Just sent my deposit!

[Susan, Coby & Chloe]

So excited.....after much consideration after the loss of our 14 1/2 yr old yellow Lab, Casey, in Sept. we researched Labradoodles, did some investigating and decided on Cactus Flower Labradoodles in Tucson, a 2 hour drive from our home.  Only concern of mine is the pregnancy has not yet been *confirmed* for the litter we're counting on in March.  The timing would be great as our youngest, who is is 21, will be home for 3 months upon graduating college and starting work, so we're counting on company and training for the pup 24/7 assuming its ready for home placement in early June. 

My ultimate goal, aside from having this wonderful companion, is to work with him as a therapy dog.

Any feedback on any of the above is most welcome!

Susan

[DeeDee and Sheila]

Condolences on the loss of your lab, Casey. I lost 2 labs within 5 yrs of each other, the last one in Sept. My heart was well and truly broken as is yours, I'm sure. I am so glad that you have put down on deposit on another dog. It was frightening for me. I wanted another lab, but now our youngest is 24 and I didn't think I could manage training such a robust breed from a puppy again. In fact my last lab, Sandy, was a rescued puppy mill dog whom I loved adored, brought back from the brink of death and she became more and more aggressive w/ people (didn['t want anyone near me). We had five wonderful years together until the aggression started to be in the unacceptable range even after working w/ therapist and I had to put her down. I will NEVER get over that. My other lab, Sunny, was the happy go lucky, helped me raise my children including one deaf child, just everyone's favorite. Sandy too was a specatular lab, unfortunately abusive behavior must have been imprinted at an early age and could not be trained out. So I too spent hours researching dogs and how I could get some lab characteristics, but size down a little since my left arm is shot. My orthopededic surgeon said, no more pulling on that arm--after both shoulder and elbow surgery. So I too, put a deposit down on a mini multi gen Australian Labradoodle, who after many long months of waiting I get to pick up in two weeks. Her name is Sheila and I love her already. I live in Illinois and picked a breeder in Maine-she specializes in mini and med labradoodles. I, too, want to use Sheila in therapy work. The wait is long I know and hard. But slot of the reputable breeders do have lists before the dogs are conceived. This was the case with me. So you will have to wring your hands just like I did. But this site will help keep you pumped up. You can become as involved as you want to be. I read articles, and learned so much. I think you will learn to love DK. And these owners LOVE their doodles, that is for sure. So welcome to the waiting room haha.

[Susan, Coby & Chloe]

Hi, and many thanks for your warm note, Sheila.
I can imagine how your heavy your heart was. Glad you, too, made the doodle decision!
Right after Casey passed, we had our middle son's wedding on the east coast, Parents Wknd for our youngest on the west coast two weeks after that, then oldest son's wedding here in AZ two weeks after that! So we had much to occupy us before I felt what I think was a depression - until I finally truly did link it to empty nest, more so on account of Casey than anything else. I did give myself time to heal before investigating the doodle rescue option. Even called about an adult doodle advertised in the local paper - but the breeder told me it was because the dog had a litter and it was a "disaster" without revealing the specifics other than "you don't want to know" (well, yeah,,,if I'm considering getting the dog, I *do* want to know!) and that she'd tried placing her with another family but the dog didn't "bond" with the husband. Considering I have a husband and three grown sons did NOT sound like our home would be the right placement.
From what I've read, if a dog experiences some trauma in puppyhood, around 10-12 wks, that imprint can last its lifetime. I have a dear friend in NJ who got a rescue dog after her wonderful German Shepard passed, and poor Lady was so hyper/nervous Lynn had to finagle a rx for Prozac ostensibly for herself to give to Lady! No, I don't want to go that route, thank you very much. Too much effort, too heartbreaking.
I go by gut instincts and my instincts are telling me the breeder we located in Tucson will be the right choice for us. There's another one not too far away as well so I'm keeping that as Plan B. I so want to have a loving companion back in our home.
I do see how much Doodles are loved. How great for you that yours will be coming home in two weeks! I'm anxious to hear all the details, mama-to-be!

Thank you again,
Susan