Hey friends!  I have continued to be so busy and barely have time to come online anymore.  I don't know how moms stay at home...it's the hardest job on earth!  I respect my own mother so much more now that I have a human child.

Last Monday…

Mr. Gibbs is a goldendoodle service dog who carries little Alida's heavy oxygen tanks in a special harness.  Alida needs oxygen to breath and Mr. Gibbs follows her everywhere carrying her tanks.  I am so proud of this brave little girl and her doodle hero companion...…

By Donna Parkman (me)

A parody of the poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” by Clement C. Moore

The Spirit of Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas and all we could see

Was the wreck of the presents unwrapped ‘neath the tree.

The stockings which hung from the chimney with care

Were missing, the mantel now empty and bare.

The tree, how it twinkled, was down on its side.

The star, not so merry, was cracked open wide.

The…

When I graduated from college and moved to my very first apartment in Boston, I decided that I should represent my foray into adulthood by sending sophisticated Christmas cards (homemade resplendent with stickers) to all my family and friends announcing that I was out on my own.  Five years later, I am still on that kick.  If you are a member of my immediate family, newly acquired immediate family, or one of a select group of friends, you know that I mail cards for almost every holiday -…

The last time I was online was about two months ago; my Mom (who was 91) had been in and out of the hospital and I was going over to see her (six hours each way). Unfortunately, she continued to have serious health issues and passed away at the end of October. The end came so quickly, which was good for her, that I was unable to make it back over when she passed. My Cousin was with her and we were talking on the phone when Mom closed her eyes and slipped away.

Rusty had a checkup two…

The Holiday Pet Portrait proofs are in!

I was such a proud “doodle mom”, the boys actually listened to my commands (in public), which made me truly look like the “alpha doodle!”

I am crazy about the photos, and this year I really want one of them on the front of our family Holiday Card, but…

Yesterday Bella was spayed.  Thank goodness for our vet, Dr. Gross!  As usual he made this procedure much less stressful because he picked up our Bella girl at our home around 9:00 a.m. and took her to his office to do the operation.  Around 11:30, I received a text message saying "Bella is out of surgery, still sleepy, but out of surgery".  Obviously, this was a relief for me to know my baby had done well "under the knife".  He texted me again to let me know what time he would bring Bella…

Lily Grace had an evaluation yesterday for day camp.  I thought that this would be a opportunity for her to play her same species. She thinks I am a dog and she was very frustrated over the holiday when her cousins would not play with her.  

Her trainer runs the day camp and separates the dogs by the way they play so she wanted to see Lily around other dogs.  I was warned to wear old clothes and to expect Lily to get dirty.  I had no idea what dirty actually was.  When we…

I posted that we were getting a puppy for Lilly and we were going with a labradoodle this time, well plan b- we are going to stick with a goldendoodle and have one of the litter that Lilly's mom and dad are going to have. We are second for a girl. We talked with Lilly's trainer and she suggested a second golden based on Lilly's personality. Personally, I think she suggested that because of me and my personality:)  Deposit check is sent it and the waiting as begun. I bought a collar and leash…

I don't own a fancy car.  I'm rocking a Toyota Corolla, although it is a sleek jet black.  You have all seen the lovely doodle sticker that I display on the back, so people basically can figure out what I'm all about when I motor past.…

Libby has grown up!  Let me first say as a family we love the Holidays and decorate for both Christmas and Hanukkah. We put up three trees, two Menorahs and all the decorations to go with them.  Many people find it hard to believe these two Religious Holidays can come together in one family, but we have been married for forty years, have five children, six granddaughters and we all look forward to each and every memory these holidys bring to us.

Now to get to my point about the…

My mom was visiting for Thanksgiving.  She arrived on the Monday before Turkey Day.  I picked her up from the airport in my van and she hadn’t been in the car five minutes when she announced my van smelled like dog.  She didn’t say it in a nice way either like, “the smell is lovely inside your van.”  Nope, she screwed up her nose and went on to add, I guess for emphasis, that it smelled badly like pigs and she felt like she needed to take a bath. …

We recently celebrated Cooper's 3rd Birthday!   He loved his gift.  He played with it for about 10 minutes, then carried it up to the couch and snuggled up for a nap.  He carries it around everywhere now.  That is the test of a great toy for him!  …

Thanksgiving in Tennessee was an absolute ball.  Milton, of course, had the most fun out of the three of us.  Our doodle loves to socialize with anyone who will give him a little pat on the head or a good belly rub.  Everyday Milton made the rounds of the multitudes at our celebration:  adults (15), other dogs (8!), and especially little children (7) who are just on eye level with him.  The Milt gave out quite a few licks to kids, inducing some tears, but, on the whole, he received a warm…

I have been MIA on doodle kisses for months. We made the move from Florida to Arizona and have settled into our cottage in Nebraska. It has been a hectic year. We will be in Nebraska full time for the next two years and then do the 6 months each place until we get to old to drive it. As many of you know, I have COPD and could not do the Florida coast- too humid, but I do miss the ocean.

So here is the new news- Lilly is getting a puppy!! I don't know how many dogs get a puppy for…

Let's see, we've had Oscar home now for 2-1/2 weeks. That first week was a killer with Oscar not having a clue where he was suppose to go potty. Lots of indoor accidents, lots of trips outside that yielded no results. Lots of frustration and exhaustion (on my part!). The 2nd week got easier as Oscar finally put it together where he should be if he had to go pee (near the back patio door), and since that's clicked he's been very consistent on signally us (he drinks a lot of water, therefore…

We were feeling sorry for Kaylee, a Maltese mix rescue...

her front legs are short and stubby and her feet turn outward.  She seems to always have whites showing around her eyes and her ears are long and droopy. She also runs with a funny gate. Additionally, she is heavier boned than Maltese should be...

That is we "were" feeling sorry for this…

This Thanksgiving is a rather unusual one for us.  Rather than celebrating today, like most families, we are embarking on an 11-hour road trip to celebrate tomorrow in Tennessee with Jeff's brother's family.  I am not one for change in routine, but sometimes it is just necessary, and the end result is equally as good.  We are looking forward to the festivities, and I still plan to eat a turkey sandwich for lunch to keep in the spirit of the holiday! 



Yesterday, the Milt…

I haven't been on DK much lately....I returned to work from my maternity leave about a month ago and I'm still working on the crazy balancing act.  lol I don't think I will ever master that!  

I hope all of you are doing well and wanted to wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving! 

(The photos below are from our failed attempt at a Christmas card lol.)    

Happy Thanksgiving from Seamus and Stella...and their favorite baby…

Leo chills nearby…



As Harley and I collaborate this “Thanksgiving Eve” blog post together…



We both decided there is much for us to be grateful and thankful about this year. On the 25th of this month – Lil…