The Power of Persuasion!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

This morning I got up earlier than everyone else and turned on the TV.  There happened to be a show on with a couple of women trying to sell embroidery machines.  I have no interest in sewing, knitting, or needlework of any kind, but I found myself mesmerized by what they were doing and thinking that maybe I needed an embroidery machine.  Keep in mind the last sewing project I did was probably in my high school Home Ec Class where I tried to make a one piece jumpsuit and ended up cutting the back of the legs 4 inches shorter than the front.  My teacher had me sew a panel and piece it in so the front and back lengths were the same, but it looked stupid and I don’t think I ever wore it out of class.  I mean if a six-foot tall girl is going to wear a one-piece plaidish jumpsuit around town there just shouldn’t be anything else like a panel in back to call attention to the outfit.  Luckily, I was able to turn the TV off before I called in with my credit card information and ordered something else that I would open later in the week and wonder what I had been thinking at the time of the order.

 

I am going to say the same thing happened when I found out about Doodles.  We used to take an annual cross country ski trip every year and once, when we were out and about on one of the trails a woman and her dog happened by our group. The dog was one of the most beautiful dogs I had ever seen and he had a name like Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin or something equally historic that I can no longer recall.  I just remember I loved the dog and his name.  As they passed by, I asked her what kind of dog it was and where she had gotten him and this started me on thinking I might need a Doodle. Her dog was so well behaved that the only thing that could have been better about him was if I could have paid for him in 5 easy pays plus tax and shipping and handling. Thankfully, she didn’t want to sell him or I may have had to leave the ski trip and travel home with my new dog and never would have ended up with my Fudge and Vern.  By the time we got back to the lodge, however, the seed was sown and I started my search right there on the Internet for my own Betsy Ross or Eleanor Roosevelt.

 

I really do have to give that dog credit for putting Doodles on my radar.  I don’t remember even knowing about them until that chance encounter in the woods.  Of course, I had no idea how to pick a good one, but I was sure they would all be as well behaved and adorable as the dog I had met.  Just like the time I saw the Rachael Ray pots and pans on QVC that came in the greatest blue color ever, no one was going to talk me out of those pans or in this case, a Doodle.  John tried, too.  He kept telling me to wait until my heart had healed from the death of our dog and to make sure I really wanted to start over with a puppy.  Usually, I would respond to him by asking him to take a look at the adorable puppy I just found in the cutest chocolate color and he would shake his head knowing he had lost the battle before it had even begun.

 

John also knows that I pick most things by color and my biggest disappointment in life is that I drive a grey van that I call “the Boring Mobile”.  I even told the salesmen that Toyota needed to get with the program and realize not everyone wants to drive a black, white, or grey car.  If they would have had a burnt orange one on the lot, I wouldn’t even have needed a test-drive before I drove it home.  I picked my blue van by telling the sales woman I wanted a pretty color and a DVD player.  Save all the bells and whistles for someone else, but give the outside of my van some pop.  I also won’t even consider a white car and don’t care what the deal is or the savings.  It wouldn’t be enough to make me drive a white car.  We own several extra bikes because I bought them based on color, before John insisted I go to a dealer and get fitted for a bike.   I was less than thrilled to see that the bike that fit me was black and continued to look around the sales floor for a snappy teal one even while John was paying for the bike. 

 

Getting a dog on impulse or strictly by color can be the worst mistakes you ever make and far worse for the dog when you figure that out later.  The trouble is puppies are so darn cute that you instantly want to take one home and it is only after you get home you realize they can be more work than cute.   I am sure most people who know dogs can also tell you that the odds of me ending up with a dog exactly like the one I saw in the woods that day were slim to none.  That dog was meandering along beside his owner content to let the world go by.  The dog I picked by color would have run away the minute I let her off leash and returned at some point dragging a deer she hunted down behind her.  Nothing about my Fudge says meandering and lucky for her, I was in it for the long haul.  I am also willing to accept that the Nature versus Nurture theory could go either way when talking about my Fudge, although I could put up a good argument that she came this way and it was exacerbated by my lack of training.  And then we have my Vern.  The dog in the woods seemed very smart to me and just this morning, Vern had to be escorted down the back steps to do his business and then couldn’t find the opening to get back up the steps.  He went around to the wrong side and stared at me through the fence looking on to our deck like he was willing me to make it open. I had to go get him and he greeted me like I had just saved his life.

 

I do love my Rachael Ray pots and pans and my blue van lasted for almost 300,000 miles, so maybe I am on to something or it is just dumb luck.  I also wouldn’t trade the dogs I have for any other dogs in the world.  Do I wish Fudge would meander more? You bet!  Do I think the breeder tricked me when she said Fudge was content to let the world go by?  All the time, and I am sure she left out the part where Fudge watches “the world” go by and then gets up and chases it into oblivion. Do I wish Vern had a little more finesse and practiced his “here I come, ready or not!” form of affection a lot less? I know my toes do!  Actually, I am pretty sure all of me would appreciate a heads up when Vern comes barreling through the house.  Luckily for my dogs I have low standards. Not everyone does and that is why when you are making a major life commitment to a dog you should choose wisely and not let impulse play a part in your decision.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thanks, Bonnie.

Lisa, I had to stop and think who this was, because you are never on here anymore. We miss you!! You are lucky Dexter stops eventually. LOL Fudge just keeps on going. 

[Bonnie and Kona]

Love Fudge and Vern. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to know them through your beautiful (and silly) photos and great blogs, Laurie. 

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Ahhhh, I miss these stories. Nice to see they are as good as ever.

I too chose Diasy by color (perfect except she was a dark chocolate brown and is now a light I don't know) but her personality, smarts and good lucks are well worth the change.

Dexter is my silly boy who has a strong prey drive, doesn't know his tail from his nose and doesn't quite understand the word no, he is the most adorable, loving and sweet boy one could have. And if he does shut those ears off and runs after a critter 1/2 way there he seems to remember that "we" are all not with him, stops and finally returns with a good whistle.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Nancy, I am so glad you got a third dog and he reminds you of Gordie :) That Gordie was some dog!! I guess the right dogs found both of us!!

Gail, If any Doodle could do it, it would be Fudge. She is a pip. And my Vernie....oh my....a lot of bulk, but just a little under smart. I agree about the rescue people that pick up all the pieces of the broken hearted dogs left behind. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I giggled through your descriptions of Fudge and Vern's personalities. My experiences in sewing class weren't quite as bad, but close!

Let's see. . . .  I wanted a RED doodle but Ned charmed us.  I never wanted a white dog who would show the dirt, but Clancy needed a home and no one else was interested.  Third doodle's the charm!  Charlie reminded me of Gordie so I went with my heart's color choice. (Of course I didn't know I needed  a third dog, but . . . . .)

[Gail and Bailey]

I can picture Fudge dragging a deer carcus to you! LOL! I would want Candid Camera there to catch your reaction! And dear sweet Vern looking through the deck fence.....gotta love that boy! Laurie, you have the perfect dogs for making life interesting enough for lots and lots of blogs! Thanks, Fudge and Vern!! AND...thank you, Laurie!!
Thanks also to all the wonderful folks who rescue pups who are not so fortunate to have loyal committed owners.......... and to those who then adopt and welcome those pups into loving homes!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Barbie, Thank you!!  I don't know what I would do without my Fudge and Vern. They keep me hopping :) Yes, I just try and change the channel as fast as I can, although I did get some Clark shoes recently from QVC. I'm not perfect. LOL

BG, I agree about Vern....he is a cutie :) Of course, Gavin shares the same problem...cutie patooties. Thank you!

Linda, Thank you! I have some other blogs in the works. It goes in spurts. LOL

F, CROCHET HOOKS...you must have been super bored :) I am enjoying looking at Calla and Luca this month on my calendar.

Karen, Thank you!! After a recent trip out on our boat, I did consider rehoming my two for just a minute....along with John :)  I felt better the next day. LOL

Jeannie, Thank you! Yes, these two give me plenty to write about......I guess that is good :)

[Barbie]

Laurie, you are so hilarious, perceptive, and prudent - all wrapped up in one smart package. :O) You had me cracking up in every paragraph. I could just imagine you wearing that one-piece plaid jumpsuit, with your long legs drawing even more attention to the awkwardness of the added panel. Doesn't it feel great that you had the willpower to turn off the TV? My stepmom is a QVC-aholic, but my mom is much worse and needs to attend Shopaholics Anonymous meetings. I agree with Jeannie that "a perfect dog wouldn't make for such great stories." Although no dog is perfect, it touches my heart that Fudge and Vern are perfect enough for you. They are very fortunate to have you as their mommy.

[BG and Gavin]

You are the wisest of the wise. Hey when you look like Vern, you can get by on not having the brains of Einstein. 

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Laurie ~ I just love it when I see one of your blogs.  It is pouring rain here and this brightened my morning!  I wish more pet owners had the sense of a major life commitment when they pick up that sweet little puppy!