Animals of Newport

We recently went for walkabout to Newport Rhode Island. Long weekend actually.
Of course while there we looked for events and found a craft festival at Potter's Animal Shelter.
Of course we looked at all the dogs for adoption.
Of course we took this one for a walk to see if we matched and we were hopeful...

A little mix of poodle and whatnot. They told us he does shed, which is unfortunately a deal breaker, only because of allergies. Still... we hoped he'd love us and we'd suddenly have a pup for the 8 hour drive home!

Alas, he couldn't have cared less about us. They said he was challenging. The other dogs were very interested in us and one broke my heart. An enormous American bulldog... white, sad... her person just died, and she stood in the very center of a nice little shelter cubical, cozy with toys and a soft bed, with a place for us to drop a treat in for her. She didn't look at us.

She was so sad, I felt it, she stood just staring at nothing. Lonely and stunned. I sure hope someone out there wants her, she's maybe 90 lbs and seemed so sweet.

We met this bird, and the staff encouraged us to walk past the barricade to visit. They said he was cranky...

Today was busy with lots of strangers but usually he flies freely around the office. He was full of whistles which we tried to match.

He got excited and danced around, taking a treat from my hand.

This is the nicest shelter I've ever seen.
If only Bobo the white pup had worked out. He didn't want to be with us at all.

On the way out, sort of sad that Bobo didn't mesh, we saw a woman playing ball with a three legged lab. The lab ran to us and kissed us through the fence.
The woman fostered the abused pup who lost a front leg when owners threw it from a car. She fell in love, and now they are together.
While we were talking the lab started digging.
Yep. Digging. Pulled itself up off it's front foot, landed on the one foot and dug a scoop quickly.
Over and over.


I said, that was a lesson to me. It was rejected (as I've been by family) and injured, as I am. Yet it just lives a life the way it is. No looking back, why me? Why did this happen?Woe is me, I can't (do whatever) now!

Nope, just doing what it can, and with joy.
JOY! so happy with it's new woman, with it's new life. Doing what it can. Digging which we all know is TONS of fun!

While in Newport we strolled along the Cliff Walk and noted that someone had come along and left lots of birdseed for these wild birds.
We toured Doris Duke's home, and I took many pictures of mansions to share in other posts. She was an heiress, and loved dogs. The docent told a story that a maid fussed at her dogs for jumping on the sofa (covered in 17th century tapestry) and Doris Duke correcting her, "those dogs LIVE here, you just work here" she said.  You may recognize her name from watching PBS shows that are funded by her charity.

this is a view of her back yard.

Those dogs had the run of the place!
As did the camels... yep... camels were a gift from an admirer.

They lived here, and when Ms Duke passed away, the camels moved to designated home!
She also loved the arts and supported artists.

She loved recipes and I will give a set to one of you.

I got a set for me, and Drew got a set for me to pass on to one of you! Just let me know your favorite holiday dish, especially if it's odd. Speaking of elephants....

Oh how I love an elephant. Three mansions were decorated grandly for Christmas, and we toured them. It was truly like being in an episode of Downton Abbey. This was one nativity scene elephant

the elephant is maybe about 15 inches square? The homes are so large, one needs so much to make a statement.

These stuffies were in the basement Kitchen area. Nearly life sized. "We're watching you..." "More icing"
 On the way home Monday we stopped in Mystic Connecticut and met Oliver.

Clapping hands with glee!! Whee!! so gorgeous and enormous. About 6" taller than Cole and 20 lbs heavier.

The owner of the shop and Oliver's person was shocked at his reaction to me. Oliver immediately ran to me, puppy bowing, putting his hands out to touch me. I was touched when he gave me a poodle hug... they come forward nose straight, bump their heads into your legs and press. Just like Cole. I petted his ears, which is what you are to do when they hug you. He stood so very still while we touched.
I sat and he came forward laying his head into my legs, just like Cole used to...

Of course I fluffed out his ears on top of my legs. Oh, my broken heart! It felt so good to pet a poodle like this again.

He knew I knew him. He was so kind to a grieving couple. We didn't leave with Bobo because the connection is everything. We will find a poodle to love in the new year I hope. Whether it's a rescue or a pup. Poodle people need a poodle.