WILSON & LEO BANISHED TOGETHER

[Cathy C. Bennett]

If I could only do it all over again…

I would have never brought “Wilson” home…

This obsession with “Wilson” is over the top for sure!

No really, three years ago I thought it was the absolute “cutest thing” ever. Watching him carry “Wilson” around while folks pointed and smiled as we walked by.

But now having him around like a “third pet” has made me dislike rubber all together.

First of all we can’t ever go anywhere without it.

If I try, he’ll bark at me like he’s lost his mind. I’ll tell him to “leave it” and he’ll bark back “no”(yeah he does)…

That’s his unruly “I’m not complying” barking face

Finally I concede, no longer caring about defeat or all that “alpha-dog” mumbo jumbo. I tell him to“bring it” giving him another point in this ridiculous game of ours. “Leo – 102 / Doodle Mom – 0”

This ball goes EVERYWHERE! And it’s just a ball. To Leo I believe he thinks it’s a legless, helpless member of his pack…

They’re all starting to look alike!

I’m not proud to say this but there are times when I’ve conspired to hide it from him. I’d distract him, thinking he’d forget. Never worked! He thought it was a game, and boy was he serious about getting it back. He’ll use his full weight to push you aside if he thinks you have it…

Leo almost rolled OVER me trying to get his precious “Wilson”

Even though there are multiple “Wilson’s” laying around our property, to Leo, they are all one in the same…

He surrounds himself in “Wilson’s”

So how did my big baby boy get himself in trouble?

Well

• Remember a couple of weeks ago I posted a blog called THE LITTLE RASCALS. 
• Remember how the Boys ruved to sit under their tree and wait for their pals to come home so they could all play?
• Remember last month they moved away?…

Leo’s furrends have moved away

Well the other day, the new neighbors moved in…

Haven’t seen any little people yet

DH told Leo, not to leave “Wilson” (all or any of them) laying around on the new neighbors front lawn…

DH said “your ball belongs in your yard”

Once upon a time when Leo finished playing, he would bring his “round rubber pack member” into the garage. Regardless if we were playing out front or in the back. We expressed to him that we wanted to go back to that policy. We went over this on more than a few occasions. And trust me, he understood. But the “defiant one” had a mind and a plan all his own.

He must have found it more convenient if “Wilson” remained on the neighbors lawn. Because time and time again, that’s exactly where he left it. There was no getting him to switch gears and bring it into the garage as requested.

He has such a sweet spirit, but he can be hard headed and stubborn too. As we talked to him over and over about “no ball in the neighbors yard”, he just glared right through us…

That stare no longer moves me – HA!

I thought “OMD, this dog is not going to cooperate.” With no other recourse, we went hard core – we gated “Wilson.” That’s right, “Wilson” was now restricted to the backyard.

Wondering how that went over, huh?

At first not too well. Leo laid around in his spot on the neighbors lawn, miserable, glum, and down in the dumps…

Such a drama King!

Even Harley felt sorry for him.

Like the character “Mufasa” from the movie “The Lion King”, Simba needed help getting over this. Not sure what he did, but a few days ago Leo reemerged and seemed quite content playing with“Wilson” in the backyard with Mufasa oops! – Harley watching…

Life is finally getting back to normal – I think

Tomorrow I will see if Leo is ready to play with “Wilson” on OUR front lawn while DH cuts the grass. I pray to the “Doodle Angels” that he’s learned his lesson and life can get back to normal.

Thanks fur reading, I’ll keep on writing…

[Cathy C. Bennett]

Hi Sheila - loved your comment, and you wouldn't believe your timing. Just finished posting, won't be up on DK for a while, please visit groovygoldendoodles.com and read my laster blog - I dedicated it to you. You were my inspiration. Thanks so much for reading. Woofs to Finley

[Sheila & Finnley]

Oh poor Leo and poor Wilson too. I don't care what you are thinking now, Wilson is an important part of your family and Leo's life. Leo loves his little Wilson. ♥ You didn't mention the new neighbor's. Do we like them, are they Leo and Harley lovers ? I think there is more you need to share. Please get right on this.

Love to Leo, Harley and Wilson !!

[Cathy C. Bennett]

Since Ms. Ellie is female, I'm sure she would prefer something soft and cuddly. Harley had a mini horse, but after two years as a pup dragging it around in the house EVERYWHERE, he got decapitated somehow and it was beyond repair. Let me know what she gravitates to - I'm intrigued.

[Cathy C. Bennett]

Full agreement Joanna, We'll probably put a water dish out for him eventually! Today when we finished our walk - Leo grabbed Wilson and brought him straight into the garage, looked at me, and placed Wilson on the floor before hopping the steps into the house. I swear these dogs have been on this earth before! Thanks for sharing.

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

Cathy, maybe it's time you just accepted Wilson into the pack ;-)

[Miss Ellie]

Cathy,

Your dogs are just beautiful.  Our first dog Jack was like that with one of his stuffies, a raccoon named Rocky.  Rocky went everywhere with him.  I can so relate to your story...and it just brings a smile to my face...thanks for the memories...I miss that and look forward to what our Miss Ellie will develop a bond too...take care!

[Cathy C. Bennett]

BUSTED! Becka you know my number! Leo's stare, his smile, the way he jumps on the bed like he's as light as a feather (which he's not), it all "moves me." So happy you enjoyed his story. I am not able to merge your DK comments onto my website.  Even though I will continue to "post" on DK, perhapd y ou wouldn't mind commenting from time to time on their website groovygoldendoodles.com? If you want, you can subscribe to both the "doodle daily" (which is the blog) and doodle*licious (which is their quarterly newsletter. I'd love for ALL our readers to see ALL comments. Take care, and Sadie's a cutie pie....

[Becka]

I love the idea that Leo thinks Wilson (all of them) is a "legless, helpless member of his pack"! And that noncompliant face in the first photo is a dead ringer for Sadie's "stop reading/typing/talking on the phone and take me outside" face! And Cathy, I don't believe you for a minute when you say that stare no longer moves you! ;)

[Cathy C. Bennett]

Hey Nancie - How are you? Yes, I can definitely relate. They are precious, and their antics really do keep me smiling. Harley gravitates to the tennis balls as well. I think it's because his mouth is too small for the "Wilson" balls. Love your pictures -  thanks so much for sharing them with me. I have a favor/question to ask you: I would love for ALL my readers to see comments such as yours and I am unable to send the DK comments over to their website. Do you mind terribly from time to time commenting on the website? groovygoldendoodles.com You can subscribe for email notifications as well as for their quarterly newsletter Doodle*Licious. I'll still post on DK. Thanks so much! AND thanks for reading.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

I  just love your boys and hearing about Wilson!  My Gracie Doodle is like that with her tennis balls especially.  And, if she doesn't have a tennis ball then she goes and gets one of her monsters to carry around!  Such silly babies but they sure do put a smile on our faces and make us believe everything is right in the world!  Thanks again for a wonderful story Cathy...hugs to the boys!