Just for Red Poodle lovers [and others]

What do you do when it is 40deg. on New Years Day?

Well if you live in Melbourne, you complain about the heat,

and sort through your photos!

Here is a set of "Toffee" pics,

taken November 2011.

[click to enlarge]

You have to admit she really is beautiful.

Thanks Kate for taking them.

 

So true

                     I found this piece of writing.

      It was written by a man named Gene Hill. he obviously loves his dog as much as I love Midnight.-------

He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds; 

my other ears that hear above the winds. 

He is the part of me that can reach out into the sea. 

He has told me a thousand times over that I am his reason for being; by the way he rests against my leg; by the way he thumps his tail at my smallest smile; by the way he shows his hurt when I leave without taking him. (I think it makes him sick with worry when he is not along to care for me.)

When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive.

When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile. When I am happy, he is joy unbounded. When I am a fool, he ignores it. When I succeed, he brags.

Without him, I am only another man. With him, I am all-powerful. He is loyalty itself.

He has taught me the meaning of devotion. With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace. 

He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant.

His head on my knee can heal my human hurts. 

His presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things.

He has promised to wait for me... whenever... wherever—in case I need him. And I expect I will—as I always have.

                         He is just my dog.

                Middi is all those thing, and more.
                      He is not "just my dog",
    He is sometimes my reason for getting up in the morning!  
 

                                  
                                      And I LOVE him.

The First Hair Cut.

A first hair cut is always a special event,

Toff's certainly was!

This is what she looked like ------

 

 a moth-eaten rug, with a long nose!

The trouble was, the dog groomer was booked out before Christmas,

and Jess only had a pair of sewing scissors,

not the best combination.

At least Poodle hair grows very quickly!!

New Year Resolution!!

1st of January is the time for "Resolutions"

I really hate them because 

I never manage to keep them!

This year is going to be different,

I am going to start training Toffee properly.

No more lazing around in the sand pit!

Or beating up her long suffering brother!

She is well and truly over her

little "operation".

In other words,I have run out of excuses!

Oh dear! I have just read an article that I did for Petstock .

When Middi was six months old he had been on the train.

Attended at least one council meeting and slept beside me.

Knew to sit quietly by me when I stopped to speak to people in the street.

Started learning not to greet people without permission.

Was playing "touch" with all the things he would have to pick up when older.

As well as the basic obedience commands.

What a lot Middi had done, I had better get a move on.

At least I have the walking under control now,

Toff stops at the curb and usually 

will sit without me reminding her.

I no longer have to remind her to keep away from the wheels 

and walk straight, it means that I can have at least one eye on the road.

The biggest problem at present is her timidity.

She is very shy and widdles when ever she is nervous,or excited.

The vet says she will grow out of it, I certainly hope so!!!

You would think someone with a face like this, 

would not be afraid of anything.

I had thought training a second Poodle would be easy, 

I had forgotten, that like children,

they are all different!!!!!

A special night

Happy Christmas everyone.

 Last night was Christmas Eve,

it turned out to be very special for Middi and me.

For the first time we went to Mass together,

and on our own!

I must admit I was nervous going alone,

would I have any big spasms, 

would Middi sit still, 

what if he panicked and wet himself!

I am so ridiculous sometimes.

When we arrived Rodney was waiting for us, 

he asked me to wait,

as he wanted to introduce us to someone,

it was our new Bishop!

Rodney told him all about Midnight and that his job is to help me.

The Bishop then chatted for a while and gave him a Blessing.

Rodney then walked us down the central aisle to the front of the church and sat us by the crib.

Why do I not have faith in Middi and myself?

The Mass went for two hours,

in that time Middi had to deal with bells, processions, 

children rolling on the floor, 

being offered the Christmas tree decorations,

incense ,and more incense, waved by us, 

all the things that occur in a happy Christmas Mass.

The only time he moved from under the pew was when the baby in the pram near us began to cry,-he sat up,

looked at the baby, then settled again.

After Mass the Bishop spoke to me again and commented on his behaviour, I explained that it was our first time

and now I would be able to come alone,

with Middi to look after me.

After more prayers for Middi, and Blessings for both of us,

we floated home on a cloud.

It was such a special Christmas Eve, 

what Middi has done for me in the 15 months

I have had him, is beyond my wildest dreams.

I love my crazy boy.

The animal pass.

Well,Middi has had his pass for two weeks now,

as usual we have not been asked to produce it,

probably because we only use suburban trains.

Below is the letter I wrote giving my reasons why our assistance dogs

should have the same rights as dogs for the blind, or the deaf.

I am Anne  the physically disabled woman with “Midnight” my standard poodle who is being privately trained to be my assistance dog. I decided to train him privately, because I wanted to choose my own dog, and work with him from the beginning. He will meet my own special needs, that might not be covered by the companies who train dogs in Australia.
I am a strong believer that people who do not come under the very strict criteria for a service dog should be able to  have one if it will help improve their life. For example if you use crutches, a dog could assist by “bracing’ to help if you fall, there are many other examples, but I am sure you can think of many more.
As you know, in other countries such as the USA, dogs can be trained privately or by specific companies, I know people who use both systems and the dogs are equally well trained.
 In a small way, I am trying to help bring about changes in Australia,there is a need and room, for both systems.
The animal assistance pass is causing me, and other disabled people, problems at this stage. It appears to be discriminatory – why is it that only “guide dogs in training” can travel free on public transport in Victoria, and are the only" dogs in training" allowed on any  public transport in the state. How is my dog going to acquire the skills of V-Line trains, or trams, if he is not allowed to use  them.
 Private training does not mean that our dogs have inferior  training, anyone who is willing to train a dog themselves invests a great deal of time, money, and hard work, into their dog.
 I think you would find that we are very careful about their health, diet and who we choose to help us train these very special dogs.
I question why our dogs must have a specific medical check-up every 1/2/3years, to someone on a disability pension this would be a big added expense, dogs are checked when immunized each year, this should be sufficient. A free eye check later in life [which is provided free in other countries] would be of great benefit.
I question why I and other people who have already been assessed as permanently disabled for a" disabled person free pass", should be asked to provide another very intrusive medical report. Our medical information is already on record with ?? if we use an assistance dog, we would naturally have it by our side while traveling.
Midnight has been training for the Assistance dog Public Access certification Test, which has been designed by Assistance dogs International. Many of the training schools in Australia belong to this organization. The test, though very thorough, allows flexibility for individual requirements of the disabled owner.
I feel very strongly that people with a disability should play a big role in determining what the public access test we use, should contain, and how it should be administered. After all we are the biggest stake holders: as it is our access that is the issue!

All true of course.I am very happy with the outcome, the pass requirements are very basic

. It applies to any animal that provides support when traveling,and for any disability.

Not sure about the "any animal" bit, that might cause a few problems.

.It has been changed to "dogs" in other countries, 

we are always about 20 years behind!!!!

TODAY VICTORIA, TOMORROW THE WORLD!