Raistlin.

Black mini poodle, has papers but not sent for. Originally brought by mum to console me after Southern Cross died, it was too soon for me to have another pet. I did take him to a few obedience classes and named him as well. His full name is:

Raistlin Thunderbolt!

He is named after two storybook wizards. When he went to live with mum she soon began to take him with her everywhere she went. He is a lovely dog, with a very good disposition.

Western Australian poodles were a little in bred at the time and Raistlin soon became in demand as a stud dog. He mostly throws black puppies, but has sired white and tan ones as well. We have two of his offspring, Sebastian and Suzy Q. Nanny has another, a white poodle called Fifi! His job of improving the local blood lines is probably just about done, as a stud he has been in very high demand. In fact he has recently been commissioned to sire some labra-poodles with a nice female golden retriever, although the mating will be something of a trial for him!

Raistlin likes to go in the car with mum, she has a bad habit of letting him sit on the middle console so he can see where we are going. He is very active and likes to chase rabbits on the farm (chase them, but not catch them!) He has caught rats in the hay shed and always gets a lot of praise for doing so!

He also has a toy rabbit that is his 'treasure' and gets carted everywhere. The poor thing has been chewed beyond recognition, but he still loves it!

Mum has learnt how to groom and clip him herself, after only one disastrous clip at the very beginning! One of our funnier (for us, probably not for him!) memories is going down to Perth one year for Christmas. I ended up watching Mum and my Aunts (who have all had show dogs) trying to clip him at once. At one point they each grabbed a paw and left him with only one on the ground to balance on! It's a wonder he doesn't hide at the merest hint of a pair of whirling clippers!

Raistlin has developed bone spars along his back vertebrae and a little bit of arthritis as he has grown older, but besides from that has been doing well. We love him to bits!

Fifi, one of his daughters, and proud owner of my Grandparents.

(Talk about being wrapped about some ones little paw!)