Rescued Bestie Feature No.1: Josie

Initiative: Rescued Bestie Feature, in collaboration with The 13 Project
Featured Canine: Josie, 11 y/o miniature poodle
Rescue Facilitator: Poodle Rescue of New England

Many people who begin the search for a shelter dog to adopt are seeking impresionable, energetic, young dogs that have their whole lives ahead of them, and plenty of room yet in their little peanut brains to bond fiercely to a new home; these people are often under the impression that adult/senior dogs are somehow past their prime, and perhaps even incapable of really syncing with a new "pack"... to all those people, I say, come spend an afternoon with Josie...

Josie is an 11 y/o miniature poodle who lives with close neighbors of ours. For most of her life she belonged to a backyard breeder - surrounded by 20 some-odd other poodles in various stages of pregnancy, she was fortunate enough to be considered a mere house-pet, but was surrendered when that status rendered her more trouble and expense than her worth. Like many toy breeds, she was born with a congenital defect affecting the knee-caps. Never treated properly, the condition gradually resulted in rather arthritic rear legs, and a profoundly deformed gait (imagine a Dr. Seuss character waddling about on ankles pinched in and toes pointed out!) - luckily, her characteristic shuffle appears to be entirely cosmetic and she has never needed medicated treatment for it.


Unlike so many masses who scour shelters for those plucky, Buddha-bellied little homeless puppies, our neighbors set out to find themselves a DOG. Two young, married, working professionals, with the goal of someday soon starting a family, these friends didn't want the crazy drama of a puppy, or an animal that couldn't be trusted alone in the house for more than a few hours - they wanted a calm, mature, low-maintenance (a decent bennie of maturity in most breeds), and decidedly UN-puppylike adult dog... and their criteria led them striaght to Josie. 

Josie may be an odd little specimen but from day one of their new life together, this match was clearly made in Heaven - she is absolutely, 100%, ALL of the snuggling, ever-present companion animal, and exceptionally little of the crazed daily maintenance that a hyper younger dog demands. At 7 years young when adopted, she bonded immediately to her new people - faithfully shadowing them about the house - and at this point, the greying grand madam has also proven her salt 10X over as a rock-solid family member, since her doting mom and pop added a brand new baby to the house about 3 years ago... Josie welcomed the little human with all the respect and grace of a seasoned canine nanny, and has perfected the art of simply slipping under the couch when she's had enough of toddler playtime - how wonderfully civilized!

Poodle Rescue of New England is always on the look-out for good homes... and if you're wanting a dog but not sure if you can manage the uber-commitment of glorious canine youth, PLEASE consider adopting a senior! Full-grown (in size and personality), house-broken, and many already armed with basic commands, adult and elder dogs can make TERRIFIC, reliable, low-key companions, with just as much (if not more!) of that prized canine loyalty, heart & soul... Rock on, old friends - the best is yet to come!