Can't Believe She Is Now Eight Years Old

It was a cloudy and cool day in western Washington state on this date in 2012. A back yard labradoodle's standard poodle was giving birth to her puppies. She had quite a few. As they all grew older and were ready for sale they went like hotcakes on a hungry Saturday morning. All but one. This baby was a female and as she grew older the junk breeder noticed she had a cast eye. No one seemed to want her. She wallowed around in their yard for months until someone reached out and asked about her. The breeder (questionable designation for this person) had decided to put her up for sale at a much reduced price.

Honey at 4 months old

A family, close to Seattle, saw the online post and said they wanted her. They met in a shopping center parking lot and this poor baby was covered in vomit. Immediately the buyer decided whether or not this was a good decision, but took her anyway, paid up and left. The buyer was so shocked as to her condition she did not want to leave her with this person. She saved this puppy's life.

Fast forward and we find this baby girl, now named Honey, is with a loving family and flourishing. She loved her small humans and their one other labradoodle in her new home. Her new family had spent a lot of money on vet bills trying to get her into a healthy state. Seems she came with worms and other very nasty stuff in her body. But, nonetheless, they loved her and she was getting better. Until.

Her new Mommy noticed she was having a very hard time getting up once she lied down. Again, off to the vet.

Here I will stop. Long story short, Honey was diagnosed, eventually, with a genetic problem that was, most likely, caused by inbreeding.  Her back knees did not connect. To correct this would take a enormous amount money which her parents did not have. So, instead of euthanizing her, which was an option, their vet recommended to place her in a re home/rescue group. This group was Doodle Rescue Collective of who I was a volunteer. From there it is history.

So today my beautiful Honey has turned 8 years old. How can that be possible? It seems only yesterday I plucked her from the loving and tearful arms of her fosters in Ohio and drove her to Texas for her operation. The operation that replaced both of her back knees. That trip sealed the deal on our now 7 year relationship.

Honey, you have been such a commanding figure, and will remain to be, in our Clan. I, and all the others, love you.