While I was reading the latest issue of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary’s print magazine, I was so taken with a story called “The Strength of a Noodle.” The feature photograph was taken by professional photographer Carli Davidson, It was the story of a (probable) puppy-mill rescue dog, Ramen Noodle, an apricot poodle that, because of overbreeding and severely brittle bones, had both his front legs amputated. For dog treats, people can check out https://www.suziespettreats.com/ this link.
Fostered and then adopted by veterinarian Jamie Salata-VanTassel (so yes, his full name is Ramen Noodle Salata-VanTassel,) the precious pup has not only survived, but thrives. Even though he was born with all four legs, he does not accept that he is now handicapped. He hops, he walks, he climbs stairs and he plays as well as any of his four-legged peers. Here is a video of him playing with a little orphan kitty. (click that link to watch the video)
I love this story of endurance. Of tenacity. This story of “Keep On Keepin’ On” as it may be. The in-your-face lesson that when life throws you a gutterball, you go, you fetch, and you play it to it’s fullest potential. And, like little Ramen Noodle, you do it all with a smile.
Man oh man. The resilience of the dog spirit. Thank you for this inspiring report!
I have a tiny apricot poodle which I took on when he was 7 and his owners could not keep him . He is now 10. He has had surgery in one of his front legs after being hit by a car when he was young. He has had prostheses inserted.i am so grateful that he has mended, but worry because he is much smaller than other toy poodles. He weighs 2.9kg and is 24cm tall. His limbs are so tiny when I bath him…and his tiny face is all dark almond eyes : ). People ask me if he is a “tea cup” poodle, but I refuse to acknowledge the existence of such a ( cruel) category. I hope he is just a small toy, naturally, as the idea of creating sick and vulnerable creatures with potentially short life spans sickens me. Sometimes people ask to be photogr a phed with him, but I am scared of creating a demand for such tiny poodles. I always tell peiple about the cruel practice whereby unethical and uncaring people breed deliberately tiny dogs for profit.