Lisa the Eskipoo all grown up

Steve Bartlett is my hero.

He has filled his home in Hamilton, Ontario with more dogs and cats than most people have in a lifetime.

One of his pets is Lisa an Eskipoo (a Poodle hybrid, cross between toy Poodle and American Eskimo). This is a picture of her now two years old.

I first wrote about the way Steve and his alpha cat met and bonded with Lisa the Eskipoo in this post. Some relationships just seemed to be destined. At home with Steve, Lisa soon jumped in with a litter of kittens he was fostering and became a regular in his neighborhood pub.

Steve writes: “She's currently living with ten cats and a black Lab cross that I got in July from a private rescue group. She acts like she's the boss and the ten-times-bigger-than-her Lab lets her.
…she’s been amazing. Absolutely no health or behavioral problems (except for alcoholism from hanging around pubs with me and an incurable taste for pub nachos.) She has the best temperament I've ever seen for a small dog.”

The ten cats came about because he volunteers as a foster home for abandoned cats. Originally five of the cats were his; then he fell in love with two of the “refugees” and decided to keep them.

He writes: “The other three are adorable as well, but I’m hoping they get adopted because I’d like room to foster another litter of kittens, which is always great fun (and the dogs love them)."

Thanks, Steve. For what you do.

Comments

[Diamond Emerald-Eyes]

That is a nice story. At least he is raising kittens that get along well with woofies, and visa versa.

[CuriosityKiller]

He is a hero. That is just so sweet.

I love coming to your website and read about your animal stories... most touching.

[jackiesue]

and a beagle won westminster...wow..that really is a cute little doggie...

[gus and louie]

wow 10 cats that is a lot. Our MeMaw has lots of farm cats but they just come and go as they wish. She feeds them all and never complains about how many there are...

Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus and Louie

[Big_Dave_T]

Reminds me of my college days when my roommate had a black lab. Peaches would enjoy playing with this young cat so much that she would make these crazy noises, kinda like joyful hooting.

One time Peaches came ambling into the other room with the cat riding on her back. I never saw a cat and dog have so much fun together.

[Tracey]

There are just some simply wonderful people in the world. We definitely need more like Steve.

[Frogdogz]

Awesome. I went to Uni in Hamilton (Go Mac!), and a friend from high school manages the shelter there.

Way to go, Steve. You rock the Hammer! (He's a steel town boy, he'll know what I mean.. and I have to ask - does Pub=Gown & Gavel? If so, many many drunken quasi memories.. and I waitressed at the Corktown while working my way thru Uni!)

[Tarzan's Mom]

I had occasion to visit Steve several weeks ago and considering there were 12 four-footed friends in the house, they were no bother at all, and were very much like their "dad" - intelligent, individual, interesting, and lots of fun to have around. Lisa took the cake though - or should I say the cheese. crackers, and beer when no one was looking. For such a little dog, she has an appetite like a football lineman, and a personality full of love for everyone.
Steve is a great person and one of my favourite friends.

[serendipity]

Steve is doing an amazing job! Lisa is such a cutie too!

[Sara jennings]

What a wonderful, caring person to take in so many animals and give them a home. What an example he is setting... well except for the alcoholic dog part. :-)

[cube]

He is a lucky man. Sounds like an ideal life to me. I wish I had a farm to fill with animals.

[Matt]

Wow, I can't keep my wits about me with two dogs and two fish tanks. I couldn't imagine taking care of that many.

[Susan Carter]

Steve has been my hero for years.....he took me and my husband in 20 years ago when we were strays....actually my husband is his cousin....but that doesn't make him any less a hero to me!

[Coco]

Bless Steve's heart. He has made the world a better place. And little Lisa is a cutie-patootie. :-)

[Jimmy]

Happy Valentines to you and yours!!!!

[Chandira]

Aw.. I'm envious. :D

10 cats?? Heaven. Imagine how warm your toes would be in bed at night.

[Chrissy]

I have a friend in Toronto who also does something like Steve does. My friend currently has four dogs, four cats, two kittens, three turtles and lots and lots of fish! LOL! The cats, kittens and dogs are all rescued animals.

I think it's wonderful when people open their hearts and their homes to animals who need a family to stay with. We have a dog, two indoor kittens, four barn cats and over a hundred head of Charolais and Red Angus cattle. And, to think that when I was a kid living in the city, my parents wouldn't even let me have a pet! LOL!

[J. Lee]

Hello and I am so glad I ran across your site. I need your advise desperately! I currently have 6 indoor, spoiled rotten cats. All rescue and I am so lucky that they all get along. Today I ran into a new Pet Store to get them food and as much as I hate places that sell puppies, there was the most adorable, sweet littel Eskipoo. BE STILL MY HEART! 3 months old and so sweet. When I picked him up he put his head on my shoulder and let out a big sigh. OMG! So how do I introduce this critter to my guys. How do I make this happen? I ALREADY HAVE HIM NAMED! This is so bad. I need the good, the bad and the ugly. Hope to hear from you soon, BEFORE Bentley comes home.

[jan]

[Comment was answered in email.]

[karen and Barley]

Lisa is absolutly adorable, I also have an Eskipoo. I would have 20 if I could. my Eskipoo is Barley, his birthday was April 9, 2006, they look so much a like I wonder if they are sibblings? I adopted my Barley from a pet store in Dunnville/

[Denise M]

Hi Steve,
I'm convinced that I have Lisa's sister. Her name is Buffy. She was born Jan. 4/06 in Dunnville. There were two females in the litter and I had the hardest time choosing one of them. Buffy charged out to us, while Lisa(?) was shy and calm. Your recent photograph of Lisa is a twin of Buffy. Cute! Cute! Cute!
Thanks for sharing your stories.