Can I Please Have My Doodles Back Now? Doodle Rehab is not for me!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Hi, I'm Sherri, and I'm a doodleholic. It's been 5 days since my last doodle kiss.

 

It all started a year ago. I had always enjoyed spending time with dogs as a recreational activity. But then I met a doodle and everything changed. He was so sweet and loveable at first, goofy, fun loving, happy, sloppy, shaggy, and loveable. Did I mention loveable? How could I not get drawn in? His name was Kaz, and I started to spend more and more time with him. His owners warned me about the difficulties, they told me that once I start I won't be able to stop, but it was already too late. I was hooked. A few months later I started looking around for doodles on the internet. It started off innocently enough - a quick Google search here and there. But it was only a matter of a few weeks before it became a constant obsession.

 

I experimented a bit with different breeds. I even visited a Portuguese Water Dog Breeder for a quick fix. But it wasn't the same. That's when I realized there was no going back. That very night I drained my checking account to purchase a doodle puppy and booked a flight to Toronto to pick her up and smuggle her back home to Ottawa in a duffle bag under my seat. (ok, it's not really smuggling if it's allowed but it fits with the story so let's go with it).

 

In the weeks leading up to the pickup date people noticed I had become distant and withdrawn. "I'm busy preparing for my new puppy!!" I would exclaim. They would just shake their heads and look away. I didn't care what they thought. I knew what I was getting into and I couldn't wait.

 

The pickup day arrived and I waited with knots in my stomach, high on anticipation, for the breeder to make the drop. And before I knew it there she was in my arms, tiny, soft, squirmy and full of love. Ahhh--my very first doodle kiss. Well now my addiction was in full swing. I spent every possible moment with my doodle bug. I couldn't stand to be apart from her for more than a few hours before I'd get all jittery and become desperate for another "hit". I started acting all crazy and hysterical, blubbering on about her all the time, making up ridiculous nick names for her, singing made up songs, calling the vet every week for fear there was something wrong. And of course, there in the background fuelling my addiction the whole time, was DoodleKisses.com

 

The last time I tried to leave my doodle I lasted two nights. I wouldn't have lasted five minutes if I had had a choice. I spent two days in boring meetings day dreaming about my doodle, and more than once was caught with a stupid grin on my face as I thought about her goofy antics. It wasn't easy to explain myself but I think I covered it up pretty well. I came racing home at the end of the trip from the airport only to find she wasn't where she was supposed to be. I panicked, I ran around the neighbourhood looking for her, texting my friend (the sitter) frantically with no response. Thoughts of disaster were flooding my panicked head. Then finally, I spotted her. She was playing with a ball in the park with my friend. "She wanted to play" was all she said. I could have killed her for putting in additional 30 minutes between me and my doodle fix. I swore to myself, Never Again! The withdrawal symptoms are just to severe: that empty lost feeling, reaching out for a furry body in the night only to find it's not there, the loss of productivity at my job. Nope, being a doodle addict was far better than being in doodle withdrawal. That's when the addiction went from bad to worse. I went out and got me a second doodle. I came up with a million excuses "he needed to be rescued" or "Sophie needs a play mate". But the truth is, one just wasn't enough. I needed more.

 

So how did I get to be in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with no doodles in site? All I know is I was somehow convinced that this would be good for me. I guess at the time I thought I shouldn't let the doodles come between me and the rest of my life. I've always wanted to come to the East Coast. This training course is a good career opportuntiy. I can't let my doodle addiction hold back my career. And anyway, I needed a break. There, I said it. I needed a break from my doodle responsibilities. Yes, I was convinced that this would be good for me. A healthy break.

 

Here I am on Day 5 of "Death by PowerPoint", otherwise known as "corporate training" in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and I am fantasizing about cutting my trip short. There are no doodles in Halifax and I miss my fur monkeys so much it is ridiculous. I had somehow come up with the genious idea that I could fly back via Toronto on Saturday and see my family and attend a family Christmas gathering on Sunday. That means no doodles until Sunday night. At which time it will be 7 full days since I last hugged a doodle. I just can't stand it. How am I supposed to survive? I need those warm furry bodies to cuddle up with. I need their playful antics. Heck, they can even tear up one of my socks, I really don't care.

 

It was raining in Halifax today, a freezing cold, yucky dark grey drizzly rainy day today. BruceGirl suggested I distract myself with drunken sailors or something like that, but I can't seem to find any. Trust me, I've tried. I've scoured many of the pubs within walking distance to my hotel. No Sailors. No doodles.  It seems to me that Halifax, a quiet coastal town, goes to sleep in the winter and won't wake up until spring. Personally, I think Halifax needs more doodles. Doodles always make it seem like the sun is shining even when it isn't.

Maybe, perhaps, possibly, it was good for me to get away for a short break. But, I can tell you with 100% certainty that this is one addiction I don't plan to shake. I'm as hopeless as can be, a Doodleholic for life!

[Sharon & Monty]

"Death by PowerPoint" is not even funny.  Did you know that people actually die from this?  lol  You are such a young gal, I'm sure it is very hard for you.  It would *maybe equate with folks that have real people children and have to decide about that damn company, lets get ahead or stay home and take care of the kids.  I hear you loud and clear.  Always remember you have Doodles Anonymous, which of course does mean DK!  Hang in there, we are always rooting for the addicts.  :) 

[Bonnie and Kona]

Wonderful post, Sherri. Doodleholics Unite!!! Oh it's call DoodleKisses.com I guess. ;o)

[Rhonda, Marabelle & Jeriki]

Sooooo funny, I am the same way went from "ya dogs are ok I guess, depending on the dog" To a hopeless doodle fanatic. I will never say I am a cat person again, I am 150% Doodle for life. I pick Jericho up in 2 days our second doodle. lol WTD happened.  If it's wrong, I don't wanna be right!!!!!!!

 

Rhonda

[Carol and Banjo]

Great post....loved every word!   Banjo sends you big, wet doodle kisses!     Gosh, what a let down.....no drunken sailors.....sounds like it could be fun!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

This sounds like cruel and unusual punishment to me! All businesses should have a doodle on staff that is available to give employees doodle therapy in situations like this one!  I know its not the same as your own but it might get you through the worst of the withdrawal symptoms! Hope you are back home and snuggling doodles soon!!!!

[Lorraine Bromley]

Just google doodle halifax nova scotia and there are breeders in Altantic Canada that would love to give you a chance at doodle kisses! 

[Mimi Linna, Lilly and Lolly]

I will give Lilly an extra hug for you..

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

WTD....no drunken sailors?  This sounds like a horrible trip, and I do understand "Powerpoint Hell"....it's the worst kind of torture.  You'll be back with your Doodles before you know it, and think of how awesome those first sloppy wet kisses will feel.

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

business travel is always the worst...no doodles...staying a hotel...no doodles....and work.  I can sympathize with you!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Sherri, Great blog!! I know the feeling well. There is no cure. Hurry back to your Doodles!