15 years of unconditional love!

Yesterday, was Teddy's 15th birthday. I really didn't think he was going to make the date, but he did. Bless him. Several months ago, having attended vets appointments and a heep of medication - I honestly thought 'game over'. And yet, he's plodded on.

I was never a dog-person. I never grew up with dogs. I only knew dogs from visiting other people's homes. There was Midge, the Jack Russell next door. Benji, the black poodle of a school friend and the beloved Sheba, a family friend's collie dog, who I remember from my primary school days. That was it. I didn't run towards dogs as other children did. They didn't come to me either so I suppose all was fair.

I was a cat person. I asked for a cat at the age of seven or eight and was told 'no'. I came from a no pets household, apart from two tortoises allowed to plod around the garden. I rectified that rule as soon as I had a home of my own. I moved out 1st July 1994  and by the September, I had two rescue kittens - true moggies from the Cats' Protection League. I was happy with my numerous cats until I reached 40. I then wanted a dog. 

I'll change that line: I needed a dog!

I knew nothing, so sat browsing the internet reading up on various breeds. Finally, I found a breed list that showed various aspects - the pros and cons for each breed. So me being me, I read through each with the intention of making a note of any breed that ticked all my life-style boxes: easy to train, intelligent, resilient health-wise, playful but calm and easy to groom. I sat for three hours reading through each breed - in my head I knew I loved the Dalmatian, the rough collie, the old English sheep dog ... even the St Bernard! But we hadn't the space for such a hefty dog - though I always make a point of fussing them when I spot one. After hours of reading through the breeds, I'd finished my homework. Task: done and dusted! I had just one breed written down - miniature poodle. I was as shocked as anyone. A poodle couldn't possibly be my match. Then I thought back to the nicest dog I knew as a teenager - Benji, the black miniature poodle. He was gorgeous. My search for a dog stayed there mainly, and I'll admit it, because of the haircut. That pom-pom puffy look was not my thing. I couldn't believe my list didn't contain a Dalmatian, the rough collie - not even my St. Bernard! 

My nan had poodles when I was a child, not that I remember them, though I do believe one jumped up and scratched my face, which you can see on my first school photograph. I couldn't see myself walking a poodle. Then reality kicked in. I was being prejudice based on a haircut. What if the haircut was different? What if, I could have all the elements of this breed without the bouffant! I started to watch Youtube, my trusted aide in life. There were plenty of other ways to cut a poodle's hair (they don't have fur) which eliminated my ick! That was it, once I'd seen the Teddy cut, the sweet-heart cut, the puppy cut - I was in. I did more homework over the weeks and eventually started searching the web for a breeder with pups. I found a breeder, in Stirchley, Birmingham and the rest, we shall say is history.

There have been many days in fifteen years, that despite there being some eight billion people on this planet - I've only wanted to spend my waking hours with Teddy, the poodle. Seriously. In fifteen years, this little dog has never once reacted negatively towards me, shown anything other than unconditional love and that tail has never stopped wagging - lord, knows what batteries he has fitted!

Yesterday, 26th April 2026 was a day I didn't think I'd be granted - so I made the most of it. We ... yes, we had cake for breakfast, we both had a McDonalds - his was a plain beef burger and we took the longest and slowest walk around a bluebell wood at Calke Abbey. The sun shined and we made memories despite his gammy joints, his deafness, his cataracts, his poorly heart and lungs. Whatever the next few months may bring, I'll take comfort in having celebrated his 15th birthday - this little dog has given me more pleasure and comfort than he'll ever know. I often say "if people had the hearts of dogs this would a truly wonderful world!" And, I mean it!

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