Darwin, AKA Dardie, Chocolate Standard Poodle XXL

Having a huge and adorable dog is really an attention-getter. Sometimes I enjoy being stopped and answering all the questions people have about Darwin when we walk together. But literally, for every block I walk, I get stopped a minimum of 4 times.

People slow down in their cars and yell stuff out the window at me.  One car’s driver was staring at Darwin and not paying attention to a large curb. She tore a big chunk out of her car and ended up dragging a side panel under the car. Another driver failed to stop at a busy intersection, because he was fixated on Darwin. He almost plowed into oncoming traffic. He stopped in time, but his car spun completely around. Many drivers also pull up behind us (off the road) suddenly and without warning, scaring the heck out of both of us (just to see the dog and ask questions). I know my pup is special and darling and big, but he is not the only standard poodle in this country.

Here’s a few comments I’ve received from strangers:

• “What kind of exotic breed is that?”  Me: “A poodle, actually one of the more common breeds.”
• “Now yours is a toy poodle, right? And there are two larger sizes of poodles, right?” Me: “You are kidding, right? This dog is 5 ft. 3 inches from the top of his head to his feet. You believe there are 2 larger sizes – perhaps a pony and a Clydesdale?”
• “What kind of mammal is that you have on that leash?” Me: “I sure hope it is a canine, or the more familiar word, dog. “
• “I have to ask, are you a FULL-sized person?” Me: “I have to answer that I am somewhat offended. But yes, I am a small, full-sized person and this is a large, full-sized dog.”
• “Aren’t you terrified of your own dog? He is humongous!” “Me: “Watch as I pry open the dog’s mouth and stick my head in there. Can you tell that I am not afraid?”
• “What the F is that? You’ve got some big SHI- there!” Me: “My dog is not impressed with your limited vocabulary.”
• “What a gorgeous animal!” Me: “Thank you. I work out a lot and watch what I eat, but how do you like my dog?”

My standard poodle, Darwin (AKA Dardie) turned 2 today! Here’s how we spent this special day . . .

Birthday Party  invitation

Morning photo shoot for the birthday boy

A special treat

Pretending to be an elf is fun!

A whole lotta lovin!

A little grooming

Wrestling with Daddy

Homemade peanut butter carrot cake with cream cheese honey frosting

Time to sing “Happy Birthday”

Best buddies chowing down on cake

Worn out after a chase around the yard

A birthday present worth chewing

Every day I am grateful for many things, and today I am extra grateful for my dog, Darwin.

I truly believe that people who are lonely or not lonely, sick or healthy, happy or depressed, can improve their quality of life by having a dog. Dogs:

• Love you unconditionally
• Do not discriminate
• Are happy about the smallest things: A hug, a treat, a ride in the car or a game of catch
• Follow you around and make you feel important
• Are loyal to you no matter what
• Need you to take care them, which makes you worry less about yourself and more about your pet
• Require that you exercise them, and in turn, you get a daily workout
• Sit right next to you when you are sick or sad, making you feel better instantly
• Have been proven to lower stress levels as well as blood pressure
• Improve your social life by attracting attention from other humans when you are out walking

So go ahead and find yourself a new best friend who walks on all fours. You’ll be so glad you did.

Darwin (purebred standard poodle) and his best friend, Joey (lab mix) always have a geat time together. Watching them play is a real treat!

The couch potato

Cuddling with his sister who just came home from college

Darwin’s new girlfriend, Sophia

Darwin, the Banker!

What can racism possibly have to do with dogs, you ask? I never thought about it myself until I got my second standard poodle. My first standard was Gigi, a mild mannered adorable, fluffy, loving 51-lb female dog. She stood 24 inches from the shoulder to the ground. Unfortunately we lost our Gigi to cancer just before her 11th birthday.

No matter where we took our dog, people of all races and sizes were terrified of her. It was common for us to see people run away from her or cross a street just to avoid walking by her.

Now we have Darwin, a horse-sized chocolate brown standard boy. His is HUGE. He stands 29 inches from his shoulder to the ground and weighs 85 lbs. He is about 70% larger than Gigi was. So one would assume people would be afraid of him. Wrong! People can’t get enough of Darwin. We get stopped by just about everyone who walks or even drives past us. People get out of their cars and bicyclists get off their bikes to see Darwin. Darwin is gentle like Gigi, but much more intimidating to look at. And his bark is much deeper and louder. Yet, people near and far come right up to him and pet him with no fear.

From my experience, people are much more likely to be afraid of a black dog than a brown dog.  What a shame. They likely do not even realize it. Isn’t that the same thing as racism?

If you don’t believe me, go out and get yourself a black dog and a dog of another color and try it out for yourself.

Gigi

Darwin

While walking Darwin one day a few weeks ago near the local hospital, I was stopped by a doctor who told me he ordered a brown standard poodle from the same breeder in Toronto where we got Darwin! That is really amazing, since we live in South Florida. It turns out that the doctor’s dog, Mickey, is Darwin’s nephew. Mickey’s mother is Darwin’s sister from an earlier litter of the same parents. The size contrast here is shocking! Little Mickey felt a bit intimidated by his horse-sized uncle.

Darwin photos from the last few days . . .

Darwin has a new neighbor, Joey, part Labrador

Uh-oh. Someone bit through the basketball.

Try to relax!

We celebrated our baby’s first birthday today! It’s hard to imagine he was 9 lbs when we got him on January 19, 2010 and now On December 1st weighs 82.

Happy Birthday Darwin!

Darwin knows it’s his birthday!

Posing for the camera

Bacon appetizer, not bad!

Peanut Butter Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing

(Darwin’s favorite past-time is chasing lizards)

Time to sing Happy Birthday!

Blow out the candles

Birthday kisses

Time to eat cake

A new toy – Rubber Chicken Man

That’s a big boy. 29″ from the shoulder and 82 lbs.