Generations of Joy: The Story of Angel, Lily, and the Poodle Sisters

The Girls posing after a bath. Freya on the Left, Ivy on the Right

The Beginning: Angel's Story

The story of Freya and Ivy begins many years before their birth. It all started with Angel, their grandmother, a beautiful white poodle with intense black eyes and a button charcoal nose. We first met Angel when she was just six months old, while working on replacing some wooden flooring for her owner. Even then, Angel's personality shone through – she was curious, intelligent, and had a regal air about her that belied her puppy clumsiness. Over the years, we continued to do odd jobs for her owner, watching Angel grow into a stunning companion. Her gentle nature made her a joy to be around, and we always looked forward to seeing her on our visits.

One marvelous day, while we were working, Angel gave birth to a litter of Standard Poodles. The excitement in the house was palpable as we watched this new generation come into the world. In the litter were little puppies that looked just like their mom with little button noses and one girl with an apricot nose. This unique feature immediately caught our eye, setting her apart from her siblings. As the pups grew, two girls were chosen by the owner to continue the bloodline, one of them being the apricot-nosed puppy, named Lily.

Mom of Freya and Ivy, Lily

Lily's Journey: Continuing the Legacy

A couple of years passed, and we grew fond of Lily, appreciating her intelligence and charm, much like her mother Angel. Lily had inherited her mother's grace but had a playful streak that was all her own. She would often greet us spinning in circles at full speed. Her apricot nose, which had first drawn our attention, became a defining feature that we adored.

When the opportunity arose for Lily to join our family, we seized it with joy. She fell into our lives with such ease, as if she had always been meant to be with us. Her transition was smooth, and she quickly became the heart of our home. Her puppies with Ziggy were incredibly healthy, smart, and had coats that absolutely glowed. Just as her mother Angel had once inspired her owner, we knew we had to continue her bloodline.

Dad of Freya and Ivy, Apollo

The Quest for the Perfect Match: Lily and Apollo

This led us to Apollo, a wonderful fellow who was tall, lanky, intelligent, and quite the dork—the perfect match for Lily. When we first met Apollo, we were struck by his jovial demeanor and the way he carried himself with a mix of dignity and playfulness. His coat was a rich, deep color that complemented Lily's lighter tones beautifully.

We arranged for their meeting, but little did we know, we were about to learn about the concept of false heat and false pregnancy. For over a month, Lily fooled us into thinking she was pregnant, enjoying the extra pampering and special care, which she loved to flaunt in front of her sister. We prepared a special nesting area, bought puppy supplies, and even started discussing potential names. However, as the days passed and her belly stopped growing, we realized it was a false alarm. It was a disappointment, but also a learning experience that deepened our understanding of canine breeding.

Six months later, we tried again, our hopes high once more. The results were much the same—another false pregnancy. But we didn't give up. These experiences, while frustrating, only strengthened our resolve and our bond with Lily. We learned patience and the importance of trusting the natural process. Six more months passed, and we decided to try once more. This time, it would prove to be the lucky one. For us, the third time was indeed the charm.

64 days later, Lily went into labor. The anticipation was intense as we waited for each puppy to arrive. One little boy with a charcoal button nose, followed by another, and then a third. Each arrival was met with joy and relief. The fourth puppy was a boy with an apricot nose, just like his mother. We were getting concerned that if there were no girls, we would have to arrange for another meeting four months later... But then, back-to-back, puppies five and six arrived. Two healthy, beautiful girls with apricot noses. The relief and happiness we felt were indescribable.

The First Girls Arrival

Raising the Litter: Challenges and Delights

The litter was a blast to raise. They were our first full-blood Poodle puppies we raised at home, we had raised Goldendoodle and Golden Retriever litters before this. The experience was both challenging and rewarding. Poodle puppies are so distinct; they are clumsy with attempts to be regal and carry a deep wonder for the world while simultaneously judging it. We watched in amusement as they would attempt to strike dignified poses, only to tumble over each other in a heap of fluffy fur. Their intelligence was evident from an early age – they quickly learned the routine and basic commands, always eager to please and learn more.

As the pups neared eight weeks old, we were happy to share them with the world. We had chosen plant-themed names for the litter, inspired by the natural beauty around us. Ivy and Violet(A name we would later change) were the names we chose for the girls, and the boys were Lupine, Clover, Hawthorne, and Alfalfa, who we called Alfie.

Alfie was the first to go home with his little apricot nose. His human mom had been waiting for him as long as we had for Ivy and Freya. She had been with us through every disappointment and the eventual victory, and seeing her face light up when she held Alfie for the first time was a moment we'll never forget. The three button noses found their families over the next few weeks. Each departure was bittersweet – we were happy to see them go to loving homes, but saying goodbye was never easy.

Posing for their First Picture, Freya on Left and Ivy on Right

Finding Their Names: Ivy and Freya's Early Days

We were confident in Ivy's name. She was clingy and wanted to be attached to Karl at all times. He would pop her in his chest pocket and take her with him, a tiny head poking out curiously at the world. Eventually, he moved to holding her in his shirt until she was too big for that. One thing has never changed with her—her desire to be by his side all the time. She still expects him to try to snuggle her in his shirts, even now that she's fully grown.

Freya grew into her name. She was called Violet until she was almost six months old, but the name did not fit. We watched her develop, noting how she walked with the grace of her father and the confidence of her mother. She commanded the attention of a room upon entry and wanted to be treated like a lady. Eventually, the name Freya was said, and her head cocked in that most Poodle-y way, and it stuck. It was as if she had been waiting for us to realize her true name all along.

The Girls Official Portrait, Freya to the Left and Ivy to the Right

A Bond Like No Other: Reflections on Our Journey

The experience of raising our girls from the moment they were born has been enlightening beyond anything I could have imagined. The bond we have felt with them is different. Our bond with their mother was strong, as we had known her from birth, but these two... We held them during their first moments and have watched with pride their growth into maturity. Every milestone, from their first steps to their first bark, has been a treasure.

They carry innately so many traits of both their parents while distinctly being their own unique selves. They are both fast, but not in the same way. Ivy is fast like the wind; she likes to move and feel the air fly past her face. When she runs, it's with abandon, pure joy in motion. Freya is fast like a fawn; she prances on the air, bouncing off of each step. Her movements are more calculated, as if she's always aware of how graceful she looks.

The two girls move together with us, and if one gets anything, the other is quick to point out the inequity. They are happy to play off each other to get as much attention as possible, playing up their competitive natures. But they are quick to have each other's backs or to jointly pick on Ziggy if he is hoarding the toys. Their relationship is a beautiful balance of sisterly competition and unwavering loyalty.

The Girls enjoying the cool floor, Ivy to the left and Freya with the pink.

Conclusion: A Home Full of Love

As we reflect on this journey from Angel to Freya and Ivy, we're filled with gratitude for the joy, laughter, and love these poodles have brought into our lives. Each generation has taught us something new about the breed and about ourselves. The challenges we faced, from false pregnancies to sleepless nights with newborn puppies, have only deepened our appreciation for these intelligent, loving creatures.

Looking ahead, we're excited for the adventures to come with Freya and Ivy. Their distinct personalities continue to unfold, surprising and delighting us every day. In future blogs, we look forward to sharing more personal stories about each girl – their quirks, their achievements, and the countless ways they enrich our lives.

For now, we cherish every moment with our poodle family. From Angel's legacy to Lily's journey, and now with Freya and Ivy by our sides, we're reminded daily of the special bond between humans and dogs. These elegant, silly, loving poodles have not just become part of our family; they've made our house a home, filled with wagging tails, wet noses, curly booping and endless love.

Ready and Waiting to Play, Freya to the Left and Ivy to the Right