My allergies to cats and dogs have prevented me from having my own pet. Growing up on a farm was often uncomfortable, as I had allergies to pollen, trees, mold, dust, animal dander, and grass. I feel like animal allergies are the worst, as I truly love many animals. You know that meme that says, “I care about, like 5 people in my life and 500 dogs”? That is me. I especially love dogs, but I never thought I’d be able to have one. Until, that is, I stayed at my cousin’s house. They had a doodle; I loved her AND didn’t react to her. So, I saved up money for 6 months and got my own Miniature Golden Doodle from the same breeder as my cousin! I named that crazy nut Molly and I loved her for 12 years. I flew from Alberta to PEI with her 6 times, her and I drove to Vancouver Island together, and we had many camping adventures. She slept with me every night and put herself to bed at 9pm. When she passed, I was broken. She died 3 months after my dad had died suddenly, so I was already dealing with big grief.
I decided my life is better with a dog, so 3 months after Molls passed, I got my boy, also a Miniature Golden Doodle, who I named Alfie. He was the sleepiest of his littler, always napping. I picked him out with my sister and her two teenage kids, and then two days later, the kids and I took this 6-lb puppy camping in Revelstoke. Alfie was always more nervous than Molly had ever been, hiding behind me or sitting between my legs. I taught him “middle” to sit between my legs as his safe place to go, and he also goes middle on the stand-up paddle board.
The puppy stage was terrible! Alfie peed on the floor every damn day for 5 months. Every day. He also bit me a thousand times with his land shark baby teeth. Every time I tried to pet him, brush him, touch his belly or his tail. I have so many scars on my hands. He pulled hard on the leash for 5 months. It was brutal. I almost gave him back. But then…. When he was about 11 months old, a switch flipped. He started loose-leash walking well, he stopped peeing in the house, and he stopped biting. He is still a little weirdo—he sleeps on the bathroom floor, between the toilet and the tub; he hates it when I brush him (but doesn’t bite me anymore); and he is obsessed with his ball and fetch at the park. He is a great little camper and loves our morning and evening walks. He is patient with me, even when I’m feeling low, and we walk at a really slow pace.
My life is better with a dog. My two Doodles couldn’t have been more different, which is perfect. I miss Molly, and always will love her. But as I’ve told Alfs, when something happens to him, I will get another Doodle, as I do need a dog in my life.
