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Thursday, June 7, 2012

Doodling.

It's been one of those "lazy" days. Aside from Friday cleaning--when I either decide to hurry and get everything done within an hour or so. . .or I take my time stopping to chat with mom. . .maybe check The Blog or answer an email. . .clean a little bit. . .chat a little more. . .clean again. . .and end up finishing somewhere late into the afternoon. Or worse. I chose the latter today.  :P It as all about peppermint tea (since I'm on a coffee fast--and seriously, I think the world is ending,) eating light, chatting, writing emails, and preparing for a very last minute trip to TN for a funeral. To me, Tennessee means vacation--so this is. . .different. I'm praying I can be used in some way. Even if it means only keeping my mom and her friend awake as they drive.

Sooo. . .with my loss of Nick and not-very-"lucky" experience with dogs (somehow every dog we've owned has been ill or had other issues,) I'm afraid to buy another puppy. Remember, Nick had more than an "aggression problem." He was dangerous. Aggression can be trained away--mental illness cannot.

Nick is a beautiful part of my memory. . .that I try to wash away. Because when I think of Nick, I cry. Still. Sorry for blubbering, but it's nice to drop everything on my blog--and knowing you understand. And even if you don't--this is my online journal. It's as much for me as it is for YOU.

Yeah, I'm scared. But I'm still looking into/heavily researching breeds, breeders. Because I need a furry, devoted, canine friend in my life. After losing one so important to me--I realize that, even more. Friends have been telling me to get another dog. . .and the other night I knew they were right. Just like that. I NEED another dog. Golden Retriever? Maybe--I've always wanted one, and my family has raised Labs for Guiding Eyes for the Blind. Golden's are very similar in temperament.  . .friendly, dopey, energetic, family pets. I contacted a couple local Golden rescues.  . .but as I continued researching (because I will NOT ever find myself in a puppy-mill situation again,) I discovered. . .the Goldendoodle.

{via}

It seems absolutely wicked to be posting pictures of dogs. Only the peace of Jesus lets me do this--gives me excitement over possibly getting another puppy. I'm sure now--really sure--that putting Nick down was right. There was a reason for all of this. I may not understand why. . .only that I was supposed to be my Nickle's mommy. God has a plan for everything.  

Sitting here. . .listening to Alan Meknen. (hey, that sounds better then The Little Mermaid. :P ) Needing to go pack. . .really, it's late. I should probably find something to wear. Ya know, if this whole new-puppy idea works, it'll take months of research. I'm trying several  breeders, until I find exactly what I'm looking for. It probably won't be until spring before I raise enough $$. Who knows, by then I might change my mind. . .

What do you think of YOUR Goldendoodle? Seriously--I need opinions. Nice temperament? Trainable? What do I look for in a reliable breeder? (I'm an experienced dog owner, but you can't get too many viewpoints.) Lemme know in a comment or contact me via my email (see "tabs"). 

19 comments:

  1. I never heard of a goldendoodle before, but they sure look cute!

    Anyway, thanks for the update. :)

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    1. It sounds funny, doesn't it? :) I thought Yankee Doodle Dandy would be the cutest AKC registered name.

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  2. My cousins have a golden doodle. They are supposed to be somewhat small, have short hair, not shed, and not bark. Their golden doodle barks incessantly, has very long hair, sheds all year round in unbelievable amounts, and is huge. But she is very sweet. : )

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    1. Hmmm. . .sounds like an F1 Standard. I've been doing TONS of reading--it's really interesting! The shorter haired, curly dogs are called F1's--both types are either Standard, English, or Australian. And they come in all different sizes. I'm thinking of a medium sized dog--not sure if a 70 lb dog belongs in a development! ;) What color is your cousins dog?

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  3. You're going to Tennessee?! Wish I could hitch a ride...my favorite place in the world {that I've been ;)} is in Tennessee. :)

    Hope you find a good dog! Having a new little guy {or gal in our case:)} to love on really does help. Goldendoodles are really cute, but I don't know much as far as their temperament. We've only ever had beagles. :)

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    1. Welll. . .it was for a funeral. So you might have wanted to skip the hitching-a-ride. ;) Then again. . .I loved every single inch of the trip and was so glad my mom made me go. Because I agree--TN is the best place on earth. It's the landscape. Or maybe the people. :sigh: The South is calling me.

      I noticed your email address mentions beagles. Do you breed them?

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    2. It is especially sad when little children die. :( I'm glad it was still an enjoyable trip for you though.

      It's not likely I'll move to Ireland (though that would be awesome!), so Tennessee it is! :D

      No, we don't breed beagles...just really like 'em. My dad came up with that email address when I was eight...and I just never have changed it. :)

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  4. The Goldendoodle is adorable! I don't know anything about them, though this isn't the first time I've heard about them. It sounds like they are a Golden Retriever/Poodle mix? I know my Aunt had a poodle, he barked, he jumped, he licked you, but he was never mean, just excited to meet new (or re-meet) people. I got a Jack Russel two years ago, and I did A LOT of research. I did not, however, talk to people with first hand experience. I knew Jack Russels were energetic, good with kids, and mildly devoted. What I didn't know until I got Ella, JRs are more then 'Energetic' as puppies. They are downright uncontrollable.Thankfully, she grew out of it, but it was hard for a little while She did and still does LOVE kids. Especially babies, she lets them pull her stub tail, her fur, her ears. Let's them bounce on her, drag her around, anything. They are also stubborn. Dogs 101 didn't tell me that she would do things just to spite me. That got trained out of her royal sassiness real fast. Momma Me was NOT going to stand her little poochie wetting the carpet just to watch my reaction. And I heard that some Jackies get anxious of you leave them along. Anxious, as in, chew everything, rip curtains and tear toilet paper. Lovely. Ella never did that. If she had, my Dad might've found a new home for Miss Ella Bean the first.

    Good luck on your doggie searching, just make sure you get first hand accounts, try to find perhaps a message board for dog owners. There will be some things Breeders won't tell you. ;-) and sorry for the book of a comment. :-/

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    1. No, don't apologize! I love "book" comments. :) Goldendoodles ARE a Golden/poodle mix. I know a little about poodles since the family I work for owns a Lhasapoo; the poodle really comes out in her temperament. She is the sweetest, gentlest thing!

      haha. . .Jack Russel's are terriers. . .so yeah, the temperament sounds about right. ;) Little dogs are so much fun!--I love bigger breeds, but there's something about a cute, energetic lap dog (though like you said, they can be a handful.)

      I love the way you write, btw.

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  5. Aww golden doodles are so cute! I had a friend who had one, but they got rid of him after a while (they were not good with dogs. I don't know much about their temperament, but he was very easy and friendly as a puppy. I'm sorry you're missing your dog... it is hard to lose a pet. Hope your trip to TN goes well!

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    1. Thanks Christianna! The trip was wonderful--really refreshing, funeral and all. Post coming ASAP.

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  6. My BFF has an adorbs goldendoodle. He is HUGE and he's not even full grown yet. He has the sweetest temperament, though. Goldendoodles are VERY sociable creatures. They love to be around you and snuggle. My friend's goldendoodle is such a goofball. I'm not sure if the entire breed is that way, but if they all are goofballs, you would sure have a lotta fun! He's a very floppy puppy and you can tell there's poodle in him from the way he walks. Actually, he doesn't walk; he does this bouncing, frouncy, happy prance. (IT'S ADORBS!!)
    So, in my opinion, you should get a goldendoodle!! :)
    thanks for listening!
    Caroline :)

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    1. Ok, I'm sold. No really--this is encouraging. I have a really, really good feeling about my choice; now to find the $$. ;) I will NEVER allow myself to fall into a puppy-mill situation again. . .sooo, lots of research/studying for now. I like what I hear. Tell your friend I LOVE her dog. . .no, I want to steal her dog. Snuggly, frouncy, floppy puppy? Adore.

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  7. Oh, Goldendoodles are simply darling. Not that I've ever met one. I'm just basing my opinion solely off the picture you posted---and seeing how looks can be deceiving, I should not base a 100% positive opinion just on a picture.... but I can't help it. I mean, look at that face! :P

    I've heard that large dogs (like Golden Retrievers) are very calm and friendly, and usually that smaller dogs can be more defensive. I know this can typically vary, but anyways... I really like the idea of a Goldendoodle. (That is, until you post a cute and darling picture of a different breed in your next post that I go mushy over.....!)

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    1. You make me smile, Tarissa. :) Always love your comments!--and I know, right? Look at that face! Big melting brown eyes. Dawwww. . .

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  8. As a dog lover myself, I have always had at least one in my life. I grew up with German Shepherds (by far the best breed ever, in my humble opinion). Over the last several years, I have known quite a few Goldens and Goldendoodles. I absolutely love love love Goldens! They are sweet, full of energy, and a joy to be around. There is never a dull moment with them. The Goldendoodle is a good mixture of the Standard Poodle and Golden Retriever. They are sweet, patient, and a good companion. Plus they have that adorable face!
    Both breeds have high energy when they are pups and even into their later years. My friend, Marlan's Golden, Charlie, has enough energy to keep me on my toes. I could play fetch with him for hours and not wear him down. My GSD is 11 and only now is calming down. Don't let that discourage you though. Large breeds are wonderful! Both breeds are also very intelligent, especially the Doodle. They draw their intelligence from their Poodle ancestors. But every dog needs constant work to affirm their training.
    The down side to the Golden is hair. Sure a normal dog may shed twice a year with the seasons, but be prepared to brush brush brush all year round. Sometimes you'll be surrounded by freshly shed hair and think that you could make another dog with it all. :) I have friends who shave their Goldens in the summer, but where's the fun in that? ;)
    I am glad that you're doing your research. Several large breeds have diseases that come with the breed. Finding a good breeder who is involved in not only the breed but the well-being of the breed is key. There are many back yard breeders looking to make a quick (expensive on the buyers part) buck. Many breeders have quality lines and little to no inbreeding.
    Now for my tiny soap box: buying from a good, well-know, reputable breeder is key, and I highly recommend it. When we purchased our second GSD, we visited the kennel and saw Jetta's parents. The breeder kept the kennel in top condition, cleaned up right after the dogs, and had well trained dogs. He had references and was very friendly. You could tell that he cared deeply about his dogs.
    There is also a beautiful way that you can save a dog's life by giving it a second chance and adopting. You can find many purebreds in a shelter as well as breed-specific rescues. A little bit kinder on the wallet and you can get a quality dog.
    Anyway, good luck puppy hunting! Have a safe trip to Tennessee and back!

    Lindsey

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    1. Thank you for this, Lindsey. Believe me, I need all the recommendations I can get! It's awesome to hear an experienced dog owners perspective.

      My family raised a puppy for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, so I'm familiar with Labradors--they are "puppies" for five years, eat a ton, and shed. At the end of the raising program (right before Martha, our sponsor puppy, was sent to Guide dog school,) we had the opportunity to babysit a Golden puppy. I've always liked the breed, but I think that's about the time I officially fell in love. ;) He was very well trained (which means it's possible, haha) silky-soft, and sweet. Labs are great, but there is something special about Golden's.

      I've been looking at various breeders online; there are several in Ohio. Of course they all sound legit--I guess the key would be actually visiting/checking out the facilities/dogs. It's so easy for people to lie. My experience with Nick for example. I knew better then to buy a dog from a storefront--but the owner absolutely promised his dogs were not from puppy mills. Suuurree. Somehow I thought it would all turn out--I have friends who've bought dogs from obvious puppy-mill situations (stores like PetLand,) with decent results. But the Lord had different plans for me--and Nick. I don't regret Nick, but I *do* regret being so hasty in my judgment.

      Anyhow--thank you for being so thorough. How would you feel if I sent you a list of the breeders I'm looking at? Maybe you can give me thumbs up or down. :)

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  9. I've never had a goldendoodle or anything but a collie dog (whose really been wonderful;), but some people I know have a golden retriever who is the sweetest thing.:) Goldendoodles are *SO* cute!:)

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  10. Oh my golly, I did not realize I wrote so much. Embarrassed lol. I just love watching the right dog go to the perfect home. And although I don't know you or your family personally, I know you all shower your critters with love and attention. Any critter would be happy to call your house home.
    Of course, Michaela, shoot me an email. I will send Anna my email via Facebook. I'll continue praying for you as you go through your breeder "shopping". :)

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