Camille Finally EATS!

~~The Gayla Pink Apple~~

We have made GREAT progress - these three pictures say it all...

OMG, she decided to eat from her bowl instead of my hands. 

This is great progress!

She ate on her own for the first time.  She had eaten only twice and that was my feeding her from the palm of my hand.  Finally, she got up and walked over and started eating her dinner. 

Look at those paws!  I think she has done this before, don't you!

Then, she plopped down and ate at her leisure.   Hmmmm, do I see a little lazy bones or is this just down right smart!  Afterall, we don't stand up to eat our dinner, do we? 

Bon Appetit

No sir!  We sit down to enjoy our dinner, so why shouldn't Camille. 

All I can say --- She's pretty smart! 







A Camille Update...Week One

~~The Gayla Pink Apple~~

Camille has been here one week today!  It has definitely been a very slow pace of adjusting to her new environment.  I have to remind myself many times a day that she only knows the routine she has lived the past three years, so it's a guessing game at best.

Feb. 18, 2014 - cute face

She didn't eat for four days.  She finally ate a tad of dog food from the palm of my hands.  She will drink water -  that's good.  

 Daily walks in the park.

She seems to enjoy our walks to the park every day.  But, I have to pull her out the door.  She doesn't know what it means when I say "do 

you want to go for a walk" or "do you want to go to the park." As soon as we get outside she loves it.   We walk throughout the neighborhood park a couple times each day. 

I haven't started her on an official training schedule to run with me, yet.  I think it's too soon.  I took her in the car to the big dam bridge and we walked my running route.  Of course, she was the center of attention.  People stopping to tell her how pretty she is! 

She is the sweetest girl you can imagine.  She walks up and puts her head in my lap and stands there  f o r e v e r!  She stands there as long as I am giving her attention.  Then, she plops down at my feet. 

She gently puts her front legs on my chest - standing on her back legs!  It's precious - but what does it mean?   What does she want?  It's so darn cute - but I don't understand what she wants.  It's like she is waiting for me to do something and I don't know what.  I claim she wants a hug.  So, that's what she gets.  No, it's not dominance!  She does it so gently and sweetly.  So, don't tell me it's dominance.  I read online dogs will sometimes stand on their hind legs to show dominance.  But, that's not what Camille is doing - I'm sure of it! 

One of her favorite spots - on the rug in the study.

This sweet girl has definitely been through a lot the past few weeks.  She was removed from the place she lived for three years; put in a foster home for three weeks; and then moved again to her forever home.  I can only imagine how fearful she has felt!   

Better days are ahead for her, for sure...

Gayla





Valentines Day --- Love on many levels!

~~The Gayla Pink Apple~~

 

Happy Valentines Day to all of you and your LOVES! 

 

 



Love is a word often misunderstood and misused.  There are many levels of love!  This is not a blog post diving deeply into the word and its' meaning. 

 

I do, however, want to say that on this particular LOVE day, Camille is definitely already loved greatly in this home!  She has been here only three days now, so you can imagine she is still unsure of her environment and very confused.

Camille with her Valentine Red Bow

Camille was previously owned by a "high end" (their words, not mine) standard poodle breeder who gave her up to be re-homed because she delivered small litters.  She is three years old and her last delivery she delivered only two puppies.  You probably agree... that doesn't make a breeder much money when the average litter for a standard poodle would be more like eight or more puppies.  In addition, it's not good for the dog to continue breeding.  I will give the breeder kind remarks in that area.  He did the right thing by giving her up to be re-homed. 

The term "high end" breeder was the term used by the standard poodle rescue organization, not my wording.  Even though the breeder supposedly sells the puppies for $1,500 to $2,000 or more, it doesn't impress me or mean much to me as far as the first 3 years of Camille's life. 

I am guessing that really means she lived in a kennel.  Most likely well fed and cared for, but not necessarily socialized or loved my humans. But, that's about to change - she will be loved a lot for the rest of her life.  She is the sweetest girl - yet, very scared and skittish. 

It's obvious she hasn't been in a city environment.  She is very leery of cars driving by and is very much out of her element.  It will take time for her to adjust and it will take time for me to learn her signals and vice versa.  I do not have experience with rescue animals and I do not have a clue how to read them.  But, together we will do this! 

Love on many levels on this Valentines Day! 





So, G - you think you're smarter than a Standard Poodle, huh!

~~The Gayla Pink Apple~~

Think again!

 

As I went to get the mail today,  I was interested to see how Camille was going to handle my opening the front door.   She stood back so perfectly - standing about 10 ft. behind me.  Just in case you don't know, Camille is the standard poodle I adopted and brought home yesterday.

 

I opened the door - reached for the mail - and all of a sudden she bolted past me - out the front door she flew!  Knocking over a concrete planter on the front porch -  down the front steps and out of sight.   I was able to grab her, but made it worse because I wasn't able to hold on to her to keep her from getting out the door. 

 Camille

My worst fear was coming true.  My heart practically stopped and panic mode definitely set in as I watched her disappear before my eyes.  Of course, I starting calling her name!  Took my voice to a nice "good girl"  voice in an attempt to send a message that I was here for her. 

 

I immediately called my husband in a panic and he rushed home from the office to help.  I pulled myself somewhat together and slowly started walking in the direction I last saw her.  Long story short, I got lucky and followed her path and there she was!!!  Standing dead still because a fence had stopped her and she hadn't figured out how to get around it, yet.  I was able to slowly "sweet talk" my way to her praying she didn't bolt and run again.  Luckily, she stood there and didn't run and I was able to get my hands on her collar. 

 

Traumatized is putting it mildly - for both of us!!!

 

 

 



Now, It's A Standard (Arf! Arf!) POODLE

~~The Gayla Pink Apple~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It Was Once A Miniature Schnauzer;
Then, It was a Shih Tzu;
Now, it's a Standard Poodle!

I've been wanting a standard poodle for a few years now.  I tried talking myself out of it several times - actually have talked myself out of it a couple times - but somehow would not let it go. The desire continued and did not disappear.  So, recently the search was on.  I looked into puppies and easily found some great ones.  I also completed an application to rescue a standard poodle and then put it on hold.  The waiting began - the pondering continued. Do I buy a puppy or see if a rescue that is a good match comes my way.  Do I have room in my heart for another dog?  Is the time now?  Is there a sign in this for me to follow?  Yes, I think so - keep reading...
 

I still grieve for our little Shih Tzu, Casey and it's been a year since she died.  Growing up we had dogs, but they were outside dogs. I never really attached to them like I have - as an adult - with my indoor pets. 

It Was Once A Miniature Schnauzer

Baron Von Benzer  

First, there was Benzer, a miniature schnauzer. His official name was Baron Von Benzer. He was kind of like my first child. Benzer loved to please you, instead of demanding you please him. He was well behaved - I taught him to NOT jump up on the furniture - I wasn't going to have my furniture smelling like "dog" - He didn't sleep on our bed - I mean, my goodness - no! Oh, the rules when I was young!!! :-) He joined my household before a baby/child entered my world. But, regardless of my rules, I loved him dearly and he loved us back many times over. 

Then, It was a Shih Tzu

Lady Peek-A-Boo Casey Marie enters the household and I must tell you about her, too.  Benzer shared the spotlight with her for 5 or 6 years.  Oh Yes, Casey - the teeny tiny 8 week-old Shih Tzu.  She belonged to my daughter.  Blair was in the 2nd or 3rd grade and decided she needed her very own pet.  She knew exactly what she wanted - a little white dog to sleep and cuddle with, and sit in her lap.  

Lady Peek-A-Boo Casey Marie

Casey was exactly what Blair ordered and she stole all our hearts, too. I have to say though, she expected you to please her, instead of her pleasing you. She had that little tilt of the head and cute little face that got exactly what she wanted when she wanted. Yes, she got on the sofa, slept on the bed, she did whatever she wanted and went wherever she wished. She broke all the house rules Benzer had to live by.   All of my rules went out the door when this little lady came along.

She was named Peek-A-Boo because the day we brought her home she would put her paws over her eyes - move her paws away - look at us - then put them back over her eyes; as if she were playing peek-a-boo with us. She was so loved by our entire family.  Casey passed away a year ago at 14 1/2 years old.

Now, it's a Standard Poodle!

I think at this stage in my life, a standard poodle indeed 'fits' me perfectly.  I got the call from a poodle rescue organization on the one-year anniversary of Casey's death.  Camille is white and cream (so was Casey) - is a girl (so was Casey) and her name starts with the letter "C"!  Is that ironic?  I originally wanted a male, black or chocolate brown; and his name would not start with the letter "C"!  But, here is this girl, white and cream, and need I say more?   It's obvious - She's my gal!  She's the standard poodle for me!

 

Mademoiselle Camille Bianca Rose

It is time for a large dog that can run with me outdoors.  I want a large poodle because they do not shed and are very smart.  I will admit I do not like small poodles very much and I've never been much of a poodle fan; but I'm convinced the big standard poodle is a good match for me now. 



It Was Once A Miniature Schnauzer;
(Baron Von Benzer)

Then, It was a Shih Tzu;
(Lady Peek-a-Boo Casey Marie)

Now, it's a Standard Poodle!
(Mademoiselle Camille Bianca Rose)

My Heart Smiles,

Gayla 





How Much is That DOGGIE in the Window? (Arf! Arf!)

~~The Gayla Pink Apple~~

Oh, I do hope that doggie's for ME! (Arf! Arf!)

YES, she's for me - she came home with me today!

Meet Camille!   She is a big poodle - a  standard.   I'm sure it's just a matter of time and this young lady will be the center of attention in my house.

I knew the next dog in my life would be a big dog,    I was pretty sure it would be a standard poodle --- just wasn't sure if it would ever happen.  I had very mixed emotions about getting another dog.  I have been wanting a standard (large) poodle for a few years now.  At the time, I didn't get one because we had our little Shih Tzu, Casey.  I didn't want her to feel replaced, etc.  She was our little princess and I thought a big poodle might be a bit much for her to adjust.  As most of you know, Casey died a year ago, February 2013.

Adoption papers signed today at 3pm!!

I think at this stage in my life, a standard poodle indeed 'fits' me perfectly.  I think Camille and I are a perfect match.  She needs a home and I need a pal.   She is very mellow,  loving, and sweet - I'm already loving my time with her.   Just look at that intelligent face.   Camille is a rescue - a cream and apricot parti-colored standard poodle.

I got the call from a rescue organization for poodles on the one-year anniversary of Casey's death. Camille is white and cream (so was Casey) - is a girl (so was Casey) - and her name starts with the letter "C"!    Is that ironic?    I originally wanted a male, black or chocolate brown; and doubt his name would start with the letter "C"!   But, here is this girl, white and cream, and need I say more?    It's obvious - She's my gal!   She's the standard poodle for me!

She will become my running buddy. That's the plan, anyway!  I wanted a large poodle because they're extremely smart, and do not shed.  And, I wanted a dog that could run with me.   I'm really looking forward to this new relationship.

Camille's photo from the rescue (poodle) organization! 

Look for her blog --- "Camille's Poodle Doodle Chatterbox " is coming soon.  Yes, she will have her own blog.   How fun is that?   :-)  What?  Did you just say that I need to get a life?  That's funny and you're kind of right; but hey, my life now includes Camille.