I had been looking for a second dog, not sure what kind, I found a little poodle for my sister. That was when my husband realized I really wanted one too. He finally gave me the ok to get one or a poo-mix. It was a sunday that I found her online at www.amrt.net  unfortunatley the shelter was closed sundays and mondays. I was actually up for either of the two shaved down little fluffy type of dogs.  My sister lived closer so I had her go there as soon as it opened.  She got there, one left. Someone had inquired about her, but did not want to deal with her ear infection, woopdie doo. LOL  So my sister calls me and tells me what was up. She said that Sasha was apparently up for euthanasia, because the vet said she was too calm and thought she had some kidney problems. They did not listen to the vet and had hoped someone would come along to get her. She was supposed to have died that prior weekend. My sister brought her to me, she was so skinny, besides an ear infection she had a torn off dewclaw(which grew back) and kennel cough. God, the first two weeks were h*ll just trying to put meds down her throat. I tried it all. Now a few years later, I know what works for her. But all the first health issues were actually quick fixes.

  Her mental health was the hardest thing to overcome. She was alpha, we had to earn the right to touch her in her eyes. I could not give her a nice massage on her head like most dogs love, she would strike out to bite.  She could not let her guard down. I think she felt she would be hurt if she did. She did not like anyone touching her lower back either. I soon learned to be faster than her. I kept on. I was relentless. I was on a mission to overcome this dog.  I fell head over heals with this snapping poodle. I touched her hind quarters sooo much that I still to this day find myself doing it without even realizing it. Desensitizing her.  It used to be a scarey thing just brushing her, brush or clipper flying out of my hands to clear myself of being bitten.  I knew if she was going to try this with me, her owner, she would do it to a groomer. and I would be charged an arm and a leg just to get her clipped. So I learned basic clipping myself.

 Many a times I got bite. Some really painful ones, where I did let out a good yell cause it hurt so bad. But I did not care what the outside world would have had to say about that, like I'd put her to sleep, or if she did that to me I'd kick the cr*p out of her. Soo many tears were shed over her.  Just seeing her looks on her face.  She wanted to trust me, but was not sure how, I think. The worst bite sent me to the E.R. room to get 5 stitches on my lip. Since that incident, she might have snipped at me but not anywheres near what she did to me.  I yelled at her with a napkin to my lip to stop the bleeding.  I was so scared to go look in the mirror. Really afraid. Luckily most of it is on the inside of my lip.  I can't help but feel it with my tongue every day since. Heck, its given my lip a tad more fullness I think, LOL

Now other things that showed me she was abused and neglected besides the obvious neglect of her coat were, when given her food she was afraid to go to eat, it seemed she thought I would hit her. Things that made loud noises made her cringe and become a little ball of fur on the floor.  Trying to walk her just a block outside took some work.  Any car that drove by she would become that little furball on the sidewalk. Everytime for at least 6 months.

She did not like the wind in her face. I thought maybe she was not used to the sound, perhaps she had her hair all plugged into her ears for a long time. Poodle need to have their ear hair plucked at least monthly. It got to the point where she was only afraid on motorcycles and loud cars like U.P.S. etc.  I had her about 2 years  before I starting wondering if there was something wrong.  Turned out she had arthritis.  That was why she was calmer than most. To this day, my vet thinks she is older. Maybe about 10 to 12 years instead of what I thought, about 8ish.

Thru this time, the first few years of knowing her like the back of my hand, I noted she would give the evil eye when she was about to let a person know she did not want to be touched. I knew that look well. 

She used to try to get my husband to let her have his spot on the bed. By growling at him, it was quite funny actually. But I told him you HAVE to stand up to her. He is still a tad weary of her.  I can pull her off the back of the couch by her tail, when she is barking at something, no problem.  If hubby did it, look out. In the beginning had I done that, Holy cow, look out.  Each time she did something naughty I was back in her face. She learned not to mess with me.

 So, That is why I will not let my guard down.  She has mellowed alot though.  But I think I see her as a soldier thats been to war and has her flashbacks of torment.

Oh like the first year, if anyone touched her while she slept.  She would lunge out to bite whatever it was.  My toe got bit one night. Now I can toss and turn all night long and she sleeps right next to me sooo comfortable and happy.  I have always loved her from the first day.