A dog reflects the family life.
Whoever saw a frisky dog in a gloomy family,
or a sad dog in a happy one?
Snarling people have snarling dogs,
dangerous people have dangerous ones.
Arthur Conan Doyle
This is our Abbey. She's a three year old goldendoodle, otherwise known as a Teddy Bear Goldendoodle. At 60 pounds and tall she's one big goofy ball of personality. Her bark is the best alarm system. Thankfully she doesn't go on and on. She knows to bark and come get us then she stops.
When she first came to us she was a very dark chocolate color. I never thought her fur would change so much. The change started with her beard - it turned a copper color. Then her tail streaked a white feathery plume. After another year the white started to pop throughout her coat, mostly on her head and back. Her legs and chest remain chocolate. She has turned into a muted parti.
Her parents are both first generation (F1) chocolate goldendoodles. Abbey is a 2nd generation or F2 goldendoodle. A first generation goldendoodle is produced by crossing a purebred poodle to a purebred golden retriever. We decided on the second generation as they don't shed which is good for the mister's asthma.
All of this cross pollinationbreeding and back again has caused the changes in her fur color.
Abbey is the gentlest dog we have ever encountered. She's smart. Alert. Loves people more than dogs. She's easy to train — once or twice and she's got it!
Best. Dog. Ever! She is very much a poodle in spirit and a golden retriever in personality.
She can open and close doors. She laughs on command, throwing her head back as if she were cracking up. She knows the names of her toys and will fetch them on command. She has a fairly large understanding of vocabulary. Some experts say the average dog can understand about 165 words, possibly more with training. Abbey is more than average.
Abbey is very affectionate and loves to be with us. She's a great snuggler. She will try to get as close as she can and finally puts her head under my chin and sighs. She calms the noisy barking dogs next door because she is calm. Caesar Milan would be proud!
We can walk her without a leash but only do this on paths, not city sidewalks. She comes when called even if there is something overly interesting for her. I have photographed her over the years and have many pictures but have chosen to show these ones so you can see the way her crazy hair has changed.
I too agree totally. My dog was the most loving friendly creature. He was a blue merle collis who sadly passed at 4 yrs old from a aneurysm, This is him
Dogs lives are so short ... it doesn't seem fair when they go before they've just started. What a beautiful collie.
We had an australian shepherd 3 years ago. He had spinal cancer and we had to put him down. He'd just turned 8. We had another aussie who died a few months later, she also had cancer, she was just about 6 years old. I was not too happy with the breeder to say the least. It was very hard to get over the loss.
We got Abbey three months later. She has filled that spot many times over.
Forte!! :) xox
He was beautiful!
Aw she is just lovely!! We have a big silly Labrador who - at almost 6 - still thinks she’s a puppy! People without dogs won’t ever get it, but they really are bloody incredible animals! The best pets/friends in the world, no way I’d be without mine!! Great post, nice to have an intro of a different kind on here!!
Labrador's are big silly dogs who forget their age.....lol. Wiggly squiggly dogs. They truly are the best friends in the world - and love you like no one else.
Thanks for sharing and commenting @skiesandsports!
Haha yep, she's sat on my lap on the sofa as we speak!!
She is so dang cute! Love the multi-colours. It gives her personality plus!
She is so dang cute....lol. I love that saying. The multi colors...ya...a surprise. I thot she'd stay dark chocolate forever - we couldn't see her eyes back then. I think the colors are interesting - but they make her look like an old girl, which is fine. I think she's pretty beautiful. She's been acting a little clingy today - maybe she knows I wrote about her ....nah :)
Oh my goodness! She is so beautiful!! I had a Golden Retriever for 16 years. My neighbor has a Labradoodle that comes to stay with me for weeks at a time when they travel, and I completely get what you mean about smart. Bleu has an incredible understanding of words, too. BUT, he weighs 114 lbs! He is quite the moose. Your 'little' girl sounds perfect!
Ah, those eyes- they have the same "look".....soulful and sad but not sad. They are just eyes that get you in the heart!
Is this Bleu?? 114 pounds???? Holy moose is right! Can you imagine him side swiping you?? yikes!
I wish I knew someone who'd watch Abbey for us. We have to put her in a kennel while we visit out west. I am not looking forward to it. It's a family run business and they live next door to the kennel, but still. She's never been alone. We've had good experience with them with our last dog but he was a totally different personality.
Bleu gets very excited about coming to Auntie Mel's! When his mom takes him for walks he tries to turn in my driveway. He brings his own bed when he comes for overnights, and we get along great. And do not tell his mom that I put a sprinkle of parmesan cheese on top of his supper, so he never even skips meals when he is here! He can stand behind my couch and lay his head on the back of it, and if you see him while he is out for a walk and roll the car window down he sticks his whole head in the window.
Oh those eyes, they make ones heart melt.
Yes....she does melt hearts. And she has a great name too....with another heart melter :)
Awww! Who's got a ball? I really like the last two shots! Does she follow more of the retriever or poodle persuasion?
lol....I laughed bc I could hear you say "whose got a ball?" ah.....Abbey has a stronger poodle personality, I think....but she doesn't have the poodle hyperness. Totally laid back though like a retriever. Her fur/hair is poodle. Most of her is tight curl and some shaggy. I have to have her groomed professionally bc she matts very easily. She's pretty adorable I have to say.
Hi @countrygirl I had some time to check out your blog and seen this new post and had to comment, what a beautiful dog. So precious. My husband and I have a coton-de-tulear originated from Madagascar. He’s solid white white hair that has the texture of cotton. Such a sweetheart ! His name is Toby.
Hey @lildebbiecakes :) Thanks for checking Abbey out. Your dog has a lot of hair/fur!!! Do you cut him short or leave the long hair in his face? They are so cute and tiny right? Toby is an adorable name. Maybe you could post about him too sometime.
Hi @countrygirl Deb! Yeah Toby is a small dog. And he has a lot of long white incredibly fine hair, he has to be groomed every day. His hair knots very easily. He has a hard time seeing if we don’t keep his bangs cut. Unfortunately, he’s a little ankle bitter. Very protective over me. We’re working on that. We’ve only had him for a fun months. He was about three when we got him. He’s a rescue dog from a puppy mill. We really love him.
Aw...a puppy mill dog. We had one from one of those years ago. Terrible situation.
I hope you have success with the biting.
Abby is so cute. Is so adorable😍
She is, thanks for commenting. :)
Several friends with Goldendoodles. Really like Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers as well! Great shots!
Yes the Wheaten Terriers are pretty cute too. Thanks for your comment :)
Beutiful dog @countrygirl
Thank you @isabelpena! Nice to meet you. :)
Those huge brown eyes get me every time - haven't seen some of these pics of Abbey - such a heartbreaker :)
Yes, the eyes.....her soul. I have a file. :)
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OK, your Abbey is beautiful!
She looks to be and as you describe her, surely is a princess among dogs. I would love to meet her.
Your photographs have captured her extremely well, including that amazing spark in her eyes.
Beautifully done. Bravo!
😄😇😄
Thanks @creatr!! Isn't her fur amazingly strange? At first I was a bit disappointed that it was changing color, but on the other hand, it didn't change her personality. I got over it fast. She's a teddy bear, no doubt.
Thanks for your kind encouragement re my photos.
oh my goodness she is absolutely beautiful!!! I had a doodle, first gen, but unfortunately she shed like a Lab and grew hair like a Poodle hahah
)
And my Max's beard turned copper coloured just like your Abbey! He was The.Best.Dog.Ever!! Just like yours haha
We had to put him down almost 2 years ago, at the ripe old age of 13. Your pictures warmed my heart...reminding me so much of him.
He was also so smart and used to drive my husband, @briancourteau(yes, I know you know him:) crazy because they couldn't figure out who was boss. Here's Max's face when he misbehaved or was really happy to see us!
And Max relaxing :)(
Thank you for the walk down memory lane! Enjoy your girl...I know you do! :) Cheers!!
lol.....love Max's chicklet teeth!!! He looks like he's saying.....ah, no, I didn't do anything....nope.
He had a more of a retriever coat but wavier. And those long eye brow hairs. hehe....I'll bet you guys miss him.
haha chicklet teeth for sure! Yes , we do miss him!
What a cute dog, you are so lucky to have her :)
We are that! She's a cuddly big teddy bear.
his photo brings tears to my eyes... you caught a fantastic moment...
he is a big and sweet dog! the owner is lucky to have you! I love animals. but they do not allow pets in the apartment where I live. this is really sad: /
Oh poor you....not cats or dogs. Apartments are like that. I'm glad you love my dog...she's a real sweetheart. Thanks for your comment!
Oh! I love the post! Your doggy is soooo cuuuuute! It's so true what's written in the poem. It's something like: show me your dog, I tell you who you are ;)
That's very true. When we asked the breeder what kind of personality she'd have, she said it depended on what kind of personality we had - the dog would mimic it. And you know what? She does.
Wow... Excelent photography. Nice dogy.
Thanks so much @rexanur-rhaman :)
I think I am love. 💞 (Sigh) And strangely enough, it happened on Valetines Day. Abbey has such a gorgeous face and her gentle character shines through so beautifully. The intelligence of dogs continues to astound me, not to mention, their incredible loyalty and devotion. I agree with you. Dogs lives are just too short. Enjoy every wonderful year.
That's so cute @trudeehunter. If you saw her in person you'd want to take her home. Altho she wouldn't want to go far with you before turning back to moi....I'm her true love.
I'm sure I would be very tempted to take her home with me but I'm equally sure I couldn't separate the two of you @countrygirl I recognize a deep bond when I see one. Please give Abbey a big hug from Aunty Trudee. xox
Will do....she will be obliged.
Seems like Abbey is very smart and caring dog. I would love see her laugh some day.
I used a have a dog long back unfortunately lost her to a stray dog attack. She used to wait for me everyday till I am back to play with me ! your last quote is very true !
I've tried to capture her doing that....it's hard to get it without too much blur.
Aw....that's so sad. Your poor pup. Sorry for that loss. It's one of the worst pains to say goodbye.
i see it could difficult . Thanks , this was almost a decade back. I never had a dog after that, mostly because I couldnt because of our lifestyle - we keep moving :)
@countrygirl, this is one beautiful dog, such smart and gentle eyes :) You are truly lucky to have this king of blessing in your life :) I love dogs and they know that, but still don't have conditions to give home to one..
Aw...one day @jungwatercolor. One day :) You seem like such a gentle soul and I know you'd be a good dog owner.
I like your dog very much! What a beauty. That last picture is overwhelming. We had dogs also, first two labradors and later a briard. A briard has long hair and has te be trimmed regularly. I remember when he came back from the trimmer, he looked unhappy or better ashamed as if he wanted to say, what did you do with me! Where is my hair!
It's true. When Abbey comes back from the groomer after her cut for the summer, she looks like a ballerina - all legs, short hair and her long ears. She hates it , I know she does. hehe....
You like large dogs. The briard is a very big one. I like their look, but yes, I can see how the hair would be high maintenance.
Ahhhhh that face.
I have often thought this is the kind of dog i would get... i would want a dog with a lot of personality.
This breed certainly has a lot of personality. Considering all of the dogs I have ever had - 8 I think - she is the smartest and calmest companion.
I like your post guy...so fantastic