Seasons come and season go, as do each day and year. If we blink, we just may miss it. Sometimes it happens before our eyes as we may have the wrong focus. I won’t say that the last few decades have been easy, but during those times I’ve had the absolute pleasure of having my family with me, and that includes my furry family members. If you’ve been with me for the last few years, you know I have had to say goodbye to my shadow, Teddy, our 14-year-old mini schnauzer. Now, I not only have Lily, our calico, but have added a new addition. I have a goldendoodle puppy blessing to share with you. eep!! Be ready for your heart to be stolen by a floof ball!

If you can’t see me smiling as BIG as the sun as I write this, then I need to convince you by my story. Let me begin with the very beginning…

THE BACKSTORY

When I was able to find our sweet Teddy to adopt 16 years ago, he needed a new home at the age of 1.5 years old because his owner was diagnosed with MS (Multiple Sclerosis). He was exactly what my young family needed and this mama who wanted animals with all her heart. Being able to adopt him was a blessing because we couldn’t afford a brand-new puppy, and he needed a family to love.

You can see how I’ve spoiled him over the years in these posts. However, it wasn’t until we had the first showing on our home that he became injured. Happily, he took off running with my kids and tore his Achilles tendon. It literally broke my heart to see my senior dog now disabled. This was taken just days before as I made his new sweater coat.

Not long after, he began to have organ failure and we had him put down. The hardest part is I was so strongly hoping he could finally run and play in the country with me as I thought we were moving. It wasn’t meant to be.

MY OTHER FURRBALL

Meanwhile, my sweet Lily, our calico cat came to us after I lost our stillborn daughter. Not only did Lily fill a bit of the hole left in my heart but gave my whole family something to smile about. She’s a diva that loves to kill all the pretty things, hence, her nickname is Killy Lily.

Don’t let her fluffy, cute little self fool you. She is NOT a lap cat; she does NOT need people. But every morning she is the first to greet me with a soft meow, a nuzzle, and sweet cuddles. In addition, she comes when I call, and she crawls on my lap when she isn’t feeling well.  Who can deny a cat on a lap? I love her sweet self, sassy and all.

A NEW CHAPTER

While we didn’t sell our home as I want and finally get back to my country-girl roots, I know God has a plan. I put off even thinking of another dog until I could live in a place where I didn’t need a leash, could run and play with my kids. However, as often I’ve learned, my ways are not God’s ways. This past year has dealt a blow that knocked me flat. At this point, I am not at liberty to share those details. I don’t mean to leave you hanging, but understand I plan to share because I wholeheartedly believe I’m on the journey to help others facing the same. Fear not, there is no terminal issue, but absolutely life changing that none would choose.

In those months, I gave my dream of living in the country a sweet wave goodbye. No, it’s not because I’m quitting or have given up. It’s a coming to terms of what reality is and what I need to do to care for myself. You see, self-care has not been a priority of mine for a great many years. With six kids to love on, losing two babies, facing death, facing possible strokes in recent years, has caught me in a path of taking care of others. I lost me in the mix somewhere always putting others first and being taken advantage of in many instances. Likewise, my neurodiverse marriage has taken a toll.

NEW ME

In all honestly, I’m giving to a fault. However, over the years, I’ve had some very hard lessons teach me to say no, to say yes to me more. It’s been freeing in ways words can’t describe. In addition, I’ve been able to focus on my health as I discuss in my recent fitness adventure HERE where I’ve lost 3.5″ around my waist and 15 unwanted pounds. Thankfully, I’m continuing to keep that path and improve in many ways.

Also, I’ve found out that after 45 years I actually have naturally wavy/curly hair! Talk about mind-blowing!! I tell all in my all-things-wavy post HERE.

MY GOLDENDOODLE PUPPY TICKET

After long last, I’m so excited to introduce you to Loula – my puppy curlfriend!

Loula is a 4-month-old standard F1b goldendoodle puppy. For those that don’t talk doodle, that means one of her parents is a goldendoodle (golden retriever and poodle) that is bred with a standard poodle. First, let me just say, my only goal in searching for a pup was that it be easy-going, non-shedding, and a female under 4 months old. While I adore schnauzers, I wanted a bit bigger dog to be able to run with me. Teddy was definitely not a runner. haha. My focus went to doodles. Did you know there are 61 different doodle mixes? ¹

Then, back in the fall I narrowed my focus down to either a labradoodle, a goldendoodle, or a double doodle. When I started my research, I did not want to use a breeder (pups are $2K) and puppy mills are not of my interest for many reasons. I want to find a pup that is surrendered and needs a home. Unfortunately, there were only older males and folks wanted hundreds for them. I wasn’t against purchasing but have a very limited budget.

THE SEARCH

At the time, I began searching my goal was to surprise my kids by winter as a gift. We’ve been through much and I felt a puppy would bring some healing. I would see one available and it would be gone before I could get an answer from the owner. Likewise, if I find one, I learn to quickly take a screenshot of the contact information before it was flagged. Honestly, I gave up looking, but left a tab open on my phone. Three days after Christmas I refreshed the tab and a 6-month-old female black goldendoodle with a $100 rehoming fee shows up. I screenshot, email, and receive a response.

Over that day and into the evening messaging back and forth, and felt it was a fit. The goldendoodle puppy was over 3 hours south of me, but I was willing to drive. I just couldn’t drop was I was doing that day. After I ask to come the next day by noon, the owner tells me someone is on the way to get the puppy by evening. During that time, I ask God to have His hand in it. If it wasn’t meant to be, then please make it so.

Eventually, the owner let me know the puppy has a new home. My heart broke because of all I have been through and thought this was the answer. However, He did exactly as I asked of Him. It just hurt. So… the next day I still had the tab open and saw another puppy post in the same area, but only 4 months old, female, black goldendoodle. Again, I screenshot and begin to email fast. As soon as I hit “send” on the email it comes back undeliverable as the post had been flagged. gah!

HEART HEALS

Nevertheless, I pop back on the tab and make my own post reaching out to the owner that was flagged. To my surprise, they saw it!! The chances of them going back online to look at a random public post are like a needle in a haystack. They message me and say that the goldendoodle puppy originally belongs to their niece as a therapy dog, but the niece didn’t bond with her. The owner is an AKC Great Dane breeder and has many dogs of her own, so she couldn’t keep her. Not only am I first in line for her, but they also say that I she’s mine for no cost as they knew she is going to a good home. {{tears}}

The very next day, four of my kids and I hope in the truck and head south for a 2-hour 45-minute drive. The owners were willing to meet me so that it would save me 2 hours round trip. What is more, the day was sunny and warm the whole way (which is a miracle for Ohio), I get bonding time with my kids, and bonus…PUPPY!! The ginormous smiles on my kids’ faces as we head home are fixed in my memory forever.

Loula was originally named Snickerdoodle, but I like names with meaning. My goal was to not pick a name that ending in a “y” sound as all the pets I’ve ever loved had that and I didn’t get to name Teddy. Loula means:

Charismatic, cheeky and sociable, fun-lovers, adaptable to change and adore colorful bright surroundings. With a gift of communication skills, they are inspiration, cheerful optimism and joy. They love life and wants and needs to share their enthusiasm with those around them.

PLAY TIME

It’s suits her to a T! One thing the owner told me that because the niece wasn’t interested in Loula, she was crated much. That broke my heart. I don’t use crates and knew that I will need to undo a few things. However, Loula is totally smart and is doing so good!! She’s all puppy and I have fun creating games for her like this muffin tin with tennis balls hiding a few treats. Instantly she catches on and finds the ones I hide diagonally.

In addition, I use other brain-teaser toys like this lick pad filled with cooked squash, yogurt, banana, and blueberries. Simply fill it, freeze for an hour, and your pup will be happy for at least 20-30 minutes. Brain break for me too!!

LILY’S THOUGHTS

Finally, you may be wondering what Lily thinks of this floof nut running about. Well, she’s such a diva that she, in not even one week, has let Loula sniff her, but is not taking any chances as for now. Doesn’t she look like Ferdinand in that beloved children’s book? bwahahaha!!

However, I feed them treat nose-to-nose and Lily allows it. Loula would LOVE to play with her and is ever so gentle; doesn’t bark, doesn’t growl, just sniffs.

FUTURE

God is so good. Loula fills that empty space and is so loving (but still very much puppy). She trains very quickly and is keeping us entertained. I’ll be trimming her long locks as soon as I receive my new clippers. Teddy was a dream to clip, and I’m sure she will be too as I’ve already trimmed her nails with no fuss, and her face/ears with scissors.

Are you considering a doodle of your very own? Here are 10 reasons why not to own a doodle:

1. You don’t like snuggling
2. You don’t want endless kisses
3. You never like to smile
4. You don’t like having a shadow
5. Wet kisses aren’t your thing
6. You like to sleep alone
7. You don’t like to play
8. You don’t want a doting companion
9. You don’t want loving protection
10. You simply don’t have love to share

If you’ve made it this far, thank you. I’m sharing a bit of my heart hoping to touch yours. God is always good in the good times and bad. My Heavenly Father wants the best for us in all things. I invite you to pin and share to inspire others. Maybe they’ll end up with a goldendoodle puppy of their own – ya never know. Also, you can read how she know has learned to talk to everyone HERE.

And don’t forget! Next week is Trash to Treasure Tuesday where this silverware chest is getting a life.

Be sure to sign up for my FREE newsletter to see the end result. Or head HERE to see it taken to a new level…literally!  Until next time!

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