When my cousin, Parker, passed away a couple of years ago, it was hard on all of us. Thankfully my Aunt Randi and Uncle Shaun still had my other cousin, Admiral Nelson to keep them company. Plus there was me. Whenever I go over to their house, I make sure that my Uncle Shaun has plenty of kisses to make up for the ones he misses from Parker. But then Aunt Randi started posting pictures of a little wiry-haired dog on Facebook named Noodle. At first my mom, Wendi, thought it was just cute pictures of a dog. She was wrong, though, Aunt Randi and Uncle Shaun were ready to expand their family again. That’s when they adopted Noodle from a nearby rescue organization, Star/Mar out of Wooster, Ohio.
I don’t know Noodles history, but I can tell you, she likes dogs more than she likes people. That suits me fine, because I like dogs, too! She isn’t mean to people, she is just a little timid. I know Mom has tried to win her over anytime we visit, but Noodle hasn’t actually warmed up to her yet. She does watch Mom and sometimes comes close, but whenever Mom looks at her or, heaven forbid, try to pick her up, she runs the other way! I think it’s funny. Oh, don’t feel bad for Mom. Anytime she wants attention from a dog, she can get it from me. I love her belly rubs. And honestly, I don’t like to share Mom too much with anyone else anyhow!
With my busy schedule of day care and basking in the sun and taking naps and surveying the world through the window, I haven’t been able to visit Admiral Nelson or Noodle very often as of late. However, thanks to Facebook, I have seen that Noodle has become quite comfortable living in her forever home.
She and Nelson love to play together. While Noodle is just a 7 pound Jack Russell terrier/Maltese/Yorkie mix and Nelson is a 45 pound Border Collie, they get along great. Noodle has tried to steal Nelson’s Frisbee, but he doesn’t let her. She doesn’t seem to mind too much because she’ll play “dance around and bark” all day long. Or, if Nelson pretends to snap at her, she’ll fall over and play dead. It is hysterical!
I wonder if Noodle realizes that she is one of the special dogs in the world that has won the dog lottery. Just like me, she was adopted into a home that lavishes love on her from morning to night. She gets plenty of exercise, trust me I know! I’ve stayed enough times with my Aunt Randi to know that Noodle probably walks two miles a day … every day (weather permitting).
Noodle has joined Aunt Randi, Uncle Shaun and Nelson on their trips to the campground. In the spring and summer they spend a lot of time there. I’ve heard my aunt tell Mom that Noodle enjoys the campground almost as much as Nelson. She has met so many other dogs and people, too. Aunt Randi told Mom that she was a little bit concerned about taking Noodle out to the campground the first time. She thought she might be timid. When Noodle gets really nervous, she shakes. Aunt Randi was worried that she would tremble the entire time they were at the campground. Her concern was unwarranted, because the Noodle took to the campground like a duck takes to water!
I had a chance to interview Aunt Randi about Noodle’s adjustment to her forever home. Here’s my exclusive interview with Aunt Randi:
Owney: How long has Noodle been in the family now? You know us dogs, we can’t tell time very well.
Aunt Randi: Noodle has been with us since May 1, 2019, so it has been about a month.
Owney: How has she adjusted to the fact that her mom is a groomer? Does she look forward to the endless baths you give her?
AR: (laughing) Well, Owney, I wouldn’t say I give her endless baths. She has had a few baths since she has arrived and I did trim her coat a little. She is getting use to them, I think, but is still a little nervous.
Owney: I bet. What is she like with the dogs that she sees in your house? I know I’ve been over to see you guys and you always have a dog or two extra you are watching.
AR: Noodle does great. One of things that was important to us is that our dogs get along with everyone we bring home. She has been fine.
Owney: And people?
AR: At first it was a little difficult, but she is doing better now. She isn’t shaking when new people arrive. She will even go up and sniff them, but she won’t let them pick her up. She’s not use to kids, yet. But that is because we aren’t around a lot of kids. I think their running around and being loud makes Noodle nervous.
Owney: Does she have a favorite thing to do?
AR: She really enjoys carrying around these little stuffed rats that I picked up at IKEA several years ago. I think that is because of the Jack Russell Terrier in her. They were bred to be rodent hunters, so she is doing what she is naturally drawn to.
Owney: As a terrier myself, I completely understand. I, too, enjoy sniffing for rats and other rodents. You should see me sometimes try to dig up the yard where a mole is. I haven’t caught one yet, but that is because Mom won’t let me!
AR: Owney, you’re a funny boy.
Owney: I know. Sorry, back to the questions. What are other things she likes to do?
AR: Well, she enjoys going for car rides. She falls asleep in the passenger seat.
Owney: She falls asleep? How is that even possible? What else?
AR: She likes to sit on my lap at night. Which I really love, too.
Owney: Does she like belly rubs? Belly rubs are the best.
AR: No one likes belly rubs as much as you, Owney! Another thing she likes is her Golden Yak chews, which are a natural alternative to rawhides.
Owney: Has there been anything that she has learned since being with you?
AR: She has learned so much! She has learned how to get up on our bed. We had to put a little stool so she could use it as a step, but she has no problem with doing it. She has learned how to use the dog door, too! But it wasn’t until recently that she learned she could go outside to go potty without me supervising. That is a relief. We are working on her learning to sit. Oh, and we play this game called bitey hand. Sometimes she bites too hard, so she is learning not to do that. She is a good girl and really smart.
Owney: Has there been any residual issue from her being a rescue dog? I know that we can come with baggage.
AR: Other than being nervous, I haven’t noticed anything. Well, except for this one thing, she is small enough to get on our coffee table where we keep miscellaneous types of things. We noticed that she would get up on the table and take off with our nail clippers! We weren’t sure why she would do that. Needless to say, we don’t keep nail clippers there anymore.
Owney: Is there anything else you want to tell me and my readers about my cousin Noodle?
AR: I guess the one thing is that I’m glad we decided to adopt her. She has been a great addition to the family. We love her so much in just a month, it is hard to imagine life without her.
Owney: I know we rescue dogs can find a way to fill a void that families don’t even know they have. Thank you, Aunt Randi for your time. Tell Noodle, Nelson and Uncle Shaun I love them!
