Re: my friend with all the dogs. I have known her for almost 20 years. She had 4 black standard poodles, a mutt that looked like Benji, and a long haired dachshund when I first met her. Gradually all those dogs died.
She is an excellent dog owner and lavishes time and attention and training on all her dogs. She was without dogs for a couple of years and then she added the German Shepherd to her household. I think she added the Lab to that she wouldn't be so off-putting to strangers when she walks the dogs. The bouncy yellow puppy made the Shepherd seem less intimidating.
Truth be told, however, I think that her "mutt" was her most healthy and successful dog. He was beautifully trained -- a real companion dog who behaved impeccably. She kept him beautifully groomed -- he looked like a small sheep dog. I'm quite fond of her German Shepherd too, although I never thought I would like a GS.
I hope I'm wrong about the yellow lab, but she looks quite lame right now.
Funny thing, she (and her husband) thought I was nuts to take on a rescue dog, but Max had turned out to be wonderful -- despite his first night with me. A fine Persian rug in my living room still bears the evidence of his attempt to remove the import label. That is because we did not know that labels offend him and he makes every effort to remove all in his vicinity! LOL.
Someday we'll have the edge of the rug re-woven, but not until we're CERTAIN that he is over his puppy chewing stage. He's about 5 now, so it would probably be safe to have the rug repaired. But it might be safer to wait until he's over the Rainbow Bridge.
All dogs have "things". Mine (I have to start saying "my oldest") absolutely hates all the labels on stuffed toys and will chew them off flush with the body. I usually beat her to it and trim them. She also hates hard plastic parts (eyes, beaks, etc.) on stuffed toys and will chew them off too. Thankfully she doesn't eat the bits, she spits them out.
The new pup is a bit wobbly behind, but not frankly lame. She jackrabbits a bit (pumps with both hind legs together), but so did Shelley at her age, and she's sound as a nut.