Doodle Mob

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

DH left yesterday for China and as it is too cold to play golf today I took Rooney and we went new car shopping.  I'd like to get rid of the big sedan and go to a mid sized, dog friendly SUV.  We stopped at a couple of dealers and then I decided to drive down to Naples to a very up scale, shopping center, we live in Ft. Myers - not as ritzy which I like because I am a more casual type of gal.  Anywho, I wanted to pick up something for my daughter's birthday and I had something to return so away we went.  Now I've taken Rooney to our Ft. Myers mall plenty of times and yes he does get some attention but what went down in Naples - it blew me away.  I am not stretching it to say that 40+ people stopped to ask me what kind of dog he was, tell me how cute he was, ask to touch, pet or hold him.  I felt like the Pied Piper.  At one point in the lululemon store, I had a crowd of 20 people gathered round.  Then one lady was actually in tears - she wanted my puppy that bad - kinda creepy (took me about 20 minutes to get away from her and her family).  I handed out every business card I had for Rooney breeder and just ran out.  I finally just had to leave the mall, it was impossible for me to shop as no matter where I went, I was mobbed.  I love telling folks about Doodles but this was waaaaay over the top.  Roo slept all the way home and I am pooped out as well.  I guess next time I'll take him to puppy day care so that I can get some shopping done - lol.  This was too much even for me, I have to say that Doodles are not very common down here, so I understand and love people's interest but wow - totally unexpected.    What the dog?  Anyone else have this happen?

[Ginny Nightingale]

Yup--happens all the time. I even had a woman pull her car over to ask questions when I was walking my two in my dad's neighborhood. The lady stalker was just plain NUTS though--Maybe she wanted a puppy from Santa and didn't get one!!

[Robyn, Greg and Snickers]

Happens all the time a UPS driver even stopped
Once in the middle of the road to ask me about Snickers. Also if you look back at discussions you can read about the stalker Snicks had. It really does get annoying though when you ate trying to accomplish something like shopping!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I think it is that "one horse town" (your words!!) you are living in that is the problem.  They probably haven't caught up with the ever evolving canine world.  Give them a couple years. They'll come around!!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

And I have noticed that people RARELY ask what Tara's name is. They ask everything else about her but don't seem to recognize her as an individual with a name.

[Angie, Hudson and Lily]

Hudson gets lots of attention when we go out, but not to the degree that you had.( That one lady you mentioned does sound a little scary.......) I had Hudson at our outdoor mall around Christmas and we were in Borders and I had a hard time looking at the books because everybody wanted to pet him. When I dropped my son off at basketball last week, he got a lot of attention from the other players who saw him in the car and wanted to pet him and then a couple of parents wanted me to roll down the window as they were pulling away in their cars so that they could see him. Once when we were out for a walk in town, some people in a car at the light rolled down their window to ask what kind of dog he was and say he was so cute. Lots of attention, but thankfully no mobs and no crazy ladies! :)

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Glad to know that you have all been there to a degree, it sounds kinda silly looking back but at the time was just getting to be too much for me.  It was a very crowed day, after Christmas sales (and no blizzard here in FL) not the best day to go.  Rooney was walking great on his leash but at times I was picking Rooney up a lot in the stores because I was worried about him getting stepped on, but then trying to keep my hands on my package, purse, sunglasses etc.  Yes people were taking his picture on their cell phones (without asking) but that was the least of my worries.  Now that I know this might happen - I'll be better prepared but like I said, we've had some attention before, just not THIS much attention.  All doodles are adorable and the big ones - just like bears - I can't imagine the attention that they get!  I think because Rooney is parti colored - people just aren't sure what he is.  I am going to have to take DH down there with me sometime so he can see for himself what happened - he'll never believe me otherwise.  LOL.  Thanks guys - I always know that I can vent, and like today - whine - here and that you'll always get me back on track!    

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Jane I would suggest you always take along a partner-DH or a friend or someone!!  That is what we do. One of us fields the questions about Tara and the other one does the shopping!! It makes for much less crazy-making!!

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

Sadly in Ohio there are not many places that dog friendly, especially malls - that would be great!!!  You should check out the group that lists dog friendly places all over the country and add the places you take Rooney! 

[Frannie & Callie]

Jane - that would have freaked me out! I can't really blame them though...Rooney is extra specially cute!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Lesson learned - it was just too busy of a day to take him to a place like that (although he handled it like a pro) but I was overwhelmed by the attention.  I was trying on some workout pants and people were begging to hold his leash for me, sorry but would you let me hold your child while you close a dressing room door?  And I love to let kids pet Rooney but I'm trying to tell someone about doodles, listen to the salesperson while making sure the kids are getting to rough with the puppy.  Crazy people.  And yes Denise - here in FL people take their dogs every place!  There are tons of places where you can dine outdoors and your dog is welcome.  At the mall in Ft Myers, 1st Friday of the month is Yappy Hour.

[Lisa {Zoe's Mom]]

That is awesome!  I wish it was like that here