Sparkle's Page

Standard's Sparkling Crystal
CD, ADC, AADC, CGC, VIP Versatility Award, Herding Instinct
November 03, 1994 - April 29, 2009

Sparkle didn't know how not to greet every moment and every person with enthusiasm.

She didn't know how not to leap with abandonment into the water, to swim and fetch sticks until all others were exhausted, and to swim at the side of her human companions.  She did know how to rush into a game of “find it” to show off her amazing nose to everyone who heard about her trick and wanted to be the one to test her with their scent.

She didn't know how not to achieve her Obedience Championship in her first weekend of trials, even though she was trialed by a rank beginner who started and finished CD's on two Standards the same weekend.

She didn't know how not to spend every moment within sight of her best human friends, without getting into a tizzy if they were in a different room or away for a short while, yet she could wait patiently for hours in a car for the return of her pals.

She didn't know how to not to keep going at full tilt even when she was spayed and pulled from the Conformation ring, short one point toward her Conformation Championship, due to a bad report on x-rays which showed severe hip dysplasia.

She did not know how not to give it her all in Agility, as she competed and achieved many qualifying times and titles, in every possible event, every time she was entered. She did not know how not to be the Velcro dog, tucked at my side, long after she had progressed into the masters level where it was not allowed to touch the partner at every directional command.

She didn't know how not to be a wonderful Therapy Dog as she gained the friendship and confidence of seniors over years of visits.

Sparkle didn't know how not to show her intense jumping enthusiasm if my husband put on his hiking shoes and picked up the car keys for one of their daily long walks and never learned to leave the home calmly.

Sparkle didn't know how not to be a media magnet in film, print or live shows and she would she patiently pose for numerous pictures, or perform at her peak in children's events while putting up with group hugs and pats from hundreds of those youngsters. She did know how to live up to expectations by using her intelligence to quickly adapt to changes in scripts or plans as she was filmed, played with, or used in research for canine intelligence testing.

Sparkle didn't know how not to be my main source of solace after the tragic death of my son, when her calm comforting manner prevented a catatonic reaction in grief as she allowed me to run my hands through her course curly coat through many months of long wakeful teary nights.

Sparkle didn't know how not to be the best Poodle Auntie to litters even though she had none of her own.  She didn't know how not to teach and train the younger dogs in proper pack behavior and used her awful ferocious look and snarling expression as her trick to train, yet never allowed it to progress to a snap or bite.

Sparkle didn't know how not to herd the sheep in her test and just went about the job as the audience at the exhibition laughed, hooted and hollered encouragement for the display of natural ability shown by the white Poodle on her first introduction to the sheep.

Sparkle didn't know how not to run like the wind, chase the squirrels, swim in the currents, ride in the boat, scare the crows from the yard and race the seagulls on the sand, but she did have a healthy respect for geese after a fun game of swim chase turned on her. She did know how to look great and behave so well that even hotels with a “no dog” policy would let her stay.

Sparkle certainly didn't know how not to stay off my bed whenever she discovered I was alone there, because if she got it in her mind that I was in need of her warm and comforting presence nothing would convince her to move.

Sparkle didn't know how not to be anything but a best friend ,over the years, to the many kids that knew and loved her as she put up with being pulled, prodded, played with, dressed, costumed and cuddled, as she shared her space, her bed or their bed, and her companionship.

Sparkle didn't know how not to get dirty at the drop of a hat, to find a mud puddle after the grooming, or come in with half a forest tangled in her coat, but she did know to behave for the resulting bath and clean up.

Sparkle didn't know how not to live a long full life after being diagnosed with mast cell cancer, managing to live in full and complete control, even with a massive tumor on her hip which brought our four year old granddaughter screaming “Sparkle's lump is stuck in a tree” where we found her waiting patiently for rescue.

Sparkle didn't know how not to be a family favorite, a friend favorite and even a favorite to the countess strangers who would come up to the picket fence to admire, to talk to, and pat the pretty Poodle.

Sparkle didn't know how not be to be anything but herself—the loveable and loved pet and sparkling, quality, wonderful standard of a Standard Poodle.