I have been raising toy poodles off and on for 40+ years. Due to raising a family and work I just couldn't keep up.
We had gotten a poodle over 10 years ago after I had brain surgery. I am stone deaf in my right ear from the surgery and I wanted a poodle to be my ears. Our "Priscilla" has definitely been a God send to me. She saved me from walking into a tree that was downed due to a storm right after we got her. She also saved me from walking out into a bus. ( Priscilla has recently gone to Rainbow Bridge. ) Animals are very special! I just wouldn't be without them.
When my husband got sick, Priscilla sat on his lap constantly. When I had to put him in the hospital, she was lost and so was I. I got permission to take her to the hospital to see him. We all looked forward to being together.
While my husband was in the hospital, I had to get Priscilla's teeth cleaned and I knew she was going to have to have some pulled. When I took her in the Vet suggested that I look for another Dog . It would be better to have another one incase something would happen to Priscilla. I started looking and couldn't find anything but a male, locally. Well, I got Rusty. He is quite the character.
During this time of looking for a dog, etc., my husband passed away. Priscilla would go out and look at my husband's truck, I guess waiting for him to get out of it. Animals know more than we give them credit for. Rusty, well that is another story; I think my husbands spirit went to him. He keeps me hopping, but he has a very special spot in my heart, too.
Since then, I have decided to raise poodles again. I love my poodles , yorkies, maltese, shih tzu and they know it. I work with them every day. They are my family now! They let me know when I come home, that I am not alone and that is very valuable to me. And also since friends had other puppies I got into yorkies, Maltese & Shih Tzu. My fur babies are all special !