"Write a book -- are you crazy?!?"

[Adina P]

I have an idea that might be crazy.  We’d like to write a book about Labradoodles and Goldendoodles.  But we would need your help.

More about the book in a minute.  First the reason why we would even think about writing one.

We have a pretty big goal at DK:

To improve the health and happiness of all Doodles and their owners.

To do that we have to spread good information.  We do so much of that here.  We’ve got some seriously smart doodle people here!  And extremely generous with your knowledge too.  The amount of valuable information you all provide for other Doodle owners on a daily basis is unmatched.

But it’s not enough.

We want to spread the wisdom you all have to everyone that is looking for that information.  These will often be people outside of our website.  Many people who don’t appreciate a social network like you and I do (what?!?), but would like to still get all the knowledge that is continually shared here on DK.

So we want to write a book.  THE definitive book on the topic of Labradoodles and Goldendoodles.  We want it to be available pretty much everywhere.  Amazon Kindle store, Apple iBooks store, pdf format, and even real paper and ink format.  We want to spread it far and wide.  Way beyond the friendly confines of DK.

We will sell this book.  We want it to be cheap.  We’re thinking $7.99.  We would do as we always do and donate 25% of all our proceeds to Doodle and dog rescue organizations.

But we need your help.  After all, you fabulous Doodle Kissers are the big brains around here.  :-)   We need help writing, compiling, and editing it.  This will be a team effort.  A crowdsourced book.

Our first step will be to complete an outline.  We will then need individuals to help flesh out any sections that they have an interest in.  We will need photo contributions / editing.

Here is our first outline for the book:  https://gingkoapp.com/dk-doodle-book

This outline is in an online outliner called Gingko.  It’s threaded so you can drill down into topics.  It will be weird at first, but I think you’ll see the power of it very quickly.  The left column contains chapters.  Click on any chapter title and you will then be able to see all the sections within that chapter.  Etc.

What do you think?  Are we crazy?  Are you in?  Will you help create the definitive guide to Labradoodles and Goldendoodles?

[Miss Ellie]

I think it is a fabulous idea Adina!  More than happy to help however I can!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Well you certainly have the resources and personal references.  Good Luck.

[Robin and Libby Louise]

I think it's a great and worthwhile idea.  Who better to put out a doodle book?  I'm not sure how I can help, but am happy to if you need me.  Hmmmm, how about a chapter on Doodle Godmothers?  :)

[Becka]

I'm happy to volunteer my services as copy editor/proofreader, which I did for many years before I became an English professor. Y'all just have to promise not to get mad at me for correcting your mistakes. ;)

[Lynda Kamrath]

Not crazy at all - but, very ambitious.  Good luck.  I think everyone here at DK will want one of the books.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

I think it's an awesome and worthwhile idea!  Just leave it to you two to come up with a great idea like this!  My time is limited but count me in! Happy to help however I can.  Sadly, Finn and I are experts in hip dysplasia and "What not to do as a therapy dog" -- like sitting on the children for kisses :)

[Stella]

Fabulous idea!! But, so much work! I don't know if I will be able to help in any way other than moral support, but I'm in!!

[Donna K & Quincy]

Wonderful idea! Throw in a few blogs about life with a doodle and it's sure to be a hit. A mixture of humor and excellent info. You could always run a little blog contest, short blogs :) I'm not sure I can be of any help, but if there's something I can contribute I'll give it a shot.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Great idea! One thing is for sure... You will have no shortage of pictures ;)!

[Emily, Bentley, & Maserati]

Sounds like a great project! I would love to help out. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Great idea! I would love to help out.  I would make sure the guide to finding a breeder was in a more prominent place than in an appendix.  It is so important.  In the grooming section, I would really emphasize the many variations in coat there are and how that affects grooming needs.

[Sally S Miles]

This is such a good idea, who better to get the deed done? With the collective here, plus the wisdom and voice of Adina and Clark - well I have a feeling this is going to be fabulous!

We all know that a definitive book is needed, some point of reference that is easily obtainable and found. How better to gain and collect that knowledge than by a group of owners who like to share? Oh my it's an undertaking, but a task needing to be accomplished.  Awesome!

As someone mentioned the topic of Doodles and Kids - it brought to mind that in some form there should be those needed counterpoints to the 'ideal' idea.  The first question to ask is 'why a doodle?' Why is anyone looking for one in the first place? Frankly any breeder worth a darn would ask that question.

Those ideas about "all are good with kids",  or "all are smart", or "they don't shed" - you know.  Those topics that come up here on a daily basis - and the one that is going to be the toughest bone to chew - how to define a 'breed' of dog that defies description?  It needs to be done, debunk the myths and point out the reality.  From the beginning on those red flags,  evaluations, the puppy-hood,  - the training - the grooming - insurance - but then the Doodle wisdom that is these canine 'stew' of genetics - surprise, a box of chocolates.  The gamut of temperaments, structure, coat, and health within each of these dogs is a slippery little booger - but it certainly is interesting. 

You are well armed with information and anecdotes - experiences and pontifications abound - grab that idea and run with it,