Caesar was the only black standard puppy available when we visited Torbec nearly twenty years ago.  Our family fondly remembers when he was brought into the room and he sauntered about greeting each of us before returning to his crate and chewing on a toy.  We looked at each other and decided this was the dog we wanted.  Our choice proved to be an excellent one.

Our decision to buy a poodle, rather than one of the long-haired breeds, stemmed from allergies to pet hair and my Dad's aversion to the possibility of cleaning up dog hair!  As teenagers, my brother and I were always displeased when Caesar returned from the groomer with a ribbon in his hair. However, he sported a puppy clip for his entire life  and to our relief, at  the time, was not recognized by our teenage friends as a poodle.  Now, as an adult reflecting on our years with Caesar and contemplating the purchase of a dog for my own family some time down the road, there is no other breed that I would consider.  The experience with our beloved gentle dog, that was so easily trained and therefore such a joy to own, was truly one of life's greatest gifts. 

One of the most remarkable things about Caesar was the fact that his coat remained very black as he aged, and so we were often questioned about our "puppy", even in his final years. 

Caesar was a highly intelligent and affectionate family member and remained in excellent health up until a few weeks before his death on March 13, 1999.

Mike James