Pleasant Surprises!

[Susan, Zeke. Lily & Jasper]

Because of Lily's unknown background and her feisty temperament I had not considered continuing past Canine Good Citizen to Therapy work as I am with our other doodle Zeke. But...Lily has totally surprised me with our 4 visiting grandchildren. Their ages are 8,7,4 & 1. Lily plays pretty wild with the 2 boys who live nearby but is soooo different with this new bunch. She seems to sense that they are not as comfortable as the others and has played very calmly with and around the visiting 4. I have also observed her circling the baby as if to protect her and also wants to lay near wherever the baby is playing. This is a whole new aspect of Lily's personality that has just been revealed and I am so delighted to see. I will definately be reconsidering Lily's ability to be a Therapy Dog.

[Susan, Zeke. Lily & Jasper]

More Pleasant Surprises!

Lily has been with us for a little over a year now and I had though she was settled in and very secure with us after about 1 month. Well, about 2 weeks after Christmas both dog were groomed, Lily was a mess and had to be sheared and Zeke was burned on the back of his neck from too hot clippers, so both dogs were traumatized by the experience. After arriving home that evening, Lily was very clingy and wanted to cuddle, which is unusual for her, Zeke is my cuddler. I at first thought she was cold from losing all her hair and still scared from what she had endured at the groomer, but this cuddling business has continued and has even become something she promotes herself. Zeke has always slept on our bed sometime during the night but Lily before this incident had taken her place on her dog bed beside ours. Now she hops right up when we lie down and doesn't move til time to get up. She is also seeking me out when I'm on the computer,busy with chores or just watching TV to just give a few kisses or lay her head on my lap a few minutes. I'm not sure if this is just a reaction to the comfort offered during her trying time or if it's another step in her trust in us growing stronger. Before she always deferred to Zeke in getting petted or played with like she was just happy with leftovers but now she seems more confident in seeking the things she needs and wants. Anyway, I hope this is a positive thing that came out of an aweful incident.

[Leslie and Halas]

I think it's comfort and trust. She may have been cold and wanted to cuddle, but then she thought, "Hey, this cuddling thing is pretty cool!" She probably knew that she could trust you, but this just reinforced the fact for her. My parents adopted a dog a long time ago, and it took her a long time to really warm up. In her past, she had been fed but mostly ignored (at best) or abused (at worst). It just took her awhile to realize that some people are good and wanted to be nice to her and cuddle and play.

[Linda]

Oh, that is SO sweet! I'm not sure I can wait until my husband retires to get a rescue Doodle!!!!