Venting. Read at your own risk.

[Krista, Angel, and Toby]

Hi.

Good lord, I am pissed. I walk everyday with Angel. Every now and then a neighbor pops out to play with Angel because she adores her. Anyway, today said neighbor was playing with Angel when she pops in with the questions: "So where'd you get her again?" "How much was she?" (I lied about the price. She's hard on her luck at the moment, so I knew she wasn't interested in getting a doodle herself, so I told her $600.00 Who cares.)

She then tells me I am a horrible person, and WHILE SHE IS PLAYING WITH ANGEL implies that I shouldn't have gotten her, that I should regret my decision not to go to the pound.

Look, I admire those who adopt. But as many doodles there are in rescue, are there any 8 week-old goldendoodle puppies? With all the testing for health? Because I wanted a puppy that I could mould from scratch, one without issues to be dealt with. Why? Because I didn't feel I had the experience to deal with the issues yet.

Regardless of what other people say, I feel I made the best decision for me and for the dog. But damn! That neighbor just pissed me the hell off! (It wasn't just the dog issue. Apparently this person has too many opinions and not enough venues to spout them, because in the time span of 20 minutes she managed to tell me that I was wrong for voting for...who I voted for, despite my valid reasons for it (not saying who, as I don't want to open THAT can of worms HERE, and that's besides the point), and tell me that as a teacher the government treats me like crap (which is true, but how rude is it to throw it in someone's face? It's like me throwing it in her face that her house is a p.o.s and she has no prospects with the degree she's acquiring.)

Ugh. I'm sorry if I sound tediously pissy here, but as much as I played the empty vending machine there, I'm releasing it here. Sorry.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=14205718

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Unfortunately, it would be rude to tell your neighbor that it's rude to ask what anything cost, lol.
Actually, there is a litter of 7 week old multi-gen goldendoodles with a SC rescue right now. Their adoption fee is $650 each. I don't think that would have made your neighbor any happier about your decision, either. But it might shut her up.
http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=14205718

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

I totally agree! I hate when people try to make you feel guilty for wanting a puppy, of a certain breed, and thus needing to purchase it to obtain said puppy. Dont worry! My good friend always says "opinions are like a_ _ holes, everyones got one."

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We lied - and continue to lie to our children about how much we paid for Ned, "the mutt" because they just don't get it. We fell in love with doodles last June and got one as quickly as we could. I wouldn't mind a rescue doodle at all, but there are certain things we did want - smaller size, basically friendly or the time to gently socialize the dog before our summer trips, and we wanted it NOW.
Hindsight: If I took more time and learned more (mostly from here and the doodle rescue site), I might have found a smaller doodle needing rescue or re-homing that I could slowly socialize to travel with lots of people and activity. However my lack of rescue awareness and my "I want a doodle now!" mindset had us choose Ned within a week of becoming aware of doodles at all. However there are really good reasons to buy from a reputable breeder with the most important being consistancy in type ( whatever its doodle mix or generation) and temperament and predicted health clearances.

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

Don't let anyone make you feel guilty about not getting a rescue. Many of us were not aware of the need for rescue at the time we got our dogs or a rescue did not fit our circumstances. Those who do adopt rescued dogs and those involved in rescue are special people. Having said that there are many reasons people (including us) adopt (purchase) from breeders.

I am sure your neighbor meant no harm but as you have said she is down on her luck at the moment and I'm sure that it is "coloring" her judgement. I admire you for not throwing in her face the cost of Angel. Her playing with Angel may be the only joy she currently has in her life. Don't let her get to you and think about that you are bringing a little happiness into anothers life.

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

I totally understand. I had neighbors who seemed jealous of what any other neighbor had and they must be doing something wrong in order to have gotten it. They would say "how can Joe afford that place, his wife doesn't work" and blah blah blah. I think people like that are just jealous and that's why they try to make you feel bad. DO NOT feel bad about anything she said.

You have 2 choices. Ignore or try to justify what you have. OR You could say that if Angel was such a bad choice, why does she like her so much.

Just jealousy, that's all.