A Celebration of Phaedra the Standard Poodle
Phaedra the Standard Poodle
Yesterday, my baby girl passed away. Phaedra the standard poodle left this realm for the next. I wanted to create a celebration of Phaedra the Standard Poodle to share with you. It hurts so much to type these words out, but I am desperately trying to think of all the happy memories I have with her. If you follow me on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, you’ll already know that my baby girl is gone. My heart dog is gone.
Phaedra lived a full, happy life with us, even though she had Addison’s Disease. I was heartbroken when she got the diagnosis as a pup. I always feared the disease would take her from us early, but she was able to live out a normal (if on the short side) lifespan thanks to the DOCP medication we gave her. She was diagnosed with Addison’s Disease at about 2.5 years of age. She nearly died many times before we figured out that she had Addison’s. She had to take Prednisone every other day once she was diagnosed to keep her appetite up. The DOCP shot helped controll her Addison’s Disease, but that gave her other side effects. At about age 4 or 5 she had to go on Estrogen pills (they kept her from being incontinent).
Birth
Phaedra was born on August 21st, 2007. We took her home in November 3, 2007 after meeting her and falling in love. She was so cute when we met her. Fearless! She also had such polite manners. She walked up to me with her entourage (her two brothers flanking her, she was clearly in charge) and offered me her paw to shake. My heart melted.
One of her favorite toys as a puppy was this big white fluffy bone. She loved big white fluffy toys.
Ray fell in love with her immediately. We all did. She was too cute all the time!
Adult
Phaedra grew into a very sweet and loving member of our family.
Anyone who tells you that standard poodles are foo foo dogs and not for men are being silly. Dave and Ray both loved her as much as I did.
Any time Ray took Phaedra anywhere, he’d have tons of women coming up to coo over her and talk to him. He said if he was a single guy looking for an easy way to meet women, owning a standard poodle would be top of the list!
Phaedra’s Different Looks
The modified continental clip was my favorite for Phaedra for years.
However, she often rocked the Stripper Cut / Miami Cut, whatever you want to call it during the hottest parts of the year.
Phaedra had a purple mohawk a few times.
For my 32nd birthday Phaedra went pink! She had angel wings and gold glitter nails. All of this is doggie safe.
A picture of me with Phaedra on the night of my 32nd birthday.
Phaedra was a skelepoodle one year for Halloween.
She tried a Town and Country clip once.
I loved the pink to purple gradient she had on her ears and tail right before we moved into the new home.
Angel Phaedra
This clip that we called the Angel Clip was my favorite for her for years. Though now I’d probably leave the ears long.
Christmas Phaedra
She was always so tolerant of me dressing her up.
Random Beautiful Moments
In 2013 I was gone for about a month while on a road trip. When I came home, Phaedra was overjoyed and would not leave my arms. She missed me as much as I missed her!
This was just a random silly photo of her with a rainbow rope toy she loved forever.
She loved to lounge near me, just touching me for comfort.
Cult Nails
When Cult Nails was still around, I took this photo for Maria and if I recall correctly, it used to hang in the Cult Nails office. I was wearing Cult Nails nail polish, of course.
AdventureQuest
Phaedra is immortalized in at least one video game from AdventureQuest. As I am Safiria the Vampire Queen from the Artix Entertainment game series, she is Phaedra, the 3 headed Hades Hound. When I worked in video game development, she came into the office with me daily. She was the darling of the office and loved all the people there. They would sneak her treats and bacon.
Big Sister Phaedra
At age 8, I started looking for a little sister to adopt for Phaedra. We didn’t find one until 2 years later when Phaedra was 10. She loved Nyx, but never hesitated to remind her that Phaedra was in charge! She loved to cuddle and play with ‘her’ puppy.
She was a wonderful big sister to Nyx.
A Celebration of Phaedra
Phaedra was a soothing balm with my anxiety. So many days and nights she would comfort me through the worst of my panic attacks and when I was suicidal. She was my protective best friend. I loved how she sounded 3 times the size she is. Phaedra’s bark terrified many people who came to the door. Her sweet nature won them over once she decided they were friendly.
I wanted to share this celebration of Phaedra with you all because I thought you would love it, but also because it’s giving me some peace and comforting during this time. My life is richer for having loved her. I love Phaedra with every fiber in my being. She will live on in my heart and memories, as well as in yours. Phaedra is immortalized in a video game, even! I’m going to miss her but I am so grateful she went quickly and without suffering. She knew she was loved and was held in arms. That’s all any of us can ask for when we pass. I know I will see her again some day.
Thank you so much for posting these wonderful pictures, and sharing all of this during this painful time. Now I know if I want to see her, I can look at this post, and of course Instagram. We all loved seeing her in your videos, and completely understand that for those of us that don’t have human children, our fur babies fulfill that role. Much love to you all💙💙💙
Courtney, this is a beautiful tribute to Phaedra – it’s clear how much you loved her, and she loved you too.
SO sorry to hear you lost your beloved Phaedra. She definitely lived a life as full of love as the love she returned to you.
Oh, no! I’m so very sorry to hear about your dear girl, Courtney. Phaedra had such an amazing, full life, and was obviously a much loved member of your family who brought everyone comfort and joy. May you and your family have peace knowing you gave her the most wonderful life possible. Hugs
I’m so sorry for your loss! Our furbabies are such an important part of our families, it is so hard to say goodbye. She had a wonderful life and was well-loved!
i am so very sorry for your loss. it just rips you to the core. you dont want to stop holding them. people tell you it gets easier with-time, but it does not. i still have crying spells and it has been 3 yrs. you gave Phaedra a wonderful life and she loved you so much. i dont know how you stayed away from her for a month, i could never do that with my girls, i would miss them more than they would miss me. make sure you watch Nyx to make sure she does not go into depression. this happened with my youngest girl. again please accept my sincerest sympathies at this time.
So sorry to read of your loss. May her memory be for a blessing.
Such a lovely story on Phaedra, Courtney! It brought back many member berries of all the time we used to spend with Phaedra bounding around. And of course the AQW Phaedra was like, total nom nom nostalgia. I can feel your love oozing from your writing, and I’m glad you got to relish in those memories once more 🙂
Love you and miss you!
What a lovely tribute for Phaedra. Thank you for sharing. I know how much it hurts to lose a furry member of your family. Big hugs.
Courtney, I remember so many of these pictures. Also remember when NYX came into her life. You were blessed to have her and she was extremely blessed to be your baby. This is the second fur baby that I remember you losing. So glad that all 4 of you can comfort each other as you grieve this beautiful girl.
I’m so sorry for your loss. My Italian Greyhound passed away a few months ago & my cat & I are still sad about it. This was a sweet loving tribute to Phaedra & I love all the photos.
This is a beautiful way to honor your girl. Hearfelt hugs to you, so sorry about Phaedra. I have had 2 poodles they are not foo foo as people might think, so smart, so loving. Phaedra is part of your family always xo
I’m so sorry to hear Phaedra has passed. This is a beautiful look back on what was obviously a life full of love.
I am so heartbroken for you, Courtney. I am so very sorry for your loss. This is a beautiful tribute to a beautiful soul. xo
I’m so sorry , Courtney. It’s heartbreaking to lose our fur babies, and your tribute to Phaedra brought tears to my eyes for your loss, as well as the losses I’ve suffered. Bless you for tending to her special needs and for giving her a full, happy life. I hope Nyx is doing as well as can be expected, too.
Oh no….your baby! Everyone can tell that she had a happy life. You’re a great pet owner!
I’m thinking of my last dog, Bruno, a Bernese-border collie mix, 120 lbs. Died in 2011. They break our hearts.
My heart aches as I read this, but she was so loved!! It’s beautiful to read, Courtney! Many hugs! It’s very difficult to lose someone so close – animal or person.
Thank you so much for sharing these adorable and fabulous photos of Phaedra with us. She was truly a spectacular dog! And such a model – I loved how she posed in every photo! I’m glad that you had her for as long as you did in spite of her illness. I’m sorry that she had to go too soon <3 <3 <3
Beautiful tribute and pictures, Courtney. I really enjoyed reading about Phaedra’s life, and how she was loved.
What a lovely tribute to a lovely companion. It is so hard when they leave us and they always leave too soon. You both were so lucky to be able to have each other and share so many things together.
I’m really sorry to hear about Phaedra & I feel so bad. You guys have lost a family member with four paws…and my heart goes out to you. Thank You for always sharing your life with Phaedra with us.
This is beautiful. What an amazing life you gave her and the love she gave you in teturn is immeasurable.