Tale Eight - Tail Story

For a moment I am going off course for my story. There is a story to be told which is very important. Mummy and daddy searched high and low for a breeder who would not cut tails. Mummy and daddy did not know much about dogs and poodles for that matter when Gorky came to live with them. Gorky's tail had been cut to be shorter. From what mummy said it was not cut so short and was beautiful, but it was docked just the same. The more they thought about it, the more they didn't like the idea that tails or ears were docked. They thought it must have been painful for us dogs and  why couldn't we stay like we were born. Anyway the more mummy and daddy looked at undocked tails the more they thought our tails were beautiful.

Well when Gorky died, mummy and daddy told me they learned even more things to do with our breed. When they got another poodle they would make sure to not cut the tail. That's why they went to Carole who had not docked tails for years. I even had my dew claws which helps me to run and turn fast. Whew, I was lucky, just the thought of pain makes me cringe. Now, every time I see a docked tail I get mixed messages about what my fellow dogs are saying. I love to wag my tail and it helps me to run. twist and turn. Carole said to my mummy that we learn things quicker from her experience than dogs who have docked tails.

I love to feel the wind through my tail and I feel like I am dancing when it moves. And the girl dogs like me too!!! I have had girls swoon by just a flick of my tail, even seeing me just on a video I have a fan club.

Here are some photos of me showing my much liked undocked tail at play.

 

Here is a video of me playing ball which shows the movement of my tail.

 

 

 

If you can't see the video, here is a link to youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL8my3QUA6c

 

Here is a member of my fan club who is watching videos of me moving my tail.

 

 

This is a more recent photo of me playing ball in my yard in upstate New York.

 

 

Here's wagging at you bub! I am so glad my parents decided not to dock my tail.

 

 

 

Tale Seven - Ball Play Begins

I was really getting used to the place. Adrienne and Roger were my mummy and daddy now. They gave me fun things to do like running and playing with all sorts of toys. I liked to tug with a large rope and  I also liked the squeaky toys. I still do! I want to tear them apart and am always looking for the squeak.

When I go outside, I absolutely loved the crunch of a stone pebble. Mummy and Daddy did not want me to chew, but I did it anyway for the thrill of it all. I noticed that Mummy and Daddy were really hopping when I did this, so I tried to do it even more. I just couldn't help myself. I did outgrow this habit, but occasionally I do it to get their attention.  I also enjoyed it when they couldn't catch me, because I was a fast runner.

The one thing I found when I was with them early on was the love of the ball. I adored the ball (still do), because I wanted to catch it and run and it gave me the opportunity to play with both Mummy and Daddy. I learned how to fetch and catch the ball. In the beginning Daddy and I played with this ball within a ball. It was really exciting. I loved kicking it and really concentrated on getting it. I felt so excited while playing. I was born to play ball. It made my life worth living.  I couldn't keep my tail from moving. In fact my whole body was moving. The ball was really a challenge and I even liked the noise it made. We played in the house, in the yard and on the porch. I had to do it everyday. I looked forward to it and my day was not complete if we did not play.

Here is one of our indoor play sessions with the ball within a ball. Don't I look excited!!!  I couldn't keep my tongue in my mouth with all the excitement. I was getting very good with moving backwards as Roger daddy was moving his feet with the ball. I kept my eye on the ball always.

 

If you can not see the video above click on this you tube video link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wq8tvp8aMhc

 

Here are some photos of me with my favorite ball in the yard.

 

 

 

 

 

I must go now because it is time to play ball.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tale Six - First Commands and Fluffy White Stuff.

I'd been here a few days now and I was getting used to the place sort of. I slept the night by now and I liked the yard so much. I'd marked the whole property and I knew that this was my place. I still couldn't accept some of the rules here as things had changed so much. Adrienne and Roger taught me some new things like sit, stand and down. When I was good and did what they wanted, they gave me a great treat - a thing called cheese. It tasted so good. I'll do anything for a good treat.

Here is a video of me doing sit and down.

 

If you have trouble seeing the video here is a link from youtube.com http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9puB9-CZnE

 

 

Well, I was settling into a routine eating, going potty, playing and having a good rest. Lots of good rest. I play hard and I rest hard that is my motto. One day I woke up and I went outside and there was this cold, bright stuff on the ground. As I walked or ran my paws sunk and kicked up this bright cold fluffy stuff which I soon learned was delicious. When I peed, this stuff turned yellow.  I loved the smell of this stuff and outdoors and I had to stop and listen to all the sounds. It was really pretty quiet as it was first thing in the morning. All I could hear was Roger's voice and the strange sound of something else. I wasn't quite sure. I was very curious and had to stop to listen. I couldn't see anything but then I could hear eerie loud calls in the distance near the trees. I didn't want to mess with what was out there.

 

 I really felt so free and felt like jumping everywhere especially on Roger. He firmly said sit when I did that. Then, Adrienne finally said it was time to come in from the cold. I learned two words on that day - snow and crow.  One I liked and one I was not sure about.

 

Here is a video of that morning:

 

                               

 

If you have trouble viewing the video here is a youtube link of that video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsRtAoRfTsY