Merlot the Mini Labradoodle

Jackie always loved dogs. In fact, she loved dogs more than most people! She lived a quiet life in a small town in Virginia. She worked as a nurse at a local nursing home and she absolutely loved her job. Okay, she liked some people...most certainly the residents at the home. She wanted to be a nurse since she was a young girl growing up in Ohio. Most of her family still lived in Ohio, which was one disadvantage to moving to Virginia, but she loved her job and her little farm house in rural Virginia. She did not plan on moving to Virginia but she was offered a great job with good benefits so she accepted it. She found out about the job while still in college. The nursing home located in Virginia was at a job fair in Ohio recruiting nursing students. Jackie attended this job fair in search of a nursing position, preferably at a nursing home. Since Jackie was interested in working at a nursing home she stopped at their table and submitted her resume. Jackie had a high GPA and she was very good with the elderly. Ever since she was a young girl, Jackie volunteered at nursing homes. She even had her dogs trained to be therapy dogs so she she could take them to the nursing homes she volunteered at. She found that dogs really brightened up the residents’ days and made their lives a little happier. It made her feel good to help other people because so many of the residents at the nursing homes were lonely. If anything can help with loneliness, it’s a dog.

Jackie had many dogs growing up and now she had a mini Labradoodle named Merlot. She named him after her favorite wine! Jackie was quite young, she just turned 25 years old a month earlier. She dated in high school and college but those relationships never turned into anything serious. Jackie wanted to start dating again and she was hoping to find a serious relationship. She was not the online dating type of person, she was old-fashioned and wanted to meet someone in person. She thought hard and remembered the little winery along the highway on her way to work. It was a little log cabin and it was called Cherry Hill Winery. Jackie decided to stop there for a drink on her way home from work some night. “I might meet someone nice there and I love wine so either way I’m sure I’ll enjoy myself,” Jackie reasoned. She easily forgot about dating because she needed to take Merlot to the dog park for his daily exercise. She loved Merlot like she loved all the dogs she owned throughout her life. Her dogs were always more like children than pets.

Jackie decided to take Merlot to work because it was a beautiful day and many of the residents would be outside in the courtyard. The residents loved Merlot and Merlot loved them right back! Jackie could do her work and didn’t have to worry about Merlot. He hung out with the residents and many of her co-workers loved him too. Well, lunchtime came around, and Jackie went looking for Merlot to share her lunch with him. She found him in the courtyard with one of the very friendly residents by the name of Flo but they weren’t alone. There was a handsome man sitting on the bench with Flo and Merlot. Flo introduced Jackie to her grandson, Jake, and said that he was just telling her how much Merlot reminds him of his dog. Jake spoke up and explained how he just welcomed a new dog that he named Gus. He further explained that Gus is curly like Merlot but he is a reddish-brown color and he’s a mini Goldendoodle. Flo said that Jake has had a dog since he was a little boy. Jake said “I treat them more like my kids than like dogs!” Jackie smiled warmly thinking how much she had in common with Jake.

There was a long weekend coming up so Jackie decided to stop at the Cherry Hill Winery on her way home from work. It was a Friday and she had three long days to relax and do whatever she wanted, like sleep in, watch tv and of course, spend lots of time with Merlot! She walked into the winery and sat at a little table in the corner. Jackie really liked this cute little winery. It really was like a little log cabin and it was so cozy. She ordered a glass of wine and I bet you can guess what kind...Merlot! That was her favorite wine ever since she tasted it at her cousin’s wedding back home in Ohio. Tonight at the winery they even had live music. Jackie was having a good time drinking her wine and listening to the music even though she was by herself. Then she heard a familiar voice. It was Jake, Flo’s grandson, whom she recently met in the courtyard of the nursing home. Jake asked if he could sit down and Jackie happily agreed. “It’s nice to have some company,” Jackie said. Then Jake guessed that Jackie was drinking Merlot. They laughed and talked about their dogs. After talking and laughing for about an hour, Jackie politely excused herself explaining that she had to get home and take care of Merlot. The dog, that is, she clarified. “It was great seeing you again Jackie, I hope to see you again soon,” Jake said.

About a week or so later Jackie and Merlot were at the dog park and Merlot was playing with a dog she never saw at the park before. Again, she heard a familiar voice and it was Jake who noticed Merlot playing with Gus. “So this is the famous Gus,” Jackie said smiling. The dogs looked so cute together and they were getting along great. Jake and Jackie sat on the bench and chatted while their dogs jumped and wrestled like they knew each other for months. Jake felt like he knew Jackie for more than just a short while. He then suggested that rather than coincidentally running into one another that they should actually schedule a date. “That sounds like fun!” Jackie said. Jackie agreed to text Jake her address and the date was set for Saturday at 5:00 p.m. They were both thrilled that their first date was officially scheduled!

Even though Jackie and Jake had been hanging out, this was their first "official first date" and Jackie was nervous. Jake was right on time and he was greeted at the door by Merlot. Jake really did love Merlot and it’s a good thing because the dog happily licked Jake’s face when he arrived. Jake and Jackie then left for their date. Jackie had no idea where they were going and she was really surprised when they pulled into the nursing home. Jake assured Jackie she wasn’t there for work. Then they walked to the courtyard where they were introduced to each other by his grandmother Flo. There was a table all set up with beautiful flowers and delicious food on the table. Jake pulled out Jackie’s chair and then they both sat down. Jake poured them each a glass of Merlot and he made a toast. “To our very first official date and for many more in the future and also to Merlot the Labradoodle...and Gus the Goldendoodle! Then they both laughed hysterically and had the best first “official first date" ever!