My girlfriend got a beautiful 6 month old chocolate beauty from Arrowhead Labradoodles last summer, and I fell in love with Harriett on the spot. I have had dogs my whole life, but felt that perhaps condo life was not the best thing for a dog. That didn't stop me from wanting one. As they say " The heart wants what the heart wants " So In February I decided I would take a trip to Gowanstown, and with Luke and Connie's permission, have a look at some of their full grown dogs to get a sense of their personality. Everybody told me I would come home with a dog, while I protested it was just some preliminary research.
As soon as we stepped out of the car I could feel the love and the bond between this breeder family and their labadoodles. It was so clean and there was so much light in the puppy enclosure, as I watched a dozen little balls of fur run and jump and roll around. After asking a million questions, they asked me what I was looking for ideally, and I told them I would love a cafe coloured female with a hypoallergenic coat (my sons are allergic). And of course, running around somewhere, they had just what I wanted.
Unlike some of the puppies her age, she was not sleepy. She came trotting out with her head held high looking for action. She looked at me as if to say " What am I missing? Is there a party? Am I going with you? And I fell in love. Now so far this could be a story of any person finding their dog. But for me this was only the beginning.
Billie has grown up loving every person and every dog she sees. Where I had thought a condo would not be ideal, she has made it home. Every morning she has to kiss the concierge, then she heads for the building cleaning lady whom she adores and she sniffs the mops and brushes and then she heads to the back room where she finds our Super Max, with whom she shares a special bond.( She is a true Scavenger and he is the keeper of recycling ) After they have finished their morning love fest, only then is she ready to go out.
She knows every person and dog in the building and greets them all with her tail wagging. At our dog park she is actually sought after, because she has a way with every dog but especially young puppies who are apprehensive. She is not interested in being dominant, she wants to play. She lets puppies climb all over her and lets them pretend they won. She is beyond gentle, even though she can tell a large dog, who wants to hump, her to get lost. Puppy owners talk, and people come there asking for her, because their friend's puppy was so scared until she played with Billie, and now that puppy has confidence.
She wakes up happy and goes to bed happy. She expresses a joy in everything she does and every living thing she meets. She has friends and she does somersaults when she sees them. When we have guests she is ecstatic and welcomes them with licks and kisses. She will try to put her front legs around your neck to hug you. She is incapable of negative or aggressive behaviour.
I don't care that she won't attack an intruder. I live in a big city and I care that my dog will never bite a child or attack another dog. The fact that she is happy and full of joy makes my life better and reminds me of what is important. This is the best dog I have ever owned. She is very smart, intuitive and loving and has a personality. I cannot thank Luke and Connie enough for being such responsible and loving breeders. Everybody in my little part of the world now knows about australian labradoodles and Arrowhead specifically. And thank you to my friend Gretchen for sharing a great thing. And last but not least, Harriett.. you will always have a big place in my heart ...my darling Aussie Labidoodle :)