This is Why Fudge and Vern Need a Walk Every Day!!!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Saturday, my husband and I got up early and we were out the door and off to West Virginia to see family. The dogs did not get their morning walk.  We left Fudge and Vern in the care of our youngest daughter.  I have written before that I have my dogs on a pretty good schedule and rain or shine we walk our dogs at least two times a day.  I am like the postman and get the job done.

 

We got home right when it was getting dark outside, but nonetheless, we went to the park and gave the dogs a quick walk. Now, our daughter said she had exercised Fudge and Vern throughout the day, but she also said they drove her nuts wanting to go outside.  We interpreted this to mean that our daughter took them outside a couple of times and threw the ball once or twice and then told them her arm hurt and brought them back inside. We came to this conclusion because A) the dogs were beyond excited when we got home and B) the last time this daughter walked with us she asked, “how much farther?” when we had only gone three feet from the car.  Once on the walk, we tried to get her to increase her walking pace from snail to turtle and told her we thought there was a moving walkway just up over the next hill, but we soon learned that not all tired hikers appreciate humor on a walk or want to hear that there are hills up ahead.  

 

It didn’t take us long Saturday night to figure out that our dogs missed their two long walks and did not get enough exercise during the day for us to get a good night’s sleep.  They went to bed at their normal time, but within one hour both were up and ready to go. Fudge is our dog that likes to sleep, but even she did not seem tired. It started with Vern walking from my side of the bed to my husband’s side of the bed. He would then go out into the hall and we assume tag Fudge, because next she would come in and do the same.  My husband was reading his Kindle and/or doing a great job of pretending he did not notice two large dogs alternating tag teaming us and enjoying their own Doodle romp inches from our bed. Sensing I was the weakest link, they upped the ante and at one point, Vern laid his head right by my feet and gave me his best hang dog look like he was saying, “do either of you know when we will be going for our second walk?”

I tried to out wait my husband and see if he would get up with the dogs, but he has honed his skills over the years and when I said, “are you going to make your beloved wife go out into the frigid cold with your dogs?” he didn’t answer back, because he knew it would blow his cover on his pretending to be asleep act.

 

So, out into the cold we went and I meant business. I told Fudge and Vern it was bedtime and they needed to get their business done and then we were going to sleep. Unfortunately, they heard little of what I was saying because they were chasing each other at full speed. Round and round they went, through the leaves, around my van, from one end of the yard to the other. At one point, Vern stood out in the yard with a toy skunk hanging from his mouth trying to lure Fudge into a game of tug-a-war.

Imagine this in the dark, sometime well after midnight:

Fudge would play bow and then run in for a quick tug, but didn’t stay long because she sensed by the crazed look on Vern’s face that a game of “Yank Fudge by the Collar,” was next on his agenda.  All this fun was happening well after midnight and I made a mental note to myself to take Fudge and Vern for three walks the next day or call the vet and find out if Sleepy Time Tea is effective on dogs.

 

I fell asleep that night to the sounds of squeaks and was too tired to care if the Doodle party continued.  

There was plenty of evidence to suggest Fudge and Vern did not go right to sleep and had spent some time raiding their toy box. 

So, the next time someone asks me if Labradoodles need lots of exercise, I am going to answer back, “Only if you value your sleep.”

[F, Calla & Luca]

Loved the laughs but what is wrong with all you people? Of course they expect long walks twice a day if that's what you teach them. So I never make that mistake. Around here a walk of whatever length is a treat not a right. Otherwise go chase each other in the yard, start World War III, get the zoomies or whatever. It is now not yet eight I have 2 sleeping doodles who went for a modest walk earlier in the day It's true one or another if not both may get up and want to go out later and I, slave that I am will open the porch door. Remember, give them an inch and they'll take a mile.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Looks like another wild party at your house Laurie!! At least the police didn't show up this time!! LOL

I have the opposite problem with Tara. She is not interested at all in walking!! OMD, I've never had a dog like this before! When we get the leash out for the morning walk she jumps in her bed and pretends to be asleep...or wait is that your DH I am talking about!!! LOL!

[Katie, John & Parker pup]

lol! That toy box still doesn't look as bad as the mayhem Parker leaves after raiding his! he literally takes EVERY toy out every day and when I put them back, he takes them right back out! Luckily he is lazy and while he enjoys his walkies, he also doesn't penalize me if the weather is bad and he doesn't get a long one every day! He is quite happy to sleep in late and lounge around the house!

[Jennifer and Jack]

So funny, Jack is very patient with me, I do not have him on a schedule right now... since things are so rough with me.. Luckily my family that is here is walking Jack a few times a day, When I am at my best Jack gets two walks a day a mile each from me.

Lately my poor boy has not gotten a walk, He is so cute though.. When it is bed time and Jack knows I am going to sleep for the night, I shut off the TV. If he didn't get enough exercise he will get up, throw his body against the door until I open it and as soon as I do he goes to his massive toy box. He will pull out a toy and I will sit on the floor and throw it back and fourth just for a few minutes. It burns off some of his energy, When he is done, I always wait for him to be done, He will jump into bed..and look at me like OKay Now I can sleep.

I love our babies...

[Bonnie and Kona]

Oh my gosh, Laurie. we were out of town five days and left the boys in the care of a young woman who used to live with us before we got Owen, the mischievous one. ;o) They were like crazed zombies when we got home last night. This morning they were mud up to their bellies. My daughter is bathing them both right now. We need the treadmill idea going here, but we don't have one. Love the way they stacked those beer cans. Did they drink that while you were gone? I imagine the drinking took the edge off for your daughter anyway.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Lisa, ROUTINE is everything with them! In fact, it's the Dog's National Anthem:

(With apologies to Aretha)

"R-O-U-T-I-N-E

Find out what it means to me...."

Guess Laurie found out, lol!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

As usual, laughed and imagined the scenes all the way through the story.

I started taking Daisy to the P.A.R.K (spelling that cause I can't say it anymore) at lunch time. Now she expects it, around 1:30 she starts putting her face on my lap. Problem is, I started doing it when the weather was nice...guess what, winter is on it's way.

These dogs have such a way of making us feel guilty don't they? What once was considered a treat is now a routine. 2 long walks, play time in the back yard every morning and now a lunch time romp at the park, otherwise she is non stop all evening with one toy or another. On the upside she sleeps until we are both up and dressed every morning and longer on the weekends.

[Carol and Banjo]

LOL Donna....my gosh.....do you see the resemblance....of Patsy to Laurie?!   It's uncanny!    I have a delightful mental image of Laurie in her night wear swaying to the music in her driveway.       Thanks for the LOL's Laurie!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Fudge and Vern....you "party animals".  That beer can tower would make most hard core frat dudes proud!  Laurie, I'm the one who pretends to be asleep....works well for me.  Is it too late for you to give it a try?

[Donna K & Quincy]

I have a mental pic of you standing out in the yard in your pyjamas, emanating peace and goodwill and just drinking in the wonderful sight of two doodle romping after midnight.

 

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