MEMBERS STORY – Diane Morris
Pixie is the latest addition to Diane & Stuarts long line of ‘white fluffy poodle type’ dogs acquired over 59 years of marriage & counting. To start at the beginning when I first met Stuart in August 1964, we discovered that we both had white toy poodles as children growing up. It therefore seemed totally logical to buy a small white poodle when we married in 1965. Stuart became well known in the neighbourhood as ‘The Poodle Man’ and he is the main walker in the family. I see to all the unpleasant aspects of cleaning and grooming but am also in charge of feeding & treats!
After we lost Nonsense, our family dog (a toy poodle) we bought Apricot – the most mischievous but adorable Bichon Frise ever. We were heartbroken when she died and realised that as we were getting older with no children at home anymore, we couldn’t cope with a young Bichon, remembering how hyper active they are for at least the first 5-years.
Enter Pickle, our first Bolognese, the best recommendation we ever had. These little dogs come highly recommended for older people as they don’t need a lot of exercise, but are very happy to come for a walk or snooze the day away. When we lost Pickle just before Xmas, December 2017, we had to think very carefully about getting another dog, as Stuart was getting towards 80 and his mobility is starting to decline. Stuart felt that we should wait until Spring to start again, but after seeing my miserable face for a few weeks, he agreed that the house is ‘sad when we are dogless’, so we acquired Pixie, who was 18-months old when she came to us. The family was now complete again. In her previous life, Pixie didn’t appear to have been socialised very much, so it has been a long and patient journey, but she is now happy to meet other dogs without barking. She seems to prefer her own company most of the time, but needs to know that Stuart and I are somewhere in the house. If one of us goes out, she waits patiently by the door until we return. She comes everywhere with us in the car and sits beautifully in the car in her bed. However, if one of us vacates the car, she scrabbles and squeaks until we are all back in the car together greeting us as if we have been away for weeks. She is the first dog we have ever had who rolls on her back for a tummy tickle – this can be very sweet and endearing except when it is cold and muddy!
Pixie absolutely hates wearing a coat whatever the weather and I have to approach her with the coat behind my back, or if she sees it, she dives under the kitchen table. Her other pet hate is grooming or bathing in particular. Stuart usually takes her for a walk, while I assemble all the equipment in the bathroom. I have found the easiest way to clean her teeth is to sit inside an empty bath and hold her between my legs – very dignified!
Pixie is always such a happy little dog, who is not above a little bit of showing off, by lying upside down in her bed with all 4 paws in the air – but watching to see if she is entertaining everybody – usually the answer is yes!
We try to come to the Bolognese MEET UPS when we can. I’m not sure if Pixie is too bothered, but we love seeing all the other Bollys and chatting to you all. We hope to see you all again, maybe up North in 2025
