The Great Dane and Me, RLHBS

Recently I met a 6 year old Great Dane at the pet store.  He was big!  His head was twice as big as my whole body.  He bent down so we could look eye to eye.  I sniffed him and licked his nose.  He was all right.  His people laughed and Daddy did too.  We went on our merry way.

The weather went from sunny and sixty degrees to snowing and thirty.  What happened?  It's crazy!  I wear my coats all the time now.  They're very cozy.

Our next big project kicks off officially on December 3rd and runs through December 15th.  It's called "Rudy's Little Holiday Book Sale."  Twenty percent of all sales will be donated to the National Kidney Foundation.  That's not just 20% of profits - it is off all sales!  Wow!  We hope to donate a lot to this worthy cause so near to our hearts.

A friend helped us put up the fancy banner on our web site.  It is so cool!  Take a look, if you have a chance.  Even though the sale starts Monday, we will unofficially start it now, so if you need any books (maybe for Christmas gifts), now is a good time to get a gift and have it help an excellent organization.

December starts Saturday.  YIKES!  I better get moving.  There is much to do and I'm just a tiny little poodle.

Love,
Rudy the Big Hearted Poodle

A Beautiful Thanksgiving Week

I couldn't ask for anything more.  The weather this week has been phenomenal, not a typical November in Minnesota.  Beautiful sunshine and light breezes fill our days.  The nights come soon, but I can't complain.  That is cozy time with Mommy, Daddy and Boomer!

I just have my regular visits at the vet this week.  I will still give my usual energetic and entertaining performances.

Mommy and Daddy are working on some projects for Rudy's Little World.  We hope they are very successful.  It is holiday time, so working on presentations and author bookings is difficult.  It seems like every year people kick into the holiday mode sooner.

I need my hair cut!  Mommy calls me her fuzzy little monkey!  She wants to put barrettes in my hair.  I think I would look very cute.  It will keep me warm for the inevitable cold weather.

Since it is Thanksgiving, I will tell you what I am thankful for this year.  No surprise, it is my family.  I am one lucky poodle and I couldn't ask for a better family.  They love me so much.  The feeling is mutual;  I think they're pretty special too.  Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Love,
Rudy the Thankful Poodle

November 11th

November 11th is a day we commemorate in our home.  Significant for different reasons, and culminating in who Mommy and Daddy are today.

Back in the mid 1970's, Daddy served in the U.S. Navy.  It was a time, when the country was in turmoil and very divided, similar to today.  Daddy took his responsibility very seriously and considered it his duty to serve with honor.  Daddy is a veteran and November 11 is Veteran's Day.

On Friday, November 11th, 1983 Mommy lost her sight.  She had her last eye surgery that day and when she woke up it was dark.  In a strange way she feels that it is the day she really started seeing.  Seeing the real world and what matters.

Duty, honor, responsibility, strength, hope and endurance all describe November 11th.  Where would we be without it?  The reasons for its significance are different, but they come together sometimes.

Last year while flying home from New York, Mommy and Daddy experienced such an occasion.  Sun setting, the plane flew over the majestic Statue of Liberty.  The scene was spectacular, better then any cinematographer could have created.  Full of awe, Daddy explained it to Mommy with vivid detail.  His enthusiasm added a new dimension, one of extreme pride.  Mommy felt it was better then seeing it with her own eyes.

Sharing this with someone you love made it so much better and profound.

November 11th is a day we remember.

Halloween Performances

Two visits equal two Halloween performances.  In the morning I went to my special vet.  Many puppies wore ballerina outfits or super hero capes.  I was a bit more unique, thanks to Daddy.  Approaching the desk, we were asked, "Where's Rudy's costume?"  I'll admit, I was a little worried so I started to dance.  Daddy quickly replied, "He is going as a poodle this year, he's really a German Shepherd."  Everyone started laughing and started calling people over to look at the hybrid German Shepherd.  I was a hit!

That evening, I also went to my regular vet.  By that time I came up with a name to go along with my fancy costume.  Daddy registered me as the "Notorious PIT."  That stands for Poodle In Training.  That's how the hip kids talk now.  Everyone thought that was great.  I am back to Rudy as my name now.  I might be the "Notorious PIT" next year for Halloween.  Maybe we could buy some bling to complete the ensemble!

Since it is getting cold, we bought a new coat for me to wear outside.  It is very cozy.  I love it!  I included a picture for you to see my awesome purchase.  Not bad for half price!  I never pay retail!

Love,
Rudy the Notorious Bargain Hunter

Ambassador or Mascot?

Spending more time at my vets' offices, I have become more comfortable with the surroundings.  I have taken it upon myself to make sure all are comfortable and entertained.

Last week I was a bit unsure when a 10 month old Tiber wolf arrived.  This was new to me, so I didn't know if I should provide security or dance.  Opting for the safe route, I tried to protect everyone and then hid behind Daddy.  It was a very unusual night.

This week was more normal.  As people and their furry friends walked in, I greeted them and did a dance.  They loved it!  After that responsibility, I walked from room to room up and down the hallways and made sure everything was as it should be.  If any exam room doors were open, I popped my head in to say, "Hi, I'm Rudy."  A Kitten was in one of those rooms.  She was being examined by my Vet.  When the doctor saw me she said, "Hi Rudy, how are you?"  Then she told me she had to close the door for a little while.  I headed up to the front lobby to entertain the receptionist.  She laughs and thinks I'm cute.

At my special vet, I ran into two white poodles my size.  Of course I gave them my smooth "Rudy" greeting and started dancing.  To my shock and amazement, they started following my lead!  People laughed and got a kick out of it.  I am still the star, the two white ones are my back up dancers.  We're not far from bow ties and tutus now!  Next we'll hit the big stage!

Love,
Super Star Rudy, Ambassador to the Vets

Kidney Walk and Meeting a Little Girl

Misty conditions couldn't dampen the spirits of 2,500 participants at the 2012 NKF Kidney Walk.  Mommy and Daddy met many new friends and saw their old friend TC the Bear.

Many puppies donning their cutest costumes escorted the people along the hilly course.  Mommy and Daddy made it the whole way on the long course!  I stayed home and watched Boomer!  We are better at sprints and will have to train for endurance later.

Last week my numbers were out of whack.  We are modifying my medicine and continuing my fluid therapy.  After a treatment, Daddy and I shopped at PetSmart.  I met a tiny girl who was just learning to walk.  If I stood on my back legs, we were the same height.  Her daddy pointed at me and said, "That is the kind of puppy I want."  Hearing that I of course started dancing my finest dance.  They laughed and the little girl began to copy me.  She was pretty good, too.  When I hopped up and down, she did the same.  We were a great team.

I am going to ask Daddy to make a marquee that says Performances Starring Rudy.  Every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.  I will hang it in front of the Vet's office.  I dance every time I am there, so I might as well let the public know.  I enjoy entertaining.

Love,
Rudy the Excellent Representative of the Poodle Population

Guest Blog by Mommy

I took some time off to show friends my new haircut.  Gertie and Hobey Baker loved it.  The weather has been beautiful, so we are enjoying it while we can.

I asked Mommy to do a guest blog for me.  She is a writer too.  She had a bad cold, but she is feeling better now.  I will be back next time to tell you all about about our kidney walk next Saturday.

Love to you all,
Rudy the Vacationing Poodle

Challenges are Blessings in Disguise

I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason.  Sometimes that reason isn’t clear, but ultimately it will reveal itself.  It may take years and that is how we learn patience.

To fully illustrate my belief, I thought I should share a brief summary of my life.

At the age of nine, I was diagnosed with Type I diabetes.  At 19, I lost my sight because of the disease.

In 1993, at the age of 39, I was diagnosed with end stage renal failure resulting in my first kidney transplant in 1995.  A pancreas transplant in 2003 finally cured the disease that ravaged my body.

After several years, another kidney transplant was necessary, so in 2009, my husband Wayne donated one of his kidneys to me and saved my life.

One might say I have experienced a few challenges.  Along with these medical situations come the emotional, physical, and mental aspects that naturally accompany challenges.

I chose to look at these challenges as blessings.  If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be who I am today.  These challenges were more speed bumps in my life.  They may have slowed me down from time to time or turned my path in a different direction, but they never stopped me.

Getting diabetes at an early age taught me about my inner strength and ability to take care of myself.  Learning these facts would be invaluable as I went on in life.

Losing my sight ended up being my best blessing of all.  It led to so many wonderful experiences that would not have happened if I were sighted.

I’ll admit when I lost my sight it was a shock, at what I thought to be the prime of my life.  This blow happened suddenly and I was not prepared.  After taking a few months to regroup and adjust to my new circumstances, I decided to continue my academic career.

At the time, my parents were consulting with a counselor working with the services for the blind.  It was his advice to go to a blind school several states away.  That was something I had no interest in pursuing.  I wanted to return to the University where I started my collegiate endeavors.  I felt I needed some familiar references, only now I would be experiencing them from the blind perspective.  My parents were apprehensive about my decision.  The counselor told them to go ahead with my plan.  He was sure I would fail, leaving no other choice then to send me to the blind school.  Call it motivation or a challenge, but I accepted it.  Four years later I graduated Magna Cum Laude.

The greatest blessing in my life also happened when I returned to the school I chose to continue my education.  Before losing my sight, I drove to college.  This was no longer an option, so I would need a ride.  My first day back I met a taxi driver with a warm heart and an excellent sense of humor.  That was September 13^th, 1984 and we are still laughing!  That marvelous man is now my husband.  We only lived 6 blocks apart.  I walked by his family’s home every day to elementary school.  We never met until the day he drove me to campus.  A ride I wouldn’t have needed if I had my sight.  Everything happens for a reason.

Complications with my pancreas transplant caused me to lose my position at work.  At the time, I thought this was a mixed blessing.  I was deeply saddened by the loss of my job; it was one I enjoyed very much but it also gave me more time for recovery, which ended up being a long road, as I was twenty pounds under weight and extremely weak.  During this process, I was able to enjoy the pleasure of my dogs and observe their unique personalities.  The creative part of me emerged and I started writing stories about them.  My creative aspirations were something I had pushed into the recesses of my mind and heart.  I was an artist before losing my sight and thought that was gone.  While writing, I realized I was using the images in my mind.  These stories turned into a children’s book series called Rudy’s Little World.

After publishing my first book and presenting to groups of all ages, I finally discovered what I believe is my true calling.

Remember the degree I mentioned at the beginning of this piece?  It was a B.S. in Speech Communication.  I switched to that major because I liked the professors; they were very accepting.  Although it took twenty years, I now know the real reason for choosing that path.  Everything happens for a reason.

Embrace the challenges you encounter and don’t let them stop you.  They will make you stronger and lead you in the right direction.