Carolina Poodle Rescue - SOS

06/13/2025

Vinnie is a very large (a solid 80 pounds!) Golden Retriever–Standard Poodle mix who’s been with us since February 2024.

He arrived full of beans—bouncing, flopping, spinning, and oozing personality. Vinnie is peak goofball. He loves to run (not gracefully), play fetch (sort of—he often loses the ball), and gallop around with his BFF Bonnie the pit bull. Together they are a two-dog comedy show, and we are the lucky audience.

Now let’s clear something up: Vinnie is not your typical “doodle.” He is big. He is bouncy. He is not particularly coordinated. Did we mention he is not graceful? Good. Because he’s not. But he is full of joy and has a knack for making his caregivers smile. Nine times out of ten, Vinnie is an absolute delight.

As for the other 1/10? Well, that usually comes out around food. Vinnie takes meals very seriously, and he can get a little intense about it. At 80 pounds, that’s something we’re mindful of, but with the right handling and consistency, he’s done great in our care.

Vinnie joined our sanctuary program so we could give him just that—consistency, routine, and a whole lot of love. One day, the right person will fall for his oversized personality and hilarious antics. Until then, Vinnie’s got friends to romp with and toys to lose, and he’s doing just fine.

06/13/2025

Life is sanctuary is nothing short of fun here at the rescue!

06/08/2025

06/04/2025

Percy arrived in June of 2017, straight out of Texas and full of attitude. While the other dogs were still adjusting, Percy took one look around and declared, “I run this place now.” And honestly? He wasn’t wrong.

He’s loud, proud, and completely convinced the world revolves around him—and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Percy rules the sanctuary like a tiny, fuzzy dictator, with a voice (and a personality) that makes sure everyone knows who’s in charge.

He loves fetch, adores his toys, and takes great joy in “educating” new caregivers on the impressive size of his teeth. It’s all part of the Percy charm.

We love Percy exactly as he is: bold, bossy, and endlessly entertaining. These days, you’ll find him lounging in the yard with his favorite toy in his mouth, looking completely content with the kingdom he’s claimed as his own.

06/04/2025

Bonner joined our sanctuary family in July of 2022. His story before that? It's nothing short of heartbreaking.

From just 8 weeks old until nearly 3 years of age, Bonner lived locked inside a tiny 4x4 outdoor pen. No socialization. Sparse food and water. Filthy conditions. His entire world was confined to that small, lonely space.

The call we received still echoes in our minds: “Either the dog leaves today, or the owner is going to shoot him.”

There was no hesitation. We didn’t care that Bonner hadn’t been touched in years or that we were taking in a dog consumed by fear. After hearing what he’d been through, how could we possibly say no?

When Bonner arrived, he was terrified—and his fear came out as aggression. He didn’t trust us, and we didn’t expect him to. We gave him time, space, and the patience he had never been afforded. We watched. We waited. And slowly, Bonner began to let us in.

Weeks passed before he allowed us to touch him. But one day, the fear began to fade, and a glimmer of hope sparked behind his eyes.

Today, Bonner is a different dog. He plays with other dogs (no cats, please!), goes for walks, and loves his cozy indoor bed. He sunbathes during the day and greets his favorite caregivers with tail wags and trust hard-earned. His eyes now reflect a joy and light we never saw on day one.

Bonner’s story is one of resilience. He’s living proof that love, time, and safety can transform even the most broken beginnings into something beautiful.

06/03/2025

Luca came into our sanctuary in July of 2023, after being found alone in a construction ditch. He was well-groomed, clean, and clearly someone’s dog—but no one ever came looking for him. How a proud, beautiful standard poodle ended up there is a mystery we may never solve.

What we do know is that Luca carries himself like royalty—with a little attitude and a lot of dignity. As his personality began to unfold, we discovered a strong-willed boy who knows exactly what he wants… and who he wants around him. Luca is selective with his human companions, but for those he lets into his circle, he shows a gentle, playful side that feels like a true gift.

He adores his toys—especially tennis balls and soft plushies, which he expertly and joyfully dismantles. In the beginning, Luca was guarded and defensive, letting us know when we crossed his boundaries. It took time, patience, and consistency to help him feel safe. Once he realized he could rely on routine, and that his world was steady now, he started to relax. The rough edges softened.

Today, Luca has a small group of caregivers he trusts, and with them, he is affectionate, funny, and even silly. For others, he prefers to keep his distance—and that’s okay. Not every prince greets the entire village.

Luca’s past may remain unknown, but his future is filled with care, respect, and love. He reminds us that trust is something to be earned, and once it is, it’s something truly special.

🐩

06/01/2025

Meet Baxter!
This handsome floof has been with us on and off for a few years now.

We’ve tried our absolute best to find him that just right kind of home—you know, the one that gets his vibe. But every time, it turns out the humans don’t quite understand what this majestic weirdo actually needs.

Let’s be real: Baxter is not your brewery-hopping, downtown-strolling, brunch-on-the-patio kind of guy. No sir. He’s more of a homebody with a dash of drama and a strong opinion on personal space.

He enjoys the quiet life—a peaceful yard, a chill canine companion who knows not to push his buttons, and a house where the doorbell never rings unexpectedly.

Yes, Baxter may look like a Pinterest-perfect Aussiedoodle dreamboat—but don’t let the fluffy exterior fool you. He does not want to be fawned over by strangers or smooshed in public by well-meaning dog people. What Baxter wants is simple: zoomies down the hallway, supervising your gardening efforts from a shady spot, and settling in for a cozy movie night where nobody bothers him.

He’s got big-time stranger danger and a low tolerance for chaos—which, honestly, we totally respect.

One day, Baxter will find that perfect human who truly gets him. But until then, he’s living his best life in sanctuary, where he’s spoiled, understood, and—most importantly—left alone when he wants to be.

05/30/2025

Fred has been in sanctuary with us since November 2022.

What makes Fred so special? Well, that depends on who you ask. To some, he’s the spawn of a demon. To others, he’s a caffeinated toddler you just can’t keep up with.

Fred? He’s got the soul of a toddler on espresso… with a very naughty streak.

He avoids his run like it’s a haunted closet. You can beg, you can bargain, you can offer him the finest treats. Every time, he looks you dead in the eye and says, “Girl, I don’t do crates or runs—I do chaos.” And then? The FRED ZOOMIES begin.

It never fails.

Fred has zero regard for routine. He’s a renegade spirit with a vendetta against order. Mid-zoomie, he’ll even launch himself onto the shelves just to knock down every single towel like he’s on a mission. But what really gets him going? The caregivers who try to tell him what to do. He’s got a feisty attitude and isn’t afraid to show it—he’ll give a good side-eye and sometimes even a little sassy paw swipe if you're not careful.

A comet? A rodeo? A lightning bolt? Close… but no.
It’s just Fred—and his zoomies, with a side of sass.

05/30/2025

Meet David.

David joined our family in 2020, and just look at him — isn’t he a stunner? A perfect mix of Poodle and Labrador, it’s hard to believe one dog could be both so elegant and so soulful.

But David's beauty hides a quiet, complex story.

Born into a life of breeding, David didn’t get to be a puppy in the way most dogs do. He missed out on love, on play, on learning that the world is safe. He grew up surrounded by dogs, not people — and as a result, dogs became his comfort, his language, his only compass.

To this day, the human world baffles him. Cars are terrifying, leashes are suspicious, fast movements send him scrambling. He doesn't understand why anyone would want to kiss a dog, let alone be kissed. He wasn’t taught how to be a companion — he was just taught to exist.

But here’s the magic of David:

If you're one of the lucky few he decides to trust, everything changes. Suddenly, there’s a bounce in his step, a gleam in his eye. He’ll trot beside you like he’s been doing it forever, nudge you for affection, and look at you like you're the greatest thing that's ever happened to him. In those moments, David isn’t just a good boy — he’s the best boy.

David is a powerful reminder of why ethical breeding matters. He’s also a testament to resilience, patience, and the transformative power of trust.

We wouldn’t change a thing about David — except to show him that humans can be his safest place, his greatest joy, his best friend.

05/28/2025

Meet Link Basil!

Basil has been part of our sanctuary family since May 2017. Over the years, we've come to love—and laugh at—his many quirks.

He’s got a little spice to his personality; everything with Basil is on his terms. He’s a direct communicator—blunt, loud, and very, very proud. One of his favorite spots is his very own personal rocking chair, which makes him feel like the grumpy grandpa next door (and we say that with love).

Basil enjoys splashing in the pools around the yard to stay cool and absolutely adores getting his hair done. He’s truly in his element here at the sanctuary.

While Basil was adopted once, he was quickly returned for being a bit too much for both humans and other dogs. In unfamiliar environments, fear turns him into a different dog. That’s why we let Basil live life on his own terms—and honestly, that’s all he’s ever wanted.

05/26/2025

For those who did not come home. Today we remember.

05/25/2025

Smooth coat edition!

Mindy was originally born to a stray mother that had been found in early spring of 2020!

Mindy was adopted and returned in winter of 2021 due to no fault of her own.
Mindy is a shy girl with a loud bark, she is scared of most things and weary to trust.
She loves her frequent caregiver and loves living among our poodles and poodle mixes in sanctuary.