Double Digits! (Those puppy days go by faster than you think!)

[Jessica & Lucie]

Lucie bear has joined the double digit club with her 10th birthday this week! I wanted to share just a little piece of our story. I know many of you have younger pups, and that is also when we were more active on this site, and there are going to be good days and what we call bad doggie days, sacrifices and challenges, but what I wouldn't give to have 10 more years with my love. 

When I got Lucie as an 8 week old puppy in August of 2009, I was a 22 year old, right out of college without much of a clue on how to raise a puppy. Lucie was a rambunctious spirited enthusiastic life loving pup who could run and play for hours without tiring. The first year with a cute fluffy pup, a roommate, and part time employment (thanks to the help of my parents) was pretty fun, although it did become apparent that a little more obedience training probably wouldn't have been a bad idea.  I'll never forget when she found her voice around 9 months old and started "barking back" when she didn't get what she wanted.

The next few years were spent hiking in the woods of Rock Creek Park and at dog parks, Lucie did pretty well with 2 hours of off leash time per day - a luxury that I realize most people don't have - but the benefit of youth was a lack of competing responsibilities. We made so many dog and human friends! As a young professional trying to find my place in the world, dealing with a breakup and career uncertainty, Lucie was my rock, my consistent driving force, and my social companion. Sure, I would have likely been fine either way, but I'm really not sure if my life would have ended up the same.

Lucie spent a few years at her grandparents house, where she was the granddoggie that they never knew they wanted, but loved 10x more than any dog we had growing up. Our dogs were not allowed upstairs, Lucie has a bed in every room and sleeps in their bedroom. My mom would call and tell me about Lucie's adventures, like her swim in the neighbors pool when their fence wasn't locked, or her weekly hikes and swims at a park near them. I missed her terribly, but it was truly best for both of us at the time. Lucie would visit for weeks or a month at a time, and it broke my heart to say goodbye but I knew that she had an amazing life (my v. active parents tend to stay close to home), a huge back yard, and lots of love. 

Eventually, I turned 30, bought a house, and grew out of my "going out" years. Sharing her with my parents was great, and was going well, but the transitions were so hard for me - they didn't seem to negatively impact Lu, although I'm SURE she did miss me on some level. My life wasn't the same when she wasn't with me, I didn't spend much time outside, I worked longer hours, I was having stress related anxiety attacks, and my mental health was suffering more than I admitted at the time. During one of Lucie's visits I realized how much better I felt when she was with me, and in her more mature stage of life her exercise and energy needs were much more manageable. One of the main things holding me back from having her full time had been my work schedule, but I reached a point where I realized that I needed to work less, and having Lucie was a way to guarantee that! So she came to live with me full time, and I built a network of friends who could help if I needed and an amazing dog walker Alex who we have adored, and I committed to making it work - I needed Lucie in my life. 

I'm happy to share that as challenging as the puppy years were, Lucie has grown into the sweetest, most loving, loyal, dog. She is without a doubt my best friend. My nature enthusiast, outdoors activity companion, cuddle bug, and snufflepupagus. We still walk miles a day and play fetch for more hours than most people could imagine, but I have realized that I need these things as much as she does - exercise, time to decompress, and time to play. Not always my first choice of activities to accomplish these goals, but she never lets me miss a day! 

We live in an area where I am unlike many of the people who live there, most of whom have never seen a goldendloodle. On our walks, Lucie gets compliments daily from strangers who have turned into daily acquaintances, pets from young children whose parents are a bit apprehensive, hugs from high school kids at the end of their school day - and she gives joy and love back with her tail wags and sniffs. I'll never forget the man who didn't speak a word to me, and laid down on the grown next to her, petting her and kissing her head. Or the burly construction workers who get out of their truck to sweet talk her into a belly rub. There are people who have had a really hard life, and it shows on their faces, but Lucie can bring out a smile and for that moment, my heart fills with joy. This may not seem like much, but it is a daily reminder for me about what matters most in life, people, connections and relationships. 

I've known a lot of people who have had goldendoodles over the years, none quite like Lucie in terms of their energy level or enthusiasm for play. There were many years when I wished for her to get older, calm down a bit, slow down a tad, maybe need a little less. Boy how things have changed - I rejoice in her ability to run and prance and frolic. I see her energy as a gift that has kept her young, and me constantly searching for activities we can do together (hiking, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding). She's a little less interested in playing with other dogs now, but on occasion will gallop through the woods for a game of chase or wrestle with the best of them - other dog owners are shocked when I tell them her age. Now instead of getting so much exercise to tire Lucie out, our commitment to exercise is to keep both of us healthy. There are benefits to an energetic pup, and although I didn't see it as that during the first few years, I'm hoping for many millions more miles. 

I'm so thankful for the last 10 years that I've had with Lucie, and the person she's helped me to become. I would never share this story with anyone who wasn't a dog person, because I think they just would not understand like you all can. Appreciate the days of energetic young pups as much as you can, knowing that one day you won't take the exuberance for granted. Continue to love them even when they are pushing your buttons and testing your patience, that love will come back to you and the world magnified. Find opportunities to grow together, as they just might end up changing your life more than you expected a dog ever could. I was so grateful for this group when Lucie was a puppy, and I'm just as grateful today to have someone to share our story with.

[Nicole and Teddy]

What a sweet, sweet story - thank you for sharing. Lucie is absolutely adorable! Teddy is 5 and I'm already not taking our time with him for granted - they become such a part of our lives and hearts, don't they?

[Barbara, Zoey and Zeke]

What a wonderful tribute!! Lucie is a doll.  2 and a half years ago, I also got a very energetic pup named Zoey.  When they did temperament testing, I told the breeder that I needed a dog that could keep up with me.  I routinely walk/hike 5 miles a day.  I remind myself of that now and laugh!  I could barely keep up with her!  Now I have a new little boy named Zeke that is more laid back.  You are right - It's a wonderful life!!!!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Jessica, I so agree that dogs add so much to our lives.  I wish you and Lucie many more happy years.

[DonMarie and Picco]

What a sweetheart Lucie is, such a pal!   When I was younger and getting on my own way, I had to hand over my dog to my parents in a different state - it was too hard to hold down full-time plus OT to keep myself afloat, plus finding rentals that let you have dogs.  It's hard to be separated from your best buddy.  I'm happy you got your best friend back full-time and she still has plenty of energy to keep on!  Lucie is a beautiful girl!

[Becka]

This is a lovely tribute. Thank you so much for sharing it with us--I wish you and Lucie many more years together!

[Nellie's Mom]

I enjoyed so much reading your tribute to your sweet Lucie.  What a wonderful story of how much a dog can add to our lives.  Thanks for sharing and wishing you many more years of fun.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Thanks for sharing your and Lucie's story. It is a charming story. 

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Great story - thanks.  Dogs do help us with balancing our lives and they are proven to reduce stress.  Thanks for sharing Lucie's and your story.