Choodle with the Children & Thanksgiving Reflections

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I have missed DK so much!  We have had a whirlwind of activity at our house the past few days and had a family of 5 stay at our house.  We have been friends with them forever (the mom's mom is my godmother) and we do Thanksgiving together every year - have since I was 5 :) 

Tuesday began our jaunt with a 7 year old, 4 year old and 9 month old staying with us!  Wow!  Keep in mind we hung out most of the days at my parents, so I didn't have cabin fever the whole week!  When Peri first laid eyes on the kids, she could not keep her paws off!  I quickly taught the girls how to say no and turn around when they didn't want her to mess with them.  I also taught the oldest how to walk her on a leash and do tricks with her. Within no time at all, Peri had a new best friend. She was going around the house and outside, sitting, lying down, high-fiving, etc...it was so cute to see. I should have video taped, but my mom's flip was out of memory :(

As for the baby, ah, the baby!  Every time he would be on the floor, Peri would cut her eyes at me and rush toward him, give him a quick lick all over the face and run off.  She knows "Leave It" and would be walking by, I would say "Leave It" and she would pass him without licking. But the second we turned our backs, she was all over him - it was hilarious!  The little baby loved her to death!  I guess I don't need to emphasize that these doodles can be fabulous with children :)

On to chihuahua Tacky....I am proud of my little guy. He let the girls carry him around everywhere.  If he was tired of them, he would simply run away and hide.  One time he did growl at the 4 year old - she came out of nowhere and scared him - got into his personal space.  But overall, I think it went really well. 

 

In closing, I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgivings as much as I did.  We had 5 days of no work (well, DH worked a little still!), hiking outside in the beautiful 60 degree weather, loving time with my dogs, wine with age-long friends, and the best food ever.  Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday by far.  I cried last night when my godmother left last night. She has been fighting triple negative (non-curable) breast cancer for the past 7 years. She's such a fighter and I pray she lives through it, but how long can one do chemo?  I always think this Thanksgiving could be our last with her and I thank the good Lord so much for the time we spend together.  I hope your Thanksgivings also reminded you of what you do have to be thankful for in life.  When it comes down to it, material goods and wealth can come and go; it's your friends and family that make your life worth living.

 

Thanks for reading this DK friends :)

 

[Leslie and Halas]

Great post. It sounds like Choodle had a good time. And I hope your godmother keeps fighting.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Loved your post, Alysson. I'm glad the chaos suited the dogs and kids alike.
I hope your godmother continues to live with dignity and grace through this battle. Cancer is a mean thing.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Allyson-I enjoyed your post-you said it well.

Sounds like a great time-I do hope your godmother keeps fighting it's so sad. She must know the love you have for her.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Thanks everyone....the kids were great actually....I am no more averse to children before their visit :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

So glad Choodle had a good time with the kids and were sweet with them. That bodes well for the future, lol!

May all go well with your godmother, we will keep her in our thoughts. My friend and neighbor (owner of JD's best friend) has been battling the same thing for about 8 years now, and she is not throwing in the towel any time soon.

Thanks for the reminder about what really matters, Ally.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

It sounds like you had a great Thanksgiving! I am glad Peri and Taquito did fine with your little guests. So sorry to hear about your godmother and I hope her condition gets better or at least, gets no worse. Thanks, Allyson, for a lovely post.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Good advice and a wonderful attitude. I love Thanksgiving too but it's gotten a little chaotic and the food too complicated for my taste. I am planning a mini old fashioned, simple Thanksgiving later in the month : )

[BG and Gavin]

It sounds like choodle did great and you could really enjoy your holiday.  I am sorry for your godmother's condition.  It sounds like you have a profound appreciation for her and your special relationship. 

So did having three kids in the house make your biological clock go tick, tock, tick, tock?  Or did you press the snooze button? :)

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Thanks Daisy and Jane! 

I should also note that my guests marveled over Peri and said she was "the best dog ever" and said multiple times "I am going to take her home in my suitcase".  Guess her excitement/jumping and energy is outweighed by her loving nature - and they did think she was very obedient.  WTD???  I guess my work has paid off??? Others seem to see that more than I do!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

What a wonderfully special Holiday for you and yours Allyson. So happy that the dood and wawa did so well. It seems that most of our doodles love children and Taquito also did such a fantastic job.