Rooney's Apology and Big Announcement

[Lori, Rooney & Zuzu]

Hello all,

You may have noticed that the summer months seem to have rendered us MIA here on Doodle Kisses. Please accept my most sincere apologies for our absence.

This is me being sorry...

I promise you, if I had opposable thumbs and some basic knowledge of how to run a Mac (I'm more of a PC pup...) I would have gotten on here myself to offer a few updates. I mean for Pete's sake, how hard is it to take a break from running those kids around to and fro to offer a little support and post a few photos? Don't get me wrong, I do love those kids of mine but they sure do take up a lot of MY mom's time.

Anywhooo....

From what I can gather, the big news of the summer seems to be that I keep getting bigger. At least that is what I hear on a daily basis from not only friends of the family who apparently can't stop themselves from offering up rude comments like, "Rooney! You are positively HUGE!" (I mean, huge? Have they ever seen a Great Dane? An Irish Wolfhound? A Bull Mastiff? I am not "huge"). But even my own family members have taken to exclaiming almost every morning, "Good heavens, Rooney! Did you grow in the night??" How am I supposed to have an answer for that? Do I look like I have a measuring tape around my neck? Is there a scale in my crate that I haven't noticed? And what is with their obsession with size anyway? Anytime I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I can only think to ask myself, "Who on earth is that handsome devil?"

So, yeah, whatever... I guess I'm still growing. Yawn.

Moving onto topics that are actually slightly interesting, I am continuing to pursue excellence in The Beautiful Game in honor of my namesake. For those of you not consumed by European Football, I will explain: I am named for Wayne Rooney, the bad boy of Manchester United a premier British soccer team. Therefore I am doing all that I can to live up to both his well known devotion to the game of soccer, and his off-the-field edgy persona.

But, finally, the really, really big news of the summer is....

After months and months of wondering and waiting...

After listening to all of Reagan's big talk about his "glory days on the lake"...

After waking up in a cold sweat after having dreamed that I was forced to wear water wings and swim goggles...

The moment of truth arrived...

I can swim!!!!

And now if I can just get Reagan to share his stick...

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Aw Rooney, you're as cure as ever and sounds like your summer has been great!

[Colleen, Jake & Baxter]

Rooney you are just beautiful and the perfect size for you!  I bet everyone enjoyed watching Reagan and you swim together:)

[Jennifer and Jack]

I love this!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Cute photos - congrats on being a swimmer Rooney :)

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Rooney, it's great to see you again! Tara is so impressed that you are a swimmer!!! Woo Hoo!  She also said to tell you that to her you look "just right!" :)

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Hey Rooney, there is nothing wrong with being a big Doodle.  I am a big F1StandardGD and my parents love my "largeness".  They say there is more to hug and love.  I am so glad you finally got to give swimming a try.  It is the best ever.  I LOVE to swim.  We live one mile from the ocean and also have the bay on the other side of our peninsula so I get to swim all the time.  I use a tennis ball when I swim and that is when I am at my happiest moment.  My two loves...water and tennis ball!  I know what you mean about not being on here much.  My mom is a grandma and all the grandkids came throughout the summer to visit so she had very little time to get everyone caught up.  Hopefully both your Mom and mine will start posting more.  Keep up the swimming...it is the best ever!   Gracie Doodle

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

Rooney is gorgeous!  

[Rachel and Ollie]

Rooney! You are true to your name! It looks like you had a great summer! Football and swimming, the good life. 

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Adorable story Rooney!! You are nothing but handsome!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Glad you are back Rooney! I loved the blog!

[Lori, Rooney & Zuzu]

Truly, seeing Rooney and Reagan swim together was really special. I honestly am not sure if Rooney would have gotten in the water if Reagan hadn't been there to set the example. He watched for a long time and then finally took the plunge. Once he went in, he swam like a natural. It was sweet and poignant since we really don't know how many summers Reagan has left. He has aged a lot this past year. :( I don't think I shared here that he has lymphoma and already underwent a cycle of chemo that put it into remission, but even at that we expect it may only get us another year with him. 

When I look at that last picture of the two of them, I can't help but think that Reagan is "passing the torch". Sweet old guy.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I really love the picture of the two of them swimming together! Sorry about your Reagan. It is so hard...

Looks like he is an awesome big brother for Rooney!