Happy Wednesday, Everyone! The end of the school year is kicking my tail. I’ve scheduled several last minute appointments prior to summer, kids have parties, special days, many sports are ending, and then there are the baseball tournaments/practices that will continue through June. Add in Tab deciding the last two weeks are great dates for work travel {EEEEEK!!!!} and well, you have one tired mama. ;). However, we just have a few days left of this school year before SUMMER BREAK! It’s SO close, friends!
If you’ve been reading here for a while then you know I’m not a pet person. We didn’t have indoor pets growing up because we lived in the country. All of our dogs and cats were outside animals and as a kid, I was just “kind of” into them. We decided this past Christmas to surprise our kids with a family dog, Champ. Now that we have Champ, a seven month Australian Labradoodle, I can say I’ve learned SO VERY MUCH as a new pet owner over the last four-ish months. Many of you guys commented that you were similar to me and had recently gotten a dog for the betterment of your family so I thought there might be some of you who are still on the fence and deciding exactly if this whole dog family thing is your vibe. Let me tell you what I’ve learned…
- Dogs have a smell. No matter how often he’s groomed, how often he’s bathed, how much dog spray we use on his fur, how often I vacuum, how often I mop, how often I use the Green Machine cleaner, how many candles I light, or how often I run my Puras, Champ will still have a smell. I’m learning that all the effort that goes into making my HOUSE not smell like a dog does in fact seem to work but there doesn’t seem to be a dog on this planet that doesn’t have a smell.
- You’ll find yourself using “Baby Talk” to speak to this dog. It’ll happen quickly. It’ll happen suddenly and before you know it your entire household will speak this special “Dog/Baby Talk”.
- I know all dogs are different BUT I’m speaking only to myself here in regards to Champ. No matter how confident you think he is in the potty training department, on those days when you get full of pride he’ll surprise you and potty in the middle of the floor surrounded by six people who could have taken him out. Yes, yes, yes….he’ll keep you on your toes with all things potty training. The Bible says, “Pride comes before the fall” and well, Champ is like a walking Bible verse for you.
- When you walk him, it’ll take a LONG time for him to learn “walking manners”. I was so excited for this milestone moment when we could finally take him for a walk and my mom {who’s DEFINITELY not a dog person but who watched the kids when we were in Cabo} said it best when she said that she took him on several walks while the kids were in school but, “I was never sure if I was walking him or he was walking me”. I knew EXACTLY what she meant. Sometimes he does a great job and other times when we’re walking he has the zoomies WHILE we’re walking.
- Zoomies…one thing I’d never heard of before having Champ. The first morning we had him I got him out of his crate, took him outside, and then walked him into our dark, quiet house. Champ ran around at top neck speed from one side of the room to the other, he ran in circles, he ran up high, he ran down low, he covered every square inch of that room. I had NO IDEA what was happening and I LEGIT teared up thinking, “WHAT HAVE WE DONE?”. I remember Sheaffer checking in and asking me how the first night had gone and when I started explaining what he’d done that morning she was like, “Yeah, that’s called zoomies”. She said it LIKE IT WAS NO BIG DEAL! But it should have been in some type of handbook somewhere.
- Speaking of that, you’ll be absolutely flabbergasted that SO MANY PEOPLE have dogs after you’ve raised this puppy {I realize I’m only half-way there but please don’t bust my bubble}. There’s absolutely NOTHING easy about a puppy and it’s SHOCKING so many people have done this before.
- There are times throughout my day where you’ll be in the middle of working while Champ is asleep at your feet and you’ll need to get up to use the restroom but you won’t because YOU WON’T WANT TO WAKE THE DOG. He’ll be so comfortable and look adorable lying there so instead of moving and waking him, you’ll practically give myself a bladder infection. {Kidding but you know what I mean.}
- No one ever told me that this puppy would follow me EVERYWHERE. He will be your shadow all day long. We gate up our house so he can just move around one or two rooms at a time. I’ll walk into a gated room and he’ll just be sitting there waiting for me like, “Hey Girl! I’ve been waiting for you to walk in”.
- When choosing a puppy/breed/size, I kept choosing a more medium sized dog. I’d picked up a few dogs and didn’t like the feel of their heart beating in my hands. {Full transparency here.} I kept leaning more towards a dog a little bigger than one I’d pick up because the boys can be rough while the girls can still be snuggly. I LOVE the size of Champ. He’s about twenty-five pounds and is perfect for the boys and the girls. But, YOU will find yourself picking him up often. I don’t even know why or what’s the occasion but I pick him up randomly throughout the day. And I don’t think twice about feeling his heart beating.
- I’m not sure someone has ever loved me more than Champ. He’s so sweet and just wants to be near me always! And even with everything I just listed above, I’d STILL tell you to GO FOR IT! Get the puppy! {Now later today when he’s driving me absolute bonkers, I’m going to need someone to remind me of #10 in my list.}
If you’re semi-new to the dog world, please share something that surprised you about becoming a pet owner! I’d love to hear! Have the best day, friends!
XO
Such great, heartfelt advice!! Puppies can be tricky but are truly man’s and mom’s best friend!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Who even knew that would happen?!
Oh Erica, I feel every single one of these points. I’d also add, I wish someone would have told me they’re like a newborn and cry to go out at night. That ceased quickly but was a shock! However, I’m now that dog owner that lets her dog jump on places I said I’d never allow (Couch, bed, lay on my shoulder). I take him everywhere. He’s one of my very best friends.
Dustie, who are we?! ME TOO!! hahahaha!
I’m not sure. Where is the old me? Lol! My family is still in shock!!!
BAHAHAHAHAHA!
Puppies are hard and it does get better but boy do they love their people ❤️
They do, Kate!
I laughed all the way through this post.
* #1: DOGS SMELL. Hahahahaha!
* The “should have been in a handbook” line had me rolling. I mean, I can 1000% see why witnessing zoomies for the first time is like HUH????? WHAT IS HAPPENING?
* I can totally picture Champ being all “Hey girl. What’s up.”
* I laughed out loud at “I didn’t like feeling the heartbeat.”
Such a real post. I loved it.
Do you remember the zoomies conversation? I know EXACTLY WHERE I WAS in my house when I was talking to you. Thank goodness, it doesn’t happen often.
I was NEVER a dog person before I had my dog! And you’re right , they love you the best, never knew a love like it! Your heartbeat comment is hysterical, who would even think about a dog’s heartbeat, lol! I don’t think I’ve heard or thought of mine and she’s 15lbs.
It’s such a weird thing, but it bothered me! hahaha! Now I’m hoisting this 25-pounds dog up ALL THE TIME and I don’t even think about it.
My husband gave me an eight week golden doodle for my 50th birthday! The first dog I’ve ever had!
And yes to all of the above. At 50, I am an empty nester so my husband thought a puppy would be just what I need… and he was right. That puppy loves me like my kids did when they were little! LOL. I will tell you after about 4-5 months in, she never has accidents in the house anymore. That part has gotten way easy. She sleeps in her crate every night and never makes a peep. She is honestly all the good things now and none of the bad. I’ve even been considering getting her a playmate! Am I crazy or what????
Angela, it sounds like you’re rocking puppy mom life! I will say that I can see how much better I would be at this if I didn’t have any kids at home. ha! Champ does SO good during the day and the accidents ALWAYS happen in the middle of the chaos/after school crazy time. It’s like Champ himself gets overwhelmed! You’ll be GREAT as a two-dog mom!
Not a new dog mom, she’s 9 years old, but I never dreamed I could love something so very much!
Laci, I totally get this!! In Cabo, I’d call my mom to check on my kids AND Champ!
We are several months away from getting dog #2. Our current dog is 9 years old and I’ve been preaching for 9 years that we are a “one dog” family. But, here we go. I blame it on baby fever in my mid-40’s. 😉
BAHAHAHA!! Jill, I’m sure it’s like adding another kid to the family. It’ll probably be SO MUCH EASIER the second time around. You’ve got this!
Champ is SO cute! We have a 3 year old mini golden doodle and he’s the best thing – snoozing in my office while I work!
Thank you!! That’s something we repeat a lot at our house, “You’re lucky you’re so cute”. hahaha!
I had never had an inside dog until a little over three years ago. We now have four!! Two weiner dogs, an Australian shepherd and one that my daughter brought home because she felt we we’re missing something in our lives that we’re not sure of his combination of types. They can definitely be a lot to handle but I can’t imagine not having them now.
Oh my goodness, Tracy! You’re a rockstar!
Guilt when you just have to leave the house in general. Ugh! It’s the worst
Taylor, I almost added that before a dog when people would say they need to leave to get back to their dog, I’d think IT’S JUST A DOG but now I get it!
Yes to all of this! We have a 10 year old dog and apparently in 10 years forgotten what its like to have a puppy and even said to my husband the other day ” how do we un velcro this dog from me he was for the KIDS” HAHAHA!
Oh Katie! I completely get that! SAME!
I always tell people that are on the fence regarding a doggo; you will not love a dog until you get your own. Dogs are angels on earth I am convinced of that. They are such innocent babies. I got a rescue during the pandemic and we just dropped about 10k on various medical procedures HE had to have. Best 10K I spent. LOL No regrets.
I get it, Valencia!
Thanks for being real about what having a puppy entails. They’re super cute, but my goodness, so much work! Our cockapoo is 3 months old. She is all the things you talked about. Plus, we have happy bladder to deal with. But, I wouldn’t trade her for anything! Again, love and appreciate your honest thoughts.
Jess, Champ had/has that too and it’s gotten a LOT better! There’s hope!
Yes! Love the transparency of this post. We added a spaniel to our household 2 years ago and it rocked our world. We absolutely love her but man, it’s work! We have a cat that could care less if we come or go…she’s so easy. But the dog…or more like our toddler.
EXACTLY like a toddler but without the diapers! ha!
I literally laughed out loud at the zoomies part. It’s so much like having a newborn. Yes to all the things you said!
GIRL…zoomies are REAL!