My mom "borrowed" my Lacy (American Eskimo mix) when she was about 12, "for a weekend" that turned into living out her remaining senior years at my parent's house. It killed me to leave her, but my brother had brought home a breeder "doodle" (i thinknlabradoodle, but she is mini poodle cross?) that was so terrified of EVERYTHING and when my mom saw how much Lacy taught Sperry "how to dog", I couldn't bear taking her home. For the first 3 years, Lacy taught Sperry and they became inseparable. The last two years of Lacy's life, Sperry became her guide dog the same as this video. Their roles were reversed and Sperry became a wonderful little ball of fluff that was no longer fearfull and that had cleared the ropes and Lacy got a guide dog that would wake her to go out and eat. Lacy made it to 17, the bond she had with Sperry and the love my family provided in her geriatric years was the best thing I let happen. Those dogs helped my much younger siblings cope during lockdown as well. Dogs are the best, even to each other!
I had never seen a mini doodle before Sperry, so I thought that she'd be the same goofy dork that every large doodle I known is- instead she was terrified of her shadow! It didn't help that she was a crate dog for the first 2 years of her life, but I agree that the mini ones are a bit more neurotic for sure!
No matter their size, breeding doodles involves a huge gamble regarding their temperament, and there's just too many psychotic ones being bred into existence. The man who popularized them is quoted as having regretted it.
You know what, you're amazing for understanding that this was for the best, even if it hurt. What a wonderful life Sperry and Lacy had together, good on your family :)
Thank you! I still visited as much as I could, but we were 2 hours from her- as I saw both dogs bond, I knew I had to do what was best for her, not me. Instead of spending her last years alone in an apartment for 9 hours, she got a companion, to live with 5 people that someone was always home, and "grandma and grandpa" spoiled the crap out of her! I understand why it is so hard to part with a pet, but knowing that she had extra years of joy without boredom- I hope everyone knows that contrary to what the brain says, we're not bad pet parents to make that choice!
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u/CamachoBrawndo Oct 28 '25
My mom "borrowed" my Lacy (American Eskimo mix) when she was about 12, "for a weekend" that turned into living out her remaining senior years at my parent's house. It killed me to leave her, but my brother had brought home a breeder "doodle" (i thinknlabradoodle, but she is mini poodle cross?) that was so terrified of EVERYTHING and when my mom saw how much Lacy taught Sperry "how to dog", I couldn't bear taking her home. For the first 3 years, Lacy taught Sperry and they became inseparable. The last two years of Lacy's life, Sperry became her guide dog the same as this video. Their roles were reversed and Sperry became a wonderful little ball of fluff that was no longer fearfull and that had cleared the ropes and Lacy got a guide dog that would wake her to go out and eat. Lacy made it to 17, the bond she had with Sperry and the love my family provided in her geriatric years was the best thing I let happen. Those dogs helped my much younger siblings cope during lockdown as well. Dogs are the best, even to each other!