Good boys!

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

I don't have two-legged kids so Monty and Auggie are not used to being around fast-moving and loud little people, other than sporadic visits from my DH's grandkids here and there.

My best friend Denisa and her DH Sam came to visit from Slovakia and we got to spend a wonderful week together. They have a 6 year-old first-grader, Scarlett, and she of course came along with them. For weeks before their arrival, little Scarlett was telling her classmates that she is going to stay with two big doggies. Since Denisa and Sam don't have dogs, I was trying to help them prepare Scarlett for two overly friendly and quite talkative big boys since I did not want Scarlett to be scared of them. I was also looking forward to giving the boys a chance to spend a whole week with a child.

Since Monty is older (and wiser), I had no doubts that he would just walk away and lay down in a quiet part of the house for a nap. Auggie, on the other hand, just can't contain his curiousness and friendliness.

My friends arrived in the evening and Monty and Auggie were very excited to see the new household members. It took Scarlett about 5 minutes to realize that the dogs are not going to hurt her and she was all over them. Auggie kept following her all over the house, but when she wanted to pet him or touch him, he kept his distance (with tail wagging). Then he decided he is going to get under the kitchen table into the safety and just watch her run around and talk. All you could see of him was a wagging tail sticking from under the table. I think he was a bit confused about this small creature a bit and was trying to figure out what to do. Scarlett went upstairs to bed early and silly Auggie kept going to the stairs, gazing upstairs, waiting for her to come down.

The next morning the boys just could not wait till I opened the bedroom door so that they could run downstairs where they heard the new voices coming from. Auggie got over his insecurities and fell in love with Scarlett. Just because he was always near her, Scarlett focused all her attention on him, shaking his paws and hugging him. Thankfully, both Monty and Auggie are used to hugs. She would also take this huge snake toy, put it around Monty's neck and walk around the house with him pretending he is on a leash. Monty being the softie that he is, just walked around by her side willingly until I came to his rescue after a while.

I tried to help Scarlett recognize when the dogs were getting tired or were not truly enjoying her snuggles and she learned very fast. Scarlett helped me dish out the kibble for the doodles every day and she took pride in mixing the green beans into their bowls as well. She loved going to a local dog park with us and chucking a ball for Monty. And she was just beyond herself when I dressed up Monty and Auggie and we all went trick-or-treating.

I'm thankful that both of them are so gentle with kids even without an extensive exposure to them. But I can totally see why some doodles end up in shelters if there are kids present in a family and the parents don't take the time to teach the kids how to interact with the family dog.

After our visitors left last weekend, both doodles kept sneaking into the guest room sniffing the bed sheets.I think they liked having people stay with us.

All of us had a great time together and I loved having two mentally tired dogs in the evening. I took a ton of pictures of Scarlett and the boys since she wanted to show them to her classmates at school.

When Auggie is in his mellow mood, he just wants to give paws.

Auggie is in love.

[Robin and Libby Louise]

Love this!  Great memories for everyone.  Jarka, I will have to introduce my Godchildren to your boys when I'm in Colorado.  They will be 13 in January and love doodles, in fact watch out for them in their DRC shirts and Doodle University hoodies!

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

What a sweet story, Jarka.   You gave her a visit she'll never forget. Monty and Auggie, you boys are just the best! Your pictures are wonderful!  Especially that one of Auggie in love!  

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

What a fun adventure for Scarlett and Monty & Augie!  Great photos!

[Wendy and Myla]

What a great story!  Is there any way that Scarlett will get a puppy of her own now?? If not, I'm sure you will have yearly visitors!  What fun!!!!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I bet Scarlett is going to want to come back year after year. She looks like she is in heaven with your boys. I am glad it all worked out. What fun!! Love the pictures!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

The blog is finally here and the mystery girl is solved. Beautiful pictures. What a joy for both the child and the dogs. This is the way it's supposed to be. She will, remember these dogs forever and I have a feeling, a dog of her very own to love, respect, and bond with is in her future. Maybe not now but one day. You set a good example and gave her a great experience.

[Miss Ellie]

What a sweet story...I love the connection that developed between Auggie & Scarlett...and love the pictures...thanks for sharing Jarka!

[Camilla and Darwin]

These pictures are so wonderful, it sounds like a really great experience for both here and the boys. How wonderful that they were so good with her!