In celebration of their marriage, my parents bought a miniature poodle puppy. They named her Fete… a French word meaning festival, celebration or party. This picture is of my daddy, me and Fete.
Fete lived to be 16 1/2 years old. ♥
“My” first dog was another poodle, whom we rescued. We named her Jolie, because she was so beautiful. Très jolie. ♥
My fond memories of Fete and Jolie make this next picture even more special for me. Meet Ellsworth and Gordy.
Gordy’s mom, Martina, recently acquired a donkey bank that she named Ellsworth because the bank has similar color to Ellsworth. According to Martina, Gordy has many characteristics like a donkey: sweet, good sense of humor and loves scritches. Gordy is a rescue, and like Ellsworth and Co, Gordy arrived at a very loving home.
Martina shared that sometimes she feels like adopting Gordy was the best thing she’s ever done for herself. His grin makes her heart happy. ♥ ♥ ♥
This picture is of Gordy, formally known as Gordon Lightfoot vonPudel (Martina gave him a classy name to make up for his neglected/abused puppyhood), and Georgie, formally known as Georgie Tara. Georgie is Martina’s other poodle; she’ll be 13 next month. Gordy is très handsome and Georgie is très jolie. Hugs to you two!
I’ve always found there isn’t much middle ground for most folks when it comes to poodles. Love them or not, in many circles, poodles are regarded as the second most intelligent breed of dog after the border collie, and before the German Shepherd. The breed is believed to have originated in Germany, where it is known as the pudel… and standardized in France, where it was commonly used as a water retriever.
What was your childhood pet and what was his or her name? If you have photos that you’d like to share, email them to morningbray@hotmail.com and I’ll post them here. ♥
September 29, 2010 at 5:30 am
Pudelhunds! One is good. Two are better. Unless two males. From the same litter. In which case, the sibling rivalry goes on . . . forever.
I had so many childhood pets that I couldn’t pick one, although ginger cat Skitter was closest to my heart. She was my 5th year birthday present and lived until I was 24.
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September 29, 2010 at 5:59 am
AH another photo shareing opportunity for MB fans. Thank you MB!
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September 29, 2010 at 6:05 am
We had a black toy poodle (with a little white on her chest) named “Jeune Fille” meaning pretty girl if I remember my french lessons. We called her Juney.
Then a friend gave us an apricot toy poodle puppy. Her name was Blondie and she was a hoot! I really bonded with her.
They are very smart dogs, and I love that they don’t shed.
However, I’ve crossed over into miniature Schnauzer land, and I can’t get out. 🙂
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September 29, 2010 at 6:17 am
I think the crossing of the Golden Retriever and the Standard Poodle proves that folks know of the Poodle’s wicked smarts.
Every tiny poodle I’ve ever met was a biter/nipper. I don’t blame the dog though. People tend to go right for tiny dogs, pick them up, snuggle, have their way with them. How terrifying for a little dog.
Favorite dog from childhood: A Brittany Spaniel. We were hunters. We had a male that was used for one breeding. I got the pick of the litter for my birthday and a 16 gauge shotgun. Best birthday ever!! I spent hours getting Happy to stick her point and not break it. Great dog!
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September 29, 2010 at 7:11 am
No pictures of Happy that I can find. 😦
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September 29, 2010 at 6:58 am
Picture of Cory #1 the boxer coming your way. Cory #2 pushed sister down the stairs so mom and dad gave her away to the mailman so she could live on a farm. Still not sure if I buy that story.
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September 29, 2010 at 7:13 am
What a lovely post! Love the picture of your Dad, you and Fete.
I can see that you love so much pets since you are a litthe girl! Me too!
Thank you so much for your nice words on my Blog Anniversary!
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September 29, 2010 at 7:37 am
What a fun assignment. I’ll have to go through old photos and get a picture of Sandy.
Poodles: I’m definately in the “love them” category. My goal is to ultimately get stiuated so that I am home enough to have a dog then I will be first in line at the Standard Poodle breeder…
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September 29, 2010 at 8:03 am
Hmmm…I’ll have to go and see if I can dig up any old photos. I had so many childhood pets…dogs, cats, guinea pigs, ect. I never had a poodle but have known a few…and yes, they ARE super-smart! My current love is a miniature Schnauzer named Harry. 🙂
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September 29, 2010 at 9:04 am
Okay, someone has to speak up for the cat…the dogs, as cute as they are (and they are CUTE) weren’t able to prevent me from admiring that gorgeous tabby face. I searched and searched, but he doesn’t even get an honourable mention. No wonder he looks slightly p***ed off. *smile*
When I was growing up I WANTED a dog. My parents offered a number of substitutes in an attempt to (buy me off) appease me.
My first ‘pet’ was a goldfish. *thbbbt* Didn’t even rate a name.
My second ‘pet’ was a canary I named Dandy, because I thought he was dandy. I couldn’t play with him so…*thbbbt*
Pet number three was getting closer. Cocoa, the Siamese cat, arrived as a kitten and immediately bonded with my brother. *thbbbt*
I finally got my dog. After refusing to speak for a couple of months. Really. Not one word. I’m nothing if not determined. *grin* Tiki, a German Spitz, fit into the palm of my hand when he came home with us.
Thereafter followed a string of animals, all chosen as an adult. Now, I’m holding out for a couple of burros. *grin*
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September 29, 2010 at 11:39 am
Carolynn,
The cat’s name is Pesto Uncle Jimmy. 😀 My bad.
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September 29, 2010 at 9:06 am
Thanks so much for adding us to today’s posting! My first dog was a wolf shepherd mix named Duchess. One time she apparently saw toddler me crawling to the street and pulled me by my collar back to the yard. She was very protective and loving to her “pack”.
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September 29, 2010 at 9:51 am
Heyyyy….Hi Martina, Hi Georgie, Hiiii Gordy!!!!! How fun to see you guys on the Morning Bray Farm blog! 🙂 🙂
My first childhood pet was my beloved, Dachshung/Terrier mix puppy. I named her “Merrylegs” because I was reading the book “Black Beauty” at the time I got her and Merrylegs was a main character. My pup won first place in the Humane Society Mutt Show for balancing cheese on her nose.
🙂
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September 29, 2010 at 11:33 am
My first pet was “Ginger”. My Dad brought her home in his pocket when I was one year old and we grew up together. Her Mom was a champion Cocker Spaniel. All the other pups looked like her except the runt. Rumour has it she got out of her kennel and had a rendezvous with a secret lover.
Ginger had a distinctly Terrier look, especially the short hair on her ears, and she had the feisty Terrier personality. She was a great Dog and kept the place free of Squirrels, Rats, and (Ewwww !) Skunks, yet was gentle and protective with other pets including Cats and my Rabbits.
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September 29, 2010 at 1:50 pm
My Grandmother and Aunt both had miniature poodles when I was growing up. Yup, they were smart!
My first dog was a wired haired fox terrier named Foxy Lady. She sure was a great dog. But had to give her up due to circumstances beyond my control thanks to mother.
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September 29, 2010 at 8:19 pm
Oh, I love this! What a sweet picture of you, your daddy & Fete. And all the poodles – adorable! My first real pet was Pepé, a half-pomeranian, half terrier. I was very small and received him for my birthday. And thus began my lifelong adoration for all critters, great and small ♥
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September 29, 2010 at 8:49 pm
My favorite pet as a little girl was a female cat named Blacky. One of my best friends had a miniature poodle named Mignon (as in Filet Mignon). My ex’s family had miniature poodle named Jacque. A current friend is a dog trainer with a dog named Newt who does agility trials and is a therapy dog. So, I’ve been around a few poodles and know their intelligence. However, I currently own a border collie…
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