Puppy Love

Truth.

I have never liked dogs.

We had two dogs in our family growing up. They really were more my brothers’ dogs more than mine. Yes – they were cute and sweet. But also, sometimes loud, and messy and high maintenance.

As an adult trying to balance children, work, and life in general, I was even less interested in taking on adding another “thing” to take care of in our family.

Candidly, the smells and slobber and dog hair and poop were just a lot for me personally to see how people enjoyed having an animal in their home.

Our children have asked for a dog for at least a decade, and I put it off with the excuse of having allergies to long haired animals. Which is accurate.

But there is such a thing as hypoallergenic and short hair breeds of dogs.

And then a few things started to come together in my small universe, as they often do in life.

I have been home more in the last over 20 months than I ever have been before. So, the concept of helping a pet adapt to our home became a bit more logical.

And my children need me so much less in the day to day active and physical care and nurture. Yes – they need me lots and in important ways.

But not in the way that small children need. My capacity to love on a small being opened. Also, my ability to be patient and slow down has grown exponentially as I have gotten older.

Last, but far from least, Zack became much more interested in having a family dog than ever before. We sat down and discussed at length how we would do all of this. He helps more than I ever thought that he would – including multiple days a week of bringing our precious Buster to the office with him.

FBF readers – another shining example of what happens in life with a true partner by your side.

And then look at these faces of the five people that I love most.

So, yes.

Here I am a very reluctant puppy mom.

I saw my husband and children fall in love with Buster – our Boston Terrier puppy – at first sight.

And then quickly followed.

Total puppy love at our house now – from all of us.

PS – open to all suggestions on puppy training that we can do or outsource. Lots of hard work – but sweet Buster is overall really good, and we have more wins than frustrations.