Two doodles have an interesting adventure in Vermont--with two Poodles!

[Ginny Nightingale]

Hi all! Mattie and Lyric are all tired out tonight after an overnight visit with a friend that has two poodles. Our friend lives in Vermont in a beautiful home up in the mountains. We have never taken the dogs to another person's house that has dogs--so I was a bit nervous. I also wasn't sure how I would let my dogs just run around without a leash or a fence. We have not let them run free and I had a lot of concern about that. As we pulled up to the house, I was relieved to see that our friend has a fenced in area for the dogs to play in. The two poodles were very friendly, although one seemed very shy and less interested in playing. The other poodle, who is 9, was clearly in charge and kept my two doods in line with a bit of growling, but the tail was wagging the whole time. I was happy about that because Lyric can really get carried away and plays too rough at times. She immediately got the message and behaved herself. Mattie, Lyric and the older poodle started running around and playing with no problem.

As the day went on, it became clear that the younger poodle had something wrong with her. The owner and I eventually spoke about it and she told me that she feels that the dog has some brain damage or developmental delays. She was born a day before the rest of a litter of 9, but I don't know if that has anything to do with it. She doesn't play, doesn't know any commands, doesn't really make eye contact, but is so sweet and gentle. She either sleeps on or next to her owner or is sitting and waiting for her. It was very interesting to observe a dog that, in her owner's words, "doesn't know how to be a dog".

Then there were the toys...everywhere. Our friend has kept tons toys from all of the poodles she has had for 20 years and they are in baskets in just about every room. Luckily, the two poodles didn't have any issues about Mattie and Lyric playing with those toys--That would have been a real problem, since Lyric was pulling them all out and playing with them one by one. She loves toys, so was in heaven! I am so glad our friend was a dog person--she enjoyed watching Lyric run all over the house with a new toy in her mouth every few minutes! Mattie, ever the chow hound, found big bones mixed in with the toys and was checking those out for hours.

All the dogs were very tired at the end of the day and had a good sleep before we drove home the next day--but there was one more surprise for us. On the second day, we went down to the large finished basement with the dogs (which wasn't easy, since you needed to go down a spiral staircase to get there--which terrified the dogs!) In the basement, there were a few agility jumps set up. Mattie and Lyric have done some agility training but I can't afford to get the equipment to try it at home. My friend had bought the equipment for a poodle that died some years back and was not using it anymore ---so she gave it all to me! There are several really nice jumps and a weaving pole set-up--yippee! Can't wait to try it all tomorrow!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

What a fun visit and with the new equipment, it just goes on and on.....

[Christine & Shelby]

What an exciting trip for you and the doods. Love the photos....looks like everyone had a grand time!

[Ginny Nightingale]

And finally--the trip home-phew! These are tired doggies!

[Ginny Nightingale]

That's quite an expression on Mattie's face, no? She is determined! Here are pictures of Lyric surrounded by the toys she dragged out and one with one of the poodles and Mattie( in the background checking out a bone.)

[Ginny Nightingale]

Here are the photos! We will start with Mattie and Lyric jumping over some of the equipment--they love it! I have to set it higher for Lyric, though--she LEAPS!

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

It sounds like you guys had a great time! What a super friend, the agility stuff all sounds like so much fun. I would love to get it all to but like you sais its expensive!!

[Tessa, Ellie and Wheezy]

What an awesome friend!!! Her house sounds like a dogs dream!!

[Ginny Nightingale]

I will definitely get some pictures once I get everything all set up later today--the dog I mentioned that was a bit different is definitely happy and is having a great life in her own way--you just have to get used to the fact that she doesn't respond much. Her owner has worked a great deal with the disabled and taught the blind for many years, so she is the perfect owner for this dog. She is truly loved and appreciated! So, it isn't sad at all--I was just wondering if anyone else had ever run into this. I am guessing that dogs like Georgia (that's her name) are often put down and that would be sad. She will sit for a cookie! That's her favorite thing.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

What a great trip for you and the Doodles! It sounds like everyone had a great time, and how nice that your friend gave you the agility equipment.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I love a dog that loves to play with toys. It is so fun to just watch them entertain themselves by picking a new toy out and playing and then getting another. Lucy and Sophie like toys, but seem to have their favorites (Lucy's is usually a treat toy of some sort lol). The 3 male fosters that we have had have all been really into toys. There would be toys all over the living room by the end of the day. I just loved sitting and watching them play. Also sounds like you hit the jackpot on the agility equipment.