I entered Toby in the doodles calendar contest. While of course as his mom I think he is super handsome, I had to convince others of his good looks and charm that would go beyond the camera. Well, after about fifty shots with my trusty Nikon, I was able to get a shot that landed in the calendar. He is one of the many gorgeous dogs that where featured in the 2015 Doodles cakendar. I can well imagine it must have been hard to decide - beautiful dogs - beautiful photos. Guess what some loved ones…
Continue
Added by Toby on December 15, 2014 at 5:00pm —
6 Comments
Today, thanks to the suggestion of our doodle friends, Lori and Quincy, Toby and I went to our first doodle romp. It was held indoors and allowed for all the doodles to run around off leash. It was so cute to watch them interact with each other and with other humans besides their human families. Toby and I met Lori and her doodle Quincy for the first time (and Quincy's human dad too), all whom were very nice. Coincidentally there was another Toby there that looked just like my Toby but a light…
Continue
Added by Toby on May 3, 2014 at 12:25pm —
5 Comments
Hubby patched up opening in fence keeping Toby exactly where he belongs - at home. I have gone to the area formerly known as "Toby's personal gateway" and have seen paw prints. Ha! No more escape and no more worries for mom on that front. Of course we have had so much snow that he will soon just have to step over the fence..... Lol.
Added by Toby on February 6, 2014 at 12:05pm —
6 Comments
Saturday I let Toby out as I usually do in the backyard. He barks, I come to the side door, he comes in, I try and wipe his paws, he tries to eat the towel - usual stuff. This time, however, he barks, I come to the door but I don't see him. I look to the side, I still don't see him. Hmmm. I then look out and realize he is barking from the other side of the fence - he is outside of the fence! Holy moly- how did that happen! Of course there is snow on the ground and I am sporting sneakers and…
Continue
Added by Toby on January 27, 2014 at 7:17am —
14 Comments
Last night Toby came in from his final evening romp dirty- I mean, multiple doggie wipes could not get him clean enough- twigs, little leaves, tiny branches. Hmmm. What to do? Yes- put on the bathing suit ( me, not the dog) and get him bathed. I am getting better and more proficient with the bathing . Shampoo, conditioner, three towels and one bath cap ( for me again)- we are done. Night night Toby. This morning in the clarity of day light I see WHY he was so filthy. Right in the middle of the…
Continue
Added by Toby on January 15, 2014 at 9:34am —
10 Comments
I have lovingly dubbed Toby my "bad boyfriend"- you know the one- everyone tells you don't fall in love, he's trouble, he's a mess..... But you still go there. We will soon be coming upon our six month anniversary of having Toby who soon will be eight months. In that short time we have battled through crate training, potty training, teething, wet dog, muddy paws, throw up, hole digging, flower eating, jumping on guests, I phones in the mouth, nipping, the groomer, the vet, the Christmas tree…
Continue
Added by Toby on January 13, 2014 at 8:13am —
12 Comments
Yes, we went back to the groomer ( groomer number two as groomer number one could not handle the likes of Toby).. I went to pick him up and was greeted by "well..... ' ( nothing really good comes after that ). I warned them, really I did but he kind of nipped one if the groomers, no broken skin but she was sent home. I felt so terrible. And of course they start talking about puppy classes, but we already did that.... Should I have done for "extra strength puppy class" ??? He is so loving and I…
Continue
Added by Toby on January 6, 2014 at 3:23pm —
3 Comments
Happy New Year to all my doodle friends! May you all have a terrific 2014!!! Thank you for all your kind words and good advise this past year.
Added by Toby on December 31, 2013 at 9:11am —
3 Comments
Toby was neutered on Monday. I felt really bad for him but I know it is the right thing to do as I don't intend to breed him. Procedure went well and vet even said that dogs don't even have to wear the cone of shame as they don't really bother the incision . Well.... I went to pick him up and he looked like a satellite TV dish . Of course my dog ( "this is the worst dog ") would need one. And they even said two weeks! Two !! He already ate through the first cone after day one so had to take him…
Continue
Added by Toby on December 18, 2013 at 4:32am —
7 Comments
After much reflection and agonizing whether to do a tree this year or not with my now six month old Labradoodle Toby in residence , we opted to do a tree - just an artificial one and not a real one . The temptation will be great as it is without adding the whole real deal factor. I know how he loves to chew on the tree branches outside and attack my pink flowers. So for the first time in 20 years we went with artificial - with built in lights - whole lot easier . I only caught him in the tree…
Continue
Added by Toby on December 10, 2013 at 6:59am —
6 Comments
That is the question . Toby will be around 6 1/2 months when the Christmas rolls around. We usually get a real tree which we put in our living room. I can't imagine a greater distraction to a puppy then a real tree, with lights and… Christmas balls! I am not even going to mention boxes and gifts. I can't imagine not having a Christmas tree. Should I just take a chance with the world's worst dog ever? Should I just be on constant Christmas ball patrol? Ideas anyone? Sincerely, the Grinch.
Added by Toby on November 16, 2013 at 9:12am —
10 Comments
While my adventure of bathing Toby in a bathing suit worked to keep him clean in between official groomings, I decided to give the pros another shot . On the advise of a lot of you, I decided to take the "worst dog ever " to a different groomer. I actually went to one of the large pet stores and am glad to say I was really impressed . I did forewarn the assigned groomer that apparently I have the worst dog and I was less than thrilled with his last experience . I gave her ample warning and gave…
Continue
Added by Toby on November 13, 2013 at 5:47am —
11 Comments
I saw Toby the other day chewing away on something . Could not make it out so I closed in for an inspection. I pried open his jaws ( which he lets me do without chewing off my hand). I end up finding a two inch WIRE!!! Don't even want to think if what could have happened and grateful that mother' instinct transcends to canines. It was stuck between his teeth which explains the incessant gum chewing behavior. Could not figure out where it came from so deduced it was some long ago Xmas tree…
Continue
Added by Toby on November 3, 2013 at 8:09am —
10 Comments
I decided that I would bathe Toby in between official groomings to cut down on the actual visit ( this is the worst dog), the cost ( grooming price equivalent of hi lights), and let's face it, just the smell. Toby loves roaming outside ( free spirited bohemian puppy we like to call him) and after several days of jaunting around, he smells like earth. Figured I would conquer the furry beast in the downstairs shower ( in full swim wear ) which means I have to go in with him . It's a bit easier…
Continue
Added by Toby on October 30, 2013 at 5:49pm —
11 Comments
Toby and I went to our first puppy class on Monday night. Of course, he is the biggest puppy there. There is a beautiful black shepherd who looks to be as big but Toby has the advantage of big hair so he looks even bigger. Lots of basic stuff covered but that's ok. We have seven more weeks (ouch). Should be worth it. At one point he did slip out if my hand and ran in his bouncy prance style to a nearby havenese puppy, the size of a child's hand. Toby just wanted to say hi but could totally…
Continue
Added by Toby on October 24, 2013 at 4:26am —
3 Comments
Six baby teeth/fangs lost. It's raining puppy teeth here. It's incredible how they lose teeth just like human babies. Even partially toothless, he is still my handsome boy. :)
Added by Toby on October 23, 2013 at 2:57pm —
2 Comments
Poor Toby must firmly believe that contraption called a car is only capable of taking him to not so pleasant places like the vet and groomer . Well, today I decided to just take him to pick up his favorite boy, Tommy, from an after school club. Tommy was delighted with the surprise of his FAVORITE canine coming to get him as well. Of course Toby loved being around other kids. Both my boys were happy. Kids and dogs go so well together . Just so cute to watch.
Added by Toby on October 18, 2013 at 3:45pm —
5 Comments
So what I heard was right ... That you will actually find your puppy's baby teeth ( or should I say fangs) just laying around. I found one little one on the floor ( thoughts of a baby shark came to mind). Does that mean I have to put money under his pillow ?? ( gosh I remember those days and when you had no singles handy, you were giving out twenties for a bicuspid... We digress) . Ok maybe money not necessary . Just a treat and lots of kisses.
Added by Toby on October 14, 2013 at 9:30am —
9 Comments
So I took Toby to the groomer for the first time. Waited until all shots done so I am at the four month mark. They tell me it will take two to three hours ( I guess equivalent of full highlights for us ladies) . Three hours later no call, so I call them . Toby still not ready. Another hour. Two hours later ( five hours now total- that's the equivalent of full spa day for us ladies), they finally call me. Groomer tells me he was a "tough one" and it took three people to hold him down ( now…
Continue
Added by Toby on October 12, 2013 at 5:28am —
21 Comments
Took Toby to vet on Friday. Always adventure as he does not really like car ride. We were sitting him in back seat with my son on past occasions but poor Tommy gets all eaten and licked . This time we put him on the back part if the SUV. Let's see.... He whimpered , cried , barked , tried to climb over back seat, licked the back windows , took some quick locks of my son's face in the backseat . In other words, a ten minute drive felt like two hours . And this Friday I am planning to take him to…
Continue
Added by Toby on October 6, 2013 at 8:31am —
2 Comments