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| Name: |
Stewart
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Age: |
Thirteen years old
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| Gender: |
Male |
Breed: |
Toy Poodle
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| Home: |
Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
James was my miniature poodle who passed away three years ago. He was a very special dog and it broke my heart when he left us. Stewart and James lived together for about 10 years. The difference in their personalities can be explained this way: James looked at you all day seeming to say: What can I do to please you? Stewart looks at you all day and says: What can YOU do to please me? The difference made them both lovable and special.
Stewart is the first toy poodle. I've always said that I don't pick my dogs, they pick me. It was so true in Stewart's case. We live in Toronto, Canada but while in New York City, I went to a boutique to buy a present for James. I had read that this Madison Avenue store had the best stuff for dogs but I hadn't paid attention to the rest of the article that said that they always had a few puppies that came from the best breeders. So I walk in and near the entrance was a small enclosure. A tiny red poodle comes over to me and scratches the glass where I was standing. The idea of getting a second dog had never crossed my mind but here he was calling to me. Imagine my husband's surprise when he came into our hotel room and saw me on the floor playing with a three-pound puppy. We called him Stewart because James was named after a famous magician called Stewart James. So Stewart it was, but I have to say the name really suits him.
Stewart is the most expressive dog ever. He loves to get dressed up. He is very playful and loving. When he was younger he came with me everywhere. And as with James, I never worried that my dogs would run away. Even when walking on a leash, they always turned around every few minutes to make sure I was still there. He is super smart and loving and makes us all laugh.
As I mentioned, Stewart is one of the only dogs I know that just loves getting dressed up. Show him a hat, a sweater or a costume and he comes running. He poses for photos. He could easily be a model. He is a quick learner and knows the usual "sit and down and also stay" and, he also dances. He is so cute that he has become the mascot for Camp Oochigeas, a camp for children with cancer that I help raise funds for. He has helped me fundraise for the Ontario Veterinary College's Pet Cancer Centre and is quite a star with donors.
He loves people in general, but has some favorites that he adores. I just say their name and he becomes totally alert and runs to the door. Sometimes I have his favorites on speaker phone and he becomes totally focused on their voice. All in all Stewart is perfect and I hope he stays with us for many, many more years.
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