23-036 Appa  is a beautiful rust-colored 3-month-old Goldendoodle puppy. His
owner bought him from a breeder, who would not take him back – the owner has
some mental health issues and found her anxiety level was increased too much
with a puppy to care for. She described him as a goofy, smart, mellow puppy
who likes to cuddle. Of course, he was not yet house broken, and he would chew
on anything and everything – typical young puppy. His favorite toy was a stuffed moose and a rope with 2 balls attached. After initial vetting with an exam, vaccine updates and an allergy shot,  Appa  was transported to his new home with an adopter in Camp Verde  The adopter changed his name to  Sam  and told us he is a delightful puppy and is getting along well with the resident cats. She sent us an update: 

Sam  is a joy! When he first got here, he slept all the time. I was  a bit worried since puppies are full of energy. What I quickly noticed was that he was busy growing! He grew almost 3 inches in 2 months. He has stopped growing for now and is non-stop energy.  I have not had a puppy this young since I was 9, a very long time  ago, so potty training was quite an experience. But we've pretty much sorted that out.  Sam  has 3 cat siblings who are teaching him how to be a proper cat.  Sam  and the cats chase each other around the house. It's a fun game of tag among the four of them and is usu ally played after I go to sleep. Ugh. He just figured out that his long  giraffe legs are to be stood on. So he can now reach the counters. I was dreading this since now nothing can be left out. And cat food is now in the guest room behind a baby gate . I also just caught him trying to climb up on the cat tower – he does think he's a cat! My mom and brother live in Cottonwood and he loves to visit. My mom  just turned 99 and she adores him. Interestingly, mom is a redhead,  who actually still has her natural red hair. My sister has red hair, married a redhead and has 5 redheaded kids. But mom pointed out that  Sam  is the only grandchild with her exact shade of red. So of course he's the favorite. We are starting obedience classes next week. More so for me than him. I have never been an alpha and since  Sam  is going to be a big boy I need to be the boss . He loved his intro behavior class, so I think it will go well. He is very smart and loves to help me in the garden, I weed, he digs. He also  definitely likes to do things his way at his pace. I bought him a kid - die pool and he refused to get in it at first. I got in it and lifted him  into it but he hated it. A few days later he "discovered" the pool and now romps in it daily. I had a few people tell me that doodles can be very stubborn and rather high strung. He is stubborn but very mellow, like my old Golden. He is smart and funny and loving. He loves us and we adore him. That woman who gave him up after a week really lost out on a good dog!