My Reputation is Not Improving

[Lori, Rooney & Zuzu]

Well, the neighborhood Crazy Puppy Lady is only getting crazier. At least, I'm pretty sure that's the word on the street.  

It was a beautiful day today and I was perhaps feeling just a bit too spunky with my return to good health.  This newfound zest for life gave me the ambitious idea to take Rooney down to the playfield near our house, with a long lead, to play a little fetch and do some some general running around.  I figured he'd love the extra room to exercise his legs and the fun of exploring a new and different, seemingly endless swath of grass.

Well, he did love being somewhere new.

And he did do a lot of sniffing around.

But our first efforts with the long lead were not exactly stellar.

And even when we got that sorted out our attempts at "Fetch" bore little resemblance to how one might commonly define that quintessential dog-owner game for the ages.  

Oh sure, there was some chasing of the ball...

But once arriving at the ball, there was usually something infinitely more interesting off in the distance, which meant the only member left of this supposed Fetch Team to retrieve the ball was yours truly.

I am remarkably good at retrieving, by the way.  I think I must have some lab in me as well.

All of this was perfectly fine.  He's a puppy and it was honestly a blast watching him try to figure all of this out.  We got a lot of practice with "Come" and he did great.  But, as I said, my reputation as the Crazy Puppy Lady was only reinforced by this very public display.

Anyone walking by- and there were many people walking by on this lovely day- could not help but stare a little at the nutty lady calling loudly in an annoyingly high-pitched voice:

"Rooney!  Rooney boy!"

"Get the ball, Rooney!  Right there, buddy! Get the ball! C'mon, Rooney Roo, get the ball!"

"There you go! Yes! You got the ball! Good boy! Bring it here! Yay! Bring it here! Okay... halfway here... That's a start! Way to go, Booney Boo!"

In addition to these shrill, excited exclamations there were lots of kissing noises, clapping of hands, and then of course the attempts to photograph all of this madness while playing double dutch with the long lead weaving it's way in and around my legs.

Nope- all hope of minimizing my reputation will have to wait for another day. Today the Crazy Puppy Lady was out in full force for all the world to see.

But who could resist this face? Wouldn't it make you a little crazy too?

[Dori & Rua]

Lori, I just loved your blog.  Rooney is just so adorable, I can't resist his cute little face either.  I am thinking I'd like to kiss his adorable Doodle nose.  Rua & Rooney are much alike in the ball catagory.  I end up doing the fetching, too!  Perhaps she is the smart one, huh?

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Yes, the long leashes can be a little trying at times.  Add a second doodle and it is even worse.  The fetch game has never happened here with either of our girls.  They just don't care for it.  Sophie would rather fetch Lucy and drag her back by her ear.  And Lucy would just rather, well, have a treat if that's ok.  Rooney is adorable and I'm sure the others had fun watching him play!

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Great story!!  However, be careful what you wish for.  We were very excited when Sedona learned the "fetch the ball game" - puppy parents proud of our baby's accomplishment.  Now, that ALL she wants to do.  She'd play ball 24/7 if she could find someone to throw the ball for her!! 

[Carol and Banjo]

Awwww Rooney.....You'll learn....AND so will your Mom!   Great post Lori!

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Brilliant blog and pictures to go with it.  I always thought some people just knew how to use those long lines except for me.  I am constantly unravelling it from either Riley or me or both of us lol

[Karen and Bridget]

Loved this!  Rooney is just adorable!!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Great blog, Lori!!! OMD...I want that Rooney :) No wonder you are crazy about him!!

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

I would totally go insane for that face!  great blog...felt like we were right there with you entangled in the leash!

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Great photos and great story! Glad you are feeling better! : )

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Doodles will do that to you! LOVE the pictures Rooney is a cutie!