[GreenFamily]

We have been looking at the forum for some time now and have been delighted with the amount of information on here and the contributions made by its members. We have made a few comments on threads but very rudely we havent introduced ourselves before now.

We had been looking for a dog breed to suit our families needs for some time but the hunt changed direction slightly as a few months ago our eldest son was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome and ADHD. We were made more aware of his sensory needs and in our search stumbled upon cockapoo's, they sounded too good to be true I began reading the forum and was delighted that everything I had read about them them actually was true so the breeder investigation began.

We met some real life poos and they were just fab and the texture of their hair was perfect for our eldest.

Our search gained greater momentum when last week I attended my first/3 PAWS course (Parents Autism Workshops and Support) run by Dogs for the disabled, in conjunction with The National Autistic Society and Lincoln University http://paws.dogsforthedisabled.org/

So after many months and a long journey to an even longer adventure brings us to yesterday then we selected our JD pup :whoo: so as well as introducing us may I also introduce Sid (kids choice from 'Ice age') one of Rose and Ziggy's boys

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Due to existing commitments we cant bring him home for a few weeks but the sooner the better.

So hello, thank you for the help and advice so far

 

[curt3007]

welcome to you and Sid, great name by the way! You've made a good choice

 

[wilfiboy]

Hi Nic, welcome to you your family and the lovely Sid. Love the name choice I like all the old names especially little old men names lol. His markings are lovely and will be really interested to see how his coat devevlops. Hope time flies until you can pick up your new baby x

 

[curt3007]

Hi Nic, welcome to you your family and the lovely Sid. Love the name choice I like all the old names especially little old men names lol. His markings are lovely and will be really interested to see how his coat devevlops. Hope time flies until you can pick up your new baby x

ooh that so made me smile, I too like 'little old men names' (good job I put the word 'names' on the end) which is why ours is called George

 

[wilfiboy]

Little old men are quite cute too ....... in a kind of lovely Grandad type way lol x

 

[jaimia]

Welcome Nic to you, your family and the gorgeous Sid x

 

[Cockapoodledoo]

Hi Nic. Congratulations! I've been quite taken with your pup on recent JD pics and Sid is just a perfect name for him. I love his freckles! Do keep us updated on how things are going when you get him home. Cockapoos really are an amazing crossbreed.

Karen x

 

[JulesB]

ooh that so made me smile, I too like 'little old men names' (good job I put the word 'names' on the end) which is why ours is called George

haha, and i have Betty which is a little old lady name (half the residents of the nursing home my great aunt is in are called Betty!!).

Sid is a fab name and looks gorgeous - welcome!!

 

[ali-s.j.]

Yay, it's Sid

 

[sharplesfamily]

Hello! Really glad you've joined the forum. Sid is a fab name and really suits him! He's gorgeous. We're collecting Luna late too due to holiday and work committments, but at least once she's home we are with her day and night. They will be worth the wait!

Harri x

PS We live in N Beds so not far from you, and my husband works in MK

 

[cockerpoo61]

Welcome Sid, I am your 18 month old brother Bayley, my parents are Rose and Ziggy from JD and i was born Xmas Day 2009. Nice to meet you and your family

 

[Jedicrazy]

Hello Nic, a warm welcome to you and your family and of course Sid! Great name, it suits him. I like his markings and wonder how he will turn out as an adult.

My son also has Aspergers and ADHD so I know exactly some of the challenges you face. The whole sensory area is just a minefield isn't it? My son was diagnosed 2 years ago and I still don't know if I really fully understand all of his sensory issues yet. I can say that getting our cockapoo, Obi, has been brilliant for him. I can see where interacting with Obi is really helping him to develop in lots of positive ways. So, I wish you lots of luck with Sid and look forward to reading your updates and of course lots of photos.

Clare
x

 

[MillieDog]

Hi Nic, hi Sid :welcome:

Sounds like an excellent choice. Would be interested to hear how Sid gets on with your son. I'm beginning to think about Millie being a volunteer as a PAT dog.

 

[ali-s.j.]

That has also been in my mind Julie

 

[MillieDog]

That has also been in my mind Julie

I just goggled and read their spec on what's expected of them in the test. I happily read it thinking, yes, she can do that, yes, that too, yup fine with that. Then go to the bit about needing to be groomed and relaxed at the same time this will need work. Its a little challenging as she likes to eat the comb/brush

 

[ali-s.j.]

presumably she'll grow out of that though?

 

[DONNA]

Hello Nic and Sid, I have a JD puppy to Buddy he is from Lucy and ziggy im sure you'll have lots of fun when you bring him home .

 

[GreenFamily]

Thank you everyone for your warm welcome, I will definitely keep you updated with how his coat progresses. It’s lovely to hear from Bayley, Sid’s big brother

It’s interesting Clare that your son has the same as ours. Although our diagnosis was recent we had suspected for some time and has been somewhat of a battle to get conformation, one of many. It is definitely a mind field and a whole different concept to get our head around. I’m really looking forward to what an impact having a dog has for us from what I have heard it will be very positive, even for us to escape taking him for a walk.

Julie, a PAT dog sounds interesting you’ll have to let us know how you get on.

 

[Jedicrazy]

It’s interesting Clare that your son has the same as ours. Although our diagnosis was recent we had suspected for some time and has been somewhat of a battle to get conformation, one of many. It is definitely a mind field and a whole different concept to get our head around. I’m really looking forward to what an impact having a dog has for us from what I have heard it will be very positive, even for us to escape taking him for a walk.

Nic, it's early days for you and you have got the diagnosis now (well done, i know how hard it is) which in some ways confirms everything you thought (including the fact that you are not a bad parent) but then also turns your world upside down. When my son was first diagnosed I fell in to depression, it was like I was in a state of mourning for him...for the things I wanted for him in life. I couldn't see beyond the word 'Autism'. Then as I did more research and time went by I realised it wasn't as bad as I thought and that compared to others he has an excellent quality of life and he is just 'different' and always will be. Whenever you have a child with any disability it makes you dig deep to find that inner reserve and the endless love you feel for your child and the need to protect them just takes over. Yes, life is harder and more stressful and my marriage fell apart as a connected event. However my motto is 'take one day at a time and just keep going!' Getting the dog was mostly for me as I find Obi helps to relax and de-stress me. His walks are my thinking and planning time (well not at the moment with the kids around...now it's "put the that big stick down before you hurt someone" or " "don't wrap the lead around her neck like that!"..his younger sister). The benefits he's now providing for my son are a huge bonus and all in all I love the change that Obi has made on my family life. Gosh, have rambled a bit now..sorry to have gone on a bit!

 

[Northra]

You have chosen a fantastic dog and I am sure he will be a great support for all family members!!!