Four Dogs? In THIS house?

Oliver G. Doodle is a 10 week old English Teddy Bear Goldendoodle who currently resides in Robertsdale, Alabama.  He will be flying to Richmond to live with me in his new home in 5 days and I am ecstatic.   I have been nesting for 2 weeks.  Yes, nesting - just like I did when my son was born almost 22 years ago.  I have cleaned, organized, put the yard in order, shopped for toys, collars, leashes,beds, crates, and everything that a new puppy might need (and some things that he doesn't) .  I  have even had the carpets cleaned.  I know, carpets cleaned before bringing a new puppy home?  The last thing the carpet cleaner said to me was "Four Dogs?  In this house? - Here's my card, you're gonna need it".  Let me explain...

Leo, the 12 year old husky mix, has been part of our family since we rescued him at 6 months old.  He is the sweetest boy that ever existed.  He has had ACL surgery on both back legs and suffers from a bit of arthritis.  He has the most laid back personality EVER and will be the daddy figure/mentor to my new addition. 

Chloe, the 13 pound, 8 year old schnauzer mix is a silly little girl with a bit of neurosis. There is really no way to describe her.  She is much like that "weird" family member that shows up for Thanksgiving dinner.  I always tell people that she is like a cat...quite aloof.  Then she tells them that I lie by snuggling with them when they come by the house. 

Sydney, the 6 month old yellow lab was an angel sent to us in May of this year to help my son heal after he experienced a terrible tragedy.  She lives with my son who is completing his senior year in college. He attends a private, all boys college and she is the princess of  Theta Chi Nu.  Her "uncles" are ensuring that she is spoiled every day and that no "beer" ever touches her pretty little mouth. 

So, technically, there will only be four of them in the house periodically.  But I don't care.  I love them all.  They each bring me joy in their own way. 

The summer spent raising Sydney with my son brought me unbelievable happiness.  I actually made the time to play, I took that long walk each morning that I have been promising to do for myself for years.  I met more of my neighbors this summer than in the 6 years I have lived in my home - a cute puppy has a way of bringing people together. I took lunchtime walks and stopped working at a reasonable hour for a change.    I belly laughed every single day.  When she left for school with Cody, I made the decision, with Jack's encouragment and support, to bring a new puppy into my life.   Jack is my significant other who lives in New Orleans and serves as an Officer in the U.S. Coast Guard.  That is where my search began.

Extensive reseach led me to www.teddybeargoldendoodles.com and that is where I first spotted the handsome "Latte Blue Dot".  Smeraglia regularly posts videos of these amazing creatures and I couldn't stop watching the one with Oliver and his litter mates.  He was so funny...while the puppies romped and played, he just sat around in the background, munching on some unknown "treat" in the grass.  You can see it for yourself at:
http://vimeo.com/47874014

I was hooked and made the call.  After speaking with Heather, one of the "doodle specialists" at Smeraglia,  I decided to bring him home.  "Latte" was Oliver's mother's name.  "Blue Dot" was the color of his ribbon which identified him from his littermates.  After many lists, advice from friends and lost sleep, I decided to name him Oliver G. Doodle, after his beautiful father, Sir Oliver and in honor of his breed - the goldendoodle.  Seriously, could you have resisted that face?  The adventure is about to begin...and I can't wait!