Howdy from George & Shadow

[Groch]

I was thrilled to find this great forum of dog lovers....I am a recent convert. I had a cocker spaniel that I loved as a kid (50 some years ago) but was too tied up with work and other not really so important things to get another dog until last summer.

I now work from home and figured that there was probably an apartment sized dog out their somewhere who could use some company.

I visited a local shelter (that does euthanize) looking for a new friend and came upon Shadow, a 12 year old miniature poodle mix who did not at all seem happy to be their. Just quiet and sad. Too old I thought and visited 2 more shelters....something about him I could not get out of my head.

Too old.....he could say the same about me.

I went back and we have been the best possible buddies ever since. Who ever owned him last taught him all the hard stuff, he is the best dog on a leash I have ever seen, avoids confrontations with other dogs, and only barks (once) to alert me when someone is at the door.

Anyway...here is my new best friend Shadow. I can tell he is a poodle mix...but mixed with what I would like your guesses on. The first picture in the chair was the first week I had him (only 9 pounds...they said he would not eat in the shelter). He is a bit plumper now, about 13 pounds, but we take long walks every day (our 11,ooo steps) so he is strong not fat.

What a joy it is to have found this new family member!


Shadow the first week.


In the Fall on our walk.


Today in the warm apartment in frosty Colorado.

If you have any idea whether he looks more like a cockapoo, schnoodle or whatever I would like to know.

George

I

[Denaluvscorgis]

Hi George....welcome to Chaz!!!!!!!!!!!! What a truly great gift you've given to Shadow allowing him to have a second chance!!! That's a wonderful story...I'm so happy that you couldn't get him out of your mind when you left the shelter. It's looks like you are both going to be wonderful blessings to eachother!! He's a real cutie!! I look forward to seeing more pics of Shadow!! It's so nice to have you both here!!

[Red_ACD_for_me]

WELCOME to Chaz And bless you for rescuing an older dog he is precious! What his story? Why was he given up at such an old age? Do you know? Poor baby, I'm glad he found you and you found him

[Sweet72947]

Welcome to the forum! I'm glad you rescued an older dog. So many people just walk right on by them! He looks all poodle to me, just with a natural tail (poodles usually have docked tails). He's a cutie though!

[mrsgrubby]

What a nice story, welcome to Chaz!

[Barb04]

Welcome! What a great thing you did by rescuing Shadow. What a cutie!

[J's crew]

How wonderful you are for adopting him! He looks so happy!

[Kase]

Hi and welcome to Chaz . Shadow sounds like a perfect match, he's gorgeous .

[Groch]

Thanks for all your kind and welcoming words.

I do feel good about adopting an older dog, he had been at the Table Mountain Animal Center for 3 weeks so they were pleased to see him off to a good home. I do not feel heroic. Despite being older Shadow stood a good chance of being adopted because he is small and in good health (but for a slight case of kennel cough) The facility is full of Pits and other larger dogs that may not have that chance.

Shadow's previous owner left him there supposedly because he was not good with children......I have not seen that at all, he loves all the kids he has been in contact with so far, and is very gentle approaching them. However, I do think it might wear on an older dog to be pulled and pushed on by kids in the same home.

Anyway, I am now sold on old dog adoption. He is so grateful to have a routine and a quiet place to snooze, and is as excited about our daily walks as I am. He is such a perfect gentleman.....his only aggression is passive aggression...whenever he wants to go outdoors he just sits upright and stares at me, unwavering until I relent and take him outside.

Here are a couple more pictures from the recent snow storms. Thanks for the welcome, and see you in some of the other threads.

Enjoying a romp through the snow.


5 Minutes later with the "Pick me up I have had enough" look.

[Denaluvscorgis]

Great pics....again congratulations to you both!