Meeting her for the first time at the graduation party, I was charmed by her. She was tall and beautiful, but then I heard her story, and now I am haunted by her life.

After having nine litters, Abbie was placed in an animal shelter by her breeder when she got too old to breed. My sister and her husband adopted Abbie.

When my sister got her, she had never been in a home or had a family.
At nine years old, she is a large white poodle used to breed Goldendoodles, which I am told sell for $2500 a puppy.

During the first week in the home, she panicked and ran out of the house. She was lost in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The local Humane Society led a search for a week, concerned that she would not survive due to the wildlife in the area and the freezing temperatures.

Each night they set a large trap with bait in the area where she was last seen. Without success, until someone suggested they use a smaller trap with no bait. Abbie entered the smaller trap the first night it was set up.

She was easy to catch with the smaller trap because she had been raised in a similar cage and felt safe inside.

What is left is a dog terrified of life and her surroundings; she walks around with her tail between her legs and does not want to leave my sister's side.

Abbie is gentle and friendly; any sudden movement or sound frightens her, so she is kept on her lead while in public.

The hope was that she would bond with the other large poodle dog in the house to help her adjust to home life, but that has not happened, at least not after three months in her forever home.