WE MET MICKEY!!! Thank You For Your Warm Wishes

[Marissa and 'Mickey']

I would like to thank all of you for your warm welcome. Seamus and I drove from Pittsburgh to NJ last night for a visit. During our time in the car Seamus and I discussed Mickey. We talked about how we needed to be quite and gentle when first met him. We discussed how we would talk in a low baby voice, get low to the ground, not rub the top of his head (per my sisters orders), and give him a chance to get used to us. WELL, what really happened was....Sammie and Adrianne (Mom) came out to greet us. We said hello and couldn’t wait to meet our little man. Then Mom opened the gate and all bets were off. All of our careful planning, deliberate concern immediately went out the window. We were most likely to loud and intrusive (but who could help it...is so so cute.) Obviously he was scared and barely came over to us. I wasn't upset about that since I knew he needed time to warm up. What did upset me was his size. He is skin and bones. Mom kept warning me and taking pics, BUT to feel his hips and rib bones was very sad and heart breaking PLUS he had already gained weight. This is craziness!!

(back to the story)...Seamus and I went to the backyard. Mom was trying to give Mickey his nightly meds. It wasn't going very well. However, Seamus and I soon realized that if he walked one-way Mickey would go the other way. That helped a little. Ever few minutes I would get a rub in. He tolerated us but was only comfortable if Mom or Sammie was there. Again, understandable. Finally he allowed me to pick him up. We sat in a chair and Mom turned Mickey on his back like a nursing baby. It was so sweet. I rubbed him, which is a little hard since there is little skin covering all those bones, etc. I went to move him to put him back on the floor (i didn't want to overwhelm him) when he layed across my belly with his head on shoulder. That was the sweetest moment ever! I mean ever! He is so gentle. And Sammie is defiantly a saint. Mickey is Sammie's shadow. He just trails her, or runs under her, or over. It is very funny to watch. Sammie is just fabulous!! Thanks Sam!! Well, long story short Seamus and I are trying to bond with MIckey. However, we aren't pushing the situation (although if I could I would swoop him up and run for higher grounds...like Pittsburgh) Just kidding Mom!!! ;) Thanks to the DK community for your support. Mickey and I appreciate you!! And to all who assisted with Mickey. To my Mom…I love you!

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Marissa, you will see how quickly these neglected and abused babies turn around. They come out of their shells and become the most lovable and loving creatures. Mickey was the smallest and shyest of the pups when Jacquie and I went to the shelter to meet them. He was also the last to be taken home. And you can never know completely all he has been through. But with time, love and patience (and some good food) he will thrive. You and your mom and Mickey always have us to come to for support, advice and an ear to listen. Sending cyber hugs to all of you.

[Marissa and 'Mickey']

Thank you Lynne. I will defiantly take you up on that!!! I understand it will take time. We are willing to do whatever it takes.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Right back at you!! By the time you head back to Pittsburgh tomorrow, the bond will be formed. You both are being very gentle, sweet and understanding. He will have a fantastic forever home - if he EVER complains, he knows all he has to do is tell Samantha and DoodleGrandma and they will take care it! LOL

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yo, Adrianne! You're really going to have to get yourself one of these:

[Adrianne Matzkin]

ROTF!!!! I need another mug like I need a 3rd leg - but what the heck!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am so glad you got to begin the bonding process. It will work out with time and patience and I see that you are willing to do whatever it takes. Again congratulations on becoming a doodle mom. PS I still love his legs! I didn't see the post as to how old he is or what his expected adult size is. Can someone fill me in?

[Adrianne Matzkin]

He just turned 5 months old on the 9th (Mickey and my Samantha have the same birthday, Feb 9th- 1 year apart)
He gained a pound in the 1 week he has been here with us. He is 17" tall at the shoulder.
F1b - poodle mom, doodle dad - that is all we know - he came to us from a shelter via AH PM -
I am fostering him and Marissa, my daughter, will be adopting him. He will go to his forever home sometime in August. He is incredible, a little aprehenisve (who can blame him??) and Samantha has been a superbly wonderful foster aunt! She has made his transformation so much easier for him.

[Sue Robin F]

Marissa looks like you .she has your lovely smile. Samantha is a lovely, sweet dog
I do think it really helps Mickey adjust. Havey has always been protective and wonderful to Moses .... it definitely was good for Moses.
That is wonderful that Mickey will remain part of your family.

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

Hi Marissa, you just got a little taste of the sweetness of these dogs. Wait till you have the love every day. It is so precious. Mickey will eventually bond with you.....poor baby needs TLC. I know you will give that to him.

[Dana]

First of all welcome to the doodle family! Mickey is very sweet - how could you not melt looking into those eyes - it's no wonder your careful planning went astray. He is extremely lucky to be a part of your family. If you're anything like your Mom & I'm sure you are (getting up at dawn must be in the genes LOL!) he's going to have a wonderful life filled with tons of love & lots of good food! Looking forward to meeting you & Seamus & watching Mickey grow.

[Beth and Gang]

Wonderful news Marissa!! You have a very special doodle !! Mickey is a chrmer...love his eyes!!

Congrats!!

[Sue Robin F]

Hi Marissa,

I did not see the previous post, but I am assuming that you are adopting Mickey. It has brought tears to my eyes. I wish you a wonderful life together ... which
I am sure you will have. Congratulations!!!!
My Goldendoodle Moses was a puppymill rescue. However, he spent over a year at the mill. He was going to be used as a breeder there. I got him when he was 16 months old. He came with many, many issues ....so fearful, he would sliver on the ground out of fear, he was too afraid to eat ... I had to go out of the room for him to eat and if I walked back in, he ran away,he would submissively pee everyday on my bed when he got frightened , he destroyed, many, many things including making a huge hole in my back car seat and probably about 20 leashes, etc., etc ...if I tried to get him in a crate he would pull away and pee on my bed ....... however he was always sweet and kind and had a look like Mickey.
Moses used to constantly run behind my 15 lb Havanese for protection.
Today he is the most wonderful dog I could ever ask for. Your Mom knows him. He is a Therapy dog and very loved by all he visits. It was worth all the work.
Moses still has some scars, but they do not affect his daily life. One scar is that if he is eating and I walk in the room, he may run from his food for maybe 20 seconds ... but once he sees that there is no danger goes right back to eating.

I am sure that you will have an incredible bond and lilfe together. I know that head on the shoulder feeling
I am so happy for all of you. Congratulations again! Say, 'Hi' to your Mom for me
Sue