Nick Hasty, Muscatine Journal Correspondent

MUSCATINE, Iowa — A puppy mill poodle with a funny walk not only found a home, but a friend for life who helped it overcome a condition brought about by mistreatment.

Nancy Pagel of Muscatine adopted Willoughby, a standard apricot poodle, from the Muscatine Humane Society, which had purchased the dog from a puppy mill auction in central Iowa..

Puppy mills are places where puppies are bred and kept. However, living conditions in the mills are often substandard. Sometimes auctions are held to encourage people to adopt dogs from mills.

“I encourage people to do an on-site visit to see where the dog is coming from,” said Pagel. At first glance, Willoughby, who is about 7 years old, looks like a normal poodle, but upon closer inspection, it’s evident that his legs are bowed and his paws point outward.

This is a result of his living conditions at the puppy mill, according to Poggel. The elevated wire cage caused the puppies to stand awkwardly so they didn’t fall through the bottom of the cage.

Pagel and Willoughby take walks at Discovery Park nearly every day. Lots of people know the high-stepping white poodle from a distance because of his unusual gait.

Sometimes they go to the Canine Activity Center of Muscatine at 920 S. Houser St.

There, the two practice stunts such as jumping hurdles, zig-zagging around poles and running through tunnels.

Willoughby's favorite stunt is jumping over hurdles, which are normally set at 12 inches high, Pagel said. He is able to gather his legs together and clear the jump, despite his wide stance.

“We just pick and choose the obstacles we’re able to do,” she said.

A six-week training course at the Humane Society helped to teach Willoughby how to clear obstacles.

Pagel and Willoughby enjoy spending time with other dogs at agility fun matches held at the Center.

Pagel said she doesn’t want to enter Willoughby into any agility competitions or push him too much. She said the main reason to get involved in agility activities is to get Willoughby some exercise and work on his mobility.

However, when Willoughby does have an audience, “he gets a smile on his face from the clapping,” Pagel said. “He likes to hear the crowd clapping and cheering.”

“He loves meeting people and other dogs,” said Pagel. She said that Willloughby also loves hanging out with his “big brother,” Baron, a 110-pound Doberman.

“He overcame and he’s just been a great dog,” said Poggel.