Once upon a time, in quaint Potomac Village, a serendipitous encounter at Starbucks ignited a heartwarming tale. Kevin and I crossed paths with a friendly Bernadoodle owner and her even friendlier puppy. We had talked about getting a dog for a while, and this wonderful lady pointed us to “Deb’s Doodles” in Culpeper, Virginia. Just 90 minutes away was a beautiful Doodle facility with a warm, patient, and informative staff.

After meeting several cute puppies and a little deliberation, we found the one. We were eager for a furry companion and a shared journey, so we decided to bring a mini Goldendoodle into our lives. He is an adorable bundle of fur we lovingly named Teddy Roosevelt Schwed, combining the former President's name with Kevin's, resulting in "Ted Schwed," for short.

Ted’s journey from the breeder had an unexpected twist, with an unfortunate, although hilarious, puking episode in the car involving my mother, Sue Siegel. Despite the discomfort, the incident strangely managed to create a heartwarming bond between them.

Ted has quickly learned to sit on command and to play a partial game of fetch. But what truly stole our hearts was his exuberant morning greetings, as if each dawn marked a joyful reunion with a dear old friend. His blissful ignorance of time only added to his charm.

Ted’s true gift lay in his therapeutic presence for our family. He brought solace, especially to my ailing father, revealing an uncanny ability to sense emotions and tailor his actions accordingly. This skill was truly remarkable for such a young pup.

As Ted settled into our Avenel home, he wasted no time in making furry friends with Linda’s McGregor and David’s Roxy.

And so, with Ted by our side, our family is embarking on a journey filled with companionship, love, and laughter. We look forward to watching him grow.