Wanna own a Poodle?

What’s that?" my brother Hans asked me when he first met Gorby.

"He’s a Toy Poodle and he’s sooooo cute," I said to him.

"He looks like a rat," replied Hans.

Growing up in a home where big dogs were the thing was the cause for my brother’s lack of interest in Gorby.

But let me tell you that Hans’ indif-ference to Gorby lasted only a month. The next time he came to visit us his opinion had changed.

"OK, he’s cute," said Hans.

Hans recently gave me a book about Poodles – The Dog on Poodles.

So, let me share what I have discovered about living with a Poodle and some of the things that I have read in the book.

There are three kinds of Poodles according to size – the Toy, Miniature and Standard. And if you have ever met a Poodle you could say that when they are well-groomed and have that Poodle cut they are very elegant-looking. "Beauty and brains is the phrase made for us," says The Dog.

If you have ever been to a dog show you may have noticed that some of the best performers are the Poodles. I have been told by many dog owners – Poodles or other dogs – that Poodles are some of the most intelligent dogs. "It is easy to train the Poodle," the book adds. From being around Gorby a lot I can tell you that he is really a character, a cute character, that is. He wakes up at 4 a.m. and licks me in the face until I get up and take him out so he can do his morning thing. But when he is sleepy there is nothing I can do to force him to stay awake. His eyes close no matter how hard he tries to keep them open. He follows Yuri, our Mini Schnauzer, wherever he goes and likes to imitate whatever Yuri does, too.

But what I appreciate most about Gorby is that he’s a people-pleaser. He lives to make other people happy. When I take him to a store or whenever he goes to Mass or even if we are just walking in the mall people come around to say hi and Gorby lets them give him a pat on the head.

And now for a little Poodle history from The Dog.

All Poodles descended from the Standard Poodle. In ancient Greece and Rome, a dog that looked a lot like a Poodle was a companion for high-class ladies. The real ancestry is thought to have started in the 16th century. Some people say that the Poodle was a hunting dog in Europe, others say the Poodle was influenced by the Portuguese Water Dog, but the Poodle became famous because of its popularity among the French aristocracy. In any case, the name of the Poodle comes from the German word "Pfudel" which means to splash a lot in the water.

The Toy Poodle was created from the Miniature and has since enjoyed unshakeable popularity. The hair of the Poodle is long in front to protect its heart from cold water, and its bottom is bare to help it swim well.

I have yet to take Gorby swimming because I have not yet had a chance to. But I do know that he loves to dip his nose into a bowl of cold water when it is really hot outside.

I have been told by other Poodle owners that the best way to discipline a Poodle is to look it straight in the eye. I have learned to look Gorby in the eye when I want to teach him something new. Gorby is very responsive and he listens well.

Grooming is a must for these dogs because they are non-shedders. Gorby goes to the groomer every six weeks and I have found this to be just right.

Excuse me, Gorby calls...