Proud of my doodle...

[Chels*Claud*Midas]

So, Midas my 1 and a half year old doodle made me blush today..lol.. we were on our normal after work walk..and i always pass this one house that the kids are always outside playing with their mom.. so today while i was walking the kids were outside.. a 5 year old girl..and a 7 and 8 year old boy..i usually see just the little girl.. they asked if they could pet midas and let me tell u, they sure did! they loved him! they were massaging him, rubbing him petting him.. feeling his ears one boy called them "angel soft" lol so cute... they were really all over him, in a nice way..and i was so proud of how midas acted.. he is VERY hyper and has been from day one... but its always been that when we are out in public people always comment how calm and good he is, since we first got him..people with doodles of their own are always amazed at how good he is in public.. bring him home and hes looney! lol i dont have kids and so midas isnt usually around kids but when he is he seems to know to be extra gentle and be a good boy.. someone once told me that when he is out with us he must think he is working or something and is on his best behavior. i always remember this one story.. i was at a street fair with him and he was probably around 7 months..but a very big boy..and a little boy who just seemed to learn how to walk (not sure how old but young) came running up to midas as i turned around.. now i knew midas would never try and hurt the boy..but he was a puppy and i didnt know if he would jump or nip to play.. but it all happened to fast i couldnt really react...well the little boy got to midas face and smacked him on the nose..not hard but still..and i didnt know what midas would do after having that happen..but midas just blinked and backed up.. lol he was so good! i was impressed he didnt go zany like he would at home lol anyways just wanted to share that... :)

[Kathy (Ellie & Oliver)]

Midas' behavior reminds me of our Oliver. After retiring from teaching I wanted to do therapy dog visits. Ellie, our older doodle is shy so I talked my husband into getting another doodle. Well, Oliver was wild, crazy, and a clown! We started obedience lessons right away and right after he turned one, we tested to become a therapy dog team. Part of the testing process was to make three visits to a facility. I was amazed how he interacted with the residents. People couldn't believe he was only one year old and was so gentle and well behaved. At home, he was wild and crazy!!! I believe he sensed what he was suppose to do when we interacted with the residents. Who knows, you may have a future therapy dog in your sweetie, Midas!

[Chels*Claud*Midas]

wow thats amazing!!! yes i would love to do that one day! since i was a little girl i have been singing in nursing homes and senior homes..i would love for my dog to give back and make people smile as well!! maybe i will look into it! :) thank u!

[Kathy (Ellie & Oliver)]

Oh, please make it a point to find out what which national organizations have testers in your area. There aren't enough therapy dogs to fill the needs of nursing homes, listening to kids read, etc. You can find out an enormous amount of information on the websites of the different national organizations. I loved making therapy dog visits with Oliver so I decided to become a tester for Therapy Dogs, Inc. If you're interested--the website is www.therapydogs.com Look in the upper right corner and click on How to Become a Member. Helping others get his or her dog registered to be a therapy dog warms my heart almost as much as making therapy dog visits with my boy Oliver!!

[Chels*Claud*Midas]

wow thank you so much!! cant wait to check it out!!

[Chels*Claud*Midas]

also Kathy, how can I get Midas used to wheel chairs, walkers and crutches?

[Adina P]

Some of the therapy dog organizations offer classes and he would be exposed in class. Pet Partners and, Therapy Dogs International offer classes, not sure about the one mentioned above

[Chels*Claud*Midas]

thank you! if the dog fails the test once? do they get another try at another time?

[Miss Ellie]

Good boy Midas...you should be proud Chels that is just wonderful...especially for a 11/2 year old!

[a.k.a. Rodney]

He sounds more human than canine. I had one child at least that always did better outside of the house than in. Now, I have grands that act the same way!! DerbyDoodle on the other hand..is just the opposite. I have much more control in my environment vs. Others or out of the house. Just yesterday I took her to a friend/clients house to do some computer consulting...and she kind of got away with a lot. Everyone thinks I'm tuff, but I want her to be a therapy dog so I stay on the strict side for now.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Kona has been like this with kids since day one. He is just in love with children, but in the most gentle way. Owen loves kids too but he is likely to knock them over out of glee. ;o)

[Chels*Claud*Midas]

lol I just literally laughed out loud! I thought that's what midas would do honestly, because he is very jumpy and crazy in the house.. I mean these kids were literally rubbing his skin (u know how if u grab their side and rub their skin kind of flows and slides around) they were massaging him like that and he did nothing.. just looked at me like "hi mommy" lol :)

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Midas sounds like a gem!  Happy for you.  And yes, it sounds like he would be a candidate for therapy work.  Way to go Midas!