Becoming a Puppy-Mom

"The world would be a better place if everyone had the ability to love as unconditionally as a dog" - M.K. Clinton

I've been a believer my whole life that dogs have the inherent capability to make a life whole, without even trying. In fact, I'm pretty sure the answer to all of the world's crippling problems would be instantly solved if everyone had a dog who loved them. It's a pretty naive thought, but i like to think it's mostly accurate.

A few years ago I returned home from studying abroad for 6 months, and while my parents shed a few tears upon my arrival back home, no one greeted me quite like my family dog. We pulled into my driveway, around midnight, and my dog came bolting out of the house right into my arms, crying, shaking, and unbeknownst to me until I stood up, peeing. I don't know about you, but I have yet to meet a human who pees with excitement when they see me. There's something about the unconditional love that dogs will always give you that has a way of warming up your soul. It's the simple fact that when you come home from work your dog will greet you like they haven't seen you in years, even though it's been just a few hours. Or when you return after a long vacation, or months of time away, it's knowing that every single time you open your door, your dog will be there, wagging their tail, anxiously awaiting your return.

Dogs (and cats) have been, and always will be, a major part of my life. Growing up with three, yes three, puppy brothers I knew I'd be in for the long-haul with these 4-legged buddies. From the beginning they were my confidants, my best friends, my protectors, and my sidekicks against mom and dad. When I was about nine, the last of my puppy-brothers had made his way up to dog-heaven. I was absolutely crushed to have lost my last sidekick, my built-in playmate. It's one of those days where you still remember exactly what you ate, and where you were. It's one of those days that still chokes you up nearly 15 years later.

It took a couple years, and a lot of convincing from my sister and I, for my family to re-coup after our loss and adopt a kitten from the animal shelter. Although cats are adorable, feisty, and entertaining, they're a long way from the companionship of a dog. It didn't take long for Cocoa to only take to my dad, and give me crazy allergies that only got worse as the years went on (don't worry, I obviously still tried to cuddle him until his very last day). It took nearly six years for my family to become a dog-family again; but it was very much worth the wait.

Lucy, a corgi/beagle mix we adopted from the animal shelter as well, was a ball of energy; a rambunctious, seemingly untiring, ball of fur that fit right into our family. Although a bit neurotic, and socially-inept (she's not mean, she's just excited to smell your dog!!), she's the most loyal, compassionate, and happiest dog I have ever seen.

I moved back home after college ~s/o to mom and dad for free rent and food, and endless love~ and instantly fell back into the routine of being my family dog's bff. Everything was kosher , hunky-dory and I was over the moon to see my dog every single day. Then I started to notice something. Every morning the wake up routine goes like this: Dad up at 5: 30, out the door by 6: 20. Mom up at 6: 15, out the door by 7: 30. Then I'd eventually get up, growl at all the noise mom and dad would make, and somehow make it out the door by 8:40. One day (ok a *few days), I got a late start and noticed that my dog just sat on the couch and started out the window. She had fallen into somewhat of a little depression, starting every Monday at 8:40 am. It pulled at my heart strings every morning when I'd have to turn off Good Morning America, gently nudge her head that was resting on my leg, and make my way toward the door. She would just sit there, staring at you like you were abandoning her! Oh the pitty, the sadness, the utter disappointment I felt in myself for leaving the only thing that loves me endlessly!

So, I talked about this situation with my parents/roomies and I came up with the best solution: it's about time I get myself a little pup-dog. "Lucy needs a play-mate", i pleaded with my mom, "she's so sad, and she just wants a pup to keep her company, and wrestle with". It took very little convincing once I told them, "Hey, you guys won't have to do anything, I'll fund it, and all you have to do is play". After many months of research, library visits (yeah, those still exist), and endless questions to puppy-owners all over the state of Iowa, I had put my name on a waiting list to be the mother of a little corgi puppy.

When the day finally came to go pick up the little peanut, I could hardly contain my utter enthusiasm to hold the puppy of my dreams. I can't even express or begin to explain the sounds that left my mouth when I first laid eyes on little Lennon; she was perfect. Her little corgi butt, and tiny paws, and gigantic ears captured my heart the instant I laid eyes on her.

She's only been a part of my life for about 10 days, but holy smokes has she changed it. Mostly she's changed my sleep schedule and my social life- but there's no other living thing I'd let wake me up 3x a night, or keep me contained to my basement on a Saturday night.

But that's the thing I wanted to write about: the commitment it takes to become a puppy-mom. I've read one too many stories about people who get a puppy, only to take it to a shelter or give it away because, "They chewed my shoes", or "they keep going to the bathroom inside". There are few things in life that make me more upset then hearing those excuses as to why people "can't handle" their puppy-turned-dog. There's a HUGE commitment to becoming a puppy owner. HUGE. I can not express that enough. They require constant attention, eyes in the back of your head, and patience. It breaks my heart to hear of owners who give up on their dogs, simply because it's not cute anymore when they're 2 years old and are still chewing on your couch. They'll pee in your bed, they'll bite your hands, but you can't get angry or punish them, it just takes time. That's not how it works. You don't return a baby because they still poop their pants. Puppies are very much like toddlers, getting into mischief, eating things they're not supposed to eat, etc. I chose to get a dog strategically because I was still living at home, where I knew if I needed assistance, Mom and Dad would be right there to help me out. I strategically got a puppy now, because my job is less demanding of me in the spring than it is in the fall (Go Hawks. Go Football). I can not express enough the importance of timing when getting a dog. You need to be in a position where you can take the time to help your dog grow, because it takes patience, time, and going home during your lunch break. I could not have gotten this dog without the help from those around me, I had a support system that so graciously have taken time out of their lives to help Lennon in the first weeks of adjusting to her new home. My mom took a week off of work (she's got like 6 months of vacation built up so that's neat), and called it "grand-PUPternity leave". My boyfriend has taken his spare hours in between shifts at the hospital to come play, and I've had a few friends stop by during the week to check-in, feed, and let her out while I'm at work. Maybe I'm just surrounded by incredibly selfless people, or maybe the puppy is just so irresistibly cute, honestly probably a combination of both...but I could not do this without them.

Like I said at the beginning, Dogs will love you unconditionally. They will be your best friend, your buddy, your go-to hug at the end of a long day. But make sure you can do the same thing for your dog. They simply deserve it.

Learning to LOVE the leash 

 

What's better than a Puppy Snuggle?