3 Days of Uncontrolled Chaos...The Doods Are Exhausted!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

We're just back from spending three days at the beach with the kids and six grandkids.  We broke all records for chaos.  What amazes me is how well my Doods handled the whole thing....way better than their Mom.  The house is right on the water and the other beach houses are very close together.  Everyone has kids and multiple dogs and cats....and they roam free.  There are no "leash rules" at the beach...actually there are no rules whatsoever at the beach.  There's a little beach store right across from our cottage with an unlimited supply of candy and ice cream.  This little store was the highlight of the weekend for the kids....and the owners are "nice enough" to allow the kids (even the four year olds) to "charge" their purchases, knowing the parents (or grandparents) would pay up before leaving.  So, picture it...six kids with candy hands and faces and half eaten assorted types of candy EVERYWHERE....in reach of the Doods you ask, well of course it was.  The kids all know NO CHOCOLATE allowed, and they respect that.  I'm guessing Guinness and Murph have developed a bit of a sweet tooth.  Murph isn't too fond of those "sour patch" things though...I actually saw him spit one of them out.  Actually, I think he "swore off" the candy after that experience.  Before they got there on Friday, we spent a lot of time with the Doods teaching them that they had to sit and wait at the door....every time.  They did "get it" right away because they do this at home, and every time one of the "munchkins" went in or out the door (at least 20 times an hour....I'm not kidding), the boys just sat there.  They never tried to "escape" even when the one year old was holding the door wide open because he has to "back" down the stairs. 

Last night was "fireworks night" at the beach.  They set up a huge bonfire outside of our cottage, and just about the time we got the little ones to sleep, the fireworks began.  I figured there would be a big time reaction from Guinness and Murph....nope they were way to tired.  Guinness never even lifted his head from his place on the "pleather sofa" and Murph did stir, but only for a second.  I was worried that I forgot Murph's Thundershirt....no problem, exhaustion is even better.

The four year olds really love Guinness.  At one point I could hear my DGS saying "heel Guinness"....when I went to investigate I found him with the slip lead on Guinness heeling him around the cottage.  I asked what he was doing and he said "taking him for a walk like you do".  There was Guinness heeling away just like a little soldier.  Very cute.

They guys didn't eat much which was getting me worried.  I commented about it when my DSIL said "well they may not be very hungry right now because they've been eating all the food the kids drop when they're eating at the picnic table on the porch".  Okay, mystery solved.  I guess hot dogs, burgers, and pizza count as home cooking right?

So, we all survived and I was so proud of the Irish Brothers.  I worry a lot about Murph in this kind of chaos where I can't watch him every minute....he's a bit of a "nervous guy".  But, he was really great.  He never lost his patience, and he never got overexcited.  He would sit in our porch screen door and watch all the other dogs running loose on the beach, and he never even reacted.  He had so many opportunities to "bolt" through that door, and he never did.  After the first few hours there, the barking became almost "nonexistent"....there was just way too much to bark at.  There was absolutely no use.  It was a really fun weekend, and great exposure for my guys who live the "simple life".  But, I'm totally exhausted!  I'll be in bed with the Doodles very early tonight.....and there will be no fireworks or crying babies.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Sounds like fun! I can just picture the sour candy that will teach them!

[Suzanne & Jack]

What a great memory you'll have of the weekend.  I bet the Irish brothers were exhausted but very happy.

[Patty, Roxy & Spencer]

Woaw!  You were busy.  We had similar times, but ours didn't come all at once.  We enjoyed a mini vacation at a beach house right on the beach last week with just the two of us humans and the two Doods.  The houses where we were are also really close and the pups could watch all the goings on on the beach from the big bay window.  We did have to contend with some barking, but by and large it went pretty well.  When we returned we had a visit from our two grandbaby boys.  One is almost three and the other 9 mos.  The Doods did really well.  Roxy is such a natural with children, but we have to watch Spencer.  He thinks they are puppies too.  He woofed our older grandchild and scared him into crying.  The pups are bigger than him and he got really startled.  Luckily, no sharing of food or candy.  I hid the chocolate chip cookies I had made so I didn't have to worry about anyone dropping chips on the floor.  All in all, it was a good exposure to pups and grandkids.  You never know how the dogs are going to react and when it goes well you are so proud of them!

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

That sounds like a whole lot of fun with two seriously cool Irish Doods which are of course testament to all your training/obedience work.  I hope you took lots of pictures, I'm really looking forward to seeing those.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Sounds totally fun and totally exhausting.  All your work with the Irish brothers is paying off.  Congratulations, and I am just the tiniest bit jealous.

[Tina, Clover, Plus 5 More]

Sounds like a wonderful family weekend.  Can't wait to see photos.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Oh my Jane, and I was grateful for a quiet evening at home after having my one 2 year old grandson with me for 4 days!!! You deserve a week of quiet after all that. So glad the boys did so well. That sure makes us mama's proud doesnt it? Not to mention how much more hectic it could have been if they were running in and out, knocking down little grandbabies, barking at all the activities. But we all know how much you work with Guinness & Murphy, so it's fair to say I wouldn't expect anything less than 2 very well behaved doodles!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I really hoping there will be photos to follow. I would give anything to have seen Murphy spitting out the sour candy, or Guinness being heeled around the cottage by a a four-year-old. I'm especially proud of Murph in light of the fact that he wasn't feeling so well and still dealt beautifully with all the chaos. What a difference from last year, huh?

[Dori & Rua]

Oh my!  What a wonderful memory to store away.  Thank you so much for sharing your family times with us.

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Sounds like you all had a great time!  I can see why you're exhausted!!