The Irish Brothers...An Update

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

A few DK'rs have asked me whether Murphy is bigger than Guinness yet, and how that's going over. Well, he is WAY bigger than Guinness. Guinness weighs 17 pounds, and Murphy is now up to 27. Murph is also a few inches taller than his "big brother". It's really cracking me up. My puppy is going to be on very large, beautiful Doodle boy. Guinness is taking it all in stride. Murphy "body blocks" Guinness, and sends him flying across the room. Guinness just gets up and goes right back at it. Murphy is rapidly "becoming a man". His "equipment" is often in a state of excitement (if you get my drift), and that is just fascinating to Guinness. When Murph was at the Vet this week it happened when she picked him up to give him a kiss. She was quite surprised and suggested that we need to neuter him immediately. She says "the testosterone is flowing" and now is the time before it gets any worse. Guinness will be so disappointed...to say nothing of Murph who seems very proud of this accomplishment. He's also "peeing" on himself regularly which means "wipe downs" or else he stinks. So, April 26th is the date for his "operation". I will be a wreck that day...and then the challenge of keeping the boys apart for a few days. Can you even believe he went from being my "little rescue baby" to a boy with "raging hormones" in a month!

Murphy has developed his own "big" personality. The Vet calls him the "Drama King", because he acts like he's being tortured for any little thing. Today I took him to Daycare for the first time. I wanted him to go without Guinness for just a couple of hours and to have a bath and get his nails cut. I really wanted him to see that I can take him somewhere and leave him, AND COME BACK! Because of his rescue background, I didn't want to send him in for his surgery without having some confidence that Mommy can leave him somewhere, but she always comes back and he comes back to his "forever home". I was really curious about how this would go. I watched on the video, and it was actually pretty interesting. They first let in two dogs (hand picked) to interact with him, then one by one they add more as he got comfortable. He did not want any other dog smelling him at first. He "hung out" right by the Daycare staffer and sat so that the other dogs couldn't get to his "butt". Then little by little he gained confidence, and after about 10 minutes he was fine...running and playing. Then it was bath time....I left for this part. He gave them a real run for their money...did a couple of back flips in the tub and gave lots of attitude. They said once he knew that this just wasn't going to work, he relaxed and did fine. Then it was nail clipping time....same thing with the attitude. Again, he finally figured out they "were not impressed" and relaxed. When I picked him up the owner said...."he's a beautiful, smart dog, but what a "Drama King"....hmm, where had I heard that before. She also said that she was really glad he was with us because we wouldn't let him get away with it. That got me to thinking that I have been letting Murphy "get away with" a lot more than Guinness at this age...probably because I was feeling a little sorry for him. I need to get over that (within reason, of course).

Guinness has his first "practice" therapy visit on Sunday at an Alzheimer's Facility. Then in two weeks he'll take his final TDI evaluation. I think he'll do fine with most of it. We are working on the "supervised separation" which will be the one big challenge. He is "whining" when I leave him and actually get out of sight which is not acceptable. I'm a little worried about Sunday...not for Guinness, but for me. My Mom had Alzheimer's, and I'm thinking being there is going to be emotional. I'm going to just focus on Guinness, and then the rest should fall into place. Another Doodle adventure.

So that's our story for this week. I sometimes feel like I'm living in a parallel Doodle universe. Between the Doodle romp, the Vet, the Groomer (tomorrow), Daycare, Doodle home cooking, combing, brushing, demating, teeth, ears, walks, training, playing, buying "stuff" (new toy bought today already destroyed), reading (dog books), and not to forget the "pee-pee" trips outside at least every hour for Murphy....this guy pees more than any dog I've ever met. The thing is, I really love this Doodle world I'm living in. Call me crazy, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Here are a couple of pictures...Karen, my Murphy has a pretty awesome Doodle Nose...not as good as JackDoodle yet, but maybe in a couple of years, he cold be a competitor. LOL Here are my "sleeping beauties"...

[DeeDee and Sheila]

I love your dog posts. I can't wait to hear how Guinness does on his therapy visit. And poor ole Murph. Getting the knife. But so necessary. They are so cute together. Are you keeping up? This is alot for you w/ double the training classes, etc. It sounds like you enjoy it though, so that is wonderful. How lucky for Murphy to get to join such a neat pack!!

[The Berry Oaks Doodle Ranch]

Good luck to you all Jane...I look forward to your stories of the two Irish brothers. My husband & I have been tossing the subject around of getting anothr Doodle. I do want a rescue this time around though, Guinness gets lonely sometimes and wants to play. He loves the outdoors I think as much as we do but, always seems to have that forlourn look about him. So, he relys on us for his vigurous playtimes.

[Becky, Savannah, & Raleigh]

Good luck on the 26th! You will be glad once it's over and done with..i can relate to "raging hormones"...Raleigh just had his snip-snip on Thursday, and seems to be doing well. I'm hoping that will really help with his ability to focus on training, etc. It is a challenge keeping him calm and separated from Savannah. Loved the pics of your sweet sleeping boys.

[Anna and Achilles]

I am living vicariously through your 2 doodle stories. Sounds like everything is going well. Good luck on the 26th. Achilles and I will be sending happy thoughts your way!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Ahhhh, those precious sleeping doodles ..... those are the quiet moments that make it all worth while. You can just sit and calming watching them and look at them and relax. How adorable.

Loved the story above and can so relate to full time doodle days! I am always saying how in the world did I get everything done when I worked every day. Then I remember, I didn't have 2 doodles when I worked full time. They certainly can fill up a day.

I find it interesting that they are taking you to an Alzheimer's facility for your practice visit. The reason I say that (and not to panic you, but just to make you aware) is that is where I find that I have most of my "issues" on Therapy visits. It is also where they love the dogs the most!

[DeeDee and Sheila]

Wow, Jane, you are SUPER busy right now. And those 2 Irish charmers are the luckiest dogs to have you as their mommy. I can't believe Murph has grown so much in such a short amount of time. They are both such dolls and so innocent looking. But, yeah, I think you are smart to neuter right now even though it will be hard. I think your daycare sounds super!! I don't know how you have time to do all this!! You are definitely not retired !! I love the updates.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I think the Drama king has just a wee bit of the Irish Blarney in him so he comes by it honestly. Ned is also a drama king, just touch him wrong and he squeals like a girl!

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

I love those two Irish boys! I know what you mean about loving living in the Doodle world! We have new young neighbors who just moved in across the street and they just got a baby GoldenDoodle. They are absolutely clueless about puppies and are also expecting their first "human" baby in September. They are totally not prepared or have a clue about puppies nor babies! Will be interesting to see. I have taken it upon myself to socialize Bindi (new puppy) with Gracie Doodle and neighborhood dogs. She was never getting out of the house and didn't have a clue that other dogs existed. I feel like she is my puppy and you should see my hands! Handburger at their finest!!! Memories of Gracie Doodle!

The photos of your boys are adorable. Murphy really is growing up. It happens so fast!! Kiss their Doodle noses for me and Gracie!

[Frannie & Callie]

Jane - you have a wonderful doodle family and I love hearing about your Irish boys! Murphy's nose is absolutely delightful (I just LOVE these doodle noses!!!). The drama cracks me up!!

[Camilla and Darwin]

I love reading updates about these two, and I love that photo! They are both so adorable.