How Soon We Forget Those Puppy Days

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

As a lot of you already know, when we were looking for Doodles the deal with DH was one GoldenDoodle (big dog for him) and one LITTLE fluffy dog for me.  All the way to the breeders house every time I said the word Puppy, he said EEZE as in Puppies!  Well, little did I know when I ended up with these two big fluffy doodles how much my heart would change.  I have completely become a big dog person.  I am head over heels, just like all of you.  In January my brother and SIL got a new Maltese puppy named Reagan.  My brother has commented that he has never seen so much of me since they got the puppy.  Gotta admit I've stopped by at least once a week to see how she was growing.  I introduced her here a few weeks ago and mentioned that I might get to puppy sit.  Well, the puppy sitting started yesterday afternoon.    I'm now getting my feel for what life would have been like with a little fluffy puppy and a big ole fluffy doodle!   I'll admit first that I had forgotten those days of having to watch every single move so she doesn't eat a cord or rug or get stepped on.  I've considered leashing her to me but am afraid I'll step on her or worse yet trip over her and break a leg or something.  So far, Lucy and Sophie would just like for her to go home.  Lucy is resource guarding me, just like she does with the fosters.  There are moments where they both get this look in their eyes like they really want to play, but they are short lived and end in growling.  I wouldn't mind the growling so much if I was totally 100% confident it wouldn't end in a snack.  Reagan doesn't care, and doesn't get the message either.  She isn't one bit intimidated by either of them.  Big dog in a little body.  So far I've noticed a few significant differences.  First of all, L&S like to sit under the desk when I'm on the computer.  Reagan on the other hand has another spot in mind:

L&S are not kissey at all, and that is all this little girl wants to do.  Note to file ... keep you mouth closed when she is near!

I have also realized when you have big doodles you can have a nice pretty black aluminum fence, but when you have a little fluffy dog, the rails must be a whole lot closer together so, she doesn't get loose outside and I see a lot of this:

I have also realized that big poos are easier to find when you go back to pick them up that little poos! 

Reagan is confident that Sophie is going to become her BFF before this is all over and is trying as hard as she can to win Sophie over:

Sophie on the other hand is going to take a wait and see attitude.  All in all we are surviving, but I had so forgotten about those puppy days.  Reagan at almost 6 months doesn't weigh what Lucy did the day she came home.  She just seems so fragile and she makes me a little nervous.  I'm really enjoying her, but I think I already know for sure I'm a big dog girl now!  Love my Doodles!

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Reagan is SO cute! I love the computer picture! Your doodles will adjust when she becomes a frequent visitor!! Adorable!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Love the photos, Sheri! Reagan is adorable!

I'm a big dog girl, too, but I still appreciate some of the advantages of having the little dogs. For one, the cost of everything is much, much less: food, grooming, medications and preventatives, beds, crates, chew objects, etc. For another, little dogs can't counter surf!

 

[Bonnie and Kona]

Oh so much fun! We are big dog people too, but the little ones are really great for a visit! Enjoy your puppy fix and then you can let her go home. Like Granparenting!

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

I love your pictures. The last one is adorable. I'm with you on the big dog girl, and still don't think of them as BIG dogs. They are a perfect fit for your life. I am always surprised when people at the dog park say "they are so big!" guess its relative when you own a little beagle or smaller. Enjoy your little house guest. It's always fun when you can give them back soon, kinda like grand children. Play with them and then send them home tired!

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

AWWW!!!  She is sooo cute!  You are a great doggy aunt/sitter!  I always was a little dog person...which is why I was so hesitant at first to get Maggie the standard doodle.  Geezzz...I used to think Bexter was big!  HA!  There are definitely advantages to little dogs, like Karen said, which I am just starting to realize!  I wouldn't give up my doodles for anything though!  I loved your pictures!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Reagan is such a little cutie!  I guess I'm both....a big dog and a little dog person.  We can't let Guinness sit out on the deck because the slats are not close enough. He can squeeze his little body right through....looks a lot like your photo.  I really think because Guinness spends so much time with his "big brother" he thinks he's a big dog.  My trainer said yesterday..."Guinness thinks he's 10 ft tall"....he has that attitude.  I'm guessing the more time your girls spend with Regan the better they'll get along...they'll all learn the rules.  My two play pretty rough at times, but Guinness has never been hurt.  Thanks for sharing this...fun.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Nice photo journal. I see you'll be busy for a while. Other peoples puppies are easy to admire on line or in their houses.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Reagan is adorable....I have a sweet spot for little dogs :)

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I so love this post and especially the photographs. The one by the computer is a great one.  Those small breed puppies sure are cute and I've had Maltese for years, they are the sweetest puppies but they are so small it's terrifying.  

[Karen]

So, what your saying, is, it gets better??? I am in the middle of puppy stages.  15 weeks, teething, putting his mouth on EVERYTHING, not potty trained yet (just when i think we are closer, he has an accident - grrrrrr).  Have to watch him every second.  I usually keep him tethered in the kitchen with me so I can watch him and control what he does.  I have 3 kids and my youngest is 4 and I think he is worse than the puppy.  I love his puppyness, but seriously, I can't wait until he is grown up and this is past us!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Karen -- yes, it does get better.  It seems to me that we spent the first year wishing they would grow up and then ever since I have felt sad that they were getting older.  We didn't have any children, but did have 2 puppies at once.

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

You sure are going to be busy for a little while!  Oh, I love puppies but they can be so exhausting! Love the pics, especially the one of Reagan wanting to be outside with the big girls!