Hindsight is 20/20................

[Terri, Murfee & Emily]

Good Day Doodle Lovers, 

I am very excited to be traveling to Tennessee from Charlotte on Saturday, March 23 to bring home my little buddy Bentley. I don't recall being this excited about something since being a kid at Christmas time. Giddy on the inside, adult on the outside!  

So I believe that I am well prepared; his crates all made up for him, leash/collar with his name, heart beat puppy for his nighttime, bowls, food to transition after week 2, appointment with the vet on Monday the 25th, ready to place his insurance in force , bottled water (he's currently on well, I am a city girl), toys, etc. 

But I feel as ready as I am, I am sure I will look back in say 6 months to a year, and realize I could have done something differently to ease my transition into puppy Momma. After all, it has been 9 years since I have had a puppy! I will be traveling 4 hours with him and need some wisdom there. Do I let him only pee on a piddle pad while traveling? Do I feed him or just skip his lunch? Offer water freely?

Perhaps it was a "material" thing I should have purchased, or routine I should have changed up to help both of us out, introducing the pup to his 9 year old sister ,Golden Retriever , Emily. The 1st days to help him not be so scared, well you get where I am going.  So please,  help me out if you have some hindsight to share. I promise to "pay" it forward.

Terri 

[Terri, Murfee & Emily]

Adrianne, I called the breeder to see if i could send his snuggle puppy ahead to be placed with his littermates and Mom. Cindy stated that I could, but she sends home a toy or blanket as part of his farewell package. 

SD card and camera!  Now that is what I would of forgotten!  Thank you , thank you,  thank you . 

Puppy wags.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

That is definitly one the most important items to have ready, the CAMERA!   Just use your head and your heart and everything will work out great!  Of course there will be some moments of "what have I done", but very few and with all the snuggles, cuddles, fun, love that little Doodle will own your heart in no time!  We will all be waiting for the puppy pictures. 

[DJ & Chance]

Perfect!

[Jennifer and Jack]

Congrats!!!! So exciting!!! You will be coming right by me to go get your puppy! I live right off 26 in Chapin SC close to Columbia!!!!!!!!!

You sound well prepared.....I am literally a few miles off of 26 if you need a rest stop my home and back yard are open!! I am about two and half hours from Charolette

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

So kind to offer this Jennifer.

[Terri, Murfee & Emily]

Jennifer,I sincerely appreciate your offer. I will be coming from Sevierville, TN and will cut over to Hwy 74 off of 26, then hit 85 North and slide into Charlotte on the back side. So I won't be coming that far south on this trip. Otherwise I would have taken you up on your offer. 

[Jennifer and Jack]

Oh, I was thinking you would take 85 to 26....... ! Your welcome anytime!

[Jennifer and Jack]

Your little one is so precious too!

[Terri, Murfee & Emily]

Thank you, I couldn't agree with you more :)

[Oliver & Elizabeth]

So cute and exciting! :) We were so excited on our drive to get Oliver that my BF was pulled over for speeding! Fortunately, the police officer was a dog lover and let us go after I explained that we were on our way to pick up our new puppy and we were verrrrrry sorry! LOL So I guess my advice would be to not speed! Also, will you be making the trip alone? If so, will he be in a crate for the trip?

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

One small suggestion, do you have an old towel or baby blanket you can take with you and rub all over the area she is used to and possibly her litter mates?  Having something that smells of home can be very comforting.  Congratulations on this very exciting time.

Oops, just read back through this thread and see this is covered.  Sounds like all you have to do is pick up and love now.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

When we picked up our oldest Doodle I put him in a travel crate.  He was carsick and if I had it to do again I would have held him (my husband was driving).  I really think he was frightened, especially since the only other time he had been in a car he went to the Vet to be neutered.   Will someone be traveling with you?  We did stop once to let him go potty, but we chose a grassy spot away from the "beaten path" where we didn't think other dogs had likely been....worried because he hadn't had all his shots.  I gave water on that "rest stop" but no food.  Good luck...so exciting.