Happy Holidays 

from our house to yours

It's so much fun sharing our goldendoodle memories with you. Here are the latest photos of our sweet Christmas Doodle 'Layla'.

 

Goldendoodle Birthday!

V insisted on wrapping a gift for Layla 

It's Layla's first birthday and we celebrated it by giving her a nice big rawhide bone. I guess that's enough to make a dog happy. The whole family is still excited and happy that we got such a sweet tempered and easy going dog. Layla is relaxed and cuddly at home and loves to play with other dogs and run wild when she is outside. It's a great balance and not too stressful for us. 

Happy 1st Birthday, Layla!!!

It's grooming time!

Layla before

Layla after

Lucy got her haircut the same day

As much as I wanted to wait for the first haircut we just couldn't stand the matted and unkempt look of poor Layla. I am not sure it's advisable to wait anyway - I don't know why the breeders suggested it since I don't believe her fur will grow back even thicker. She already has so much hair and it sheds very little. Incidentally, I got an appointment at the groomer's shop the same day my parents got theirs for Lucy in Austria. Although I was prepared to a totally different look I was still quite shocked to see Layla with such short hair. It couldn't be helped since it was too matted and it all had to come off. It's like getting back a different dog! Well, you get used to it and it is so much easier to take care of - and Layla loved it as well. Our next appointment is in two months where they'll hopefully be able to leave some length in her coat. Oh, and the groomers loved her since she was so well behaved.

Goldendoodles all around

Lucy

introducing "Theo"

exhausted from playing non-stop

We went to visit my parents and Lucy for one last time this summer. What a surprise we got when we saw Lucy playing in the garden with Theo, our neighbor's new black goldendoodle puppy. Theo comes all the way from the North of Germany and is 4 1/2 months old. He is just the sweetest and cleverest puppy! It's a joy to watch them play without any aggression or biting. By now, both Lucy and Layla badly need a trim but our breeder as well as Theo's breeder insist on waiting until they are about a year old. They claim their fur might grow back even thicker if you groom them too early. I am not sure we can wait that long though!

Together again at last

Layla and Lucy reunited after two months 

Meet Joey, our neighbour's puppy

After another grueling car trip - this time without an overnight stop - we arrived in Tyrol. We weren't sure what to expect once the dogs were together again. It was so great to see how happy and excited they were to see each other. They play constantly and don't fight at all - I heard the fighting happens a lot between sisters once they get older - and it's hard to keep them apart. But I know it won't be a problem once we leave since it only took Lucy a day to get used to being alone with my parents. Both dogs still look very much alike but Lucy is a bit bigger and has a longer nose. Most people, including us sometimes, find it hard to tell them apart. 

Layla at six months

Our Goldendoodle at six months old. She looks more and more like a little teddy bear and everywhere we go people want to know about the breed. I am just too happy to tell them. Since her standard poodle mom has been on the smaller side I don't think she will grow much more. Lucy, her sister in Austria, is supposed to be much taller. I can't wait to see them together again at the end of June. Layla seems to have more Poodle than Golden Retriever gene since she doesn't like to swim very much (my daughter had to lure her into the pool and she never jumps into lakes during walks) and she certainly doesn't retrieve or chase after wildlife.  But she lets you do pretty much anything you want with her. She loves to play 'hide and seek' with V and loves to cuddle with the members of the family. She is still a bit wary of strangers which is just as well. 

Hiking with the girls

Here are some memories from our Easter trip. We had a lot of fun hiking with both dogs. They enjoyed the freedom of running around and roaming the woods. They encountered cows for the first time while walking by a farm in the next village. It was hilarious - Lucy wouldn't even go close to the tame cows but Layla was quite adventurous. Once she figured out they couldn't get out she got really close. V had the best of time pushing Layla in her doll's carriage and she seemed to like it. My parents got attached to Lucy right away and we left her with them as planned from the beginning. I am happy to report that she is doing great and doesn't seem to miss her sister or us. The same goes for Layla who is now with us all by herself (and is getting doggy treats from the tooth fairy(-: )