Truly Australian Labradoodles

03/21/2024

This has been a gut-wrenching season, as I recently got word that I'd unexpectedly lost a friend and my mentor in the world of Australian Labradoodles. I've been reminded yet again how quickly plans can change and how unexpectedly life can end.

This present world is broken and full of heartbreak, but the Easter season reminds me that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the gateway into unending joy for all those who will put their faith in who He is (God's Son) & what He has done by dying and rising again on our behalf. He made a way for us to know a richer, fuller, and more joy-filled life after this one is over.

"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?'” (John 11:25)

With God's help, I do believe it. And in dark times that make me contemplate death, nothing can bring hope like this truth. If you're one who prays, I'd sure appreciate it if you'd pray for the loved ones & friends Frank left behind. Hearts are broken that only God can heal.

10/22/2023

Some of you have been waiting a long time to hear word that Zephyr is close to being bred. Unfortunately, we have some discouraging news to share about the TAL breeding program. Please go directly to the website for a full explanation of all that has recently transpired.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. If you have been waiting and watching for puppies, we fully realize that our disappointment is yours as well.

For the past seventeen months (May 2022 – October 2023), we have been preparing Zephyr to become the foundation stock of our breeding program. As time passed, we became more and more confident that she was going to be an exceptional start to the TRULY breeding line. She exhibits the Australian Lab...

07/31/2023

07/31/2023

As a follow-up to yesterday’s International Day of Friendship, I give you these two BFF’s… 💕

06/28/2023

Remembering Gotcha Day (6/28/22) & the moment we fell in love! 💞

06/25/2023

Some tiptoe through the tulips, but Zephyr much prefers leaping through the lupines!

06/25/2023

a TRULY beautiful morning at the coast (part 2)

06/25/2023

a TRULY beautiful morning at the coast

06/20/2023

These two crack me up! 🤣 Zephyr’s a smart girl who adjusts her game to suit her playmates. Playing with Oakley looks like an all-out MMA match, but with Molly she dials it back to a hilarious series of swipes & fake-out moves. Molly’s learned to go in for the ears, if only those Australian Labradoodle legs weren’t so long!

06/16/2023

When you’re an ALD & go to your boys’ softball game for the first time, you find old friends 🥰, make new ones 👦🏼👧🏼, get to search for discarded gum under the bleachers 🤢, let the rain bring out your curls 🌧️, and come back home completely tuckered! 💤

05/29/2023

On Memorial Day, as we enjoy the freedoms of the good life in America, we think of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for those freedoms and say a heartfelt “Thank you!” 🇺🇸

We also remember their family members, who continue to pay the endless sacrifice of having lost a loved one, and we thank them as well. 💔 Our thoughts & prayers are with you.

And in a much smaller way, we say thanks to the Ice Cream Shoppe of Oakland. You made Zephyr’s Day (again)!

05/26/2023

It’s been a full month of celebrating here at Truly Australian Labradoodles! Zephyr kicked things off with her birthday bash, which was followed by another family birthday, a new job, & a high-school graduation. All my kids (human & furry) keep things hopping around here!

04/28/2023

Their new favorite water dish has cool flip lids & is only accessible to them for a limited time every evening. (Meanwhile, dad’s scratching his head, wondering why it’s taking so long to refill the humidifier… 😂)

04/16/2023

This never fails to make me laugh! The Queen of Chill loves a good pedicure (pawticure) and we’ve been doing it this way since she was a tiny pup. Admittedly, it’s getting a LOT harder to fit her in my lap these days; but I still love doing it, and she still comes running when she sees the nail clippers. (The secret?…Nothing but Honey Nut Cheerios—one for every clip.)

But lest you think I’ve got it made over here, I assure you that this is just one end of the spectrum. On the other end we have a real Drama Queen who requires a grooming hammock, three family members, gabapentin, trazodone, and a pianist! (Don’t laugh!…Music calms her, and we were really that desperate!) Now we just take her to the vet, and she’s in there all of five minutes. It’s mortifying to be bested by a tiny Miniature Schnauzer, but such is life! 🤦🏼‍♀️

04/02/2023

Apparently this game never gets old! But kudos to Zephyr, because that’s a solid 47-pound frame she’s effectively hiding. Such a funny girl! 😂

04/02/2023

Upping her Hide-and-Seek game! 🫣

02/23/2023

Oakley likes to play “sardine in a can” by smooshing herself into Molly’s crate. What you can’t see is the huge kennel right next door to it. Try as I might, I can’t convince her to use the appropriate size! (Full Disclosure: I think she’s hiding from ever-wrestling Zephyr, so it’s to Oakley’s advantage to make sure there’s no room for friends!)

02/14/2023

At 45 pounds (and still growing), Zephyr can still rock the puppy look with a fresh 1/2-inch haircut. 🤩 I’ve done my fair share of grooming over the years; but hands down, she’s the most cooperative and relaxed pooch I’ve ever seen. This sweet gal has completely stolen my ❤️!

01/08/2023

As a standard-sized ALD, Zephyr’s still got some things to learn about playing Hide & Seek! 🤣 How does your pup keep you entertained? Feel free to post pics below!

12/24/2022

Wishing you a truly Merry Christmas from Truly Australian Labradoodles (and friends)!

12/23/2022

“There were shepherds out in the field…”

(Photo courtesy of my kids…go figure! 😂)

12/18/2022

Zephyr taking in the twilight beauty of Maine’s winter wonderland (or more likely, wondering when she can go out to play again!)…

12/09/2022

Zephyr’s favorite Christmas song:

12/06/2022

Meet Molly—the sweetest little companion to our Australian Labradoodles. She is a nine-year-old Miniature Schnauzer with the biggest heart, the patience of a saint, and eyelashes any girl would envy.

Virtually everything makes Molly happy, top of the list being car rides and visitors at the door.
Though she prefers to watch rowdy Labradoodle play from a safe distance, she occasionally gets a case of the zoomies herself, which is hilarious to watch as she streaks under beds and slips through the tiniest spaces between the furniture.

Our family is thankful to have her with us for another holiday season after almost losing her to bladder stones this year. Her little legs may have to move fast to keep up with Oakley & Zephyr, but our pack just wouldn’t be the same without her! ❤️

11/25/2022

Speed-Eating vs. Savoring Every Bite 🤣

11/25/2022

The gals at Truly Australian Labradoodles had a great Thanksgiving feast! They enjoyed their candlelit dinner of kibble, turkey giblets, cooked sweet potato, raw apple, and plain pumpkin--all safe for dogs to consume when free of added salt & sugar.

True to their personalities, Oakley then posted herself near the human table, hoping more scraps would fall, while Zephyr passed out from the sheer joy of the experience. The best way to accommodate a full belly?...the upside-down Labradoodle pose, of course!

11/16/2022

Zephyr's been "Trick-n-Treating" a lot lately--executing her tricks in exchange for TONS of yummy treats! 🍖🦴🧀

In October/November, we attended basic obedience classes, where Zephyr met up with her biological sister and the breeder who took such great care of her during her first eight weeks of life. The sisters had a blast reconnecting & practicing their skills in a different environment, with the distraction of other dogs around them.

They were among the youngest in the class; but the dynamic duo represented their breed well. In true Australian-Labradoodle fashion, they were impressive with their solid eye contact and ability to stay acutely connected with their human handlers.

These are just a few of the reasons we love this breed! Training comes relatively easy because of the incredible dog-to-human rapport innate to Australian Labradoodles.

What a fun experience learning is! And the joy is doubled when you're learning while working together with your best friend. ❤

11/07/2022

Zephyr's test results came back from Paw Print Genetics; and as expected, she has been officially cleared of all hereditary diseases in the essential panel for Australian Labradoodles. It was exciting to receive confirmation of her strong genetics, knowing that the stud males we use for breeding will be able to boast the same. The genetic testing of both parents is an essential part of our health guarantee and ensures that all Zephyr's future puppies will be cleared of these genetic diseases by parentage.

You can view Zephyr's Pedigree & her Genetic Health Certificate here: https://www.trulyaustralianlabradoodles.com/our-dogs

11/03/2022

New England put on her best show this year; the fall foliage was spectacular! In an attempt to soak it all in, we hit the road and headed for the mountains and country charm of New Hampshire & Vermont.

Zephyr took the trip in stride, soaking up backseat snuggles, romping in leaves at the pit stops, and sniffing the mountain-fresh air. She especially enjoyed a jaunt down a rail trail and a loose leash walk down the sidewalks of Stowe. So many of my favorite things crammed into one fine fall day!

Along the journey, we passed a country churchyard which provided the perfect backdrop for a photo shoot. Here's our golden girl amidst all the golden splendor!

11/01/2022

Bean there, done that! 😉

Freeport, ME isn't just a town; it's a true Maine experience. And at the heart of that experience is the wonderful world of L.L. Bean. If you haven't been there with your pooch in tow, you're missing out on a world of fun!

Upon arriving at LL Bean's flagship store, we were greeted by employees offering to set us up to make s'mores at an outdoor firepit. Fascinated by all the dogs coming and going, Zephyr was content to chill as we roasted marshmallows and chatted with some fellow dog breeders vacationing in the area. In the open area at the center of their campus, she enjoyed an impromptu play session with a Labrador puppy; and she got loads of attention from passers-by and store employees alike.

Adding to the draw is the fact that L.L. Bean carries some superb dog products. Their large-sized premium dog couch (which we previously found on sale at the outlet store) is perfect for two standard-sized Australian Labradoodles. (Full disclosure: It's part bed, part wrestling mat for our two; and although it's used hard, it still looks brand new.)

If you're looking to socialize a puppy (or even an older dog), you can't beat the Freeport experience. Zephyr socialized like an old pro, eagerly taking in every new experience with her calm, confident demeanor. We have yet to explore everything the dog-loving town has to offer, but we'll keep going back until we do!