First-time doodle (and puppy!) mama says Hello!

[Tracy & Teddy]

Hiya, friends!

I am a first-time puppy mama hoping to connect with some fellow Doodle lovers! My baby Teddy is a 5 month old F1 goldendoodle and we brought him home on his 7 week birthday. We (my long-term boyfriend, Richie, and I) live in Austin, TX--we moved here last year from Boston for my IT job. We also have an 11 year-old cat named Kitty who came across the country with us. She is not so fond of Teddy...but he just loves her! It's very sweet. :)

I decided on a goldendoodle mainly because my dog allergies are pretty severe--I probably shouldn't own a dog at all, but I couldn't imagine my life without one in it much longer. I didn't grow up with a dog (I actually was quite afraid of them when I was a kid), but my parents finally got a dog (older, not a puppy)--we believe she is a cockapoo with a mix of something else, too--when I was a sophomore in high school and I just fell in love with having one around. We also had 2 incredible, sweet goldens on our street who shed like mad but I just adored them and wanted one something awful. But getting a dog when I was 16 was what really showed me just how allergic I really was to them. :( (I begged my parents to keep her anyway--but boy oh boy was I allergic!)

After I moved out, and especially after moving across the country and away from my mom's doggy, I pined away for having a dog around, even though these dogs all made me wheeze and cough and sneeze something awful. But let me tell you, dogs are *everywhere* in Austin. I really couldn't go anywhere without seeing someone walking their dog, and it was starting to make me pretty sad and lonely, especially because I figured that it wouldn't be possible to get one because of my allergies. But then a doggy discussion broke out at the office early this year and someone mentioned their labradoodle, I was like, "What the heck is that?" so I googled it and ohhh boy did I fall in love with that adorable happy face! Google said something like, "People also search for: 'goldendoodle'" and then I thought that a goldendoodle would be just perfect for me given my adoration for the sweet nature of the golden. So my research began, and then I found my Teddy's litter, and the rest is history. :)

Anyway, sorry for the novel!

I intended on joining this forum the week that I got him... however, I did as much research as I possibly could to prepare for bringing home my very first puppy, and nothing really could have prepared me for just how energetic (and messy!) these little guys could be! Goodness was I tired! He was quite the handful, but every second has been worth it--even the lost sleep and the gallons of floor cleaner that I have gone through. :D

He's such a sweetheart, so well-behaved and getting better every day, and he just loves to snuggle. And, he hasn't had an accident in weeks (not sure how long you can be accident-free before saying that they are house-trained, but he is doing GREAT!). He goes to daycare 3-4 times a week and they always let me know how excited and happy and friendly he is. He has never exhibited any signs of aggression at all and I hope that stays true, because I really could not have dreamed of a nicer, sweeter pup.

Anyway, I will quit gushing--just wanted to drop by and say Hello and I hope to get to know a lot of you as the months and years progress! Thanks for listening!

Here are a few pictures! As you can see, he is growing like a weed!

[Tracy & Teddy]

Thanks so much! :)

[Christina Hodgson]

Welcome! I'm a first time puppy mama too! My Callie is just over 4 months though, so you have an extra month on me. I can definitely relate to the floor cleaning, though we're getting much better at not making messes here too. 

Teddy looks like such a sweetheart, what a cute little face! I can't wait to see him grow!