54 THE NEW BARKER www.TheNewBarker.com The dogs on the property, whose owner was known by authorities for irre- sponsible breeding practices that bor- dered on abuse, were found in varying stages of neglect. One of the volunteers discovered a Standard Poodle who had been the top show dog in the country. He was sold to the breeder for stud serv- ices. “We were overwhelmed, but pretty organized. A great group of college stu- dents volunteered to make phone calls to local veterinarians, asking them to donate their services for spay/neuter surgeries,” said Tricia. “Within six weeks we found permanent or foster homes for all of the dogs. It was a great community effort.” Since 1994, when Florida Poodle Rescue (FPR) was officially incorporated as a 501c3, more than 9,000 abandoned, abused or unwanted Poodles have been rescued. Founded by Tricia and fellow Poodle lover Martha Harrington, the all- volunteer rescue group focuses on Poodles - Standard, Miniature and Toy. Maggie, Tricia’s first Poodle, was the inspiration behind Florida Poodle Rescue all those years ago.“I walked in to my groomer’s salon with my Bichon Frise and saw a beautiful Standard on the grooming table, and casually remarked how I’d always loved the breed,” said Tricia.A few day later,her groomer called to let her know that a client was surren- dering their Poodle. “I credit Maggie for all the good things she taught me about the breed,and all dogs in general,”Tricia said. “She was a great teacher for me and for the dogs coming into our rescue.” Early in the group’s history, Tricia was invited to attend the annual Poodle Club of America meeting as a guest speaker. She remembers hoping to exchange stories with board members, to learn more about Standard Poodles. However,not one of them had a Standard Poodle. “They all said they didn’t have the amount of time needed to spend with a Standard.” Club members told Tricia that Standard Poodles require of their handlers to stay in front of them all of the time, or they will end up controlling the household.“I realized right then that my Maggie was controlling me at home. I was on her schedule. And that had to change.” Poodles are very smart dogs. “Their brains must be kept engaged as much as their bodies,” said Tricia. Maggie also had what Tricia referred to as obsessive energy. “If you want a Poodle to listen to you, you have to let them get rid of that energy. Once I realized that, we began taking Maggie out to a large field so she could run to her heart’s content.” Afterwards, working with Maggie became much easier. Harmony returned to the household and their relationship. On the morning of September 11, 2001, Maggie and Tricia visited The Tampa Tribune at the invitation of an editor. Maggie was to show off her infa- mously voracious appetite for treats as part of a developing story. By the time the second plane hit the towers that morning, many in the Tribune building had asked to go home. When Tricia saw Maggie going to each remaining staff member, checking on them, she knew they would not be going home, just yet. Maggie became an instant therapy dog that day, providing comfort and some soft fur to cry into. Maggie was with Tricia for 13 years. Towards the end, with cancer taking its toll on the dog, Tricia said Maggie became very vocal.“If you listen closely, a Poodle will talk. I knew she was ready to go when I heard her say to me,‘Mom, I can’t do it anymore.’ Our veterinarian came to the house and Maggie was put down in her own bed.After her death,we received letters from the Tribune’s pub- lisher and editor, each recalling Maggie’s visit on 9/11 and the profound effect she’d had on everyone in the newsroom.” Today, Tricia’s admiration and com- mitment to saving Poodles is as strong as ever. She continues to take in abandoned Poodles, while trying to find them homes. She keeps and works with the dogs no one wants - from Standards to the Toys. Her husband Frank has always been supportive.When we spoke on the phone for this story, the couple were in North Carolina with 11 dogs. “We have two geriatric Standards with us right now that were brought into rescue. I promised Frank that we would find them a new home.Soon.”saidTricia. Currently, she is working with Bogart, an 18-month-old Standard Poodle.“We’re his seventh home. Once a dog has that kind of information on his resumé, very few people will want to adopt him. But, his behavioral issues are not his fault.We’re still peeling back the onion skin. He’s slowly improving.” Florida Poodle Rescue is also working with a Standard Poodle who was abandoned at a rest stop near the Ocala National Forest. Proper protocol necessi- tated having animal control take in the dog and hold him as a stray.According to animal control,the condition under which he was found - emaciated and full of parasites - he would have been dead in another week. He is in foster now and doing well, and will be ready for adoption after he puts on at least another 20 pounds. Being a witness to the ongoing inhu- manity put upon dogs is what motivates Tricia to keep going, even after 24 years. “Otherwise,who would be there for these dogs? The shelters are doing the best they can do, but they have limited funds and staff. I wish we could have a nationwide, one-year moratorium on breeding, just to give everyone a break and an opportunity to catch up,” she said. There was a time when shelters and rescue groups collaborated more. Tricia remembers a time when Hillsborough CountyAnimal Services and Pinellas County Animal Services had a closer relationship. Maggie The Joy of Helping Poodles continued.