It'll All Come Out In The Wash...

As with most 'spoiled' dogs, Lucy has a collection of stuffed toys, she especially loves anything that squeaks and is quite proficient at doing just that, usually while we're watching TV!

The other morning as I started to vacuum, I stopped to gather up all the 'babies' that Lucy had strewn about, and as I lectured her about picking up after herself I noticed just how grungy the motley group was. "I think your babies need a bath", I suggested heading for the laundry room with my hands full. Lucy didn't seem too thrilled by the idea as she trotted behind me. I turned on the water, put in some detergent and plopped the menagerie into the washer! Lucy was not amused, in fact she sat and stared at the washing machine, then looked at me as good to say, "What have you done?!" Talk about giving me a guilt trip.

Next it was time for the dryer...needless to say...Miss Lucy was not happy about that either! Tossing the now clean and colorful bunch in, I reassured her it would be all over very soon. It then occurred to me that I am explaining my actions to my dog...and I would almost bet she knew what I was saying!

Well several minutes later, probably weeks in dog time, the buzzer sounded, ending the torturous cycle.

"All done!", I announced as I headed back to the laundry. Lucy could hardly contain her excitement, with her tail wagging a hundred miles an hour she practically knocked me over.

Within minutes, all her 'brood' was accounted for and the ordeal was over...

...I even think I was forgiven!

More to come...

Two Peas in a Pod

When I get up in the morning one of the first things I do is make the bed...my mother would be so proud!

The other day, my husband who was downstairs, decided to have a conversation with me, who was upstairs, well my hearing isn't what it used to be so I went down and joined him in the kitchen.

As we chatted, it was obvious that we were minus a couple of animals...as a rule they tend to hang out where we are. We both called their names...neither showed up! Hmmm...from previous experience, being ignored generally means they are up to no good!

I climbed the stairs...no dog or cat in sight except for Molly who was practically glued to my heel, and having a grand time hunting down her 'sisters'. I'm not sure if I ever mentioned that Molly is very vocal, we call her the Drama Queen as her meows can escalate into what sounds like a screaming banshee! So much for sneaking up on the wayward ones with Molly meoooowwwwinggg, "Ready or not, here we come!"

As I walked into the bedroom, I started to laugh...there's Lilly a/k/a the Princess in Residence and Lucy stretched out on the bed sound asleep!

Over the months, Lilly has become very 'fond' of Lucy, maybe because they are practically the same color and with Lilly's poor eyesight she thinks Lucy is some giant, mutant cat...

...like two peas in a pod!

More to come...

Things My Dog has Taught Me...

Lucy is pretty smart when it comes to learning tricks, in a short period of time she has mastered the paw shake, high five, roll over and tossing a treat off her nose and catching it, well nine times out of ten!

A few months ago, while shopping for a birthday gift, I came across an item called "Poochie Bells". How cute! Several bells are attached to what almost looks like a dog leash, you loop it over a door knob and when puppy wants to go out he/she rings the bells. Sounds simple enough...Lucy is a fast learner...piece of cake! I made the purchase and headed for home all the while telling Lucy, who was riding in the back seat, how much fun we were going to have. Please don't let me be the only person that carries on a conversation with their dog while driving!

Once home, I opened the package, shook the bells and read the directions...out loud of course for Lucy's benefit, I then proceeded to hang the bells on a hook by the back door.

Diligently, each time it was 'that time' before going through the doorway, I would ring the bells and encourage Lucy to do the same while I said the magic words, "Ring the bells to go out, ring the bells to go out."

I continued this exercise for days and not once would Miss Smart Doodle touch the bells! Then one day, out of the blue, with her leash hooked and ready for a walk, Lucy sits and refuses to move through the door.

Hang on! This is a dog that loves going for a walk, loves going for a ride, loves going anywhere...so why are we not going?

"Come on Lucy, let's go!, let's go, go, goooooo!" I'm totally ignored! Lucy continues to sit, she looks at me and then looks at the bells. I look at her and then I look at the bells. Next I jingle the bells and lo and behold, out the door she trots...

...and I swear she was smirking!

More to come...

Happiness is...

It fascinates me to watch the interaction between Lucy and her feline 'sisters'. Over the past months the three of them have formed an amazing animal bond.

If cats have the ability to love another animal then Molly has loved Lucy from the day she set foot in the door. Lucy is her dog! They play together, they nap together and more than once they have gotten in trouble together! Molly is a bit of an instigator and seems to enjoy getting Lucy in hot water on occasion.

It has been a slower path for Lilly but she has come a long way since her first Lucy encounter. Lilly would deny it but I know she has a soft spot for the beast! She also has a motherly instinct as I have witnessed her grooming Lucy... talk about giving yourself a giant hairball!

"Happiness is Warm Puppy." Charles Schultz

More to come...

Driving Miss Lucy

Throughout my lifetime I have owned several dogs and all have enjoyed a ride in the car, nothing unusual about that really.

Lucy is no exception other than Lucy doesn't just ride, she likes to be chauffeured! She sits in the corner of the back seat and watches out the window! "So what!", you say, "that's no big deal." Well I totally agree, but it's extremely funny to see her and all I can think of is the movie "Driving Miss Daisy."

We also discovered that Lucy enjoys watching TV, I'm not talking about glancing at the screen if something catches her eye, I talking watching TV. On several occasions while Ron and I have watched a movie she will sit and watch with us! Her favorite is 'Shrek'...and no she doesn't get popcorn!

Personally, I think she just enjoys a good laugh!

More to come...

Don't Hate Me Because I'm Beautiful

Goldendoodles, in my opinion, are beautiful dogs. They have such expressive faces and wonderful big black 'poodle noses' along with the great disposition of the Golden Retreiver and the intelligence of the Poodle.

As Lucy grew, so did her hair! I have to honestly tell you that Miss Doodle requires frequent brushing as her long hair tends to mat. Oh...and the myth about not shedding...well personally I don't believe it! The back seat of my car regularly looks like a blonde exploded! Hmmm...I hope all the other blonde hairs I keep finding belong to the dog!

Once the warm summer weather arrived it was off to the 'doggie spa' for a cool hair cut. I get to go to the cheap hair cut place, the dog gets the spa!

I hardly recognized Lucy with her new 'do' and what was really amusing, when we got home, neither did Lilly and Molly.

Both cats checked her out from head to tail and I'm pretty sure that Lilly, whose eyesight isn't what it used to be, was thinking Oh no, not another dog! For whatever reason, Molly was totally fascinated with Lucy's new look, she followed her around like a shadow and when Lucy lay down, the cat touched the dog's tail, her nose and each of her feet! It was quite interesting and not to mention pretty funny to watch. Of course, once Lilly established it really was Lucy, she marched off in Princess fashion. Talk about catitude!

Needless to say, Lucy is a lot cooler and the house is a lot less hairier. Now if I could just shave the cats!!

More to come...