A year ago this weekend, we did a 'trial' of Parker, our big white poodle.

Parker is a retired champion. His previous owners, our poodle groomer and her aunt, had decided they weren't going to breed him, since our groomer and her husband decided they'd prefer to breed German Short-Haired Pointers. That is a hunting breed, and Angie and her husband spend a lot of time camping and training the dogs in Eastern Oregon, so Parker was just chilling with auntie a lot.

Parker had/has some issues, the worst of which we knew about. He pees on the backs of his front legs. That is a big one, and we almost sent him back. We have 'pee-booties' for him to wear - they have to be washed frequently and it's a pain in the arse to let him out to tinkle, but, we do it.

His other issues mostly have to do with being a show-dog instead of being raised as a pet. He was five years old when we got him, and honestly, had NO CLUE how to play. He'd never been allowed into the living areas of humans, and was a bit confused about the rules of engagement. He was a counter-surfer - he stole a thawing prime-rib off the counter about three weeks into the trial period - Daddy was NOT pleased.

He stole MANY packages of bread products off the counter - I tried to beat him to death with a half-chewed package of naan one day - lol! Scared the $hit out of him, for sure.

Garbage thief extraordinaire. Particularly likes to eat the last two squares of toilet tissue off a discarded roll.

A year later - he still loves to cruise the trash cans for tissue and discarded Chai tea bags, which he shreds over the carpet. At least they smell good.

We have a bread box now, and although we rarely leave the dogs at home without supervision, we put the garbage can up on the counter, close the door to my husband's office (source of teabags) and NEVER leave meat on the counter.

On the other hand, he has learned to play - he pounces, he fetches, he has favorite toys. He's absolutely adorable and my best boy. :)

He gets WAY too crazy around small children, and we've just decided that it's best to shut him up when they're around.

He's really affectionate, and has NEVER marked territory or humped, although we had him neutered a month ago.

We're glad we have him - and he's come a very long way in a year. I know he's not exactly a 'rescue dog' in the sense that he was in a pound or something, but he has a great life here with his two poodle sisters and he's the BEST cuddler!