Hi friends! Our crazy goldendoodle Henry turned two years old last month. In today’s post, I am sharing a quick pupdate about how we celebrated his birthday. I am also going to breakdown why I love having a dog, a few things you should consider before getting a dog and some of Henry’s favorite products (please note this post includes affiliate links When you purchase an item through an affiliate link, I may earn a small commission.  All opinions/recommendations are my own. Thank you for shopping through my links!). Let’s go!

Henry weighs in at his second birthday around 50 lbs and 36 inches long. He is a pretty big pup which I have grown to really love. Although I thought he was done growing around his first birthday, he grew a bit more until about 1.5 years old. He still loves his crate {42 inch} and that is where he sleeps at night or when we leave the house. Overall, he is a great dog, but we are still working on some behavioral issues. His focus has slowly improved and he has been doing great on the leash. I really enjoy taking him for walks. We are still working on counter surfing and eating/stealing things he’s not supposed to have {pebbles, twigs and dirt are among his favorites}. I hope in time we can work through these things. If you have any tips, let me know in the comments!

To celebrate his birthday I made him homemade pancakes with oatmeal, banana, peanut butter and raspberries. This dog cannot get enough of bananas and raspberries. He literally comes running into the kitchen when I crack the peel of a banana. We’ve tried to limit Henry’s toy stash because he has accumulated so many, but he got a new toy for his birthday. I opted for a large heavy rope toy; so far he has loved it and it’s very durable. One brand of dog toys that I have continually purchased from Target is Boots & Barkley. Not only are these toys affordable, but have proven to be durable as well. And let me tell ya, Henry really puts his toys to the test.

Top 5 Things I Love About Henry

1. He is the best snuggle bug.
2. His goofy personality always makes us laugh.
3. He waits for me at the window when I come home from work.
4. He follows me around the house.
5. He is always excited to go for a walk.

Top 5 Things You Should Consider before Getting a Dog

1. Dogs are A LOT of work and he will be part of your life for many years.
2. Dogs are a large additional expense; even past the first year of puppy shots. Vet bills, the basic necessities, flea/tick/heartworm pills, training and grooming add up. Henry gets groomed every 6-8 weeks for about $100.
3. You have to shift your life and schedule to make sure they are cared for. This may mean getting a dog walker {we love ours} or using a doggy care facility. Henry’s “grandpawrents” are helpful too!
4. Despite your best efforts, you may run into some difficulties training your dog. All dogs are different and not all are perfect.
5. Your dog will become your best friend…even when his muddy paws are all over the house and he chews your throw pillows.

Top 5 Favorite Products

1. Safari Comb: The best tool to keep doodle coats matte-free
2. Grooming Scissors: For trimming around his face and paw pads.
3. Soft Frisbee: His favorite for fetch outside.
4. Hips & Joint Supplements: These have made a HUGE difference on Henry’s mobility. Read my full review of them here.
5. Slow Eater Bowl: Forces Henry to eat slower so he doesn’t upset his tummy. This shape can be hard to find, but has been the best I’ve tried.

Top 5 Favorite Bandanas

1. Baseball Bandana (pictured in this blog post)
2. Orange Plaid Bandana
3. Patriotic Bandana
4. Holiday Plaid Bandana
5. Sprinkles Bandana (his exact one is no longer available)

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