We have a teenager ladies and gentlemen

You know how teens are often all gangly and leggy and run into things because they don't realize how big they are? Well, that's our Oakley. From the back he looks like his legs are 4ft. From the front his back looks like it is elevated because this dog is going to be T.A.L.L.

He's topping the charts at 30lb right now. That seems to be about par as the rest of his siblings I have contacted. They all seem to be in the 25-30lb range.

Oakster has also lost his teeth!!I think they are all out and the big boy ones are coming in. He smiles and we see gums and half hug wolf teeth!

We also realized that Oakley also wants to make new friends! He loves loves loves meeting new animals. Dogs? Well....yes. But I'm talking about squirrels and birds. He sees them and goes absolutely bonkers. We could be on a nice leisurely walk (yes ladies and gentlemen, he FINALLY is walking on a leash) and then this happens:

Check out that hunting schnoodle! He literally stops dead in his tracks and points his tail and watches and watches until BAM! He leaps after them only to be foiled by being on a leash and them going up the tree.

He could spend hours just watching the squirrels and birds and anything else that seems to be just out of his reach.

We also found out our dog plays hockey. He uses his feet to actually scoot the puck from one place to the other and keep it away from our son who is starting to play.

Oakley with our neighbor. Both trying to get the puck from the other

I tell you....is there anything this dog CAN'T do???

Keep Calm and Mustache on

Throughout the day I think, "Tonight I have to update the Oakley blog!" But then he does something so cuddle-rific that I can't break away from the stash to sit on my computer. Alas, it's been too long so it's time to get my readers updated!

Master Oakley is 4 months and 1 week now. How's he doing you ask? That's easy...toothless. I've been noticing that when he looks up at me his tongue is sticking out of his mouth. Upon closer examination, I found that he's an old man with zero teeth:

I realize that this is a part of schnoodle life. The best news is that we were able to salvage one of his baby canines to keep! Your next question...did the tooth fairy come? Why yes readers! She did! She and our elf on the shelf, which coincidentally is named "Schnoodle Elf" brought Oakley some new treats.

We have been going to puppy Kindergarten. There has still been some resistance with leash walking BUT he's doing MUCH better. I only need to pull him a small part of the way and then he just gives up and comes. I think I can see on his face, "Ah hell, I'll just do it to make her happy."  I asked our vet (Dr. Carskaddan---who will now be known on the blog as Dr. C) when I can start running with Oakley and he said to wait until at least 6 months. He then went on and stated, "I know Oakley will run to the end of the earth with you but we want him to have more bone development first." I laughed and told him that there is no way in H-E-double hockey sticks that he would run to the end of the earth with me. Maybe to the beginning of the driveway but that's about all.

Oakley has had his first experience in the snow. You could tell he had no clue what to do with it but caught on real quick that he can destroy the neighborhood children's snowmen.

Lastly, Oakley is a little confused about who his mother is. You see, he knows there is a human mother who gives him food (me) but there's also a golden retriever next door that he believes is his actual mother. Bella lets Oakley chew on her lips, face and feet and then at the end of the day this happens:

What a schnoodle-rific boy.

Toddler days

In case you do not know, I have two children (besides Oakley of course). I have a 5 year old son, Jackson, and a 4 year old daughter, Gia. They are the light of my life. I feel like I struck it rich when I look at their sweet angelic faces....but then....there are times that they are in full range little kid toddler mode. You know what I mean; the kind where you look at them when they are screaming and throwing themselves on the floor because something in their lives at that particular moment is such a catastrophe that no one understands what it is like to have such "difficult" lives. When you combine those times with a puppy that is starting to test me, I think that I am being tested to see just how far I can go before my head starts spinning on the top of my neck and steam shoots out of my ears.

Enter Oakley...the kindest sweetest most loving puppy there is. However, when it is time for this little furface to go for a walk, he puts on the breaks. I think it's the leash. He would go anywhere if he weren't on a leash but at 14 weeks, I can't afford to have him off leash and then chase a squirrel at the  same time a car is driving by. He's not ready for that. But when I put on that leash, he acts like the very thought of going out attached to a nylon rope is demeaning of a schnoodle. Some of my readers are reading this and saying, "Have you tried treats?" Yup. "A harness?" Yup. "Gentle leader?" Yup. It's kind of like he takes on the mentality of my other two children when their lives don't align with the stars and is putting on a tantrum. He lays down on the ground and refuses to move. If I pulled him, it's like I'm pulling a stuffed dog behind me.

In the above picture, it looks like he is laying down watching the world. In actuality, he is laying down and telling me, "I ain't goin".


Enter kindergarten. We decided that if we are going to play with the big dogs, we are going to have to pee in the high grass. Oakley has been enrolled in the same kindergarten program that our previous dog, Arlie, excelled. Next week is the lesson of "leash walking and puppy mouthing". It's a great refresher for Greg and me because it's been 8 years since we had a puppy! We are back in school!


His giardia seems to be on the mend. We are still playing with food because right now he is on a hypoallergenic vet approved food. I'm wondering what my readers feed their pups? I've been eying Fromm and think we might go to that. I've heard great things about that. Oh, and Master Oakley also has purified water from the fridge because perhaps VA water isn't agreeing with him.

Settle a bet

Ok readers, we need your help....stash (get it, instead of "stat" I did a play on words so the mustache is always in character). Ba dum dum ---thank you very much, I'll be here all evening.

There's a bet going on amongst Greg, me, and many other friends. Remember when I told you that there are so many mustache decor items out there? I found yet another:

In case you can't read the words, I'll tell you what it says from top to bottom:
1) Handle Bar
2) Villian
3) Cowboy
4) Gentleman
5) Walrus

When I brought this piece of artwork home, I was so excited because I just knew the Oak Man had a gentleman's stash. When I showed Greg he said, "Oh! It's obvious which he has!" (I was nodding) and he said, "Walrus" as I said "Gentleman" at the same time. We looked at eachother kind of befuddled and then back at the picture. Then again at the same time (I'm thinking we've been married too long when we say the same things at the same time) we said, "What are you talking about!!!!"

We decided to go the mattresses (please tell me that my readers know "The Godfather" lingo) and bring in friends. They are pretty split as well!

Therefore, I'm asking you....my smart readers. Which is it? Gentleman or Walrus? Place your vote at the side.

In case you need an Oakley refresher picture:

I was checking out my blog the other day on my iphone and noticed the videos and you tube pics I put up only show as photos. So, if you want to see the blog in all of its glory, make sure you read this on your computer. 

We "Must-Stash" You a Question

Do you have any idea how many mustache paraphernalia there are out there? To date, we have collected napkins, tissues, plates, dog ID tag, wall decor, and paper with the mustache logo. In case you are asking, "Mustache logo???" Here it is:

Now in case you are wondering if this above pic, in fact, looks like Mr. Moustaschio....

See any similarities??


I have decided to start a new blog in honor of our newest little man. He was born August 11, 2013 in sunny Alabama. From the moment I saw his face at around 2 weeks old, I just knew. I knew he was destined to be ours. Greg (my hubs) said to me, "Look at the mustache on that little guy! It looks so silly!!" I turned to him and said, "No. It is perfect and I just feel that he is ours. I know it". You know the quote from the movie "When Harry Met Sally" that says, "You know...you know like you know a good melon."

Well, Oakley was my melon. I just knew!!!! Mother's intuition I guess!




He came to us on October 25th a bundle of fur and adorableness. Many of my readers know how Oakley becoming ours came to be. In case I have new readers:
arliesarmy.blogspot.com

We have had Oakley for a little more than 2 weeks. In this time, we are battling giardia. In case you don't know what it is....it's a parasite that wreaks havoc on the intestines. It sucks.

But, he's a cool schnoodle and we will make it work.