How much attention do your doodles get?

[Stacy]

We just got back from party in the park. It's an outdoor concert series the city has every year that rotates from park to park and has live music and food (no fireworks). I thought I would take Maggie and see how she did. It was only 5 minutes from the house so if she hated it we would just leave. My family was there too, so it was a social event and some brief interaction with the nephews before we go on vacation in a week.

Maggie was amazing! She just soaked it up. She didn't seem anxious at all and she met all sorts of new people. She was really the belle of the ball. People were taking her picture and wanted to chat about her. I get it. I also think she's gorgeous and sweet and mellow. Pretty much perfect now. But wow! the attention is kind of overwhelming for me! I mean, I talk to strangers all the time at work. It's kind of required. But in the real world I'm pretty introverted. I think Maggie might already have more friends than I do!

Do you all experience this kind of dog excitement out there in the world? 

ps - I'm also really excited about what this means for the future. I really think she might enjoy getting her therapy certification and going to schools and letting the kids read to her, and maybe going into the hospital and making people feel better. Who could possibly feel bad when they look at that sweet face? 

[Carol and Truffle]

How beautiful she is!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

She really is a lovely doodle. I enjoy taking my dogs out. Taking three is not as fun or easy as two. Also Charlie is unreliable as he might be charming or try to hump. He might watch and enjoy or be reactive and over excited. 

[Stacy]

I think even two is hard. I tend to take turns with them. And Katie doesn't really love to go. She will, but my mom says she's like me - a homebody. Maggie is the one who begs to go. 

[Amy and Annabelle]

She is beautiful and looks so happy. I bet she would enjoy being a therapy dog. Annabelle gets all kinds of attention from us and family. When I take her to pick up the grandkids from school, she is given all kinds of attention from the kids and parents. She just eats it up. But like you, I am an introvert and I have no friends here in my transplant state. The older I get the more of a recluse I become. I can go for days and not leave my house. I have everything I need or want at home. I don't need face to face social interaction on a daily basis. I think my years in sales and having to deal with people and some not so nice people have made me enjoy my time alone. We will take her for walks at the park, but have to drive a ways to get there. But we live on 3 acres, so Annabelle has plenty of room to run. Living way out  in the country, we have no sidewalks. On walks at the park she gets no attention at all. She got some as a little puppy, but not now. 

[Stacy]

I have really great people, but it's a small group. I have a problem with strangers. I don't know how to make small talk with people I don't know. And it takes me a long time to warm up new people. I'm not a social butterfly. I like my small group. The dogs do tend to make me friendlier though. I love to talk about the dogs. And they take the focus off of me. I would probably be a lot more outgoing if I could take the dogs everywhere.

[Leslie J]

Cocoa is a social butterfly! We’ve been living in a condo for the last couple of years after we sold our house.  My husband and I always joke that no one in the complex know us but everyone knows Cocoa. Everywhere we go with her we hear “Hi Cocoa!” She prances around the place looking for all her “friends,” both human and canine.  

We’re about to move into our new house, which is in the country on six acres.  She’ll miss all her friends but I think she’ll love having all the space around her.

[Stacy]

At my dog class I know all the dogs names and none of the people names. I bet Cocoa will love her new home! I have always wanted to live out in the country and have a horse!

[Joani, Skadi & Elli]

I would want to socialize with this beauty too!  Much better than people! Hahahaha.  The world needs therapy dogs...they bring such joy to folks.  Have fun.

[Stacy]

She is turning into such a love bug. Politely asking for attention. She's not pushy. And she doesn't jump up on people. I can't take any credit for that, but it's really nice. 

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

We live in the country with the closest neighbor (of 3 total)  a quarter mile away.  The only social contact Haley has at home is the UPS and FedEx guys who frequently deliver  here.  They actually take time to throw Haley's ball for him.  We do take Haley any place that we go that is ok for dogs.  He LOVES to go to Lowe's where he gets LOTS of attention from the Lowe's people and customers.  Here he is surrounded by admirers  when we went to view the Fall foliage on the Skyline Drive.

[Joani, Skadi & Elli]

Super cute picture.

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

Thanks,  Joani .  I don't know who enjoyed the moment more, Haley or the little girl.