Am I mad?

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

The answer is yes according to one of my good DK friends.  As some of you know I went through quite a traumatic couple of weeks when I attempted to adopt a Goldendoodle who was up for re-homing.  It didn't work out because the family were quite frankly nuts.   During a two week period I became close to the original breeder of that dog who was and still is very upset about the whole thing.  The breeder tried to get the family to return the dog to her and she even offered to pay me back if I paid the owners (money was a big factor).   At the end of the whole episode we failed in our attempts to rescue this dog but he is now in a new home although she has lost contact with him and that is very distressing for her.   The breeder has now changed her contracts to include a clause that states that she has to be notified of any possible re-homing and has to have the option to take back the dog and re-home it herself.  She has also included a clause that allows her to visit new homes.  

I realised at the end of all of this that if I was to get a second dog that I needed to start all over again with a puppy and that any mistakes in training and socializing would be mine.  I told the breeder to put me on a list as I have now met three of her puppies and they are all gorgeous, healthy and well adjusted dogs, now between two and four years old.   Fast forward to two days ago when she called me to tell me she had a litter expected in two weeks time and so we are now expecting our first Goldendoodle Standard puppy. This puppy will only be a five hour drive away so we will go to choose at six weeks.  Puppies are born and raised in the house and the breeder knows what I require. I told her I am useless with Alpha dogs (too soft) and she said she would let me choose and then if she thinks I have made the wrong choice she will tell me.  That sounds like a plan.  So I am nervous and excited at the same time.  Wish me luck.  I'm now trying to work out where the second crate is going to go in my very small home and how to feed two dogs at the same time and all sorts of questions about how this is going to work out.  Needless to say I will be driving you all crazy for a while like I did with Riley ;)

[BG and Gavin]

Wonderful news!  Congrats Nicky and you too Riley!  Are you hoping for a brother or sister?  Names, oh names!  This is all so exciting!!

[Suzanne & Jack]

So excited and jealous.  We've been a 3 dog family for close to 20 years.  They work themselves out just like children.  Ours all eat out of separate dishes and sometimes separate foods.  Each one has his own personality and idiosyncrisies (?).  The only challenge that we have is when I take one someplace without the others.  Jack and Moose cry and howl like it is the end of the world.  They are about the same age and have grown up together.  When I take Ivan, the last to join our pack, they couldn't care less.  Good Luck and post lots of pics. 

[GBK]

Congratulations!  You won't regret it, and I can't wait for all the pictures, stories and questions Nicky :P

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Nicky,

I have been off DK for soo long due to working my rear-end off with school starting!  I read this and HAD to respond!  I am so happy for you.  You are an awesome doodle mom and that puppy is very lucky indeed.  You will get the (second) doodle you are meant to have!  This is so exciting!  And don't worry...everything will work out.

[Sue & Lily Grace]

Nicky, I am so very happy for you. I think I could have been considered crazy during different periods of my life, although I can't think of anything that would have given me more pleasure than to get one more doodle. I am jealous but really excited to see pictures and puppy reports.

[Stella]

Oh, how exciting!!  And, without the crazy travelling that you did when you got Riley!!  Be sure to post pictures when you have chosen your puppy!!

[Katie and Sophie]

Congratulations!  How exciting!  I can't wait to see pictures!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

How did I not see this before? Congratulations, Nicky, I don't think you're mad at all! (Or crazy, either, lol.)

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Nicky, I'm so happy for you! It sounds like you found your direction and your new puppy!! I'm having thoughts of adding another too, looking forward to your posts!!

[Lori, Rooney & Zuzu]

Wow, super exciting!!  I keep thinking that maybe someday we will be wanting to add a second doodle and so I am always watching these new additions with great interest!