Meet the new addition to our family. He is called Tumble. He is a 13 week old Bichon Frise.

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Linda & John
mom to Hannah Kate (Age 12 ), Robert (Aged 6 - DS)


First day at school

Awww- he's gorgeous! MIL has a Bichon too called Molly. She's very cuddly! When you pick her up and ask for a hug she will put her head on your shoulder! Hope you enjoy your new dog. Is he named after Mr Tumble?

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Karen- Mum to the world's cutest baby!! Ben

Yes Karen! You're the first one to make that connection with Mr Tumble first hand!
We spent a few hours trying to find a name for him when Something Special came on the TV.
Then we taught of the name Tumble from Mr Tumble.
Its a name Robert can say without any problems.

There are a lot of new dog additions to members families...Dusty, Little Boy, Lily and Tumble.

Anyone else got new dog additions.....or care to share their doggy stories or pictures?

Hope everyone is having fun!

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Linda & John
mom to Hannah Kate (Age 12 ), Robert (Aged 6 - DS)


First day at school

Very cute puppy......love the name! Mr Tumble is one of Ethan's favourite things on TV (When he sees Justin on Gigglebiz he keeps signing Mr Tumble and wonders where he's gone LOL)

My daughter would LOVE a puppy....has been asking me for ages.....but my husband has allergies. My inlaws have two Jack Russels that Georgia has kind of adopted.....she absoloutely adores them! Ethan loves dogs...but only at a distance......gets seriously upset if they come up close to him (which makes visits to the inlaws tricky )

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Jo, Mum to Georgia 11/11/03 ( BIG High School Musical fan) and Ethan 16/12/07 (DS)

Cute puppy! Love the name also! Like poodles, shih tzus, and other dogs with hair coats (as opposed to fur, which is different) they are great dogs for those with allergies!

We have a litter of puppies due in a few days. We haven't had a litter for a couple of years, so we're anxious for the smell of puppy breath around here. LOL

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~Leah~

Did you visit my mom's blog today?
http://www.gardenofeagan.blogspot.com

And don't forget to visit MINE!
http://itsmylifemom.blogspot.com/

mom to Noah 23, Tyler 21, Angela 14 (DS)

lespring wrote:

Like poodles, shih tzus, and other dogs with hair coats (as opposed to fur, which is different) they are great dogs for those with allergies!

I never knew that! What other dogs fall into this category? Ali may get a pet after all!

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Maresa,
Mom to Alisa (10-29-2008) DS, complete AV canal repair on 3-6-09

We avoided getting a dog cos we all have big allergies here but Leah posted a few years ago about the golden doodle breed being a non shed breed! That was the first time I realised we might be able to get a dog!

No dog hair and no allergy problems yet!
We have him five weeks now!

We did homework on this breed before we committed to getting a bichon.
We had a visit from another bichon frise to see if we had allergy issues after the dog's visit and to see what the temperament of the breed was like before we finally decide to get this breed.
We also wanted to see how rob was with a dog! If his sensory issues were triggered we'd have said no we'd wait!
Then we found a breeder who was very tuned into the fact that rob had a disability and he offered to take the pup back and give us our money back if it was too much for Rob.
Thankfully it's worked out fine for Tumble and Robert!
Having a dog has completely changed the energy and focus in the house.....in a very positive way!
Btw......it's hannah's dog......its her 12th birthday today!

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Linda & John
mom to Hannah Kate (Age 12 ), Robert (Aged 6 - DS)


First day at school

LinMac wrote:

We also wanted to see how rob was with a dog! If his sensory issues were triggered we'd have said no we'd wait! Then we found a breeder who was very tuned into the fact that rob had a disability and he offered to take the pup back and give us our money back if it was too much for Rob

Was Robert initially anxious etc when around dogs? Ethan just seems to have this thing where if they get too close......even the ones that are really docile......he grabs hold of me and seems to have a real look of fear on his face. It's such a shame as Ethan gets genuinely excited when he sees dogs out and about. I also wonder if its related to his first encounter of dogs......my inlaws Jack Russels.....as they are VERY jumpy and yappy.

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Jo, Mum to Georgia 11/11/03 ( BIG High School Musical fan) and Ethan 16/12/07 (DS)

Tumble is very cute!!! Our next dog is going to be a breed that doesn't shed because we want an inside dog. Our dogs at the moment are inside but there is a constant battle against dog hair and as soon as the weather improves they will be evicted.

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Karyn
Mum to Nikki (Jul 89), Stefanie (Sep 96), Joel [June 98] and Talitha (DS) (Nov 05) AVSD/PDA repaired 23 March 06

"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well." Psalm 139:14

"yappiness" in dogs is a training issue, and not a breed issue.

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~Leah~

Did you visit my mom's blog today?
http://www.gardenofeagan.blogspot.com

And don't forget to visit MINE!
http://itsmylifemom.blogspot.com/

mom to Noah 23, Tyler 21, Angela 14 (DS)

lespring wrote:

"yappiness" in dogs is a training issue, and not a breed issue.

LOL I'm pretty sure they've had no formal training for their dogs! Both dogs are both quite old now ( not sure how old though) Can you get older dogs to change their behaviour?

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Jo, Mum to Georgia 11/11/03 ( BIG High School Musical fan) and Ethan 16/12/07 (DS)

Jo
Robert didn't show fear around dogs....he just got very excited and hype.
He'd be all over the dog....anybodies dog!
His sensory issues are around noise....he'd just goes mad if the dog barked loud or growled! He put his hand over his ears, wimper, etc.

A few things happened in the last few months.....Roberts friend got a golden retriever assisted dog and Robert met him at the swimming pool twice a week.
This dog is trained, very gentle and I think the meeting with him helped Robert with Tumble's transition into our lives.
It was also a good idea to see my friends Bichon dog here. He was extremely quite, not yappie. The kids got to take him for a walk around the block, etc
Here I am giving advice on what we did about getting a DOG! LOL!
Still can't believe we are dog owners!

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Linda & John
mom to Hannah Kate (Age 12 ), Robert (Aged 6 - DS)


First day at school

He is adorable I'm sure that he's going to add lots to the family.

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Deryck
Dad to Xena 2 Aug 97, Lucas 28 Jun 99, Persephone 12 Jan 2004 (DS & AVSD repaired, artificial mitral valve)

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind - Theodore Geisel (Dr Seuss)

http://www.picklesnet.co.uk

Linda....Sounds like Tumble is going to be very loved member of your family!

I'm ever hopeful that Ethan will be happier being around dogs....any animals really.....he adores watching Big Barn Farm on cbeebies.....but take Ethan to a real farm and he's not so keen LOL!

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Jo, Mum to Georgia 11/11/03 ( BIG High School Musical fan) and Ethan 16/12/07 (DS)

Quote:

I'm ever hopeful that Ethan will be happier being around dogs....any animals really.....he adores watching Big Barn Farm on cbeebies.....but take Ethan to a real farm and he's not so keen LOL!

Keep the faith Jo!
Ethan and Georgia are very young! I would never have gotten a dog when Robert was his age......too much hard work for Robert and US!
At six he is better able to deal with it all!

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Linda & John
mom to Hannah Kate (Age 12 ), Robert (Aged 6 - DS)


First day at school

Just an FYI, many breeders (including myself) will not sell a puppy to people who have children under the age of 5. There's a reason for that! The rehome rate for those families is INCREDIBLY high because puppies are a lot of work! And even then it depends upon the the type of dog you're getting.

My very good friend's youngest child is 6. She was determined to get a Tibetan Terrier. Being a first-time dog owner, I first tried to talk her into a different breed all together. "But they're so CUTE!" And yes, they are! They are also very tough to train! Anyway, I told her, "fine if you want that breed, then give it another year." because her youngest isn't all that easy either! He's a typically developing kid, but HE hasn't been all that easy! Well, she doesn't take suggestions from anyone very well.

Guess what? Puppy is now 6 months old and she's pulling her hair out!

A breeder will tell you anything you want to hear to sell you a puppy. One of THEIR puppies. I have people call me all the time and tell me what they're looking for in a dog. Most of the time one of my puppies will be just fine for them, but occasionally they've made up their mind because of the NAME of the dog but they haven't really put much thought into it and I send them elsewhere. If your (or anyone's) family decides to get their very first dog, consult an obedience trainer (and PUH LEEZ....if you're in the states...stay away from Petsmart or Petco training classes!) about getting a breed or mix appropriate for your family.

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~Leah~

Did you visit my mom's blog today?
http://www.gardenofeagan.blogspot.com

And don't forget to visit MINE!
http://itsmylifemom.blogspot.com/

mom to Noah 23, Tyler 21, Angela 14 (DS)

Awwww what sweet puppy.

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~Christine~
Mom of 6
Brandon ADD/ADHD 17, Chelsea 14, Connor 12, Logan 6, Cody 4 & Austin 1 ( DS & Hirschsprungs pull through 12/8/08 )
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/austinpaquin

Soooooo cute!!!!!

We got an Alaskan Malamute puppy last Summer. I LOVE her!!!!

She's certainly not the dog to get if you have dog dander allergies. She blows" her coat twice a year and it is simply amazing the amount of fur that comes off of her.

Dogs do add a new dimension to family life. They can be both Wonderful and terribly annoying all at the same time. LOL!

Enjoy!

Michelle