Meet Ducky
This is Woodridge’s Life Is Jusducky aka Ducky. Also known as Duckling, The Duck, Baby Duck, The Duckinator, McDuck, Roo, Rooduck, Snert, Silly, Sweetie, BB (Bathroom Buddy), Daffy, Noodly, Superduck, Jaws, and Munch Mouth:
Vital statistics: Black and white Springer Spaniel, Bench variety. One of four in a litter born to CH. Woodridge’s Chantilly Lace (Dam) and A/C CH. Bondir’s Victorie En Vol (Sire) on July 24, 2009. Bred by Sally and Warren Wattenbarger of Port Orchard, Washington.
Ducky joined The Wags family on October 20, 2009, just a day after Muggins moved on to the nonphysical flow of joyful energy. She is NOT a replacement. She is a happy addition.
We believe that Ducky was destined to be with us. The day we had to take Muggins in to the vet for our last moments together, I e-mailed Muggins’ breeder to tell her that Muggins had left us after 17 years of joyful companionship. I asked her if she would have a new litter of puppies anytime soon. I didn’t expect a quick response, but she wrote back immediately and congratulated me on the awesome connection I had with Muggins, as evidenced by her long life. She told me she wouldn’t have any puppies until spring but that a great puppy was available now, bred by an excellent breeder in Port Orchard. Lynn said she’d already called that breeder to highly recommend me.
Tim and I talked about it for about half a second and decided to send the breeder an e-mail. She responded with a picture of Ducky (then known as Gracie). Gracie/Ducky was already 3 months old, a month older than Muggins was when we got her, but we liked how she looked. She is quite different looking than Muggins, and that’s good–we didn’t want to be looking at a dog that looked like Muggins but didn’t act like her.
The next day, we drove to Port Orchard and met Gracie/Ducky. Of course, we brought her home.
Ducky’s name was inspired by a clerk at our local grocery story, Kathy, who when asked, “How are you?” always answers, “Just Ducky.” Tim and I have had some rough times lately (not the least of which was losing Muggins), and we wanted to affirm that life is indeed “just ducky.” We also have a goal of moving to Oregon, so we follow the Oregon Ducks. Ducky seemed like a perfect name for our new pup.
Ducky is just what you want a puppy to be. She’s eager and enthusiastic, smart, and willing (mostly) to please. She had the dog door figured out in a couple days, was house-trained in four days, and within a couple weeks had learned come, sit, down, stay, and high five.
Although Ducky loves to put as many things in her mouth as possible (including fingers, ears, hair, toes, and clothing), she knows what “leave it” means. Although she wants to put her front paws on every person she meets and on the kitchen counter as often as possible, she knows what “off” means.
Ducky is a lover of vegetables (especially broccoli and carrots) and, well, ALL food (that we let her have–actually we’re pretty strict: she gets raw food provided by Darwin’s Pet, high quality treats, lean meat, veggies, fruit, and eggs). She loves to cuddle, hang out with us (no matter what we’re doing), play tug-a-war, and take long walks in the woods or on the beach. Because she always comes when she’s called and stays nearby when off leash, she gets to run through a nearby public forest and all over the beach on a daily basis.
Ducky loves training (because it involves getting treats). She has added “reach for the sky,” wave, roll over, “are you sleepy,” and peek-a-boo to her repertoire and would know more if I worked a little less and played with her and trained her a little more.
At six months old, Ducky has already learned to snooze nearby while we work or entertain herself with toys when we’re busy. She’s a delightful combination of wild dog and mellow dog.
Ducky’s best friends are Jake (The Schnoodle) and Dixie (The German Short-haired Pointer). She LOVES to play with them. She also loves playing with Tinkerbell (The Newfoundland).
Ducky got her BB (Bathroom Buddy) nickname from following me wherever I go, including into the bathroom. I never pee alone.
she is wild and if you want to know I live right next to the people that gave her to you
Oh, you must be Cody’s person. Sally sent me picture of Cody and Halo doing agility and you’re in it. That picture will be on the site soon. Maybe we’ll meet you when we come for Ducky and Halo’s birthday.