Thanks and First Time in the Water

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Hi everyone, and Happy Easter to those who celebrate it.  I was just thinking about how fortunate I feel to have found this site and all of you.  Some of you may know that I originally got Lola with my now-ex fiancée.  Unfortunately that relationship did not work out, for a number of reasons too personal to get into here.  My point is that I am a single doodle parent, and there are times when things happen with Lola that I feel like I just have to share.  Moments too precious to keep to myself, because they are the moments that really make life worth living.

My friends and family love Lola but understandably aren't always interested in hearing every detail about her eating, sleeping, training, pooping etc.. Through the miracle of the Internet, this site provides a place where I can do that.  I've never met any of you in real life or even heard your voices on the phone, yet we have such wonderfully genuine and supportive interactions.  I'm feeling very grateful for that and thought I would express my appreciation to Adina for creating this site and to the rest of you and your doodles just for being out there in doodlespace.

Which brings me to my main point.  Today was the first really nice sunny day here, so I skipped work in the afternoon and took Lola to the beach.  I've been looking forward to spring to find out how Lola swims and handles herself in the water.

I'm pleased to report that her first attempts at water retrieving went off without a hitch.  At first she was a little timid, but she picked it up quickly.  Of course I'm not surprised, but still it was so cool to watch her discover those instincts.  I didn't have any fancy decoys or anything.  Just used a tennis ball and kept throwing it into the water, a little further each time.  I had one of those launchers and eventually was able to use that to put it pretty far out there.  We were at a place where it is shallow for a long way out, much further than I could throw the ball with the launcher - so there wasn't really any swimming involved.  I figured that was a good idea anyway, one step at a time.  The water wasn't too cold, and we were lucky because there were a number of other people there doing the same thing with their retrievers.

Lola was so cute about the whole thing.  There was one golden that was probably 5 or 6 years old that Lola kept watching to try to follow her example.  Except that for whatever reason Lola would do a bounding gallop into and out of the water, two legs at a time like she was trying to jump over the water and back.  Each "step" was really a jump, like an agility dog jumping over an obstacle.  Very, very cute.  I did get some of this on video and am going to try to edit into something that shows the whole experience from start to finish.  I've never done any real video editing before but thought I would give it a try.  Maybe there's a forum on here for that - I haven't looked.

I am so in awe of this pup and the dog she is becoming, how she handles herself and is constantly learning.

Lola is an intensely dominant and gentle dog.  I knew from watching her with her littermates that she would be very confident and dominant, but I did not appreciate how much so.  Usually there is another dog that will try to challenge her, and she is wonderfully good natured about it.  She never gets angry or aggressive, just playfully and lovingly does what is necessary to communicate her status.  She will mimic the behavior of other dogs, as if to communicate with them in their own language.

For example, today there was a cattle dog that had the silly idea that it would try to herd Lola.  It started with its routine, barking, circling, etc.  Within a minute or two, Lola was herding the cattle dog!  Priceless.

There was a young male greyhound-type dog that apparently thought Lola was cute.  Of course, she is cute, so who can blame him?  He wanted to get on top of Lola but she wouldn’t have any of that!  She couldn't outrun him, so she outsmarted him by luring him in and using her moves to frustrate him every time he would pounce.  Lola is VERY agile and smaller than most of the dogs that challenge her, and she uses that to her advantage.  It's really quite inspiring.  Within a few minutes - and a few teeth flashes on either side - the other dog surrendered and was dutifully following Lola around like a good little suitor.

Then there was an angry little dachshund that was barking at Lola and showing his teeth.  Of course, Lola would never stoop to that level.  No matter what the dachshund would do, Lola would just give him her very exaggerated play bow.  After a few times of that, even the angry little dachshund could not resist her charms.  A few minutes later they were playing and having a great time.

Lola does submission in an equally classy manner.  And there are dogs and people whose energy is too far gone for her to help.  In either case, she just won't go there.

At one point, a young German Shepherd came flying in and stole the ball that Lola and her Golden Retriever friend had been playing with, to try to get them to chase.  Lola chased for a little bit, until the German Shepherd got too close to some shady looking people and their fighting-breed dogs.  Even while seemingly distracted, Lola was so aware of her surroundings.  As soon as she got within a safe distance, she slammed on the brakes as though there were an invisible fence and looked back at me for instructions.  So much common sense in a 7-month-old pup.

Lastly, what would a great leader be without compassion?  There was a German Shepherd that was fourteen years old and had severe arthritis in his back legs.  Lola was so sweet, cuddling up next to him for a bit, licking him and then frolicking around in the water where he could see - as if for him to live vicariously through her and share some of her abundant puppy energy.  The old German Shepherd took a liking to me and kept "doggie hugging" me by standing close to me and leaning against my legs.  Lola is usually on the jealous side when other dogs show affection to me.  Never in an aggressive way, but she will always make her presence known by doing something cute to try to get my attention.  But this was different, as if she knew that this was a good dog who probably didn't have a lot more beautiful spring days left.  Lola was perfectly content to let him stand by me while she ran around and played.

Everywhere we go, there are dogs and owners that just don't seem in sync.  People chasing after their dog, calling the dog's name repeatedly to try to get it to come.  People engaging in negotiations with their dog to get it to sit or down or whatever.  With Lola I usually don't even have to use words.  Just a few noises, glances or gestures between us and we're always on the same page.

I had another dog once that I loved very, very much.  I still do and always will.  But I've never had a dog that actually teaches me to be a better person the way Lola does - on a daily basis. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

What a wonderful blog.  You are so obviously in tune with Lola, this was especially meaningful to read.

[Joan]

Love your blog post.  Sorry you couldn't make the romp in Wauconda today.  We'll look forward to meeting you soon. If you want to see more info on the romps go to http://northernillinoisdoodleromps.shutterfly.com/ and sign up for the email romp reminders, to see pictures, and more.

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Oh Jay, I loved your blog and I'm so glad that you and Lola found each other!

[Cathy, Fozzie & Shaggy]

Jay, I'm just now reading your blog and as a single doodle parent myself I completely understand.....your day sounds like it was wonderful!! That bond between us and our dogs is so special. Thanks for sharing-

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Aw, thanks F.

Bruce, that is a funny image and totally something I can see Lola doing.

[BG and Gavin]

It sounds like you are a well bonded pair.  And it certainly sounds like she knows just how to act with other dogs.

Gavin loves the water but is more of a wader than a swimmer.  I remember the first time he got in over his head he tried to walk on his back legs to keep his head above water.  I still remember the look on his face "what the...." looking like a furry full grown man standing straight up in the water.

[F, Calla & Luca]

This is such a good blog. You and Lola are lucky to have each other. We are glad to have you.

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Thanks everyone.  You all are so right.  So nice to know we're all in it together.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Jay, This was a lovely blog and with every word you wrote I can see the love you have for Lola. Hook, line, and sinker, she has your heart! Lola sounds like a wonderful dog and I love to read about her adventures. Enjoy these spring days!

[Lynette Main]

What  a sweetie. I started with  one ,now I have three.My phone is full of Doodle pictures and very few of the grandkids. When I see someone I know I bring out the phone and talk Doodle.Its like when you have your first child.These are the BEST dogs I've ever owned. As Lola gets older she will become you velcro dog. My big Shea is always with me and even sleeps with me. He is taller than I and stretches the entire width of my kingsize bed. Wouldn't have it any other way.