New Here! We Just Lost Our Beloved Labradoodle, Puddles, A Few Weeks Ago!!

[Nora Davenport]

Hello everyone!  I am so thrilled to have found Doodle Kisses!  Just got accepted so thought I would post right away.  Our family had the most spoiled, most precious Black Labradoodle, Puddles, for almost seven years..........we loved her ever so much.......she really loved vanilla ice cream cones and loved to go for rides in the car.....she often slept in bed with us......LOL!

     Anyhow, just a few weeks ago, we lost her very unexpectedly.......what a horrendous shock.....our entire family was crying our hearts out........it felt like some of us died with her.  The hurt.......it's so undescribable......a hurt like no other........grief is overwhelming.....our house has been unbearably quiet.......this is one of the most devastating losses we've ever suffered and it's difficult to shake the sadness and depression.

       We had our precious Puddles cremated at the Animal Rescue League and brought her back home to be with us.  I bought a lovely oak urn, that will hold her picture and is engraved "Our Precious Puddles."  That brings a bit of comfort, having her back home.

       We started going to the Animal Rescue League on a regular basis, checking out their dogs....to no avail so I've been practically living online, trying to find another Doodle.......just not black.  Finally, after many e-mails, phone calls, etc.. I finally located an 8 week old Golden Doodle little guy, who's only about an hour from our house!  I called the man today, then talked to my husband.  We have an appointment to drive over on Friday to check out the little guy.  I spoke with the gentleman for about an hour and had very good "feelings" about this (I'd also spoken to someone else but had "bad" vibes, as they had far too many dogs/puppies).

         If we get the little Golden Doodle, it will be two weeks before we can bring him home, as he's getting neutered, but that's okey......it will give us time to get the house ready.

         Nobody will ever take the place of our beloved Puddles, nor will we ever forget her......we're hoping that a new puppy will help us all.  

         Anybody have any ideas for a name for a little golden guy?

I'm so very glad to be a new member here!

Nora

Proud Mom to our precious angel in Heaven, Puddles

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

So sorry for your loss and good luck in your search for a new puppy!

[Nora Davenport]

Thanks so very much!  Wow, I really do love DoodleKisses.com......what a fantastic place this is!  We are going to be bringing a little male Golden Doodle home September 12th.......I spent tons of time doing reading, research, sending e-mails, making phone calls.....whewee, am sooo worn out, but it is very much worth it!  

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

I am happy for you that you can celebrate Puddles life by giving another dog a great home.  It will ease your pain and help you remember just the good when you think about Puddles.  

There is some controversy about such early neutering that you might want to look into -  worth some reading. 

I hope you find the perfect new puppy and wish you many years of happiness!  Don't forget to post pictures!  

[Nora Davenport]

I've been doing lots of reading/research on early neutering..........we are getting a new Doodle puppy..........but can't bring him home till he's 10 weeks old so will be bringing him home September 12th......the guy won't let the puppies be adopted until them.  I've talked. by phone, to the guy several times and for over 3 hours........and we drove over to see the puppies (he has two male puppies right now) in person.....we were invited into his home and had a great visit (almost 2 hours!).  I had a very good "feeling" about this, and we are pretty excited!  I truly think Puddles would be happy with this choice!

[Lynda Kamrath]

Welcome to DoodleKisses - the best website around for doodle lovers everywhere.  I see that you have also become enamored with the breed.  It is so easy to do!

I think it is a great idea to go over and check out the breeder before you commit to a puppy.  There are so many backyard breeders and puppy mills out there.  I also like to have the puppies neutered at a young age, but that is controversial with some people.  I also like them chipped, but that is also controversial.  I'm sure you will make the right decision for you.  Enjoy your little puppy fix tomorrow, but don't rush into anything that just doesn't feel right for any reason.

Let me tell you a little about my experience with doodles.  You can also check out my doodle history on the photos on my page.  I am currently on my third doodle.  Hondo was my first (and my heart dog).  I got him right when my husband retired because our old shepherd died and left the poodle alone.  He (the poodle) had never spent a day alone in his life and was devastated.  My husband was still working and my son and I were gone to school all day.  I had the summer off and started my replacement dog search immediately.  I actually paid for a Welsh Terrier puppy who was not even born yet.  When the puppies were born, there was only one male and they said he was mine, but he died at three weeks of age.  Back to square one.  My BIL told me to take a look at labradoodles because we liked large dogs and had experience with labradors and poodles.  I fell in love immediately.  I found three litters that were available (on-line) and went shopping on line for my new dog (not recommended).  He was here a few days later and we picked him up at the San Jose airport.  Our standard poodle was delighted and took over his care immediately.  He was the best dog ever!  When the poodle was getting toward the end, I got another doodle because I did not want Hondo to go through what Bruno had when his companion died.  Groucho Too was my next puppy (also bought on line but from a breeder I had been in contact with since I got Hondo) and Hondo took over his care and training.  Hondo hardly noticed when Bruno died because he was so involved with his puppy.  Years go by, and Hondo died of liver failure.  Groucho Too was also alone for the first time in his life, but my husband and I were both retired by this time and both at home with him.  He was so depressed that he wouldn't even look out the window.  He just sat on my feet all day long.  So, our third puppy.  This time an ALD that I also bought on line on a recommendation from an IDOG volunteer.  So, that is our history in a nutshell.

Post some photos after your visit on Friday if you think this will be the pup for you.  Names?  It will come to you.  I got started with the Marx brothers because Groucho Too looked just like his father (Groucho) and they had the eyebrows.  Harpo as the second brother and I say that if I get another doodle it will be Zeppo or Chico.  Chico only if it is a large dog, I wouldn't want a small dog named Chico.  I know there will be more doodles in our lives and am currently keeping my eye on new dog called a sheepadoodle by the same breeder as Groucho Too.  Anyway, it is an adventure picking just the right dog for your family.  Enjoy.  It will definitely get you through the Puddles episode.

[Nora Davenport]

Hi Lynda!  Thanks so much for your reply!  I'm so sorry for not getting back to you sooner, but today has been a very busy, tiring day!  Last night, the man called me to remind me about this morning, which I thought was very nice......I've talked to him over 3 hours by phone.......told my hubby that I had very good vibes about him so off we went this morning......he invited us into his home, told us that the puppies/dogs lived mostly indoors.....offered us coffee and then we had a great visit and we got to meet the two little male Golden Doodles.....they were precious beyond words!  He gave me a lot of very important information, has a health guarantee on all puppies but won't let them be adopted till 10 weeks old.  Everything felt great......he was very friendly, we even talked about "puppy mills," which he said he detested.......he even shows a few of his pet dogs!  He microchips the puppies and has them neutered/spayed.  We DID pick out the really furry little guy to bring home!!!!!  I put the deposit down and we'll bring him home on September 12th.  He showed us his kennels.....then, told us he has a huge garden and gave us corn on the cob, peppers, a huge head of cabbage, and a gigantic zuchini to bring home!!!  We spent 2 hours at his house.....very positive experience, and we are truly excited!

       I love all the names you picked for your dogs.......it was so much fun reading your post........oh my, how horrible to lose a puppy at just three weeks of age.........losing beloved pets is just so devastating, so heartbreaking.  It's just undescribable, isn't it?  

       Wow, oh wow..........you mentioned a sheepadoodle........I'd never heard of one till you mentioned it, so, of course, I had to go and do a search.........in the past, we've had two Old English Sheepdogs and dearly loved them.......when I saw the photos, I just sat and laughed and laughed......talk about precious faces......called hubby to the computer to look........he couldn't believe it........I could tell by his face that he really, really would LOVE one of them......we both were laughing at the precious photos and faces!  What an incredible combination!!!!!  I truly hope that you're able to find one and am sure they will be very, very popular as well.....if you do get one, you'll have to post pictures!

       We are getting the really fuzzy little male and will bring him home on September 12th.....I did take my camera and got a few pictures but haven't been able to get them onto my computer yet.........will try to soon!!!!!  I even took a couple photos of our precious Puddles over to show him.......he said he could tell she was loved and cared for so very much!!!!!!!!  So, it's been a very, very neat day!

[a.k.a. Rodney]

Sounds like you are making a good decision for your family....a home without a Doodle is a home that is Not as much fun as one with...how about...SPLASH for a name suggestion?

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Rodney, I like your suggestion and in some way Splash is related to Puddles.  :-}  I hope Nora likes it.

[a.k.a. Rodney]

Thanks, that's what I thought...;)

[Nora Davenport]

Yes, yes, what a really neat name!!!!!!!  Last night, out of the blue, "Boomer" came to me, but I really do like "Splash" as well......gonna have to think hard on this.....LOL!!!!!!  We got to see the little Golden Doodle guy today.....fell in love and we'll be bringing him home Sep. 12th!!!!!

[Nora Davenport]

Wow, that IS a really neat name, "Splash!"  Hmmmmmm, think I'll have to consider that along with "Boomer," the name that, out of the blue, came to me in my sleep last night!  We went to see the little male Golden Doodle today......absolutely precious!  He will be bringing him home September 12th!!!!!!

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Hi Nora ~ I am so sorry to hear Puddles had to cross over the Rainbow Bridge.  They are never with us long enough and it is hard to fill that void.  She must have been so special.  We lost our Standard Poodle Wilbur (6.5 yr old) 3 years ago a week before Christmas.  I can still feel that pain.  I still have his photo in our dining room and his ashes on the fireplace.  We found Charlie Brown on Valentines Day of the following year and he helped to fill the huge void Wilbur left in our heart.  Charlie is my heart dog that is for sure - he just feels me and I him. It sounds like this little golden doodle will help heal your heart. 

Naming a puppy is so much fun   - how about Winston, Jesse, Bodie,, Romeo,  On the ride home you will be trying all kinds of name on him and you will know which one is just right!  I am very happy for you and your family.