Thank you to everyone who posted such heartfelt condolences on losing little Bailey last week. Alayne and I really appreciated all the wonderful comments, and it means a lot to us to know he touched so many people along the way. Some of the most disabled animals we've had over the years have had the biggest personalities -- almost, it seems, as a way to compensate for the severe handicap they live with. Bailey was definitely one of those.
After that sad news, it was time for a happy blog post -- and so I wanted to share an email and some terrific photos that Kathy K. and Chris T., who adopted the blind Poodle sisters a few weeks ago, just sent us. Kathy wrote:
"The girls are doing great. They know they are home. :) They know the whole house very well and the routine. They play very often and encourage Franky to play with them. They love to go for walks and when they hear me taking the leashes, they go crazy. They follow Franky in the backyard everywhere and do whatever he does, so when Franky digs holes ... they dig holes too! They brought so much into our lives. We love them very much.
Thank you very much for all the good you are doing in this world. Hope to see you soon."
I will tell you, I was jealous when I saw the photos Kathy attached, because I have tried for years to get this exact set of shots of the girls roughhousing with each other. But whenever I'd see them playing like this and try to sneak outside with the camera, they'd inevitably hear me -- either a footstep, a door squeak, or something -- and stop to turn and "look" at me. Alayne has also tried on a number of occasions, with the same result. Somehow Kathy has already managed to get the photos that eluded us so many times.
Here's Priscilla's play-bow to get things started ... keep in mind both girls are blind, but they still use body language to communicate with each other:
A good old-fashioned left-hook:
More like fighting stallions than Poodles in this one:
Looks pretty fierce, doesn't it?
In a quieter moment, here's Priscilla hanging out with one of Kathy and Chris' other dogs:
That giant boulder, dear reader, is why they call New Hampshire "the Granite State." We have some of those lying around here, too. Since you can't move them short of dynamiting them, you learn to include them as part of your landscaping. It's the authentic New Hampshire look.
Kathy and Chris, thank you so much!
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You can vote in the Shelter Challenge here.
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Wahoo. Someone caught the 'horseplay' that my own poodles do. I have an NMDR (Natl Mill Dog Rescue) white standard and a 2 yr old white standard and they stand on their hind legs and look like they are going tear each other apart, bending and taking hold of the other's foot or grabbing a tail. I worried initially until I learned this is the way they play. Both rescues are happy kids and I'm so glad the Sisters have a new home. I simply couldn't take on more than my four.
Posted by: Catherine | September 22, 2011 at 05:12 PM
Love it! They are beautiful!
Posted by: maryam Faresh | September 22, 2011 at 03:51 PM
So happy to see the sisters so happy! Another great ending.
Posted by: Lori Fillion | June 10, 2011 at 08:42 PM
Love all the action shots of Molly and Priscilla! I thought they might miss their boyfriend Trooper back at the ranch but it seems they've moved on quickly! Haha. Great story, thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Kate & Luke | June 10, 2011 at 07:24 PM
What a wonderful update on our sweet poodle girls! It's great to see how happy they are in their new home. Thanks for the wonderful pictures, Kathy and Chris!
Posted by: Ann | June 10, 2011 at 01:34 AM
I have been waiting to hear how the poodle sisters were doing in their new hem. Thank yo so much for the wonderful update. How great for all of you. dogs and humans! It's such a love story! Please keep sharing info on the girls. They really have their own fan club!
Posted by: Vicki | June 09, 2011 at 10:18 PM
I am happy to see the girls have adjusted well to their new home. Lucky girls and lucky new family. Another RDF success story.
Posted by: Evelyn | June 08, 2011 at 12:07 PM
So very very glad The Sisters were never split up. They are beautiful together, thanks again Steve, Alayne, Kathy & Chris.
Posted by: Anne in FL | June 07, 2011 at 03:39 PM
Their joy truly shines through these pictures and made my day. How wonderful. Love the play bow, the poodle sisters, and all who help them be so happy!
Posted by: Margaret | June 07, 2011 at 11:48 AM
I just love these update blog posts. The girls look fabulous!!
I've had a blast with the search button Steve. How long has it been there???? Just finished re-reading about one of my all time favorite RDF residents, Peabody. If the search feature is new, THANKS!; if it's always been there, still thanks, for mentioning it in your post the other day. :-)
Posted by: Lynn (in Louisiana) | June 06, 2011 at 04:31 PM
When I look at these great pictures of the girls, it still amazes me that they are blind. They sure don't let on, do they? Thanks to Kathy and Chris for giving them such a loving home. They look to be happy and healthy as ever! Loved reading how they get so excited when the leashes come out.
Steve and Alayne, you have helped educate so many of us on how rich and full lives disabled animals can have. The poodle sisters are a glowing example!
Posted by: Lisa K. - San Diego | June 06, 2011 at 04:24 PM
Wonderful update! I"m so happy for the girls. I admit I was sad to see them go, and couldn't believe they would have it any better than at RDF, but they look pretty happy. :)
Posted by: Kelly | June 06, 2011 at 01:45 PM
Fabulous pictures! The play bow is just adorable. Thank you Kathy and Chris not just for the pictures, but for letting us know how happy they are and how quickly they adjusted.
What a delightful way to start off the week!
Posted by: Chloe | June 06, 2011 at 11:38 AM
Kathy & Chris I am glad you are enjoying the poodle sisters and thank you for sharing a glimpse into their new lives. I am so glad you and they are happy. We wish you many more years of wonderful dog antics with these 2 and the others they share the home with (and the big black kitty!). Steve & Alayne, just keep sharing the love. You do it so well.
Posted by: Anne in FL | June 06, 2011 at 11:35 AM
The sisters look awesome and extremely happy. Thank you so much for giving them their forever home!!
Posted by: Laura, Levi & Timmy | June 06, 2011 at 10:15 AM
Such joy this is to see Molly and Priscilla so happy!!
Barbara Techel & Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog
Posted by: Barbara Techel | June 06, 2011 at 10:07 AM
What great photos of Molly & Priscilla! They definitely look like they've settled into their new forever home really well.
Thank you Kathy & Chris for opening your hearts and home for these two sisters. I'm so glad they got to stay together.
Hugs all around,
ginger & Tobias
Posted by: ginger & Tobias (the greythound) | June 06, 2011 at 09:59 AM
Molly & Priscilla were so very lucky to have first had the love that you & Alayne gave them and then, second, to have found their "forver" home.
Posted by: Kathy Hertzel | June 06, 2011 at 09:35 AM
Absolute contentment! Great pictures!
Posted by: Joseph Sackett | June 06, 2011 at 08:00 AM
We all did need a happy post, didn't we?
Bravissima Kathy, who has taken such great photos of Molly & Priscilla (and has given them a loving forever home)!
It's just wonderful to see them so happy!
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | June 06, 2011 at 04:57 AM
Look what a great job you did with the sisters! They settled in quickly, love to go on walks, love to play...all thanks to you two who loved them and gave them care and respect and let them grow into confident, happy girls. Job well done, Steve and Alayne!
Posted by: Miranda Brooks | June 06, 2011 at 12:04 AM
Oh, so great to see the girls so happy in their new home!
Posted by: Blind Horse | June 05, 2011 at 09:25 PM
I'm so glad the sister got to stay together. They've hit the jackpot twice, now, in forever homes.
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | June 05, 2011 at 09:02 PM