Stella has proved to be the best dog of my life. She is wonderful! She is so sweet, so calm, so fun, so good. She doesn’t bang all over the back door when she wants in. She just wimpers a little. She loves learning new tricks and pleasing me with her obedience. I had no idea such a thing were true! Seeing is believing. You told me she would want to please me and she does. She snuggles into me with her nose between my thighs. So sweet. She is a great car companion, as you said. I try to take her with me on most of my errands. She is no longer crated, yet still stays off the furniture and doesn’t get into anything. I enjoy showing off how good she is to company. She’s excited to see people but will sit to wait for them to pet her. Most people are wowed by how calm she is. She doesn’t pace around and insist on going in and out all day. She actually likes staying outside for long periods of time by herself.

I’ve enjoyed taking her through dog training. Our most recent accomplishment is getting her Canine Good Citizen certificate. I jumped up and down when we passed and clapped. The instructors and tester were confused, “You didn’t think she would pass? Pfawww!” She was so good in that class. I could tell her to sit and stay and come, all with sign language. When we started the class she was more rambunctious and I was a ball of nerves wanting to get it right. The co-teacher pulled me aside after the first class and had a stern talk with me, “Now, you know you have a poodle. Poodles are smart. Right now she is outsmarting you. You need to outsmart her and you will be surprised at what a good, good dog you will have. I want you to work on your manner around her. Exude confidence. Hold yourself tall. Breathe steadily. Pull your shoulders out of your ears. Talk to her like you know what you’re doing and make demands, not suggestions. And before you come here next week, before you even enter this door, you are to take five deep breaths leaving all your troubles of your life behind you. Determine you are here because you love your dog and this is FUN.” She didn’t tell anyone else in the class any of this stuff, but it sure did work for Stella and me. I did exactly as she said and my dog and I are better becuase of it. That stern talking to applied to many areas of my life. I didn’t know I was so transparent. So I thank Stella!!!

We sailed through the class with ease. It did become fun because Stella is so smart, so sweet, and just so good. The instructors are encouraging me to keep on going with her. So my next class leads into Rally and Obedience competition. I’d like to compete in Obedience. I have a lot to learn still. But it sure is fun. I had no idea how good this would be for me, besides having a well behaved dog. I think Stella knows what she’s done for me. She’s my partner. She spends her days with me while I work mostly from home, we go on walks together, we go on errands together, we have good snuggles, and we have fun with our obedience practice too. The kids love her too. They enjoy playing hide and seek with her. My husband loves her too. He gets a kick out of how good she is and he likes to brag about it.
Thank you for all the close attention to good breeding. What an art. And what a great thing to offer someone; a dog with such a nice demeanor. I’m hooked!
A bit of good news. Within walking distance a new groomer that is like the Great Clips for dogs just opened up. The haircuts are only $25 any breed. Today Stella got a Miami cut, big ankle socks and a tail poof. I think the groomer is new. She said it took all day to set the style, but she enjoyed the challenge. Stella is gorgeous! All ready for school Monday.

He has filled a terrible empty place in my home, but he is making his own place in my heart. Geist’s place in my heart is still his, and I miss him every day.. but having Beau is a blessing, and I love him very much.

The only issue I have had with him is that he refuses to pee on a leash, and I don’t dare turn him loose yet. We are working on the invisible fence and he is doing very well, but if something really frightened him I am not secure that it would stop him yet. I had to take him down to my kennel with the stockade fence and turn him loose there. He was happy to do all business there.. so all is working well.

What do you give them that keeps their teeth in such good shape? his are nice and white, cleaner even than Geist’s were.

He LOVES mutton.. took him a bit to try it, didn’t like eating raw meat, but now he is a believer!! I just gotta make sure he doesn’t figure out what those naughty sheep that run through the yard are made of!!

I am sure you are missing him terribly.. but he is doing well, follows me every where happy to lay down near by.