how much love is there in this world??

[Jac]

Originally Posted by mommyboo30

They are so cute...U must be proud of them.I am getting my first one on thursday.Her name is butterbean.Funny name huh! Just remember those puppies apreciate all the work u have done to find them homes.Im sure who ever adopts one will be very grateful as well.Take care of urself and ur sweet pups

What a sweet post! From breeders everywhere, I thank you and all of those loving families like you! We enjoy nothing more than watching our pups go to loving forever homes.

[River Rat]

Here's the latest of Chouette. She got a very expensive grooming job and I'll never do that again but she does look really nice with it:

[attachment=0:uuvn7bfa]choudockflowers.jpg[/attachment:uuvn7bfa]

[cindy456]

She is beautiful! I like her haircut did you take in a picture or did they "know" how to do her?

[River Rat]

Cindy, there's a guide for grooming labradoodles here:

http://idog.biz/QuickDownloads/Professi ... 20Inst.pdf

I brought it in and we discussed which areas I wanted groomed which way using the photos. However, one of the reasons she looks so good, I finally realized, was that they took very little off so she didn't have that "growing in" period where her coat and head were cut too short and I had to wait until she began to look like a doodle again. As a result she began looking shaggy much too quickly, and I had to spend about an hour today brushing her because she was starting to mat, especially under the ears and the neck. I have an appointment with a mobile groomer who comes to the house, but it's not until mid-September and I hope we can wait that long!

But yes, she really is pretty; she looks exactly the way I hoped she would, and everyone who sees her is also blown away by how good she is. I can take her anywhere; we went on the Cape May - Lewes ferry a couple of weeks ago and people always make a fuss over her. We bring her to a crab restaurant in Delaware where they have an outside deck, and she curls up under the table with a bowl of water while we eat. She's always so well-behaved. When people comment, I emphasize the way Maureen breeds for temperament and how careful a responsible breeder is about personality and genetic disorders like eye and hip problems. One woman in Delaware even took down information on how to reach her because she'd like one, too.

How is Mandy doing? Are you getting as much joy from her as we do with Chou?

Leslie

[Jac]

Oh. Leslie, she is gorgeous...she just keeps getting prettier and prettier! (And yes, Maureen is a fine breeder...her pups are certainly beautiful...and soooo much more!)

[River Rat]

Jac, I'm glad you got to see that photo since you were in on the choice between Ocho (Chou) and Jasmine! I think we made a good decision, although I'm still curious to see how Jasmine grew. Her owner didn't keep in touch with Maureen, though.

So many people who see Chouette have met other labradoodles that are very hyper; that's why I always make the point that a good breeder considers temperament and doesn't just throw any poodle together with any lab et voilà!

How are you doing and are you loving your new quarters?

Leslie

[Maureen]

Leslie I LOVE your updating us with pictures of Chouette!!
You have such a gift for capturing the elusive black doodle pictures....there are breeders all over North America eating their hearts out that they can't properly show their black puppies. Seriously!

Chouette is such a special girl....I really hope that every puppy we send to a new home is as sweet and appreciated as your girl is.

[Jac]

I am one of those breeders! LOL

I agree with your comments, Maureen...you were lucky to find some really special homes for your babies...

Leslie, thanks for remembering that selection time...it was fun!

Too bad you can't stay in touch with the sibling pups...I always wish that ours would stay in touch...some do, some don't...and I never stop wondering how they are.

Today I was honored to spend the afternoon with Opie, one of our pups that is now (after today) certified by the Delta Society as a therapy dog! He did so well...I have never seen the testing before...it is intense! Congratulations to all of you who have earned this honor with your dogs...and congratulations to Opie and Lori!

[cindy456]

Hello Leslie,

Mandy is so wonderful and really calm for a 7 month old. I kept waiting for "psycho puppy" to arrive and so far it has stayed away. She is just amazing. And I wholeheartedly agree, Maureen is the best (okay I am biased and admit it). I love talking to her and keeping in touch. Mandy now weighs 54 lbs and her coat is luscious. Some areas are a little coarser than others, but she is starting to lose the puppy coat. Her eyes are my favorite part, just a lovely amber color and they light up when she is happy. The shape of her head is superb, you can see poodle in it but also lab, people are always confused. Mandy is loving and minds so well, of course she has been in training for almost 4 months between 2 different classes. Another dog jumped her at training last night and she stayed in a submissive stance laying on the ground, no growl, or back from her. The trainer got the other one off Mandy and she handled the situation very well, but stayedd away from that dog. I can never say enough about her, she is my heart. Sounds silly, just looking at her makes me happy and content. She behaves very well in public and around people that come over. She will end being wonderful in my classroom, as long as she doesn't have gas!!

[Jac]

hahahahaha....if she has gas, just blame it on one of the boys!

[River Rat]

Cindy, that's exactly what I find with Chouette; she is very mellow but yet a merry little soul. I bring her to school when I pick up my granddaughter, and she's the mascot of the schoolyard; all the kids adore her. When they're coming from another building and have to stay in line, Chouette gets indignant and gives a few little yowls to ask why no one is paying attention to her.

There was one point when I would call her and she would sit there acting as though this didn't apply to her, but that was when she was a young puppy feeling her independence. Otherwise she really wants to please and is excellent at figuring out how to do that.

What kind of training do you have her involved in? And what kind of classroom do you teach?

Leslie