderfully intelligent dogs but definitely wanted something smaller, more "user friendly" :) I thought to myself, I wonder if there is such a thing as a Schnoodle (Schnauzer cross Poodle). For months I would call into pet shops looking for such a dog, they call them designer dogs, two pedigrees crossed. None of the pet shops had heard of a Schnoodle and I was beginning to think it was an impossibility. A couple of weeks ago I popped into the local pet shop and all the cages were empty, I was about to walk away when I noticed a little sign on one of the cages that said they were getting two Schnoodles on the 9th November. The mum was a miniature Schnauzer and the father a Toy Poodle, yes a toy! this means that they would be far smaller than a Schnauzer. Without hesitation I asked if I could have first option and choose between the little girl and boy.
Last week I had a call from the pet shop to say two little Schnoodles had already been flown up that morning from Hawkes Bay and would I like to come in to choose one. I flew as fast as I could (by car) down to the shop to discover one very timid little girl and a very boisterous little boy, after much deliberation I decided to take the little girl as she was quieter and hadn't piddled all over the floor like the little boy. I was a little concerned she had her tail beneath her legs but something told me she was the one.
I've had Poppy for 6 days now, she had only been home an hour when she began to relax and her curled little tail came out from between her legs, wagging madly. By the end of the day she was a bundle of love and mischief. Poppy slept right through the first night and already she is going outside to the garden when she needs to. She has the intelligence of the Poodle and the laid back nature of the Schnauzer. She is already meeting lots of people and socialising really well. She has been to the nursing home and snuggled next to Graham on his bed and cuddled with my mum. She has learned to sit to come to her name and wait for her food, and she's not quite 8 weeks old. I already love this dear little dog, I feel like I have known her for years. She loves to be cuddled and right now is curled up beside me on the sofa. I know she will be a loving companion for many years to come.
Poppy waves a paw
x
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