A Tale of Two Poodles

Two poodles I know very well, Tootsie and Moxie, belong to my friend Nancy. Naturally they were the dogs I decided to interview first.

Moxie is a 17-year-old poodle with attitude, hence her name is quite fitting. “Moxie” is defined as spunk or determination.  Moxie weighs less than ten pounds, but she is a big dog inside her head.  

Moxie, can you share your earliest doghood memory?  “My earliest memory was very foggy—I mean I couldn’t even walk or see much, but I got stronger.  My Mom and my family lived in a very large cozy cage. We were very comfortable-ate, slept and played.  A lady took care of us and seemed quite kind until she cut off our tails—mom couldn’t stop her.  After that things  were ok until I was two months old.  Mom started leaving us for hours, she stopped feeding us herself, and she got grumpy when we tried to feed from her.  Then things got really weird, I would take a nap, and my brother and sisters would be missing until It was just Mom and me.   One day I was taken upstairs, and I met Nancy.  It was the greatest day—she picked me up and never put me down until I got to my new house.  She paid the lady who held me hostage a ransom”

How was life after that, with Nancy?  “It was a whole new world!  I met my “sister” Tootsie and Nancy spoiled us both. Maybe she spoiled me a little bit more.”

Why would she spoil you more? “I don’t mean to boast, but I am CUTE!  Really cute apparently.  And I am really loveable.  I love people.   People want to hold me, pet me, feed me, I sort of get everything I want. Strangers approach me in the park to praise me.   Even the vet says I am the “cutest thing”—and she has seen hundreds of dogs.  Nancy will hold me if I just look at her beseechingly.   My cuteness is my superpower—I can do no wrong!”

Do no wrong?  What do you mean?  “Oh, I’m not evil but I have a few incidents. Once  a greyhound got a little too close, so I bit his foot.  It was all I could reach. Gotta defend my personal space!  It was a bit humiliating actually, he didn’t’ even notice.   And sometimes-actually every opportunity I have- I steal Tootsie’s food”

Did you have any formal training? Oh yes, I went to Myrph’s obedience classes.  (yes, I was the cutest in the class) I even took agility training.  I was in it for the treats.  One of the obstacles was a tunnel and apparently people tossed treats in there trying to lure their dogs out.  It took me five minutes to clean that tunnel out.  Great class Myrph!”

Do you have any hobbies? “I’m a foodie.  Love my food, love everyone else’s food also.  It has caused me a little weight problem, but hey—I’m still cute!  Did you see my pictures?  I also like posing like a lamb in the grass.  I also enjoy being a pesky sister to Tootsie”

Favorite human? “Nancy, she’s this dogs best friend.  Proud to say I own her and love her!”