>> February 26, 2014 >> PLEASE NOTE << I no longer have Xena, my soul dog. Dogs are FOREVER to me, and after being questioned publicly on Twitter yesterday, I wish to set the record straight. I will be posting a full story, but for now, for the record:
>>I never, never, ever gave up my (foster) dog.<< The breeder (Paris Poodles) breached our contract and removed Xena from our loving home, on March 5, 2013, only months after I welcomed Xena to her permanent home here. Xena was taken after I reported >>head tremor<< we observed, and after I’d taken her to my veterinarian. I haven’t seen little Xena since. My question? What is the breeder (possibly) hiding? I do not any longer condone the breeding practices of this one poodle breeder.
It broke my heart in a zillion pieces and I think of Xena every day. I’m still heartbroken. I would have done anything to have her back and used all the powers we had to request she be returned home, to my home.
I am keeping this story, my creative writing, below, but am warning the public to stay away from purebred breeder “foster” or “guardian” programs. (This is very different from foster programs with rescue associations, which I fully support.) Breeder “foster” programs allow them, in my opinion, to have too many dogs, for profit.)
Why did it take me so long to post this update? Many reasons. Mostly, it’s hurt too much. I never got over it.
There are posts on my phoDOGraphy page on Facebook with lots of supportive comments. Please feel free to join the conversation there:
http://Facebook.com/phoDOGraphy.ca
Here’s my original post and story:
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I’ve got a new poodle puppy. She’s a Black Merle. She’s unique. She’s different. She turns heads. I’ve only had her for a few weeks and Xena the poodle puppy is the BEST dog ever.
I’ve been trying to think of how I can make more of a difference in the world … and with her, together. She’s a natural healer as many dogs are. “Maybe I could work with disabilities or something” … I’d been thinking … and make some use of my past training and expertise in music therapy. “What could I do? What could we do together?” I’m drawn to make a bigger difference on this planet before I leave it.
Anyway, today Xena the poodle puppy made a difference all by herself … and then alongside me, we made a new connection, a new friend of sorts.
During our “puppy socialization walk” this morning Xena took a liking to a homeless man sitting on the ground in the park. He had a shopping cart, of course. A green glass bottle, top lid off, bottle top open.
Not much left to drink of that special concoction in that green glass bottle. I wondered how he’d get the money to refill the bottle.
Yet in an instant I knew that our connection would not be about money.
It would be about something more important, more magical, telepathic, more crucial and lacking in this world. We were simply meant to just be. Me standing. Him sitting. Cross legged on the ground. Happier than most people. He is. It seemed.
He needed a bath. It didn’t matter.
Our connection, unspoken. It was in that quiet place inside. You know, that knowingness where you don’t need or want to say “and what do you do?” … There was no awkward silence. That silence unbearable which is forced to try to build a relationship … Or get to know each other. This quiet, I crave. I’m safe. I feel more at home and comfortable with a homeless man on the ground in a park than in a business meeting or Chamber of Commerce ‘networking’ session.
What’s happening to me? I’m thinking right now as I write.
Nothing new. I simply know that ‘real’ is never forced and always is effortless. It’s always a relief. Because it’s become rare. Nobody selling or marketing or tooting their horn about the great things they do online. Online doesn’t matter. We’re offline. He’s probably not even online. What for? Fresh air, sunshine, nice people with dogs walk by to say hello and to just be
So.
Xena cuddled and snuggled with him … licked his face (a behavior I’m trying to train out of her) but how could I not let her lick a homeless person who is likely so starved for affection because nobody touches him? I could not. Her puppy snuggles and licks. Put a smile on his face.
He put his bearded face up to the sky to look up towards the morning sun and away to avoid her licks yet at the same time grab a hug and snuggle from one little furry being … And Me .. Who stopped to care and cared. We stopped. Others likely walk by? Not even to say Hi.
All of this happened within a matter of seconds … And the.
Slow. Time. Stopping. Minutes.
Xena the poodle puppy …made his morning … And so did I. I didn’t keep walking past. I stopped. Knowing we could make somebody’s day better. Even my own.
And bonus … Xena then climbed up right into his cross legged lap and lay down … as if to stay awhile. She settled in for a moment as if he owned her. She gave him that feeling I’m sure. I let her. I let him pretend and to have that feeling for a fleeting moment that he owned a puppy. Beautiful it was. The two were meant to meet.
I wonder if we’ll see him again … and see the two of them together again, if only for a moment. We all raised our energy up … Up … Up. The vibrational field around us shifted. That small shift, you know the one … of calm combined with spirit filled uplifting energy … if each of is had it each and every day … it would change our world forever.
If only. We could. Simply. Just. Be.
Xena is a healer.
Brenda Johima is Blessed and Proud.
P.S.
This man shared with me his love of dogs. His last dog lived to 17 years old. He knows that although … “I’d love to have a dog again but it wouldn’t be fair to the dog … “because I have nowhere to live” and “where I live there are bears around” … Now that’s a responsible dog lover. Even better? He grew up with poodles. His parents raised poodles when he was a young boy
So I don’t need to figure out how to make a difference with Xena … We already do it everywhere we go 😉
Happy morning to you!
Brenda
P.S. Read all about Poodle Colors here. (Hyperlink removed on February 26, 2014, as I personally do not condone the breeding practices and “foster” program of this one specific breeder, Paris Poodles)
***>> February 26, 2014 >> PLEASE NOTE << I no longer have Xena, my soul dog. Dogs are FOREVER to me, and after being questioned publicly on Twitter yesterday, I wish to set the record straight. I will be posting a full story, but for now, for the record:
>>I never ever gave up my (foster) dog.<< The breeder breeched our contract and removed Xena from our loving home, on March 5, 2013, only months after I welcomed Xena to her permanent home here. Xena was taken after I reported >head tremor
As a result, I personally do not support or condone or recommend this breeder in any form whatsoever, for any reason.
*P.S.P.S. (Added October 15th, 2012) *If you have specific questions about Xena as a black merle and her unique colors, or wish to purchase a purebred poodle, or foster a poodle, then please direct them to the breeder where Xena comes from. (breeder name removed February 26, 2014) Thanks! She is one amazing puppy. Very calm and quiet in the house. Really the best dog I have ever had in every way possible 🙂 I’m not here to sell any dogs at all, I get nothing for saying this at all. She simply is an amazingly smart, affectionate, healthy, active and quiet pup. A doll of a personality. Really.
>>Hyperlink to the breeders website was removed on February 26, 2014, as I personally do not condone the breeding practices and foster program of this one specific breeder<< Do not “foster” a poodle for a breeder unless you want the possibility of having your heart broken, and being out of pocket hundreds of dollars, only for the breeder to benefit.
