Pet’s Place: Game Day-Ready at This Pennsylvania Home
Levi the labradoodle sports his Philadelphia Eagles jersey around the house during NFL season
Game day fun: At this house, everyone is a fan of the Philadelphia Eagles, whether they watch the game or not. Levi, while not as interested in sitting still for an entire game, does don his football jersey and plays with his toy football on the family room rug.
Rug: Costco
Rug: Costco
Meanwhile, his owners sit on the couch with their eyes on the TV. This will be especially true on Sept. 10 for the team’s first regular-season game.
Halftime entertainment: Levi will make sure they enjoy any breaks in the game by begging them to play fetch. “He grabs his toy and puts it in your lap for you to throw it,” Lai says.
Halftime entertainment: Levi will make sure they enjoy any breaks in the game by begging them to play fetch. “He grabs his toy and puts it in your lap for you to throw it,” Lai says.
Escaping the heat: During the summer months, Levi migrates from the rug to the central air vent on the hardwood floor.
Pup boundaries: When Lai and David To first brought Levi home, he wasn’t allowed in the basement or upstairs. “And he obeyed,” Lai says. He soon learned how to safely navigate the stairs and can now roam anywhere he wants, except for the family room furniture.
Sneaky snuggles: Levi does have his moments of misbehavior, and they usually involve getting cozy on the living room furniture. And he almost always gets caught because the couple have a home security camera, also known as the Levi spy cam.
“Levi knows that he’s not allowed on our couch, and when we’re home, he’s good,” Lai says. “But when we’re gone, he’s all over it! When I forget something and come back in the house, he’s on the couch already. So sneaky!”
“Levi knows that he’s not allowed on our couch, and when we’re home, he’s good,” Lai says. “But when we’re gone, he’s all over it! When I forget something and come back in the house, he’s on the couch already. So sneaky!”
Dog-proofing: The home has an open floor plan, which gives Levi lots of room to run and play without bumping into too many things. “He’s still a baby and doesn’t know his size,” Lai says. “I just don’t leave anything on the edge for him to knock over. Other than that, he respects my home decor.”
Sofa: Arhaus; coffee table: Restoration Hardware
Sofa: Arhaus; coffee table: Restoration Hardware
Outdoor adventures: Potty training has involved lots of Levi’s favorite chicken-flavored strips.”When he needs to go, he barks at me and gives me that stare,” Lai says. “Then I would ask, ‘Potty?’ And he would bark again to confirm. I reward him when we get back in the house.”
When it’s cold outside, Levi wears a coat to stay warm. As you can see, he’s not opposed to adding a layer of clothing on top of his fur.
When it’s cold outside, Levi wears a coat to stay warm. As you can see, he’s not opposed to adding a layer of clothing on top of his fur.
Hair care routine: Luckily, Levi doesn’t shed, Lai says, but his fur still requires some maintenance. The couple take him to get a haircut every three months. They bathe him monthly and brush his wavy locks every day.
Favorite toys: “Levi loves toys,” Lai says. “Every time I bring home something new, he whines and barks till he gets his paws on it.” He’s rough on them, though, so she buys mostly strong, durable balls, such as tennis balls, footballs and Chuckit and Kong balls. When play time is over, all of his toys go back into his Max-Bone storage bin.
Workday: Levi goes to work with Lai every day. “I’m lucky,” she says. “I get to spend most of my day with my best friend.” During the day, they take walks together around the business complex.
Dog birthday party: To celebrate Levi’s first birthday, Lai made him a dozen “pupcakes” to share with his dog friends. They were apple-crunch-flavored with a peanut butter frosting. Here, he’s ready to start eating as soon as the photo is taken.
Welcome home: “Our home would feel empty without him running around the house,” Lai says. “He always bring a smile to our faces!”
Mirror: Z Gallerie
Your turn: Is your pet part of your home? Share a photo with us in the Comments.
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Lessons Learned by Labradoodle Owners
Read more stories about pets at home
Shop for dog toys on Houzz
Mirror: Z Gallerie
Your turn: Is your pet part of your home? Share a photo with us in the Comments.
More
Lessons Learned by Labradoodle Owners
Read more stories about pets at home
Shop for dog toys on Houzz
Pet: Levi, an Australian labradoodle
Age: 1½ years
Location: Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania
Owners: Amanda Lai, president of a staffing firm, and David To, an IT consultant
Meet Levi: He’s a curious and affectionate pup — and a fast learner. “I’ve taught him so many tricks, and each took me only one day to teach him,” owner Amanda Lai says.