How it all started
I have many titles, a few might include daughter, wife, dog mom, mental health professional and proud business. My husband and I have been together for a long time, but we really took our time building our relationship, especially since we started dating when we were so young. We knew the importance of growing together at our own pace, making sure we were truly ready for whatever the future might hold. After all these years, we felt it was the perfect time for a change—something new and exciting for both of us. We’re both looking to do something spontaneous which would not describe our relationship. We were looking forward to the next chapter, ready to embrace whatever comes our way as a couple and as individuals.
Toyota
Just like many couples, we have been talking about getting a dog for years. We would go on dates and spend hours talking about the dog breed we would get, how we would train the dog, and how it would change our lives for the better. Our motto was – We were going to do it right. Like many others we talked about how easy it would be to train a puppy right away and have them be the best family dog for our future kids someday. It wasn’t until we decided on a Saturday afternoon to go to the local animal shelter for something to do, that we would realize how we had no idea what we were getting into.
There she was, a little brindle brown eyed puppy getting pushed back by her siblings. When my husband and I had the chance to take her out and hold her, it truly was love at first sight. The puppy was shy but gave the best hugs. Surprisingly, when we left the rescue, it was still just my husband and I. We had no idea we would find the one and we were terrified at the thought of bringing her home. The car was filled with phrases like, we don’t… how can… what if… and then we shifted to, what if we can… should we… just imagine… We almost made it home before turning the car around and going back to take home our newest family member – Toyota.
Welcoming Our Furry Friend
Adopting a puppy was a significant milestone in our family journey, one filled with both excitement and responsibility. After much debate, we decided to welcome Toyota into our lives, recognizing the joy and companionship a dog can provide for us and our family. The decision-making process was spontaneous and terrifying. We had agreed on certain breeds we wanted for our family. We spent years together conducting extensive research about various breeds, their temperaments, and their compatibility with our lifestyle. After visiting our local pet rescue, we eventually realized that we had to meet each other to see we were a perfect match for each other.
A lesson we have learned is how hard it can be to adopt from rescue shelters. We knew we wanted a to rescue a puppy instead of adopting from a breeder. We also agreed on specific dog breeds. When we found Toyota, we were told she was a chihuahua, Beagle mix. Toyota is in fact neither of those breeds. We also did not have any history or back story about Toyota. But once again, how hard can this be…
The Facts
However, pet ownership comes with its own set of challenges, rescue-pet ownership was nothing we could prepare for. Training our puppy was one of the most demanding aspects we faced. From housebreaking to teaching basic commands, we quickly realized that consistency and patience were key. Utilizing positive reinforcement techniques helped us establish good behaviors while fostering a loving environment. There were so many moments of frustration. But they were often overshadowed by the heartwarming experiences we shared—witnessing Toyota’s first successful fetch or her innocent curiosity about the world around her. Many rescue animals can react and/or respond very differently to their world around them. When it came to Toyota, she was terrified of everything. We had to hold onto the positives so tightly so we would continue to provide her grace, patience, and the love she needed to bloom.
Overall, welcoming our furry friend not only brought joy and laughter into our home but also imparted valuable lessons about responsibility and commitment. Although we were far from the puppy phase being over, we decided we were satisfied with where our life took us and we were comfortable staying here for a long while.
The Surprising News: Expecting a Baby
It was a day unlike any other when we received the unexpected news that we were expecting a baby. The moment we verified the pregnancy test, a wave of emotions surged through us: shock, joy, excitement, and a hint of anxiety. The incredible realization that we were going to become parents brought a profound sense of responsibility, yet it was equally exhilarating. My husband and I exchanged looks of disbelief, quickly accompanied by wide smiles, as a flood of positive thoughts swept over us, followed by – we just adopted a puppy…
As the initial shock settled, we both began to articulate our feelings, sharing our hopes for our growing family. We imagined what it would be like to welcome a new life into our home and the countless milestones that lay ahead. Each of us had our own fantasies about parenthood, from the baby’s first steps to the cherished moments we would create together as a family. These discussions infused our relationship with a tangible sense of purpose and deepened our emotional connection.
Preparing for this new chapter of our lives required introspection and research. There is much to learn about parenthood, and the commitment involved can be daunting. We sought out resources—books, parenting blogs, and advice from experienced friends and family—determined to equip ourselves with the knowledge necessary for this journey. Additionally, we began to consider practical matters, such as transforming our living space which was to accommodate a puppy to also accommodating a newborn.
Where to next?
Navigating puppy life while expecting a baby has been nothing short of an adventure, and I’ve learned a lot along the way—some lessons the hard way, others through trial and error. Balancing the two has meant mastering multitasking like never before. I’ve found that setting clear boundaries with our puppy early on made a huge difference in managing her energy while preparing for our baby’s arrival. Simple tricks like crate training, sticking to a consistent routine, and incorporating the puppy into our daily rituals continue to be challenging but will help keep the transition smooth for both of them. Of course, there were a few hiccups—like realizing how difficult it is to juggle puppy potty breaks with prenatal doctor appointments—but hey, it all worked out eventually!
As we’ve moved through each milestone—puppy’s first vet visit, baby’s first kick—I’ve plan on sharing the journey of both the triumphs and the struggles. I’ll be passing along the life hacks that worked for me: from pre-baby puppy-proofing tips to learning how to handle those middle-of-the-night puppy bathroom runs while battling pregnancy insomnia. I’ll also share what didn’t work—like my attempt to get the puppy to stay home during well needed breaks and long doctors appointments. It’s a wild ride, but it’s also incredibly rewarding, and I can’t wait to share both the chaos and the joy as we raise our fur baby and our little one side by side.