Ripley is my only rescue. Bella was 2 years old and I was getting the itch to have another dog. I have always had two dogs at once and after 2 years the itch was getting stronger. My early thoughts were that I would probably adopt a pug puppy since I have admired them for years but have never owned one.

My daughter and I were at the shelter one day where she had gotten her cat. She was turning in the paperwork which stated that she had been spayed. It is the policy at this shelter to give you a small refund if you provide proof after adopting that you have spayed/neutered your pet.

Well, before leaving, she and I decided to just "look" at the dogs. We didn't get far before I saw this horribly matted little mess of a poodle sitting in a litter box with a blanket on it. I spoke to him and he very timidly walked over to the side of the cage to see me. His tail was trying to wag but he was very very timid. I couldn't see his eyes or anything else for that matter. He was a mess and didn't smell so good and his hip bones were very evident. He was a stray and had obviously been on his own for a while. I went into the cage and sat on the floor to see what he would do. (My daughter did one of these when I did that! LOL!) Anyway, he very timidly walked over to me and sat himself in my lap. That sealed the deal! I fell in love with this sweet little soul and after the 9 day waiting period was over (to see if anyone claimed him) he was mine! I still adore pugs and maybe one day will have one, but somehow my heart has always belonged to poodles so Ripley is now my 6th.