Hello, PSG!!!

I will try AGAIN to post a self-introduction, as apparently something went wrong with the first and it "bounced".

My husband, Jerry, and I are the happy owners of wonderful Torbec Great Heart, "Appy" (my husband's pick, short for Apricot--our first was Peaches and Cream), from Michele MacIntyre in Ontario, Canada. She is a great big bundle of apricot standard poodle that is just the BEST!!!

Neither of us started out ever imagining we would own a poodle. I am allergic to almost all other breeds and could never believe I was a poodle person. When I sort of fell into being offered one, which was unfortunately the product of a backyard breeding by a former boss for whom I was working at the time, they were asking $250 per pup. My husband said he would NEVER pay more than $100 for ANY dog!!! Well, I begged and pleaded for this beautiful little orange pup until he finally relented and let me have her as a Christmas present. Of course, when I brought her home from work, the minute I walked in the door my husband was ear to ear grin and down on the floor playing with her. They became best buddies and almost inseparable, with Mom a close second in her esteem (Dad's the "fun one" of the pack, Mom did obedience!!!). She then went on to teach us that poodles are the best of all dog worlds!!! So, when we lost her in an unfortunate car accident, we HAD to have another as soon as possible!!! Thanks to word of mouth, I was given Pat Comstock's name, who was kind enough to spend a lot of time and phone bill money educating me on what to look for, then sent me to Michele, who graciously allowed us to buy one of her pet quality apricots (though I think her "pet quality" could almost make it in the show ring; however, I might be quite biased about that!!!). Appy has since shown us what high-quality poodles are all about!!! Peaches was wonderful, Appy is that much MORE!!! After five great years with this little girl, I can't imagine never owning one. Pat once told me I would want to breed one day and she was right, though she continues to help by giving me reality checks from time to time, which has kept me from making that leap SO FAR!!! I AM seriously considering adding to the pack relatively soon, though, so hopefully Michelle will again have our "perfect" addition when we are ready to do that!!!

Well, that's our introduction to the life of poodle owners!!! I look forward to sharing some of my stories and learning a great deal from you wonderful folks!!! Maybe I can contribute in some small way as well to helping the poodle world!!! I have taken up enough email space and your time now.

I wish you all good health and a happy day!!

Deborah Jantz appy@bmi.net

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2000