Guinevere Bonita
Yes, you will feel better after looking at these photos of my puppy.
This is the first life form that my husband and I have ever cared for together. She is a mini (we’ll talk about that later) goldendoodle and her name is Guinevere Bonita. We call her Gwinny, and you should immediately open your Instagram account and follow her — gwinnythedoodle — OK? Good job, here is a cookie for you! Good human!
Suddenly we were in charge of a puppy. An animal that knows nothing of the internet or worries of today. Someone who lives now. A puppy brings you into the moment.
We began to realize that all this talk about ‘oh, dogs become like family members’ — well, it wasn’t too far from the truth. We worried and worried about every little problem she encountered. Some of them valid and most not. We began to know our dog.
Gwinny turned out to be both cute and smart. A mega-bonus-combo. The vet’s office still yell “Gwinnyyyy!!” in high-pitched thrilled voices when we go for a visit. Strangers stop their cars in the parking lot to compliment her on her adorable looks.
Gwin Gwin, Fluff Ball, Wolfhound, Puppy Girl, Gwinners, Circus Poodle, Land Shark, the artful Dodger — the names go on and on. She is all of them, Gwinny Girl!
Sometimes she comes home wearing some fancy scarf and smelling of dog perfume. Then we put her on a lily pad rug and take lots of photos which we immediately share with the human aunties and uncles around the world. This is, of course, normal protocol!
We solemnly swore we would not be like those losers who spoil their dogs. Well, that went well, didn’t it?
We also promised we would not treat a dog like a human. I honestly have no idea who would do such a thing…
Gwinny discovered other fluff ball dogs in the dog park and her dog life expanded!
Angel pose, as well call it, it a complete facade. You can easily achieve it by holding up a hand. The dog thinks there is a snack in the hand. Snap! Angel pose photo done!
Florida girls do what Florida girls must do. We’re not made of sugar.
Sometimes we think she smiles. Sometimes we think there is a human stuck in there. Someone who is trying to communicate with us, but has been locked inside a dog.
For anyone outside the US — yes, this is a real thing. Dogs can graduate here. Gwinny graduated puppy school and is currently taking classes in the next level up. American dogs are ambitious, you know! Gotta go to school if you wanna be someone here!
A considerable amount of time is spent thinking up brain games for a puppy that is almost too clever for her own good! She is a detective dog.
Every day, after dinner, we have a routine. I say:
“Gwinny?” then she walks up to me and waits.
“Gwinny. Would you?” [intense tail wagging] “Like to?” [joyful squirming and more tail wagging] “Go?” [happy bark and jumping] “Outside for a walk”? [full on attack of joy and happiness]
And then we go for a walk around our neighborhood.
Oh yeah, the mini goldendoodle thing? Someone estimated she would end up 25-30 lbs as an adult. She is now at 47 lbs and 9 months. And we love every single pound of her. And for the first time in our lives we have begun to understand all those people who keep yapping on and on about their dogs and how having a dog is so fantastic. It is. There is a joy that envelopes the soul when caring for a dog. And a laughter that only bubbles up when playing with a dog. Something reminiscent of what it once was to be a child.
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Awww, what a sweet tribute to Gwinny! Yes, our pets are like children and bring out the child within us. We learn to play again which is so invaluable. You’re such good parents 😊.