Vanity Fur cover ;)

 

"Harpo, how many times do we have to tell you walks are not a Wes Anderson film!"

 

Welcome Harpo Byron Fidrych!

 Not long after Humphrey's demise, I thought I should apply to foster or adopt a dog, knowing that the screening process and wait for a suitable companion (small, non-shedding, preferably not elderly) could take time. In searching rescues and adoptions online, I came upon a three-year-old black poodle retiring from the show ring who was seeking a home. I completed the adoption form.

Soon after, I received a response that the black poodle had found a home already. "You're probably not interested interested in a white pup," the person said, presuming that I had a colour or age preference. She mentioned the date of birth - this pup was born the day that Humphrey died.

Linda had been breeding and showing black/silver and brown poodles for thirty years. Haley, a silver toy poodle, was a first-time new mom with champion sire Eddy (or as we call him, Fast Eddy). The first two puppies, both female, were born late in the evening, and came out black. After midnight, a third was born--the first white pup Linda's dogs had produced in thirty years. 

I couldn't say no to the opportunity. 

From the moment he opened his eyes, the white puppy keenly observed the world and met his developmental milestones weeks before his sisters. Linda named him Byron because he had the "eyes of a poet", though we wanted to call him Harpo  for his white curls, and that he squeaks to communicate like Harpo Marx.

As the weeks passed, Harpo grew quickly, and it became apparent he would be larger than his parents - in fact, just about the size of Humphrey.

Here's Harpo discovering his reflection in the mirror after arriving at his forever home...