I haz a brand new girlfriend.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

Her name is Annie. She's a poodle mix, and she's about a year old. My sister was selected by her at the SPCA here in town. She's a rescue pup. She was very withdrawn while at the kennel, but the minute my sister walked up to her she came alive and started playing with her. The staff was amazed.

She loves her walkies- or perhaps I should call them "runnies". She can outrun my electric wheelchair, but she responds nicely to the leash, and so far I haven't had any problems guiding her.

She can't be more than 15lb. at the very most.

This pic is of her chillin' by my side after a run earlier today.

Yep, she's a sweetie.

[shenmue]

1. Who's a pretty baby?

She is! Yes she is!

[SammyWinstonJack]

2. Àwwww.

[femmocrat]

3. Awww.... so sweet!

May she bring you much joy!

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

4. She already has.

The neighborhood is falling in love with her.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. My dear Prisoner_Number_Six!

I am thrilled for you both!

Boy, talk about timing! I think she saved your life as much as you saved hers...

[ailsagirl]

6. She's so sweet!!

Congratulations!!

[blueamy66]

7. Walkies? That's what we call them!

Well, we have to spell it, cause Raider just freaking understands the English language!

Enjoy the new baby!

[BrotherIvan]

8. She is adorable!

So wonderful you got a new rescue friend. Please keep us updated with lots and lots of pictures!

[Liberal_in_LA]

9. what a cutie!

[tclambert]

10. You see? Rick Santorum was right!

(C'mon, you didn't think Rick Santorum could ever be right, didja?)

[niyad]

11. congratulations on your new warden!! thanks so much for this sorely-needed squeeeee. may you

have many wonderful years and times together.

[OrwellwasRight]

12. Congrats on the new cutie pie!

[oldandhappy]

13. congratulations to both of you

Great. Thank you for the photo and please post more photos!! Yea, we all get excited about each other's kids, eh? Welcome Annie. And hope all will be dandy with this new relationship. Hugs and scratches as appropriate.

[Habibi]

14. That

is the picture of utter contentment and peace.

[IronLionZion]

15. Awww, she's adorable!

Congrats!

[redwitch]

16. So happy you got rescued!

Don't let her wear you out! She looks like a happy little girl!

[noiretextatique]

17. what a cutie!

congrats!

[Rhiannon12866]

18. Awwwwwww! Such an adorable pup!

And what a wonderful story, sounds like a terrific match! How perfect that you found each other, thanks so much for sharing...

[lunatica]

19. Poodles are the smartest of the dogs

You can research it. Wait and see. They practically read your mind, but they do love to have a ritual for everything but not to worry. She'll train you very well to do her ritual thing.

Poodles are also very healthy dogs and their average life span is 15 years. They love water so you'll be able to bathe her. She might even get in the shower with you or your daughter.

Caveat. They need grooming. Hair grows everywhere. In their ears and in between the pads on their feet so she'll have to be groomed pretty regularly, but because they have curly hair (on a poodle it isn't called fur, it's actual hair) that will continue to grow and grow so it can get very long and really matted if not taken care of. The reason people say poodles don't shed is because the hair that falls out gets stuck in their curly hair. Pay special attention to the hair in their ears and between the pads on their paws. The hair in the ears can create infections and the hair between her pads will make it very slippery for her to walk on non carpet floors causing their legs to get joint pains and distorted.

She will outwit you plenty unless you're paying close attention. And you'll love every minute you have her.