Ivy Poodle

I'm driving on Hayvenhurst Ave with my friend's poodle when she suddenly gets really excited. Furiously wagging her tail, she leans half her body out the passenger window and emits a crescendo of piercing barks.

What is it girl?! What do you see?!

Then I understand her excitement as we approach Plummer Street.

On the corner stands a 15-foot tall Ivy Poodle.

That's weird, so I snap a picture and remind myself to call the North Hills Neighborhood Council and find out more.

I would soon learn this topiary canine has been a neighborhood watch dog for over 20 years. A local resident regularly keeps the pooch trim with his shears. During Christmas it gets adorned with a red ribbon collar.

As we drive away my drooling furball passenger finally calms down and I begin to wonder if Poodles should be ranked #2 on the list of smart dog breeds according to new research about Doggie IQs.