Mattie turns 5!! Does your doodle's age worry you?

[Ginny Nightingale]

Today is Mattie's 5th birthday--as my first doodle and the one who so clearly "gets me"--I am very, very attached to her. She is the favorite of everyone in the family and is a great therapy dog as well. So, now, as her birthdays go by, I am starting to cringe--yes, I know she is only 5, but it is so scary to think of her getting older. I have always loved all my dogs over the years, but never felt quite so close to any of them as I do to Mattie (although my other two doodles are great as well, they are a bit more like dogs then people, especially Lyric.) 

We celebrated earlier today with their favorite treat--a bully stick for each of them--and I am a lucky person to have three such wonderful doodles, even if time does march by when you don't want it to!!

Happy Birthday, Matilda dear!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Happy Birthday, pretty Mattie, and many more happy birthdays to come!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Happy Birthday Mattie....you beautiful girl! 

[Julie, Izzie & Max]

Happy Birthday Mattie!

I don't worry too much about Izzie's and Max's age yet since they are both about three years.  We had a  large sheltie who died a year before we got our two doodles.  When she was older, it always worried me when I tool her to the vet's office and there was a life expectancy chart on the wall and she was already years over her life expectancy.  According to the chart, larger dogs have a much shorter life span than smaller dogs.  My two doodles are both over fifty pounds and would be in the larger category.  I think I will start to worry as they get older.  But I guess all we can do is the try to keep them as healthy as possible so they will be with us for a long long time.

[F, Calla & Luca]

What a beautiful girl. Happy Birthday Mattie. I know what you mean, Luca will soon be four and I do think sometimes about when the doodles get old.

[Jennifer and Jack]

I worry about everything but I know I shouldn't !

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Mattie is certainly special.  I do worry about the dogs getting older.  Gordie just turned 8 and Ned and Clancy's 4th birthday is approaching.

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

Happy Birthday Mattie.  You are a very beautiful doodette.

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

I know what you're saying, Ginny.  I cringe when I realize that Sedona's no longer a puppy - at 2 1/2 she's a big girl.  Time's just whizzing by!!!  Anyhow, happy birthday Mattie!  You're a beautiful girl!!!

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

I know what you mean Ginny...my Gracie Doodle will be 5 in May and I am dreading it.  She is my "everything" and I just want to freeze time!  Mattie is a gorgeous little girl.  She looks so sweet and happy.  Happy Birthday Sweet Baby and hugs and kisses!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Happy Birthday beautiful girl. Mattie is really a sweetheart. You can see it in those expressive eyes.

I'm afraid I feel the same way about Kona who will soon turn five. Kona is the most gentle and loving dog we have ever known. He was born wise and wonderful. I feel panicky any time there is the slightest thing different about him. We had three dogs die in three years and I think it has me spooked. Anyway, he is my special boy.

[Colleen, Jake & Baxter]

Happy Birthday and hat's off to you on your special day Mattie!

[Ginny Nightingale]

Looks like a lot of us fear the old age of our doods! They are very special--by coincidence, I saw a program today about freeze-drying your pet--it takes a year and costs $3000, but the darn thing looks alive when done!! I would NEVER do that personally, but I bet some of us would be tempted!!

Mattie says thanks for all of the lovely birthday wishes---her favorite part of the day was getting her bully stick! She was a bit disappointed tonight when i did not load the dishwasher--that is her second favorite part of the day. The dishwasher is under the weather--We have such an old house that mice are a real problem and we have a "mighty mouse" that actually chewed through the cabinet wall and then chewed the hose that the water from the Dishwasher exits thru. Water all over the place! It is an easy fix for my handy DH, but getting him to make the time to do it is another story!!