Lessons I've Learned

[Kendra K. Rhoton]

Throughout Remington's surgery and recovery I have learned so much.  Never in a million years did I think this process would have taught me so many things!

1) Remington is absolutely fine without Dan and I and adjusts quite well to situations.  I have always been one of those people who just could NOT stand to board my dog.  I was always so worried that he wouldn't be okay, that he would be scared, or that something bad would happen to him.  We would do anything in our power to either make sure a friend could come to the house and stay with him while we were gone or take him to a friends house so they could watch him in the comfort of their own home.  However, this process has taught me that it isn't Remington who has trouble adjusting, it's us.  I will still try my hardest be able to bring Remington with us when we go places most of the time, but when we can't bring him and he has to be boarded then so be it.  He'll be just fine!  

2) You know how they say that babies are resilient... well dogs are too.  Even though it seemed like forever until Remington was back to normal, it the grand scheme of things I'm surprised with how fast he bounced back.  It amazes me just what tough cookies they are :)

3) No matter what my Dad says... he really does love Remington.  Throughout the time that Remington was recovering from this ordeal I would often have my Dad call and ask how "our little boy was doing."  This is quite comical, mostly because my Dad pretends that he wants nothing to do with Remington and that he is just a pest. I have always known Dad loves him even when he won't admit it, but to hear him say these things is a testament to his true feelings.

4) Remington brings life into our home!  Yes he does!  Those 4-5 days that we were without Remington while he was at Purdue recovering were the most boring days ever! Okay, I'm not gonna lie, I did enjoyed having a pretty spotless house for a week and not having to take a dog to the bathroom, but I sure did miss the excitment that my big ball of fur brings!  He is what makes life interesting and not so routine!

5) Not that I didn't already know this before... but I have to add it anyways... he is a huge member of our family! We are so incredibly attached to Remington it is truly hard to imagine our lives without him in it.  There is nothing that I wouldn't do for him.  I think back to when we got him and all the puppies we were looking at and it just seems like God had a plan to put him in our lives.  He is a special part of us and we are thankful for him everyday!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Kendra, thanks so much for sharing your entire journey with Remington.  We are fighting the battle of the Anal Glands with Murph.  He was at the Vet a week ago to have them expressed, and then this morning lapping his butt and dripping anal gland fluid.  Back to the Vet we went first thing this morning.  They were again full in just one week.  I so hope that it never comes to the surgery with Murphy, but if it does it will be a huge help to go back to your blogs for information and support.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I enjoyed reading your blogs about Remington. I'm so happy that he had such a speedy recovery. It's nice to read about the impact he's had on your lives. About bording, yea, I have had so many fears about that and when I had to do it one week-end when I had to go to a wedding in Toronto I cried when I dropped her off. The lady at the kennel said it's usually harder on the owners. I was so worried I came home a day early, barreling down the highway in a rain storm all the while thinking "Hang on Sophie Bear - Momma's Comin Home!!" ... when I got there there to get her she was like, "oh, ...it's you" and then proceeded to jump up happily to get the attention of a stranger who was there to pick up his dog. Doodles are funny things.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Remington is a lucky doodle to have two such loving and thoughtful parents. Thank you for sharing all the good and bad of his surgery and recovery with us.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Thank you for sharing the process with us, and I'm glad that the surgery is behind you and Remington.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Kendra-Thanks for sharing your story, so happy that he is doing good. Doodles teach us a lot of things but the unconditional love is the best!

[Ellen, Brûlée, and Tira]

Your journal is beautifully written and is a window into your heart.  Your love is touching and  expresses the joy so many of us feel about our own Doodles.  Thank you for sharing this with us!

[Donna K & Quincy]

Kendra, very well said, and to think you learned all this in just 2 weeks. So glad everything worked out well

[Carol and Banjo]

Kendra....I'm so glad Remington is back with you and bouncing back to his normal, happy self!    Great blog....and I especially love #3.  You're Dad sounds like a real sweetie!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

They enrich our lives so much!  Thanks for sharing this journey with us.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I love this blog! You said it very well! There is much to learn about and from our doodles!