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On the Chat Boards (2004/2005) Favorite "Sebastian Stories" from the Labradoodle Chat Forums |
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Sebastian Ministers First
Aid!
I was reading about "Doodle
Accidents," further down on the chat page, and wanted to share an
unfortunate indicent from 2 weeks ago. Doodles surely make the world's
best therapy dogs. |
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Watch what you Say!
LOL! |
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Pasta!
Kate, your pasta comment
reminded me of one of Sebastian's less-than-thrilling moments. |
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Carpal-Doodle Syndrome
OK. Here is another
Sebastian story, except it's about his silly Dad! |
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Sebastian's Vocabulary;
For List Lovers
The other night, we were watching TV with Sebastian and started talking about how incredibly large his vocabulary has become. Of course, one thing led to another and, then next thing we knew, we were putting together a list to see how many words were on it. Since a lot of folks on this site seem to like lists, we thought we'd share it with you. How does your Dood compare?
Sebastian's Dictionary
Sebastian (Hey! That's me!) Daddy (This means either Scot or Glen, usually the one who's not there, as in "Go See Daddy") Puppy Doggie Kitty Cat (This could be a cat or a squirrel. They don't like to play with me.) OK No NO! NO BARKING! Off Off the Bed, (I'm not allowed up there, if Dads are eating dinner on trays) Sit Stay (I know what it means, I just don't do it all the time) Down Settle (That means I need to calm down and, you know what? It's worked since I was a little puppy!) Oh Sebastian! (I did something wrong and Dad is really disappointed and trying to make me feel guilty) OUCH! (I was too rough and hurt someone) Poor Doggy! (I hurt myself and am really going to milk it for sympathy) Good Doggie Bad Doggie Water Dinner Wipe the Mouth (Dad is going to clean me up, after dinner. I usually try to hide) Treat (Especially as in "Puppy want a treat?") Bone (The eating kind)
Play Happy Puppy (Dad says this when I smile, and it makes me smile even harder, and wag my tail even faster) No Play and No Ball Doggie Bone (The stuffed, chewing kind) Blue Ball Tennis Ball Beach Ball Frisbee Rope (The tugging thing) Rabbit (The stuffed, chewing kind) Ready? (Dad's about to chuck the ball!) Socks (My favorite!) Get the . . . and Go get . . . Where is . . .? Puppy want . . . ?
Get your Leash Go for a Walk Go for a Ride Go to the Park (I understand different places because I always get the appropriate toy or Go to the Beach head in the right direction, when I hear where we're going!) Go to the River (We're headed to our weekend place in Sonoma County!) Go for a Drink (Dad's are going for cocktails, at the local pub, and I get to be leashed at the open window!) Go outside Come Come on (I'm dawdling) Puppy Wait (Dad is getting out of the car, but I'm going to wait there for him) Wait for Daddy (Wait until I get the signal to proceed) Go Pee Go to the Bathroom! (This is my dark, small punishment place) Guard the House (This means I'm not going out with my Dads!)
Upstairs and Downstairs (I interpret this as "the level where I'm NOT", as in "Go get your Blue Ball. It's upstairs.") Your Buddy's Coming (Someone I like is coming over! I wait by the door) Se-bas-te-owne, (My name, spoken in a French accent. It means that the guy from the Happy Pets Inn is coming & I'm going on vacation!) Puppy Kisses Brush the Puppy (They're gonna use that darn thing on me!) Fix the Ears (Oh No! Its time for those drops again! But, I lay down nicely and turn my head to the side) Take a shower (I've actually learned to jump into the tub, when Dad needs to spray off all that mud) Sleepy Puppy (Time to settle down and yawn) Scratch the Ears (I turn my head to the side) Scratch the Belly (I turn over and spread my legs)
I know we've probably missed some, too. At nearly 70 words/phrases, including nouns, verbs and adjectives, we figure Sebastian has the vocabulary of a small child! Do we sound like we're bragging :)
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Sebastian's Thanksgiving
Journal
5:45 am. YAWNNNNNN! STRETCH !!!!!!!! Oh, it’s SO early . . . way too early to wake up. Snuggle, Snuggle, Stretch, Yawn, Moan . . . . . Hey . . . wait a minute . . . I SMELL something. Something is COOKING! It smells GOOD. I’d go upstairs and see what it is, but it’s still DARK. Snuggle, Snuggle, Stretch, Yawn, Moan . . . .
6:15 am. I can’t STAND IT. Dad is cooking FOOD. He’s cooking food in the MORNING! He might give me tastes. I gotta go see what it is.
6:18 am Up the staris. Plodding slowly. Eyes sleepy. WOW! What a mess. There’s white stuff all over the floor. Dad Scot says he’s making Apple Pie. And there’s a big naked bird sitting on the counter. UP I GO. Sniff. Sniff. OH . . . I like that. Dad says “not for Puppy,” though, so I try to be good.
6:30am Out to pee. Hey, it’s better inside, with the good smells. I think I’ll just plop down on the floor, and watch my Dads do all this cooking. Now, Glen is rolling something he calls Phyllo Dough. He’s hiding Feta Cheese and Spinach inside. Give me some! I LOVE Feta cheese. Don’t hide it in that yucky paste! Oh yes, that’s better. YMMMMMMM! Smack smack.
10:00 am The house smells really good, but I’m not getting any more tastes. Besides, my very favorite TV show is on. It only comes on once a year. They have nothing but doggies on the TV, hundreds of them, and the pictures are really close-up and last a long time! They look like really stuck-up doggies, to me, but I’m going to lay on the bed here, with my nose about a foot from the big screen, and watch all those silly dogs. Look at that funny Poodle, with all those fluff balls in its hair. BARK! BARK! Don’t let them do that to you, poor doggy! Ohhhhh . . . I’m getting sleepy. Dreams. Dreams. Legs moving in my sleep, as I chase Terriers, Briards and that mean looking Doberman.
1:00 pm. KNOCK KNOCK! Startled awake. Someone’s at the Door! Leap! Bark! Wag my tail! Make a fuss! Look! It’s Tony and Eli and Blue! I like Blue, even if he’s kinda fragile looking. Dad says he’s a miniature Italian Greyhound. Racing in circles! Barking! Up on the bed! More circles. Butt in the air! . . . . Blue! Come play with me. We’re in the living room now. More running in circles! HEY . . . Blue! Come play. Don’t be boring.
Wait a minute . . . . What are you DOING! You stole my rabbit! You jumped on the sofa! Boy, are you gonna get it now! Dad Glen is looking really pissed off! You’re gonna get sent to the bathroom . . . watch it. What? Dad still looks pissed off, but he’s not DOING anything. He’s whispering in my ear: “Bad doggy.” I don’t really understand, but Dad is saying something about being nice to a thing called “company.”
1:30 pm Blue is definitely a boring doggy. I think it’s a better idea if I just sit by the cocktail table and look pitiful. Maybe then they’ll feel sorry for me and give me some of that bubbly wine and, even better, those yummy, puffy cheese things. “Good Sebastian.” I get treats!
2:30pm Everyone’s getting up. NO! All my friends are leaving! Don’t go! Don’t go! Bark. Bark. I race to the door to stop them, but it’s all too chaotic and they slip out! POUT!
3:00pm Another knock! They came back! Wait . . . you’re not Tony and Eli! Who are you and where is YOUR doggy? Sniff. Sniff. I remember that smell. You’re Dave and Daniel. Leaps and wags and barks! Where’s Jocko? I LIKE Jocko! He’s a fun Lab doggy and he plays with me at the park when we see you there! I look in the garden. I sniff around. NO JOCKO! OK! This isn’t so bad. They pay attention to me and Dad is bringing out more cheese things.
4:30pm Here we go again. Now, Dave and Daniel are leaving. NO! Bark! Bark! Bark!
5:00pm What an exhausting day! I need a nap now but, NO, do you think my Dad’s will give me a break? I can’t take a nap when they’re putting that naked bird on the table, along with all kinds of other goodies. Dad Glen is cutting the bird into pieces, and he’s sneaking me treats! I’m gonna sit patiently, right by him, while they eat all these good smelling things. Maybe I’ll get a little treat. What’s he DOING? Dad says “Sebastian want Thanksgiving Dinner?” He’s making me a plate too! It has lots of naked bird, with juicy homemade cornbread stuff and soft potato stuff and green been things, (yuck), and gravy and OH it smells so GOOD. They’re letting me eat right here, next to the table. OH! WHAT A DAY! OH! YUMMMMMM! Eating with my Dads. Eating yummy, moist food. I’m in heaven.
6:00pm. My belly is so full, I can hardly waddle after my Dads, down the stairs, to lay on the bed and watch TV. Sleepy. Sleepy. Dad Scot is saying that the naked bird was full of something called “tryptophan.” I don’t know what that is, but it must be just like my heartworm medicine, because I feel the same way, (but without the full belly), when I have that.
As I drift off to sleep, I hear my Dad’s say that we all have a great deal to be thankful for. |
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Do Doodles Cry? Good day, all. Before I tell this story, let me assure you that I had NOT been drinking and that, generally, I'm a pretty sane kind of guy. I swear that this happened exactly as described. Yesterday evening, we were dressing to go out for the evening. Sebastian, during the process, stole one of Scot's socks, (something I'm sure you will believe). Usually, the "off" command works fine, when he steals a sock but, for some reason, this time he refused to give it up. After several failed commands, Scot grabbed Sebastian's head, reached into his mouth, and forcibly removed the sock. Sebastian GROWLED and snapped, something he has not done in over a year, and then just once before. Well, I immediately grabbed him by the collar, began shouting "BAD DOGGY," and dragged him roughly into the little toilet room, where I turned off the lights and closed him in alone. After about 15 minutes, I let him out. He came slinking out and sort of slithered up onto the bed, where I went to join him to "make up" after the fight. When he looked up at me, it was like I was hit with a ton of bricks. Sebastian was crying. His eyes were completely wet and he had huge, crocodile tears running down each side of his snout. He made no noise, but the tears kept flowing as he gently nuzzled my hand. My heart was absolutely broken. I never, never imagined that dogs could cry. Have you ever experienced something like this? Or am I completely nuts? I know I handled the punishment correctly, but I finally learned what my Mom used to mean when she said "this hurts me as much as it hurts you." |
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Does Your Doodle Moan,
Whine and Grunt? Just curious . . . Over the last few months, Sebastian has become increasingly talkative and I'm wondering if this is common. It's very cute, most of the time, and pretty irritating, at others. When he senses we are getting ready to leave the house, he will start these little, low, whines and moans. He sounds so pitiful. If you say "Sebastian Guard the House," which means he is not going to get to come along, the frequency of his whines picks up. It's just like a stubborn little boy crying, when he doesn't get his way. We think it's kind of cute, but wouldn't mind if we could break him of the habbit. We just don't know how. Conversely, when he is snuggling, at night, or having his belly scratched, he gives off these little grunts of satisfaction. It is really cute, and melts your heart. He has also learned to talk instead of barking. When we let him out, into the back yard, he used to charge out with fierce barking . . . no doubt to tell any errant squirrels that he is coming. But, we began holding him at the door, and lecturing him "no barking," before we let him out. Now, he still charges out, but does these little, low-volume growls. I think our neighbors appreciate his effort. Anyway, all these vocalizations are relatively new for Sebastian and I'm just wondering if it is common, or if we have raised a spoilt doggy! I'm thinking that, since I recently retired, and he is now used to being at my side, most of the time, he is picking up my bad habits of talking too much! |
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Sebastian's Teenage
Quirks Chris & Sweetie Sea-Moor previously posted a great listing of personality traits of a “good Doodle.” We loved the line about “quirky habits” and it got us thinking about our Sebastian and the silly little quirks he has developed as he has passed his second birthday. Do any of these sound familiar?: 1) We hear that many dogs like to sleep at the foot of the bed or on the floor, next to the bed. Not our Sebastian! At night, he stays on the bed until the TV goes off. Then, he heads for his favorite sleeping spot. His fancy dog bed? A comfy chair? NO! Sebastian insists on sleeping in the bathtub. (It’s a big, limestone, “Roman Style” tub). And, God forbid you should want to take a shower when he’s sleeping there! You will get the dirtiest look you can imagine! 2) Most dogs mosey quietly out to the back yard. With Sebastian, it’s a HUGE production. There is one spot, along our back fence, where he once spotted a squirrel. Now, EVERY TIME Sebastian goes out back, he begins by barking and growling. Then, when the door is opened, he LUNGES across the back yard and LEAPS up the fence, at that very spot. It never fails and nothing will discourage him. (The plants, of course, are ruined there). If you warn him “no barking,” he will do his best, giving out a low growl instead, but otherwise, the routine is the same. 3) Sebastian HATES the sun. At the park, he’ll chase his ball, over and over, but always returns it to a shady spot somewhere. He can find shade, at high noon, almost anywhere. 4) Sebastian LOVES water! Yes, he swims like an uncoordinated maniac, in the River or the Ocean. BUT, his absolute favorite is any kind of mud puddle he can find. And, he can find one anywhere. He will plop down in the mud and give you such a happy smile that it’s impossible to get angry, even though it means a huge hose-down when we get home. If there is no mud, he will make some. At one dog park, they keep a big bucket for the dogs to drink from. Sebastian makes a beeline for the bucket, jumps INTO it and, eventually, knocks it over to make mud. 5) Sometimes, Doodles can be too smart. If I tell Scot, “I’ll take him to the park, this morning,” or “I’m going to run to the market and I’ll take him with me,” Sebastian understands. He begins an immediate fuss, leaping and barking, which is irritating if I’m not ready to go yet. SPELLING the words, like P-A-R-K, USED to work. Unfortunately, he has now learned to spell, as well. 6) We often go to a small resort, up at the Russian River. They have a vending machine, in the lobby, which stocks doggy treats, along with the assorted potato chips and snacks. Sebastian KNOWS that machine, and will head directly for it, poking his head into the bin, at the bottom, looking for the treat. He also seems to understand that it needs money. If we don’t deliver a treat to him, he will march himself inside and sit patiently waiting for the bartender, who provides the change for the machine. 7) Speaking of bartenders, we have a local “watering hole,” down on the neighborhood business street, where we occasionally like to stop, in the late afternoon, for “happy hour.” The bar is on a corner, with large floor-to-ceiling windows on both sides. When on a walk, if Sebastian gets thirsty, he will drag us over to the bar, plant his rear at the door, and bark at his favorite bartender. (Sebastian is not allowed in the bar, but loves to be tied at one of the open windows, where he can rest his chin on the sill and watch the goings-on inside). When we go into the bar now, there is always a vodka-tonic, a rum-coke and a stainless bowl of cold-water waiting. Out-of-town visitors always look at us strangely, when they see the third “cocktail.” 8) Sebastian seems to understand the calendar, though we can’t figure out how. Our house cleaning service comes on Wednesdays, at 10am. Without fail, Sebastian plants himself by the front door, at about 9:45am every Wednesday, and begins to cry in anticipation. When the guys finally arrive, he goes into a bigger-than-normal greeting routine! Then, he goes to get his leash, because he knows that we go to the park while the housekeeping is going on. I’ve no idea how he’s learned all this. 9) Someone once told us that, in the wild, the pack always gathers to inspect the “kill” when the alpha male brings the days hunting result back to the den. I absolutely believe this. Sebastian recognizes a shopping bag and, when we come in the door, he will give us a nice greeting and then INSIST that we place the bags on the floor for his inspection. His head goes into each bag, in succession, and he sniffs like mad. Never once has he tried to take anything. It’s just his inspection of the hunting expedition. 10) Sebastian enjoys a good schedule. During the week, we tend to eat dinner on trays, on the bed, while watching TV. Sebastian is not allowed on the bed, while we eat, but knows he will be fed afterward. He is very patient, resting his little head on the edge of the bed. BUT, the minute dinner is over, he believes it to be “play time.” He races around, gathers all his various balls and stuffed toys, and drops them on the bed, wagging his tail like mad and putting his little hind-end up in the air. You just can’t resist. Of course, when we’re doing a dinner party, guests can be a bit surprised when, over desert and brandy, a sloppy tennis ball suddenly gets dropped in their lap.
Well, just a few “quirky” stories for your comparison. |
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Anger and Tears PostScript: We have been overwhelmed by all the kind words and good wishes from everyone in our little Labradoodle community. Scot and Glen can't thank you enough. This has been a difficult time for us, and your love and support have made things so much easier. As of this writing, 9 May, Sebastian's recovery continues. He has a way to go, but is getting a little better each day. We can't wait for the time when he is happily romping through the water, at the Russian River, just as he did before. Hello Everyone, Sebastian and I have been up all night, and I am hopeful that someone may be able to share some tips to help make things a little easier. Yesterday, Sebastian was happily chasing a tennis ball, at the local "off leash" park, when a dog appeared from the bushes and chased after him, as he was going for the ball. It happened in a flash. The dog bit him badly, in his left rear flank. It opened up a horrible, 4 inch gash. I rushed Sebastian to the hospital, where they put him under, shaved him, and sewed him up with 14 staples. He has to wear one of those horrible cone collars, for 2 weeks. Sebastian is in pain, I can tell, and is confused about the colar. He won't sit down, standing for hours, and wanders around bumping into walls. He even dribbled on the bed. I've been comforting him all night, through tears, and am getting more and more angry over the irresponsible owner who must have known that his dog could be aggressive. Have you had experience with these cone collars, which seems to be the biggest problem, right now? Is it better to leave it on, and let him get used to it, or should I take it off and hold him, to give him a break? (He goes through such anguish, every time I put it on). Should I help him sit down, or allow him to stand up, as he is doing, because that seems to be what he wants to do. Are there any good foods to give him, which might have a calming effect? Will his hair grown back, over the scar, and should I use something like vitamin E oil, as they tell you to when humans have stiches? Any tips would be appreciated. The hospital was very busy, when we were there, and it wasn't his regular vet, so I didn't get to ask a lot of questions. (I was also upset, and trying to focus on Sebstian, so I forgot to ask some of these questions). Thank you very much.
Sebastian is so sweet and
gentle, that it just kills me that this happened. We are so careful with
him. I always watch him carefully, at the park, but he needs to run and
this just happened so quickly. (See photos of Sebastian, in his surgical collar, "At Home") |
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You Know You're Doodle
Crazy when . . .
Over the weekend, a group of
us were having dinner, and compiled this list of "You Know You're Dog
Crazy when ..." (You can tell how the conversation started, if you look
at the first item on the list!). Thought you all might enjoy it and
maybe even have a few of your own to add! 1. You order your dinner, at a restaurant, based on what will make the best “Doggy Bag” for puppy. 2. You stay at a Holiday Inn, instead of the Ritz Carlton, because they have better Doggy Treats and are “Puppy Friendly.” 3. You don’t mind mud all over the front seat of your brand new Porsche Carrera convertible because Puppy looks so happy sitting there, with the wind blowing through his long hair 4. You turn down a date, with a gorgeous hunk you meet at the dog park, because your Puppy does not like his stupid Dalmatian. 5. You suddenly spend more time shopping at Petco than you do at Williams-Sonoma 6. You open your wallet and start showing pictures of Puppy, when co-workers begin talking about their children. 7. You buy a new, King-Size bed, even though your bedroom is too small for one, so that there will be enough room for Puppy to sleep on it too. 8. You buy an ugly Duvet for your new bed, instead of the beautiful one you like, because it won’t show paw prints as badly. 9. You include Puppy’s name, when you sign Christmas cards and letters. 10. You take your vacation to Pasadena, instead of jetting off to the beaches of Hawaii or Mexico, because “Puppy doesn’t like to fly.” 11. You find yourself spending less time with good friends who don’t really care for dogs. 12. You order an extra Breakfast Mac, for Puppy, at the McDonalds Drive-through window. 13. You apologize for being late for an appointment, by telling the dentist “Puppy just couldn’t seem to get out of bed this morning.” 14. Casual acquaintances have difficulty recalling your name, but greet puppy by HIS name, as if they are life-long best friends. 15. Neighborhood children knock at your door and ask, “Can Puppy come out and play?” 16. Your jacket pockets are filled with old doggy treats and spare “poop bags.” 17. You use words like “Poop.” 18. You heat up a Mac-n-Cheese in the microwave, for dinner, but make a meat-loaf for Puppy . . . Your breakfast is a cigarette and coffee, while Puppy gets an omelet. 19. You install a Septic Tank, in the back yard, to serve Puppy’s dog run. 20. Puppy has his own account on Yahoo and E-Bay. 21. When interviewing for a new housekeeper, Puppy makes the selection. 22. You’re invited to dinner at a friend’s home and say “Oh! My God! Did he burn himself?” when Puppy steals a steak off the barbeque grill. 23. When choosing new paint colors for the house, you tell the decorator to suggest a palette that will complement Puppy’s hair color. 24. Building contractors who carry “Snaussages” get the job. 25. You spend your time, on line, in places like “Labradoodle Chit Chat” instead of in those singles chat rooms.
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