Bunny Poodle

Foo April 2011

2011-04-26T08:45:00.000-07:00

Foo in her now typical Spring garb. I am no longer shocked by this look and really like how low maintenance it is. Winter just isn't kind to her coat. Any moisture and she mats. So I've learned not to be hung up on her hair, and she is more accepting also. She happily dons the hoody for days afterwards and knows she can join us on the bed.

Standard Poodle Calendars from Zazzle.com

2010-11-22T17:19:00.000-08:00

Beautiful Standard Poodle calendars with photography by Sherri Regalbuto. Sherri visited with us this summer and she has included a shot of "Foo". Would make wonderful Christmas gifts for the Poodle lovers on your list!

Standard Poodle Calendars from Zazzle.com

Foo at Two

2010-09-11T13:25:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe, but "Foo" is two years old. We got her at ten weeks of age on October 2, 2008 and it has been an adventure. I love this breed. They are fun, smart, manipulative and driven, but Foo has been a great house pet. She lives for a ball...loves her squeaky toys, flashlight beams, chipmunks, baby puppies (we watch that closely). She has had all kinds of hair dos...from puppy fluff to completely shaved. It is still trial and error trying to find something that is practical but pretty. She has a soft cottony coat, so it tends to mat with any humidity.In the two years, I've learned a thing or two about the clippers. :-)
But I haven't learned a whole lot about proper Poodle hair maintenance. . . I groomed her Thursday and into Friday. It took easily over six hours and that is because I don't brush her regularly and she was matted down each leg, a bit on her neck and her tail. It seems overwhelming to see so many felt like mats of hair, which is why I procrastinate and it becomes a bigger job. I could clip her down, but Foo loves her hair, and she is very good about me grooming her. I gave her (and myself) lots of breaks! I scissored her body as well, so that took a fair amount of time. When all was said and done...she was so pleased with herself.

She still has rabbit ears!

OK! Ship shape for another few weeks...

Foo's Newest Doo

2010-07-22T15:08:00.001-07:00

It has been awhile since I've blogged or posted pictures of Foo. She is well and has been growing hair since February. She's also been occupying herself with de-stuffing her toys and chewing on Pete's shoes. You know, the usual...:-)

I gave her a trim two days ago to try to tame her wild hair. I shaved the body close and am trying to see if I can keep her legs and neck a bit longer. She has a very soft coat that the white ones can have and it mats the minute it gets beyond one inch long....which is annoying.

However, she clearly thought she was the bees knees after her trim and smiled a silly grin for hours after. She is definitely at our place for comic relief...she is such a kick.

White on White

2010-03-01T11:18:00.000-08:00

Due to her extreme haircut, it has been a few weeks since Foo has had a chance to run outside. She has been running (a LOT) indoors after her tennis balls. She is just getting the essence of hair and Pete is already saying to me to brush it so it doesn't mat...he doesn't want her to have to have another scalp job (neither do I). There isn't enough hair for mats yet, and although I was never of fan of this look for Poodles, it certainly is practical. Actually I have warmed up to the beauty of this cut...sort of like a curly coated whippet; very sleek. However, I'm thinking another inch of hair will probably make a perfect length for this farm dog.

Foo in Hiding

2010-02-12T12:58:00.000-08:00

I shaved Foo down last Saturday. Everything is gone; topknot, ear fringes and tail pom pom. I had planned to wait until Spring before doing this, but couldn't take her matted coat any longer. She was as mortified as she was the first time. She loves her hair, and she was very cold, so Pete found an old hoody of mine and we made her an outfit. She really seemed to appreciate it, and you could tell it helped; even her ears felt warmer. She's only worn the hoody twice, as the house is quite warm with the sun shining in. She is like a whippet or a doxie; she is finding the sunny spots...sleeping on our bed now (I'm sure she'd crawl under the covers if she could).

2009 Poodle Review

2009-12-26T10:43:00.001-08:00

One of my favorite photos of "Foo"...her playing with a balloon. She would carefully pick it up by the tab. She was about 7 months old in the photo.

In March we added Barbie to our group. She was a show hopeful and Bunny's half sister. She was a gorgeous puppy and we had a fun time with her.
A very photogenic baby...

The joys of having a white poodle (times two). The Poodle girls got lots of baths this year.

She and Bunny were best of pals.

They loved to run together out back.

Though it was hard to keep the grasses from grabbing her coat!

They especially loved to play bitey face.

We had a really fun year with the two girls, but unfortunately, Barbie wasn't what we wanted in a show dog and so has gone back to her breeder. Bunny seems to miss her, bringing me her ball for me to throw to her. Is there another Poodle in the future? Probably in a year or two...I love this breed, they are so much fun.

Barbie and the Bathmat

2009-11-02T14:20:00.001-08:00

We have a routine at night and when I go to brush my teeth, Bunny will come in and lay on the bathmat. It is hard to tell where Bunny ends and the bathmat begins; she blends right in! Even more so now when she hasn't had a bath in two weeks and she is the same shade of beige. Barbie just got bathed and will be flying to Halifax later on in the week to continue her show training. I took these photos for my "before" shots. Once she is all done up by Allison, I'll take some "after" shots. I can't wait to see her at the shows all dolled up.

I'm sure her new hair care routine won't include Bunny spit!

It looks like she is being seriously hurt...but it doesn't look like Bunny is really touching her. Drama queen...

This one is just too funny...

Oops!
Made it over!

I think the girls are going to miss each other...

Barbie Goes To Burlington

2009-09-29T21:08:00.000-07:00

Barbie travelled with Emma and I to shows in Burlington ON. As a baby she was prone to car sickness, but luckily she has outgrown that problem, which made the trip much more pleasant. It was cold, rained on Saturday and was damp on Sunday, but the girls didn't seem to mind. Barbie in particular loved the time in the motel room. I think the trip did her a lot of good as she got a lot of attention, which she seemed to like and lots of exposure to different dogs. We'll see if it translates to a better time at handling class!

Hair Grows...Right?

2009-09-14T10:46:00.000-07:00

I can't keep away from the Poodles with scissors; even though I am still relatively new at all this. Barbie was very patient with me, and almost fell asleep standing up! In trying to fix the problem I made a couple of days earlier where she was looking roached in the back I think I took off too much of the topline angle. It is supposed to be an unbroken line from base of tail to top of head. Oops. Back to the drawing board...I think another couple of months growth and then I'll leave it to a pro.

Foo Fighters

2009-09-11T20:55:00.001-07:00

The Foo sisters don't actually fight...

...but they do look pretty vicious when they play!

While they had a number of toys out on the deck, it was more fun to play with the same one...

"You know you want it!"

I love how they play with their toys. Bunny still kneads with her paws like she did when she was a puppy.

"Don't even think about it!"

All toy games eventually lead to their favorite game of bitey face!

That was fun!

Mud Pies

2009-09-09T11:39:00.000-07:00

It was a beautiful morning and my friend Brenda's last day visiting. We went for a walk with the gang and they were their usual wild selves.

Bunny loves to start the run with some steeplechase jumping...

Barbie didn't hesitate to go wading in the ditch with the Shelties! She doesn't mind mud, but hates things sticking to her!

The thing about starting the day off with a walk like this is I know what I'm going to be doing for the afternoon...:-)

I can't wait to see the pictures that Brenda got!

What was I thinking?

2009-08-26T16:33:00.001-07:00

Someone at a show recently asked me if all I did was wash Poodles...yep, sometimes I think that is the case!

(This picture was at the start of our run. I don't think I could duplicate this shot if I tried! This was not staged, and all I wish was that I had taken them out a bit earlier so that this spot was in the sun.) So take a look at Barbie on the right. Beautiful white coat which was bathed on Sunday, Bunny was in the bath Monday... It was about here where the trouble started. Barbie joined Juno, Emma and Bridgit in the ditch...those darn Shelties led her astray. The dirt falls off the Shelties and other things like picks and burrs rarely cause problems.
This is how she looked when she came back! ((Sigh))
The long grasses stuck to her coat like Velcro! I don't think this is the suggested method for coat care and maintenance!
Yes, she enjoyed herself; but guess what? It is bath time again!

Foo didn't fare any better. She has hundreds of picks on her legs!

Rough-housing

2009-08-25T12:03:00.000-07:00

The girls enjoyed a quick trip to the back field to blow off some steam.
They had a lot of pent up energy...

...and were particularly boisterous in their play!

Toothy grin...

I'm not sure I have a shot of Barbie ever going for Bunny; but in the house, she gives as good as she gets!

Zoom zoom

Barbie 7 months

2009-08-23T17:17:00.000-07:00

Barbie's big hair! Another day at the parlour...and this time we used hair spray. She's a few months away from being shown, but she's definitely starting to look the part.

Walk In Fields of Gold

2009-08-09T16:04:00.000-07:00

I was out with the lawn tractor earlier in the week blazing a trail through the thick weeds in the back field. Our alfalfa field has been overtaken by goldenrod.
Even though I mowed a nice path...
...the girls like to go cross-country!
Both were bathed and trimmed today, and I'm hoping they still look good on Tuesday when Rui and family arrive (Mont'Alves Shelties and Laekenois, Portugal).

See ya!

Poodle in puddle

2009-07-24T17:23:00.000-07:00

Barbie went out with the Shelties for a walk this afternoon after a thunderstorm. The field had standing water and where she was running with Bunny the other day was soaking wet. She seemed a bit bewildered; she kept stopping and dropping her head to check it out.

Quite a different picture from the other day...hair undone, wet and having a ball! Who says Poodles are foo foo dogs!

Sisters

2009-07-21T13:22:00.000-07:00

It is fun to take the two Poodle girls out by themselves for a walk. They both went to "the parlor" today and got cleaned up. I risked them turning green by bringing them out back on the freshly mowed lawn, but luckily all that happened was they got a bit of mulch in their hair. No biggie.
There is no doubt that Barbie idolized her big sister Bunny.
And Bunny loves playing with her little sister...
Playing chase... ...and hop the fence
(both directions)

A ball is always a good time...

A ball and something to jump is even better!

Love this shot

Poodle style!

Foo and the feather

2009-07-14T12:20:00.000-07:00

I took Bunny out back for a run by herself. She was doing some laps when she came to a screeching halt and crept up to what looked from a distance to be a dead bird.She was wary, and kept her feet where they could make a quick getaway!
Circled...
Checked it again

...and from the other side!

This is the scary beast! A single feather!!!

Silly Foo!

Bunny's hair 7 weeks after being scalped; she's starting to look better and feel softer.

Barbie 5 1/2 months

2009-07-08T11:57:00.000-07:00

I went to the dog show in Peterborough over the weekend as Allison, Barbie (and Bunny's) breeder was going to be there. Barbie doesn't like car rides and so I put a sweat shirt on her, but even with that she still arrived at the dog show looking like a train wreck. She had drooled all over her ears and what was exposed of her paws as well. A bit of sprucing up helped, but it isn't the same as having a full bath and blow dry. Allison trimmed Barbie, and I watched and learned a lot. There is so much to pick up regarding grooming Poodles. I'm just going to have to keep working on it to get confidence with the scissors...knowing what to cut off and what to leave on.I didn't really get the full effect of the trim, as today was the first chance I had to give her a bath. It poured rain all morning, but the rain stopped long enough for me to take her out afterwards for some quick snapshots. I feel very lucky to have a girl of this quality! Even with these unposed shots, her style is evident.
It is good to take time to smell the flowers (or weeds)!

A blurry photo, but shows her reach and drive...

Barbie is as sweet as she is beautiful. We love this puppy!

A Much Needed Break

2009-06-16T20:31:00.000-07:00

Even though I just gave Barbie a bath Sunday night; she and the rest of the gang were getting a little stir crazy. I mowed a trail around the field and took them out. Little did I know there was still water (and mud) in the drainage ditch next to the field. Sigh.

Bunny's starting to get some hair.

Barbie will be 5 months old next week.

Bunny Ears

2009-06-09T10:41:00.000-07:00

I love it when Bunny leaps, runs etc. and her ears just fly! Too cute. When she is scolded for being naughty she will flap her ears and think about it for a second. Then she usually goes right back to what she was doing! (Bad Bunny!)

At the fence in front row is (L-R) Valerie, Eva, Cocoa, Stormy and LuAnne and Barbie in behind.

Baring it all!

2009-05-26T19:09:00.000-07:00

I finally broke down and shaved Bunny. I used a 7 blade, but with her matts, I had to go even closer and by the time I was done, she was naked!
She seemed a bit embarrassed and it hasn't been hot enough for her to enjoy the benefits.

I have to say; it isn't my favorite look, but it was necessary.
I took the pom-pom off her tail, and the ears were thinned as they looked out of balance.

She should look good again by October!

Barbie 15 weeks: Table shots

2009-05-15T12:22:00.000-07:00

After the photo shoot yesterday, I realized I needed to take off a bit more hair to get the look I wanted. Poodles are supposed to be a square dog, with the legs appearing to be long. So I took more hair off under her chest to bring her legs "up", and I am pleased with the result. I feel she has the right shape for the breed. So here is a record of Barbie at 15 weeks.

Barbie at 15 weeks

2009-05-14T14:52:00.000-07:00

Like most puppies, it was hard to get her to stand still for long!

Bunny at the same age.

Bunny's New Do

2009-05-10T18:04:00.000-07:00

I finally succumbed and gave Bunny a shorter "do". Between the coat change and Barbie's rough housing, her coat was continually matting. So we shortened it all over particularly on her head and neck.No more elastics to try to scratch out...no more hair in the eyes; she's a happy Poodle!

Swamp Hopping

2009-05-07T07:14:00.000-07:00

Bunny before running in the "swamp"...
...and after!

Barbie giving swamp hopping a go!
Bunny showing how it is done!
But to get the true technical style, you must consult the master...Juno! (picture taken last month)
Perfect form!

Barbie contemplating her next move!
Practising her hopping skillz!

Cinco de Mayo

2009-05-05T16:29:00.000-07:00

A good day for a run...

Tangles, Matts, Knots and Rats Nests!

2009-05-04T04:06:00.000-07:00

What a nightmare! When we returned home from Georgia, Bunny's coat had become all clumpy. At first I thought it was too long between baths, and some time out in the rain. That may have contributed slightly, however, it is the dreaded coat change that Poodles go through!
Apparently this is a real test of what I'm made of...of whether or not I'm cut out to be a "Poodle person"! I worked all last week at it; with combs, rakes, slickers and pin brushes and the blow dryer. One session was two hours on one side, only to have it clump back up by the following day! Well, to be honest at this point, I'm really close to giving her a buzz cut! I'm going to try a product called "Cowboy Magic detangler" and that will be the last resort. She may be sporting a shorter "do" pretty soon, if I can't get this under control!

Barbie`s First Walk

2009-04-13T13:52:00.000-07:00

Barbie and Emma have their first walk in the back. I have more pictures on the blog, but these are some cute ones of Barbie. Back lit.

Barbie and the Green Ball

2009-04-13T10:09:00.000-07:00

I bought this toy for Bunny, but she had no interest in it. The squeaker is so buried inside that it doesn't satisfy her urge to make noise. Barbie, on the other hand, dragged it up on the sofa all by herself!Bunny and Barbie both "knead" their toys when they chew...a Poodle thing perhaps?

So cute!

Barbie at 10 weeks

2009-04-11T19:59:00.000-07:00

Here is Barbie at 10 weeks. It was fun to watch her sire "Solomon" take BIS today at the Champlain KC show.

Archives: Bunny learns "gentle"

2009-04-08T19:40:00.000-07:00

I love this series of shots, and they spent some time on the Puppies page on the website. They are since gone, but I thought they deserved a place here.

Bunny looks as though butter wouldn't melt in her mouth!

I was trying to take pictures of the Nova pup, Eli. He was a singleton puppy and Bunny just jumped right into the bed with him.

Is this real?

Bonk...Bunny learning the word "gentle"!!!

Awww...a little hug with her monkey paws.

Barbie!

2009-04-07T11:08:00.000-07:00

Why wicker is not a good idea! Bunny thinks it tastes like pretzels!

Woo Hoo...here is little "Barbie", a Bunny look-a-like! Bunny is in LOVE with her!

Bunny is pretty pleased with the fact that her sister came home with us from the Connecticut shows! "Barbie" is by BIS Am/Can Ch. Tango The King And I (Solomon) who was AOM at Westminster this year. Her dam is "Gracie"...Am Ch. Kaylen's He Said She Said and she comes to us from Allison Foley, TG Standard Poodles.
Bunny trying to entice Barbie to play...you know you want it!!!!!
Yum yum

Poodle and puddles

2009-03-30T15:44:00.001-07:00

Even though this picture is on our blog, I felt it deserved to be seen here as well! Bunny mastering the high jump!

Wet. Wet. Wet.

Still having trouble with the brakes...even with elastics!
Wet. Wet. Muddy! Yuck!!! But she had a blast. She really needed to get her "ya ya's" out.

Monkey Paws

2009-03-29T09:11:00.000-07:00

I decided to resurrect this blog. I had taken it off line while I adjusted to the fact that I had her spayed in early February. It was too painful to see her pretty face and realize that I would miss the fun of showing her. So I'm in the process of looking for another Poodle girl. I love this breed; and their funny "monkey paws" are only one of the reasons!

It was cold...

2009-02-28T16:32:00.000-08:00

And so I wore my silly hat to keep warm; bad idea when there is a camera around!

With the ear flaps, it is a little poodley, don't you think?

Seven Months Old Today

2009-02-25T15:45:00.000-08:00

A bit windblown

Oops, ran into Cocoa...need to fix her elastics!

S'alright

Doh!

In the weeds

With Cocoa and Stormy

With Juno on Fox Hill for the first time

Looking for foxes on Fox Hill

Yep, need to fix that hair!

Smiley Bunny

I love this picture!

Bunny hop