The Hopeless Doodle Addict Trophy has arrived...

[Bonnie and Kona]

The HDA Trophy has arrived in Hawaii!

 

We hit HDA status a long time ago. The trophy was originally supposed to come to us a year ago August. Sadly, I declined the honor because my mother was in the hospital and I was in Wisconsin for her aftercare. So it came as a huge surprise when Pat contacted me about the award one year later.

 

Pat and Traveler generously prepared a wonderful gift pack for me, Kona, my Goldendoodle and Owen, my granddoodle. What an exciting time! The box arrived when my house was full of family visiting us after our recent move from California to Hawaii. I decided I would not open the box until I could devote time to documenting its arrival. On the day she was leaving, my 6 year-old granddaughter asked me if I was going to open my big box when they left. I assured her that I was. She said, “I thought so. You sure were excited when it came!” Her parents are not dog people (how is that possible???) and I decided explaining it would be too awkward and become “all about mom”.

 

Here are Kona and Owen (who also lives with us) posing with the loot.

 

I carefully unpacked each of the gifts, salmon dog treats, Uncle Larry’s Lamb Liver treats, a stuffie and rubber Frisbee for the doodles. There was albacore tuna, marion berry hazelnuts and amazing chocolate truffles for me. Yippee! Then I found a real treasure: a small leather notebook in which each previous HDA recipient wrote a note to the following one. It is such a legacy of doodle love and the friendships that have grown on this wonderful website! The last box I opened was ornately decorated. I lifted the cover and inside was a Styrofoam carved enclosure securing the legendary Doodlekisses Hopeless Doodle Addict Trophy. I carefully lifted the foam protection and found inside a broken trophy. Oh the wailing and gnashing of teeth could be heard across the ocean!

Doodles licking the trophy as I hold it carefully in two pieces. Note: DH planted banana and papaya plants when we moved in 3 months ago... They are thriving! 

 

I emailed Adina. I emailed Pat. I waited anxiously to find out what to do! At Adina’s suggestion I carefully inspected to see if the trophy could be repaired. I am crafty and a fixer, but to me there was no hope. I offered to send it back to Adina and awaited her reply. Eventually I saw a post Adina authored on DK asking members what should be done about the broken trophy. Of course, as with every discussion, there were some really great ideas. Eventually, Adina announced that she and Clarke will be having a medal engraved to commemorate HDA status in the future. A medal seems a really good choice, little chance of breaking in transit and fully as honoring as a trophy. I look forward to sending it on to the next Hopeless Doodle Addict for the fun to begin again.

 

Doodlekisses is a source of really helpful information about doodles, dog food, training, grooming, health and much more. It has become a place where I have made many virtual friends. I truly care about the other members and their doodles and I feel well-cared for here. I tear up reading about a sick doodle. I laugh at blog posts about their hilarious antics. I share the stories with my family.

My doodles are much better cared for because of this website. I now groom my own dogs, I feed them quality food, I find out when it is appropriate to go to the vet or wait until the next day. I’m addicted to looking at photos of doodles in the Photography Group even though I don’t even own a camera other than the one in my phone. I check out books to read in the reading group. I’ve even learned much about IBS to better understand this kind of disease in my DDIL. Yup. I am addicted and I expect I will stay that way indefinitely.

This is what the doodles and I love to do best. I throw a floating toy for Kona and Owen swims with my DD.

 

Until the medal arrives for me to send along, I remain your current HDA.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

What a heart warming, Doodle Loving, put a huge smile on my face, tribute to DK! You certainly deserve the HONOR of being the KEEPER of the coveted Trophy. Congrats and please give those 2 adorable Doodles a hug from Enzo and I.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Thank you, Rosemary. Hugging my boys now. Give Enzo a big squeeze from me, too!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Congratulations on a well earned honor. Great pictures. Kona's tail looks just fine. Oh how beautiful it looks there. I love the banana and papaya tres : ) You look terrific too. I hope everyone is thriving. And what a bounty Pat sent. We wish you would join us as more than a spectator in the PG.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Thank you, F, but those photos were taken on my iPhone. I don't even own a real camera. I was thinking I wish I could make Kona's eyes show in the beach photo. He has such gorgeous brown eyes. I've seen it done in the PG. My DD is still suffering migraines several days a week but the intensity and duration of them is less than in CA. I haven't had one since moving here and I for 13 years I got them 2-5 days a week. Grateful for every improvement. 

[Bonnie and Kona]

Thank you for noticing Kona's tail, F. Honestly, when it first happened, we all missed his beautiful flag. Now we are in love with his little stumpy expression of joy! He holds it straight up and it just quivers with excitement or wags wilding for joy. I think it is much shorter than Luca's. I keep it clipped short to go with the rest of his haircut here in Hawaii. I trim them much shorter here than I did in California. There is less panting that way. 

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Congratulations! What a nice blog and photos-my gosh I would love to swim in that water with my dood!  

[Bonnie and Kona]

Thanks, Lori! The boys swim every minute we are at the beach. They never lie down! If you are swimming you have to try to stay clear of their paws or get scratched. It's the best. You are welcome to visit me anytime! Sorry Quincy can't come due to Hawaii's complicated regulations.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

I have doodlebumps. What a wonderful tribute you wrote to all and especially this wonderful site. I wholeheartedly agree with each and every word.

Congratulations Bonnie!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Thank you, Lisa. Hugs to you and dear Daisy. I miss seeing you post more often. (I know ... you have that job. darn it.)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Congratulations and welcome to the HDA Club! The pictures are wonderful, you truly live in Paradise! 

[Bonnie and Kona]

Thank you, Karen. We are grateful to be here.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Congratulations Bonnie and you are so deserving of this honor!  I loved your pictures, although I have to say they made me a tad bit jealous!  Sounds like Hawaii agrees with all of you. Your pictures are wonderful!  A beautiful tribute to this site and all involved in Doodle Kisses!