popular dood

[Lorraine Bromley]

So here we are in Quebec City, Quebec for my son's baseball. Canada's East Coast Championships. We are mixing ball with tourism as well.
We decided to fly from Ontario instead of the 11 hour drive. So we looked into it and it was cheaper to flly Neely with us than board him and we wouldn't have to worry about the older boys looking after him or him chewing anything. They can handle the old girl just fine, she's done her chewing days. He had a good time at the airport before being crated. There were quite a few dogs flying that day. We even saw another Golden doodle ( I have told the few doodle owners i've met about this site too). So many people were coming up to see him. He did tricks and behaved so well. We couldn't believe the attention he got. A lady from Vancouver stopped to say high to him as she had left her black doodle at home. She missed him so much after seeing Neely so she got some doodle love to tide her over. The airplane personal were so wonderful to us especially since it was our first time flying with a pet. It was a short flight so it was a good first one for him. It still upset me to walk away from his crate to board. We worried about him the whole flight. For us we can understand the process of flying but they have no idea down there in the unknown. We saw him as we were deplanning and he was laying down in the crate. The dogs must have all hung out and relaxxed together down their as he didn't seem ansy at all. We got in to get our bags and couldn't wait to get him. He was soooo happy to see us he has never been that excited that we have ever seen before. He pranced through the terminal like he was so proud of his people. We got a great rental suv that is loaded. Every chance he got he sat in the back passenger bucket seat. We stayed at the Hotel with the team so he made his rounds sniffing out his people and said his how do you dos. From the ball diamonds he met a couple nice dogs to play with during the games, We are in Quebec so it is all French speaking here but he seemed to talk dog either way to his new buddies.
The big day in Quebec sight seeing was really something. It took us three times as long to get anywhere as the massive crowds were filled with Doodle Lovers. He was petted and shook paws for alot of people here. He behaved so well. We would tell people he was only 7 months and they were schocked. It was a bit strange the way he behaved whenever our group (me my husband , son ,and his girlfirend) were seperated. He seemed to be on the look out for his people when we were apart. Then when we re united he would go and touch whoever came back with his nose. We are pretty sure he was counting us to make sure we were all therre. We decide to take a horsedrawn carraige ride around the city. After being so attended to throughout the day he decided to become a bit of a prince. We went to get into the carraige and he decided he wouldn't climb in. We had to pick him up and set him in. After he got in he adored it. He sat up on our laps just loving it. We had people stop and point. People took pictures of him in it too. My son even heard the French people saying dog in french as well as our driver. The other horses would pass us and he would be up looking back at them as they came up closer and closer. It was the first time he ever met a horse. He seemed to like them when he was meeting them as they passed. After the ride he just sat there. He wouldn't get down. Prince again! My son had to go and carry him off. Its not like he was acting scared or anything it was just I don't think so you need to carry me! There were big fountains that had fresh cool water in them and the horses even had their own fountains. So we figured Neely would like a nice drink as it was flowing over into a basin at his level. Nop Prince again. He was thirsty alright but we had to pour his water bottle for him instead.
He has a strange fear though. He doesn't like to go up anything too high that he can see through like the stadium seats. Just puts the brakes on. Not usually a problem. We had to go up a glassed in tram up the mountain side to get to the top of Quebec City from the St Lawrence river. He layed down and looked like he was gripping the floor with his paws too. But on our sightseeing walk he also figured that the threshholds have cracks in them so they must go down a shaft like an elevator. Did not want to cross those either, finally seeing no other way around them he leaped over them, (barely an inch) Then he also decided the metal grates at door ways to catch dirt and water must be open over a great depth as well. At one area there was only a space about a paw width between the grate and the wall and he tried to go around it like he was walking a tight rope. I have no idea where he gets the height thing from but it is strange how he can manoever himself around them or over them to avoid them.
One thing is for sure he certainly doesn't avoid his public! He is now caught on camaras of tourists from who knows were. Acting like the Prince he is.
Here's to a good flight home.

[Lorraine Bromley]

Today we went on a canyon waterfall tour on foot. Neely really enjoyed it. We had to go over suspension bridges and lots of open staircases. He was fine as the open staircases were fairly tightly against the canyon side. Of course he had his adoring fans to get him through. The suspension bridges were really thick wood placed very close together. He stayed on the middle plank and had his face and body croouched down but did it with no hesitation. Then we got to the bottom of the gourge and the last crossing and stairs across the falls were made of steel that were pretty see through. We talked nice asked please but no way. So we decided to take turns going as the two kids had went on ahead. I got across and then turned around and Neely was on his way across! He was scared in his crouch but you could see he was shakey. Apparently when I left, the kids came back and Neely saw them at the bottom of the stairs and he just went right to them. He is so consistent about wanting his people together that he put that infront of his own fear. I was so proud that he over came that issue. The way up was no problem. He got lots of love from the tourists treats from us but ADORES having his people all together. I think he'll sleep for a week when we get home.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Maybe he's just afraid to walk over grates and things because of a fear of getting a paw caught. That's how the series of pipes in roads for cattle guards work--they use them to keep deer out as well. If the animal cannot jump over them it will not cross them. Cattle Guard

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

These doodles really love the attention that they get. Sounds like Neely let it go to his head. Glad you are having such a great trip.

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

Sounds like an exciting time with Neely. Glad his plane adventure went well. Hope the rest of your trip is as much fun and have a safe trip back home....