In July of 1991, Garry and I visited a breeder up in Morgantown, PA. This was our first experience with cockers and breeders. Little did we know it was right next door to Lancaster -- a place known for puppy mills.
We found the 'farm' and we were greated by a lovely little buff male, who took my hand very gently and guided me towards his pups. The mother, and Doodles siblings were in an inside/outside pen area.
The owner came out of the house and let us play with each pup. We had a rambuncious lab mix at home and we wanted a dog that wasn't timid or overly dominant. Garry pretty much decided on the pup. I had ALWAYS wanted a little cocker and we brought him home that very day.
He was in my lap the whole way home. About an hour drive, and we bonded immediatly. He was mommy's Doodle Pie. That night, we ordered out, and had a big bowl of buffalo wings on the coffee table. Dude took a flying leap into the bowl, and then, landed in Garry's lap, to sip his beer. HA, I'll never forget his ears a flappin. He always loved buffalo wings and beer. The funniest thing about him having a sip of beer now and then, was that he talked to it while he lapped it up. He would say "yum yum yum" while he was drinking it.
Doodle went everywhere with me. He was such a good boy. He taught me how to train him. He would lay in my arms at night, in bed, and when it was time for him to go outside for last potty call, he would lick me and whine. Such a good boy.
We would take him down the shore with us on vacation. He loved riding in the boat. In fact, we couldn't even say the word boat or he would fly into our laps and kiss us until we made him stop.
Right around this time, the Gulf War was going on. The news was showing the people mourning, doing that Alalalala sound, so I started doing it. THAT was the start of our song. I would do that and Dude would come flying into my lap, making his little puppy lips into an "O" and touching my lips at the same time and we sang at the top of our lungs.
We did this every day for years. We danced together, we had a favorite song. Into the Mystic by Van Morrison. When he heard that song, he would dance with me. I loved that about him.
As the years passed, Dude was always my soft non-aggressive alpha male. Always gentle and teaching the others how to behave, just like his dad.
Doodle will be sorely missed, but the memories are wonderful. He never really had any problems, we were very lucky there.
Towards the end, he was deaf, blind, had severe arthritis in his back, limped, had a raging infection in his left ear (he never had ear problems till the end) and nothing we did was helping. His heart was enlarged, but he never really had any major problems during his life. He didn't even want his brand new little tiny blue ball for Christmas. :-( Like I said, we were very very lucky -- perfect tempermant, perfect companion, perfect health.
My heart dog! My best buddy, gone, but not forgotten. I have a favorite picture of us, hopefully I can get it up here on his page. |
