Labradoodle Children's Book GIVEAWAY!

[Adina P]

A couple weeks ago, a publisher contacted me about a copy of a darling children's book about a labradoodle named Mogie who "works" for a Ronald McDonald House, helping kids get their "mojo" back.  The book is intended for children 4-8 years old and since I have one of those in my house, I thought it would be perfect.  My copy arrived yesterday.

And for this important photo opp, Rosco even got some couch time ;)


It really is a sweet story and illustrates, Mogie, a natural therapy dog, doing what he does best with several children who needed uplifting.  Although Mogie's breed is not mentioned in the book, it is based on a real Mogie who happens to be an Australian labradoodle and really works for a Ronald McDonald House. 

A link to the book's trailer:  http://books.simonandschuster.com/Mogie/Kathi-Appelt/9781442480544

Now for all of you with children or grandchildren...we will be giving away ONE copy to a lucky DK Member!  All you have to do is respond below with your favorite kid-doodle story.  Have you witnessed a touching moment between your doodle and a child?  Funny stories, heart-warming stories, silly stories...all are welcome!  Your response with a story will be considered your entry.  Only one response per person will count.  Only US addresses qualify.

I'll give this contest till Sunday at midnight, Pacific Time.

[DJ & Chance]

Adorable

[jane leichter]

The book sounds delightful and I would be tickled to win it, but we have few opportunities for kid doodle stories .I would send our copy to our distant grandson.

BUT our doodle is a real service dog! We love what you do but you may not know that there is a distinction between a service dog , who performs a particular service to a disabled person (like my severely disabled husband, and a THERAPY dog , who VISITS with sick people like the kids at the Ronald McDonald house in the story.

In our training at UNITED DISABILITIES SERVICES in Lancaster PA ,  we have several consumer owned (like us) and UDS owned and volunteer trained..Doodles. 

Our boy, HaGal,  who just passed his big public access test, acts as a stability dog and companion for my husband. Jim was a certified orthotics prosthetist who made artificial limbs and braces. He was exposed to toxins in his work and has a progressive debilitating neurological disease..an "an  atypical parkinsons. He has had over a dozen brain and other relared surgeries since being diagnosed in 2001. We had a labradoodle for 12 years. When Jack[who was a rescue] left us, we Got HaGal  (Hebrew for: the wave) and I have trained him as a consumer owned dog since 10 weeks old. He just turned 3!

Jim is going for more surgery at Hershey medical center to replace a kaput DBS device on monday.  HaGal will be there. Going in to pre op. Walking next to the gurney outside the operating room.putting his paws up and giving jim a kiss, waiting with me as we walk the halls and wait for word he has made it through. And greeting him in recovery. We were just at Hershey on Tuesday. He brought out smiles in the  grumpiest of  faces. On monday I took him to a uds friend who raises poodles. She is a doll and was willing to give his muzzle a trim and we bathed him so he would be all clean..I was warned in advance..she has been breeding lovely poodles for many years. .and sure enough. She cut his rough and ready muzzle into a poodle face .lol. But he hates getting his gentle leader caught in his chin hair.so ..it will soon grow out. She also blew him out, as his fur mats terribly..so, now he looks more like the alpacas on our farm.lol than a doodle. 

It is never dull here. 

I would say that the best doodle kid stories are when I am out training him..in stores..a child will say "hey!  look at that dog in the store! Hi dog. ".. to which I reply.." Hey ..look at that kid! Hi kid" ..trying to throw my voice as if it is HaGal talking. .the wee ones buy into it..they turn to their parents, who are smiling,  and say hey. .that dog can talk! 

I almost always take the opportunity to make kids aware not to just run up to a service dog..who is working. .or any dog..who may or may not be friendly.  They must ask me if they can pet him.. and then i say yes you may!..we are allowed to put the dog in a sit. And he may greet the children.

he takes his training very seriously. But when given the "greet" command..his tail wags a mile a minute! 

Each of our UDS doodles has a distinct personality, like doodles everywhere. 

Sorry to be so long winded. Our UDS organization is helped by the Hershey bears hockey team who shoots a calendar each year with the dogs. .I think there were 7 doodles this year.

Will try to attach pictures of our boy

[Adina P]

Jane is totally right.  I misused the term "service dog" -- I'm going to change it now!

[Sue]

No problem Adina, I think we all understood the general concept. I don't think you deserved a lecture, lol

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

What a wonderful dog HaGal must be. Thanks for sharing.

[jane leichter]

sue, im sorry you took my  post the wrong way... if  everyone knew and shared their knowledge on the amazing world of  service and therapy dogs, it WOULD be a moot point. but  in many cases,  ignorance is not  bliss. We have had many instances of being accosted by unruly children, who just  run up and distract a working dog, with no input  from parents. Even adults come up and just start in on the  disabled person's dog, when often it is all the  individual can do to just function. Doodles make incredible service dogs.

The more people can understand the dyamics of those  who are helped by both therapy and service dogs , the better. Apologies to you Adina. I was not  nitpicking and i believe you knew that.  The better we ALL  train our  dogs and  educate their owners, the better our example to those who give all dogs a bad name.  As my long gone mother often said, "there but for  the grace of G-d go you and I". Being disabled is not something you plan for.   If  you considered my  comments to wonderful Adina a  lecture, then im very sorry.  We all  love our Doodles.The more [good] press we can get, the better.  

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I found your post very informative. I live in PA and go to Hershey at Christmas time. I wish your husband all the best and I am happy he has HaGal by his side. I think of that "there but for the grace of God go I" a lot and especially when I volunteered with the elderly.

[Wendy and Myla]

I found your post very informative also!  There was a thread on here the other day about the differences between service dogs and therapy dogs and the training required.  I'm learning so much - I can understand why doodles would be great dogs for both - their temperament is wonderful.  I hope all goes well for your husband on Monday and give HaGal an extra hug for being so wonderful!

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

OMD I love that second shot, Adina!  It's beautiful!

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Finn is a therapy dog and he's currently in a reading program for special needs kids.  I blogged about our experience last summer so here's the link to our story for those who haven't seen it.

http://www.doodlekisses.com/profiles/blogs/imperfectly-perfect

I'm so glad you posted this, Adina because I've been wondering what to get Finney's Kids for  Christmas. This is perfect!  I'm going to order a copy for the class tonight. The kids will get such a kick out of it.   

[Heather & Tom]

When we brought our son home from China he was terrified of Farley.  Now.......best buds!

[Texas Doodle Mom and Molly Rose]

Precious photo!