Geno was born April 29, 1985, and I brought him home on July 25th of that year. He was the product of a mistaken breeding - his mother was a gorgeous red toy poodle, while his father was an extremely precocious 6-month old white toy. Both were imported from England of excellent bloodlines, which accounts for Geno's great "conformation", and sweet temperament.
In my search for the perfect pup I wasn't looking for a poodle - we had one that didn't care for me when I was a child - and I had been looking for a female. However, as time went on my search for the perfect dog expanded to include Poodles. When I called up Geno's breeder, Helga Greenwood, she said that, yes, she had some black females... but there was a lovely 3-month old male who was personality plus! Boy, was she right! As a friend of mine said of him in his old age, "He's a handsome charmer!"
My mother came with me to look at him - her mother had passed on 2 weeks previously, and she needed the diversion. Helga brought Geno out to her front gate, and from the moment I laid eyes on him I knew that he was my dog.
We came inside to have a closer look at him, and he was overjoyed to meet me. He was crawling all over me, full of enthusiasm, but, yes, I still wanted to see the females. I knew that Helga wanted to sell him - at 3 months it was obvious to her that he was not going to be a show dog, but would make an excellent pet. I waited a day to decide what I was going to do, but knew in my heart that Geno was my dog. Or rather, that I was his person.
Naming him was a bit of a trial - I tossed out name after name - but I remember the instant that I thought of the name "Geno". I was walking him through the apartment complex when I remembered "Jeno's Pizza Rolls" - there had been many ads on TV for those around then (realize that it was 1985). Jeno would never do - but Geno was great! I didn't know that it's spelled "Gino" in Spanish - the poor little dude had his name misspelled all the time - but "Geno" it was. I was happy, and I think he liked his name, too.
In no time we were enrolled in "Puppy School", and Geno took to obedience training like a fish to water. He absolutely loved it - I regret that I didn't continue on training him. He really enjoyed the time we spent working on and off leash... even if he was the tiniest puppy in the class.
Months turned into years, into more than a decade. Geno developed cataracts,
like many poodles do, and he also lost much of his hearing. The last year of
his life he had trouble just getting around - he had arthritis in his spine
which made walking a trial - and he tended to get lost in whatever room he was
in. in spite of his many health issues, he never lost his sweet temperament...
he accepted his lot with equanimity.
His last months were made much easier when we started working with a wonderful person, Valarie Heart, animal communicator. Her work with the two of us was a true blessing, easing the inevitable difficulties that can happen between aged pet and concerned master.
Geno's long life came to its end on June 14, 2001 at 11:50am. Our wonderful
vet, Dr. Eric Schmeltzer of the Oak Hills Veterinary Hospital, came to my home
to put Geno down. Three of my closest friends, Jennifer
Kivikko, Jean Robinson, and Kathy Thornton
Hore were there, supporting the two of us. It was the hardest thing I have
ever done.
Dear Sweet Geno, I will love you forever and ever.
Julie and Geno, sweethearts forever!
The best place to bury a good dog is in the heart of his master.