Peggy and I are in Safety Harbor, Florida about 45 minutes north of St. Petersburg on the Gulf Coast. We came to visit with our son Tony, his wife Cammie, and our three grandkids: Connor, Chris and Cooper. Part of the reason for our trip was to give Tony and Cammie a short vacation. They had a challenging summer and deserved a break. As you might imagine, Grandma and Grandpa have had their hands full with three rambunctious boys aged 6, 8 and 9. They are great kids— but the comparison with herding cats applies here. I never imagined how difficult it might be to get three boys to put on three pairs of socks before the school bus arrived.
The boys were easy in comparison to the fourth kid, however. Lyla is a six-month old goldendoodle. A goldendoodle, for those of you who don’t recognize the name, is a designer dog, a mix between a golden retriever and a poodle. They come in various sizes, from mini to maxi and Lyla definitely fits the maxi description. I have never met a dog with longer legs! Goldendoodles are known for being bright, easily trainable and super family-friendly. They are also close to shed-free, which is a huge plus for people with allergies. The down-side here is that they require frequent grooming.
Lyla fell under my list of responsibilities and I soon found myself following her around outside with a bag in hand. Collecting dog poop is not how I envisioned grandpa duty, but a grandpa has to do what a grandpa has to do. I suspect there was a bit of karma involved. I had opted out of changing diapers when the boys were younger.
Mischief might very well be the puppy’s middle name. I had to persuade her that my hand was not a chew toy and that my shoes were off limits. Earlier today we found her chewing up a a pencil and her poop bags. There is a long list of what Lyla has sunk her teeth into. I was rooting for her on the poop bags.
Then there was the night that I fixed Peggy a large bowl of vanilla ice cream with chocolate, one of her all-time favorite desserts. She had spent an hour persuading the boys that it was bed time and I felt she deserved a treat. I had left the room for five seconds when I heard the ice cream bowl moving across the table. Ice creams bowls don’t move around on their own, I thought to myself, quickly returning. Let me report that Lyla really likes ice cream and she can eat really fast. She also likes lasagna, bread, salsa, chips, cheese, cereal, chicken, ribs, PB&J, and anything else resembling food that her long legs can reach when no-one is looking. I even caught her slurping down Peggy’s coffee and cream, and worse, licking the top of my beer bottle! Think of me as picky, but there was no way I was going to drink from the same bottle as a dog who eats her own poop bags.
Still, with all of this, or maybe because of it, I really like the dog. She’s a real character. And she is also photogenic, which is how she made it into my blog. I don’t usually photograph pets, but with Lyla I couldn’t resist. Enjoy.
NEXT POST: It’s back to the PCT with the section between Castle Crags and Burney Falls where I fall asleep while cooking dinner.
Wandering through Time and Place 
Were we at home and not in Colorado, Curt, I would suggest we have lunch and I might even get to meet Lyla [oh, and you and Peggy].
Laughing. Yes that would be fun! –Curt
Oh dear, you fell for her 😀 Can totally understand why. Gorgeous girl and yes, she does have the longest legs ever. She adorns everything she comes into contact with.
We have five grandchildren, AC, all boys. Lyla is our first girl. 🙂 (And she keeps the boys in line.) –Curt
How much fun! (you have to put the best spin on poop bags)
Great dog portraits (loved the faces with pup in the sign , the long paws stretched forward, and the hair comparisons)
Play now – rest later!
I really like dogs, Phil, but Peggy and I don’t have one because of our lifestyle. Lyla has been a treat! –Curt
Kids and dogs – great when you can play with them and then leave HAHA!
Ah, I see why you are a phil-osopher. 🙂
I liked the entire post, Curt but nothing is funnier than this paragraph!!
“Lyla fell under my list of responsibilities and I soon found myself following her around outside with a bag in hand. Collecting dog poop is not how I envisioned grandpa duty, but a grandpa has to do what a grandpa has to do. I suspect there was a bit of karma involved. I had opted out of changing diapers when the boys were younger.”
What’s the old saying, G, Karma can turn around and bite you. Laughing. BTW, our kids picked up the Dali Museum in St. Pete, said it was great. –Curt
I hope they saw the virtual tour!! Going into one of his paintings is an experience I’ll not soon forget!!
They did, G. And were raving about it. We will definitely go there on our next visit. I am a long time fan of Dali. –Curt
You and me both!! Here’s a toast to the melting clock!! 🙂
Yes!
Great post. Lyla is a honey and her legs sure are long.
Thanks, Peggy. Having short legs, I was jealous of Lyla. 🙂 –Curt
I’m in love with Lyla, too! She’s beautiful, but then I have a real soft spot for anything resembling a poodle! She is BIG, though! I like my mini version that I can pick up and tuck under my arm as needed. Oh, and the grooming… yikes! Size really does matter. 😀
I obviously liked the dog, Gunta. And what an interesting mix, combining the personality of a golden retriever with a poodle. A great dog for a family. –Curt
Is that a dog or an alpaca? 😉
Darn good question, Dave. 🙂
A fun post. I thoroughly enjoyed Lyla and her human companions.
Thanks, Cynthia. Me too! –Curt
Can’t believe you’re in Florida, but in good company. Love the dogs, love the idea you’re keeping kids, and love this post. This will either keep you young or kick your butt!
“This will either keep you young or kick your butt!” A bit of both. Grin. We are now back in Oregon recovering, but concerned about the kids and the hurricane! –Curt
So cute! I will be dog-sitting for my son and new daughter-in-law’s dogs in November, but at least there will be no human charges!
Piece of cake! 🙂 –Curt
Lyla riding a paddleboard! Wow. Very cute. This post made me feel good. Thank for all those lovely photos, I enjoyed them very much.
you are welcome, Sartenada! –Curt
Oh wow she is so gorgeous 😀
And personality plus! Thanks for reading. –Curt
i know they are adorable
I’m glad you explained the breed, because I’d not heard of it. She is a beauty, and that puppy pic was cute beyond words. She reminds me a bit of the Portuguese water dog: probably because they also are non-shed, with tight, curly hair like a poodle.
There’s a guy who paddleboards up and down our channel with his dog on board. I’ve always been impressed, but his dog isn’t even half the size of Lyla. If they go over, how easy is it for her to get back on the board?
When I read your exchange with GP about Dali and the melting clocks, it suddenly occurred to me: I wonder if the melting cake that was left out in the rain in the song “MacArthur Park” was inspired by those clocks, too.
It was my first time hearing about Goldendoodles as well Lynda. They really don’t think of them as a breed. They are more like a mutt. 🙂 I didn’t see Lyla get up on the boat. She may have been lifted since the water was shallow. Maybe if you were kneeling on the board, you could help. I know I would want maximum stability!
It would work. Time is fleeting and love can be as well. Like an ice cream cone. Best eat it before it melts. –Curt
Love that paddleboard pose. Always enjoy a good dog story. Thank you.
I confess the paddle board was a bit of a challenge. (Laughing) Lya is a fun dog and pretty much all puppy, a giant puppy. –Curt
Lyla is very soft too! I do live with her after all😏
Grin!