Dressed in a glittery purple tailcoat and a top hat, longtime performer and animal trainer Rafael Abuhadba rolled a large box to the middle of the stage. He removed the cover of the box to unveil a cage that was seemingly empty.
After turning it several times, a large pink poodle appeared — one of 12 Cartoon Poodles and a popular act at this year’s Northwest Washington Fair. Abuhadba danced with the dog before his wife, Isabel Abuhadba, made a grand entrance driving a golf-cart-sized convertible into the arena.
Pink costumed poodles of varying sizes surrounded her wearing bedazzled pink jackets, feather headdresses and showgirl gowns. During the 20-minute show, the dogs jumped through hoops, “boxed” each other with miniature gloves, climbed up a ladder and down a slide to great comedic effect, balanced precariously on rolling devices, and even formed a conga line.
To the Abuhadbas, training the poodles and traveling the country is a family affair. They treat the dogs like children, and the animals share quarters in the recreational vehicle with their own compartments, complete with toys and bedding.
Isabel Abuhadba arrives in a convertible filled with colorful poodles. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)
Rafael is a Chilean whose circus lineage dates back generations. Isabel met Rafael in Chile and literally ran away with the circus.
“I began performing with my family at a very young age,” Rafael said in an interview after Sunday’s show. “My grandmother from my father’s side, Leonina, was the one who introduced me to training poodles.”
Although the Abuhadbas are based in Las Vegas, Rafael said one of the things he enjoys most about the show performances is traveling. The couple has started doing more fairs and fewer long tours than when they permanently moved to the United States from Chile in the mid-1990s. But Rafael said every time he and Isabel — and sometimes their adult son, Hamin — arrive in a new place they always look for poodles they can rescue and give a second chance at a new life.
Hamin said all the Cartoon Poodles are rescue dogs, and their training depends on their individual personalities. If one displays a propensity for jumping, for example, Rafael will focus on that ability as he trains them. The same goes for dancing, balancing and other tricks.
Some of the poodles end up just being pets or are retired, Hamin said, but it doesn’t mean they’re not part of the show. They may still come out in the car with Isabel and participate in post-show photo shoots with fans. Other retirees stay in Las Vegas when Rafael and Isabel are performing.
During the Lynden run of Cartoon Poodles, one retiree, a 14-year-old standard poodle named Romeo, is home with Hamin, who reports he often sleeps in until 11 a.m.
A standard poodle leaps through a hoop help by Rafael Abuhadba. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)
The family stressed the dogs are never forced to do anything they don’t want to do. They said they’re viewed as members of the family and are treated accordingly. The Abuhadbas follow strict USDA guidelines, ensuring the dogs have at least one hour of rest between shows. They also have a separate exercise area when they travel.
“Over time, I’ve learned that maintaining and nurturing trust with dogs is crucial, particularly with breeds like poodles,” Rafael said. “Respect plays a vital role; treating them with love and respect can lead to remarkable positive changes in their behavior and performance. Instead of seeking perfection, my focus is on ensuring the dogs have an enjoyable experience.”
Isabel makes all of the poodle costumes and she’s also the one who feeds them, grooms them and turns them “Barbie” pink. The process is a family secret, but Hamin said it’s 100% natural coloring and washes off with soap and warm water.
Isabel said she and Rafael go to great lengths to ensure the dog’s lives are the best they can be by paying close attention to “preferences and enjoyments.”
As an example, she pointed to Juliet, a poodle who loves stuffed animals but dislikes it when other dogs play with her belongings.
“So, I make sure to bring out her favorite toy when the other dogs are not around, and she happily snuggles with it,” Isabel said. “It’s these small gestures that bring immense joy to our beloved poodles.”
Rafael and Isabel love hearing comments about how much people enjoy the act and said they hope people know why they’re so committed to their profession.
“What we do isn’t just a job; it’s a family tradition and a mission to entertain, support, and care for our dogs,” the couple said. “It’s more than just work — it’s our way of life and everything to us.”
Cartoon Poodles perform at 1, 3 and 4:30 p.m. daily through Saturday, Aug. 19 at the Northwest Washington Fair, 1775 Front St., Lynden. Entry is free with fair admission; to take part in a post-show photo shoot with the poodles, the fee is $10. Info: nwwafair.com.
