California Foster Family Wondered What They Had Taken On When This Giant Dog With An Extra Paw First Came Home

When Poodle the dog first arrived in his California foster home, he was unpredictable and afraid. But time, patience, and a major surgery helped this giant breed dog finally find his footing.

A Difficult Beginning

When a giant breed dog named Poodle first arrived at his foster home, he brought a heavy load of emotional baggage with him. He had spent his early life living outside with an owner who loved him but struggled with housing and substance use.

When his original owner went into treatment, Poodle suddenly needed a safe place to land. Serena stepped up to foster him, but she quickly realized this would be no ordinary rescue experience.

“When we first got Poodle, it was really difficult,” Serena recalled. The large dog didn’t know how to properly interact with any human being.

His behavior was incredibly unpredictable, leaving his new foster family on edge. To complicate matters, Serena’s husband had never owned a dog before.

The sudden introduction of a massive, unsocialized dog into their home was a shock to the system. There were periods where her husband couldn’t help but ask, “What did you get us into?”

Guarding the House

It became very clear early on that Poodle had experienced very little socialization with people or other dogs. While he was okay being inside the home, his instincts quickly took over.

As a guarding breed who had lived a rough life outdoors, he began to guard their house heavily. It was hard for Serena to know exactly how to support him through his anxiety.

The tension peaked whenever Serena had to leave the house. The first time she walked out the door, Poodle just stared at her husband and started growling.

They were left unsure of his past experiences with men or if his reaction was just part of his protective nature. Either way, it made those early days incredibly stressful.

A Major Medical Hurdle

On top of his behavioral challenges, Poodle was dealing with significant medical issues. The young dog was born with an extra paw and a deformed wrist joint.

He also required regular ear drops, adding to his daily care routine. The wrist deformity meant he needed a major surgery to improve his quality of life.

Going through such a massive procedure was a huge undertaking for a one-year-old giant breed dog. Serena and her husband helped him navigate the difficult recovery while he was still just their foster pet.

A Year of Adjustment

Healing Poodle’s body was one thing, but healing his mind took much longer. Serena estimates it was a good year of adjusting before they all figured each other out.

Progress was slow but steady as the large dog learned the routines of a stable indoor life. Slowly, the unpredictable growling began to fade into moments of silliness.

They started to see his true personality shine through the fear. Poodle proved to be an incredibly goofy dog who just wanted to play.

An Unexpected Friendship

The most surprising transformation happened between Poodle and Serena’s husband. The man who had never owned a dog and was once growled at became the dog’s favorite playmate.

Her husband gladly took on all the rough play that Serena preferred to avoid. The two of them formed an unbreakable bond.

Seeing them together was a beautiful shift from those tense early days. Serena proudly notes that today, the two of them are absolute best friends.

Finding Pure Joy

The family lives in a perfect location for an active, nature-loving dog. They are situated right by the beach and a beautiful forest.

Most days, during Serena’s lunch break or on the weekends, they take Poodle down to the water. Watching him run and explore has been incredibly rewarding.

Seeing him let loose in nature is the definition of pure joy. It’s a stark contrast to the unstable, outdoor life he once knew.

Managing His Health

Despite his happy new life, Poodle’s early physical challenges left a lasting impact. Because of his foot issue, he walks with a permanent limp.

This altered gait has led to early-onset arthritis, which the family carefully manages with medications. They also have to actively monitor his activity levels.

Since Poodle enjoys playing so much, he doesn’t always know when to quit. Serena makes sure to enforce rest days so he doesn’t overexert his joints.

A Permanent Home

Serena believes Poodle was loved deeply by his previous owner, despite the instability of his early life. Unfortunately, when his owner finished treatment, they were unable to secure housing.

Because of this, Poodle was officially put up for adoption. But by that point, he had already woven himself entirely into the fabric of Serena’s family.

“It was a no-brainer that he was going to stay,” Serena said. He was never an easy dog, and he probably never will be, but they believe that shared struggle only made their bond that much deeper.