Wishing for a big back yard.

[Camilla and Darwin]

We take Darwin to my parents house every now and then to visit, and let him run around in the backyard. It's a one acre lot, and full of fun interesting smells. There are horses on both sides of my parents lot, and he loves to run up to the fence and stare at them. It really makes me long for a backyard. We live in an apartment, and although we frequently take him to dog parks and hiking trails... nothing compares to a big yard. Hopefully in the next couple years we can find a home with a decent sized yard. My husband and I are also really excited to add another doodle to our home when that happens. Darwin loves loves loves playing with other dogs and I know he would enjoy having a friend.
Here are a couple of photos we took of Darwin enjoying my parents yard...

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

We have a nice large fenced in back yard, but I still take them out to potty on a leash. That makes it a one or two minute trip vs 30 mins of trying to get them to come back in and then having to clean them up when they get back in. I control when they get sloppy wet or muddy. We've just gone above freezing today for the 1st time this year, so we are getting ready to have a sloppy wet mess in the back yard when all the snow melts and the ground thaws out! yuck!

[Camilla and Darwin]

The potty thing I understand. You have to leash them up, walk them around to the poop or pee spot... not convenient at all!

[Kelli, Fenway, & Dustin Pedroia]

We live in a condo (with two doodles) and long for a backyard too! We have a great dog park right up the road and my parents live out in the country, but it's just not the same as having your very own backyard! Especially when it's cold and late at night and one of them needs to go out and potty!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Darwin's color shows so well on the snow. I live in the smog capital of the world, so seeing that blue sky makes me so envious..... I have a small yard and do wish it was bigger and so do my dogs but what is, is. At least we have a doggy door so they can go in and out whenever they want.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I take him to the dog park at least twice a week if I can. We also take him on walks. The main way he gets his exercise is by playing with our apartment doggie friends. We all get together every night and our dogs play in a big grassy area in the center of the complex for around an hour. It isn't fenced in, that is why I can't go let him run around there unless there are other dogs to play with to focus his attention. Ten acres! That sounds like Darwin's dream!

[Karen & Lucy]

Just so I am clear, that is a 360 ' circle that she can run in. It is quit big. ;-)

[Karen & Lucy]

I guess I am very fortunate. I take having acreage for granted. We have 10 acreas, but have and invisable fence for Lucy so she has a 360 degree circle that is all hers to run in and she loves it. I would love to just let her go all over our property, but am afraid. I have no idea how you all that live in apartments/condos or have a small yard. Lucy would go nuts. I am researching RV campgrounds in Florida now for next winter and am spending ALOT of time on the computer looking for one that has a fenced in dog run. Not many do, they mostly have dog walks. She is used to so much exercise so this is a must.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Yeah, i wondered the same thing. Thats why I requested a floor level unit... there is a lovely patch of grass right outside the door. Well, it was lovely, until the grass died... :-)

[F, Calla & Luca]

I don't have acres but I have almost one acre and I don't think I could manage the dogs without it. I really wonder how people in apartments with long elevator rides to get out manage puppies. I do feel fortunate about my yard, at least when I don't have to mow, although that's always a good time for thinking.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Yeah, that is why I posted the second photo. My parents backyard is beautiful. I wish we could just let him out into the backyard to play... that would be so nice. Someday...