Peanut

It was, without doubt, the darkest days of my entire life!

Within an 18-month period, I lost my beloved Mother and both of my special little "boys": my two Bichons, Shawn and Mickey. Left alone in our grief was my Mother's little 10-year old Bichon (Lady) and myself. I hated to leave Lady alone to even go to the grocery store -- afraid that she would think that I also wouldn't be coming back to her.

After deciding that Lady and I both needed a new Bichon puppy in our life, I started my search in the newspapers and online. When I found Jack and Robin's Bichon Rescue Site (Tidewater Bichon Frise Rescue) and saw all those little homeless "Fluffs," I knew God had led me to them.

After watching Lady mourning her Mommy, I then understood that there were older Bichons wondering what happened to their Mommies or Daddies!! Within 48 hours of submitting my online application and being telephonically interviewed, Jack and Robin came to my home for the in-person interview.

That's the day my life (and Lady's) changed forever---for that's the day 9-year-old Peanut came into our lives. He walked in the front door, carrying this little toy pig in his mouth, and dropped it at my feet; thus starting the never ending game of "FETCH-THE-PIG." He is the sweetest, happiest, most loving little guy in the world. That eventful day was almost a year ago, and even though we'll soon be celebrating his tenth birthday, don't tell him he's not a two-year-old puppy!!!

Linda Watkins
Virginia Beach, VA

Henry

Our first Bichon was named Spooky. In June of last year - my husband and I lost "The Spookman" after sharing his life for 18 years and 9 months!!!! What a joy he was - what a special "man" he was and we miss him terribly.

Well, missing him is one thing - but the pain of not having a little white fur ball to love and cuddle on my lap (although we do have a very affectionate cat) - has been very difficult. There were so many things he and I did together.

So....after praying a lot and searching my heart I decided to complete an application to Bichon Rescue. I was told that I wanted "a perfect dog" and they rarely existed. (I already knew that) - but low and behold - much more quickly than I ever expected, Bichon Rescue introduced my husband and I to an 8 year old - full of energy and love - Bichon who "loved" cats and needed a "forever home."

I was a bit reluctant to meet an 8-year-old Bichon since even after having Spooky nearly 19 years - it seemed too short! But Henry visited and "he was the perfect dog!" Since Henry moved in, he has bonded with our cat, and loves both my husband and I. Although he has some behavioral traits of Spooky - he really is very different (and that's just fine with us!) I am surprised he's 8 - as he out runs me - and certainly my husband. He's handsome, loving, energetic, attentive, playful, and healthy. I know we will all have many fun years together.

I've known Bichon Rescue for many years - but this was my first adoption from them - and I must say that they certainly are on a mission of love! Thank God for Bichon Rescue - and I thank God that Henry was there - "waiting to fill our home with love."

The DeWitts
Zuni, VA

Jefferson

6 years ago, my wife broached the subject of adopting a dog because she was lonely in the evenings with me at work and our daughter out cultivating a busy social life. I admit I was hesitant at first, mainly because previously, pet dander had aggravated our then 13 year old daughter's asthma condition.

I pointed this out to my wife, but she countered that there were breeds that were non-shedding, and could be non-intrusive to asthma problems. She had already found the Bichon rescue site, and after we discussed it, we filled out the application and sent it to White Dog Cottage.

Within a week, we received a call from the rescue who said they had the perfect fluff for us based on the information in our application. They thought that Jefferson would be a good fit for us. That night, Jefferson was brought to our home for a visit and to see if our daughter's asthma would react to his presence.

From the moment he came in, he just took over the house. He sniffed around the house for a few minutes, then went into our daughter's room and took one of her stuffed animals to play with. Once he was done with his newly procured toy, he hopped up on the couch
in a spot that would become one of his many "comfy" spots, plopped down and looked around as if to say,"Okay, I'm home! You guys are hired!" Needless to say, he became a member of our family from that moment on. but not just a family member, the ruler of the house, as it would turn out.

We officially adopted "Jeffy" the following week, and he's been an inseparable part of our lives ever since. At the time, he was five years old. Today at age 11, our little monarch has lost very little of his playful zip and wonderfully mischievous disposition. He still buzzes around the house with the energy of a puppy, playing with his squeak toys, creating new and inventive ways to get into the trash can, stealing socks to play "keep away" with, and begging for treats endlessly.

He rules the house at will, usually picking a high perch like the top cushions of the couch or over-stuffed chair to survey his "Kingdom" from. At night, he sleeps on the bed with mom and dad, usually with his head on one or the other's pillow, sighing contentedly before drifting off to sleep. We always get a kick out of that, always commenting on the "rough life" he has.

Jefferson has been a limitless source of joy and comfort for our family since he came bouncing into our lives, and we cannot fathom how we got along without him. We look forward to many more years of love and happiness with our wonderful fluff, "King" Jeffy.

The Lemmonds
Virginia Beach, VA

Honey

My husband and I adopted a 10 year old Bichon Frise named Honey. I have to say, especially after my initial hesitation about an older dog, that I am so very glad we have her. She is a wonderful little dog that quickly blended into our family. She's healthy, frisky and alert. She zooms! Honey loves to play tug of war with her duck (or my slipper). Actually, she has an upstairs and a downstairs toy basket. Yes, we have stairs and there isn't a day that Honey doesn't beat me to the top of them. In fact, if our Honey Bun and any more zeal or energy, we wouldn't be able to keep up with her. My husband frequently says: "There's no way she can be ten. Look at her!"

Honey loves going for a walk; sitting in her bicycle cart for a ride; or doing yard work with me. She just loves to be with me no matter what I'm doing! What a joyful little companion she is. We are excited about sharing our first Christmas with Honey. It will be a challenge to get her to leave the wrappings on the gifts until Christmas morning, but we are looking forward to the fun of it.

I guess you can tell that I love my Honey Bun and would not change anything about her. Sometimes I regret that we missed the first half of her life. However, given the energy bundle she is at ten, I honestly don't know if I could have handled or successfully trained a Bichon puppy. But I shudder to think that I almost "passed" on this amazing little dog because she was ten years "old".

When I first learned of Honey's history, I wanted to bring her into our home to love and spoil her. I so wanted her memories to be healed, but I would be remiss if I didn't say that Honey has brought healing to my heart in so many ways as well. Thank you, Lord for Honey Bun.

Joe and Sherry Abrami
Virginia Beach, VA

Olivia

It was sometime in 2005 and we were already the happy owners of two wonderful dogs; one an older dog named Sassy and a younger one named Harley. At the time, Sassy was almost 13 years old and Harley had just turned five. We had gotten Harley as a puppy and he had become, over the years, extremely devoted to Sassy so much so that we were becoming concerned about his well being when Sassy’s time came to cross Rainbow Bridge .

We started to think that perhaps another buddy was the answer for him and we had already discussed that any new additions to the family would definitely come from rescue. I had seen pictures of the Bichon Frise and thought that they were so cute but knew that being cute wasn’t the whole picture. So, I started my research of the breed and when that was completed and I was satisfied that we could met the needs of a Bichon, I then started searching the Internet for a rescue. That’s how I happened upon Tidewater Bichon Frise Rescue. I completed the application and waited nervously to be contacted as we were becoming very excited about adopting a new baby into our family. I already had my eye on one of the available dogs and I must mention that it wasn’t our Olivia . . . it was a much younger and smaller one.

We were called and a time set for us to come and visit. My husband Buddy, Harley and I drove to Suffolk and were greeted by more dogs than I have ever seen in one place in my life . . . white fluffs all over the place. There was one who kept going to Buddy wanting to be picked up . . . a rather large 23 pound, six year old named Olivia. As I recall, she didn’t pay much attention to me but she did keep going back to Buddy over and over. It was love at first sight for those two. However, there was step two to complete . . . the home visit. Buddy was so sad to leave Suffolk without Olivia. However, it wasn’t so very long before a TBFR volunteer brought Olivia to our home. It is important to note that Olivia actually decided that we would adopt her not the other way around!

Olivia and Harley are now best buddies who snuggle together and play together. Sassy is still around but she prefers to sleep and be left alone to do so. Harley as a puppy was an absolute holy terror and it is was so wonderful not to have to go through that horrible puppy stage with Olivia. She shares her love equally now between Buddy and me. She will sometimes go down in the garage and lay on “her” mat and watch him work and other times she will lay at the top of the stairs to watch him . . . depends on where she gets her most comfortable and best view. She will come and lay at my feet when I’m on the computer and lay on the couch by me in the evenings for belly rubs. She gives Buddy kisses at night before she goes to the foot of the bed to lay by Harley and then gives him kisses again first thing in the morning . . . I don’t get kisses at bedtime unless I ask for them but she is very generous with them when I do. Although, she does tend to sleep with her head on me somewhere most of the night.

Also, “old” dogs do learn new tricks as Olivia has learned to sit and stay since coming here to live and brings her “bear” on command to play catch. We love to see her "butt kick" . . . for the lack of a better term . . . that's when she swings her butt around with all her 23 pounds of force and hits you with it . . . to get your attention or in Harley's case to get him out of the way.

Olivia is a shinning example of why we will probably never get another puppy and why an older dog is the “perfect dog”. Olivia is much loved and adored.

The Peacos

Mechanicsville, VA

Reba

We are so glad we have been entrusted with 8 year old Reba. She is such a true “bichon”. Sweet as pie one minute and getting into trouble the next! She thinks she’s a Rottweiler at times and is totally fearless! Other times she just rolls over for a belly rub!

She totally adores my Mother who lives with us (which tickles my Mom to death – when we first got Reba she said “I don’t think Reba likes me”). My Mother was very devoted to caring for Misty, our Bichon who recently passed away, and missed her companionship very much. Reba now goes every where Mom goes even into the bathroom!

Reba and our other Bichon, Tess, have become great pals and even snuggle together for naps. Reba has even taken to my sister’s dog -- the “Biggie Size Sheltie”. They play ball and run until they fall out ( and just for the record Reba is faster).

After adopting, Reba, we found there is nothing "old" about this 8 year old Bichon!

The Reisners
Chesapeake, VA

Albert

We adopted Albert, a 6 year old neutered male Bichon Frise recently. We had previously owned large dogs but as we got older we wanted a smaller dog that we could take with us when we travel. We found Tidewater Bichon Frise Rescue through petfinder.com. and after completing the application process we were approved for adoption. Don't let adopting an adult dog scare you! Six year old Albert is considered to be a young dog as Bichons are a long-lived breed. He is active, but he fits our lifestyle perfectly. Within a week he became a full fledged member of our family! He was already neutered which we were happy about and we found out the adoption fee covered that. Although Albert requires grooming and he enjoys being brushed, his care is easy for us. We love Albert so much we could not imagine life without him! " The Connors, Petersburg, VA

Webster & Willow

Webster and Willow, two young and active bichons, became very attached to each other while in rescue and were lucky enough to be adopted together! Norfolk, VA.

Toby

Toby's original owner died and her family didn't want him. His new family couldn't imagine life without him! Virginia Beach, VA

Sophie

Sophie's mom has Alzheimers and knew the time had come to give her to rescue to find someone who would love Sophie and care for her now that her mom couldn't. Sophie has found that love and security in Virginia Beach, VA.

Frasier

Frasier and half-brother Elliott came to rescue when they "no longer fit" their owner's "lifestyle". Here is Frasier with new mom and dad and tiny canine brother, Ollie, in Suffolk, VA.

Mickey

There is no sweeter dog in the world and now no happier dog in the world than Mickey. Virginia Beach, VA.

Leo

Leo's new family enjoy every minute with this little clown. His precious antics keep them laughing. Chesapeake, VA.

Nelson

Nelson was given up because he demanded too much time and attention. He's in a home where everyone loves him and gives him all the love and hugs he could want. Yorktown, VA.

Baxter

Baxter had 3 homes by the time he was 9 months old. He's found his 4-ever home in Suffolk, VA.

Jamie & Grady

Jamie and Grady became bosom buddies while in
rescue and were adopted together! These lucky
boys live with their loving parents in Franklin, VA.

Darla

Darla was a totally neglected dog who craved love and attention.

Here she is with her new mom in Williamsburg, VA. She’ll never be lonely again.

Fletcher

Fletcher’s elderly owner could no longer keep him. He’s found love and
lots of healthy walking with his new family in Woodbridge, VA.

Zack

Poor sad Zack's whole world was turned upside
down when his "mom" died of cancer. Happy
doesn't begin to describe Zack or his new mom
shown here in their home in Virginia Beach, VA.

Quinn

Quinn's original owners dumped him at Animal Control. It's too bad they weren't charged with cruelty and neglect. Poor Quinn was so malnourished that every bone in his body was showing -- every rib, every vertebrae. He was flea infested and covered with running, bleeding hotspots. His ears were infected and within a few weeks it was apparent that he suffered from Obsessive Compulsive Behavior Disorder. He needed to be on Prozac to control his tail chasing spells which led to his injuring his tail so badly that it had to be amputated.

We thought that Quinn would never be adopted and were quite prepared to keep him permanently. We were overjoyed when one of our previous adopters wanted Quinn. We knew this wonderful family who had already adopted Iris from us, was exactly what Quinn needed. Here is Quinn and his very special family in Lynchburg, VA.

Tucker

Tucker’s original owners disliked him. Now he has a family that loves him. Tucker and big sister, Katie, mom and dad in Chocowinity, NC.

Herbie

Herbie’s original owners couldn’t find anything right with him. His new family in Virginia Beach, VA can’t find anything wrong with him.

Reagan

Reagan’s new mom feels she has found her perfect companion. Reagan feels the same way! Chesapeake, VA