Lessons from a Two Dog Household

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Well...I survived the first week of my life as a double doodle mommy! Whew!  What an eventful week!  I thought I'd share with you some of what I learned.

 

1.  Before you get 2 doodles, make sure you have a king sized bed!  I didn't realize how much more crowded you can get with yourself, spouse, 40 pound mini doodle, and 60 pound standard doodle!

2.  Going for errands with BOTH doodles is not quite as easy.  I was bound and determined to take Maggie with me for my morning coffee run (as Bexter always has done).  No problem getting Maggie into the van.  However, getting her out was another story.  She is a little scared to do that.  I had to pull and push and pull and push.  She knocked over my coffee cup which spilled coffee onto my van floor.  Well...so much for the coffee run!

3.  Double doodles = double poop!  My kids are thrilled about this since it is THEIR job to pick up the poop from the yard.  Needless to say, I am actually getting REAL pooper-scoopers today rather than their toy shovels they use!

4.  It is really hard to figure out who ate whose food!  I am still working on that one!!!

5.  It is sooo fun to watch them play together!

6.  Unless "playing together" results in Bexter introducing Maggie to the muddy corner of our yard...I was enjoying the weather yesterday grading papers on my deck...watching my boys play soccer (each of them chose a dog to be on his team)...thinking how wonderful and complete my life is.  I get done grading my papers and to my horror  turn to see this...

 And then this...

And I'm thinking OMD!  That stinker Bexter has corrupted my sweet and innocent Maggie!

So, needless to say, I am realizing that TWO DOODLES is DOUBLE the bathing & grooming time!  As a matter of fact, while I am typing this blog, DH is busily trying to solve the problem of the muddy corner because I had to give Maggie ANOTHER CLEANING this morning before church due to this problem.  It may not look too great in the yard, but problem SOLVED.

 7.  I also have learned that sometimes two doodle siblings can get a little rowdy in the house.  When they do, it is TIME OUT as you can see here.

 

 8.  I did learn that one doodle can teach the other something useful (I'm NOT talking about Bexter teaching Maggie the muddy corner).  Bexter actually helped teach Maggie to go in her crate.  He is VERY good about going when we say "Go to your crate!"  She wouldn't budge at first.  Now, she goes in just as easily as Bexter!  Good boy, Bexter!  Maggie is attempting to teach Bexter not to chew on our blanket.  Last night, we were ALL snuggling in our bed (too bad I don't have a picture of that for ya) when Bexter started munching on our blanket.  We said a firm, "BEXTER, NO!"  Every time we said that (yes, we had to say it more than just once...), Maggie would kind of slap Bexter's head with her paw.  It was hysterical.  It was like she was saying, "KNOCK IT OFF before we get kicked off the bed!"  Good girl, Maggie!

 9.  The most important lesson I have learned is that double doodles = double the love and double the joy.  I can't imagine not having my two doodles in my life.  Getting Maggie has completed my family - and hey, I finally can buy pink!  My decision to get her will be one that I am ever grateful I made...and I will always remember that it's okay to think with your heart!

 

 

 

 

 

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Love Love Love this blog!! You are singing from my songbook my friend. Two doodles are wonderful, even if they are a lot of work. I am so jealous of that big backyard! Great Pics!! I just love how Maggie has fit right in with your family. It was all written in the stars!

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

What a beautiful story Traci! I'm so glad everything worked out so well!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Traci - just loved hearing about your doodles and seeing the photos.  Aren't two the best?  When I think back to when we only had Rooney - yes it was easier but he wasn't as happy.  More work - you bet but you have it right when you say more love!  Enjoy!!!

[Katie, Andy, and Ernie!]

What a cute and fun story! I can't wait until we can get a second doodle - and we don't even have the first yet! I will just want to watch the transformation in the older doodle when the younger one arrives! So fun!

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Lovely blog with pics to match, looks like you're having a whole lot of fun and work too.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Great Blog Traci.

I got a little of this while dog sitting Daisy's sibling Bella. They were a lot of fun and double the doodle love but twice the work as well, 8 muddy paws, 2 packages of baby wipes and a lot of bending over later I sent sweet Bella home to be with her own family.

I did love every minute of it though.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I'm just loving this blog!  I'm so happy that things have turned out so well for you....it sure does sound like a perfect "Doodle" family.  Your son looks so happy!

[Carolyn and Ruby]

thanks for the informative and adorable blog post, Traci!  Maggie is too gorgeous for words, even covered in dirt!

It seems like your family is truly complete!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Sounds like the 1st week went as well as you could have hoped.  She sure is adorable and I also love the pink collar.  It certainly looks like Bex is enjoying having a playmate.  I can relate to the mud thing and the double grooming, ugh!  I love the bottom photo with her curled up with your Son.  The food issue is a tough one if you don't have doodles that just gobble up their food as soon as you set it down.  We have a little problem with that here. 

[Camilla and Darwin]

Aw, this is so cute. Sounds like everything is just perfect. Also, adorable photos!