Lifestyle
10 Stages You Go Through With A New Puppy
The ups and downs of raising these little fluff balls.
30 May 2019
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My mom is the best cook in the world
I know everyone thinks that their mom has the best food, but no – my mom is actually the best cook. My favorite dish that she makes is basically all of them, but don't get me started on her eggrolls! Yes – they are actually the best, better than any restaurant serves. My friends and I used to always request toasted ravioli (or toasted ravs, as we call them) for any high school game day. We still request them because they help us commemorate our high school days when we get together. This isn't the only way my mom's food brings people together, though. My family always try to eat dinner together. What I really think of when I get excited about a home cooked meal is sitting around the dinner table with my mom, my dad, and my sister, Lauren. Sharing details about our day, laughing, or anything else helps to keep us close, and it is something I always look forward to at the end of the day.
My new puppy
In March, my family got a new puppy! We found a mini golden doodle, Jess, in London, KY. She is the cutest, sassiest pup ever! Jess is only 13-weeks-old and is still learning to not chew on furniture, shoes, and hands. It's so hard to get mad at her because when she does something wrong, she looks at you with the most innocent face ever. However, she is going to doggy college in a few weeks when she has all of her shots.
My friends
I was blessed in high school with the best group of friends. We spend most summer nights together most of the time we spend them in my basement, which has always been the usual hang out spot. My friend group and I will find the most random adventures to do during the summer, which makes summer unpredictable but so much fun. In a small town, the options are somewhat limited, but we always get creative and find something to do. Luckily, a few of the girls in my friend group go to UK. I've had the same best friend, Grace, since I was 3-years-old. Luckily, she is only 30 minutes away from me at school, so we don't have to go too long without seeing each other. Our summer tradition, though, is usually to start a new show on Netflix together and binge watch them in my basement (exciting, right). Although we're just watching TV, this is our time to bond and talk about all things – the good and the bad.
My family
My family and I have always had a great time together. We can turn a regular family outing into an extraordinary family outing. We are always laughing and goofing off, which makes life fun. I always look forward to going home to chill with the fam. My little sister, Lauren, and I have gotten so much closer since I went to college. Don't get me wrong, we still fight over little things, like who took who's clothes out of the closet. Now, though, we do so much together, from Sonic dates to fun and fancy sister dates. We do it all.
The comfort of being home
I know that I am not the only one who just needs the comfort of familiar faces and places after a long, stressful year. Sleeping in my own bed and waking up at my own time is a luxury. Everything and everyone is 10 minutes from my house. Being home is so relaxing for me because I have the most comforting people and places around me.
It's nice to have a break after school and to just hang around after finals. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE being at UK. I love all the friends that I have made over the past few years. By the end of summer, I am excited to get back to my college friends and to be in Lexington again. Although for now, I am so, so thankful to be home.
Izzy Roshko
That said, my journey as the mother of a six-month-old pup has been anything but glamorous and more strenuous than anticipated. Yet in the end, it's been an invaluable experience that I wouldn't trade for anything and I've learned a lot along the way. Here are 7 things I've learned about being a dog mom:
1. The embarrassment of your pup-kid misbehaving or being rude is all too real
GiphyHe is a reflection of my parenting and thus my character. When he borks a little too loud and pees on the floor, you can't help but take it as a personal blow. I apologize for his misbehavior.
2. When someone doesn’t like your dog-child you don’t like them
Giphy1. Who doesn't like dogs and 2. How dare you dislike my angel child? Please check your attitude at the door!
3. You will protect this tiny creature with your all
GiphyI will throw myself in front of a bus to save this tiny angel that I adore. I don't even want to consider how much I'll love my actual human children, I'm not ready for that kind of love.
4. There is no shame in getting separation anxiety from your canine-son
GiphyGoing to the grocery store? Called a pup-sitter to watch him for the night? You can practically see his little face looking through the window, awaiting your arrival. The guilt is real and all you'll want is to return home to this precious nugget and ease him of this feeling of abandonment.
5. Your camera roll will most likely consist of 1. Portrait mode pics of your pup 2. Selfies of the two of you and 3. Videos of your fluff-kid being unbearably adorable
GiphyHow can I be expected not to take millions of pictures of the light of life? The mere sight of his tiny face is enough to brighten my whole day. Of course, my camera roll is 99.99% pics of my dog.
6. You can handle this little ball of love’s disgusting accidents and the like
GiphyPrior to having a dog, I couldn't handle anything less than sanitary without a close-call of vom. I will wipe the boogers out of his tiny eyes and shave his nether-regions when the hair gets a little out of control—a mother's love knows no bounds.
7. There will be sacrifices made from time to time—but it’s worth it.
GiphyOne thing I didn't expect from having a dog is that from time to time you have to put him above yourself. This petite cherub relies solely on you for his survival, so you can't be gone for too long. He needs walks, pets, food, affection, and everything in between.
To be frank, I was worried when I picked my puppy up from the airport. Knowing that his life was now reliant on me, an absurdly busy college student, was daunting. Raising a puppy is no small feat (Mom, I appreciate you all the more for raising our six dogs), but it's so worth it in the end.
Shannon Connors
1. There will be messes
There will be poop, pee, destroyed toys, ripped papers, stolen clothing, and spills galore.
2. You will lose sleep
Puppies sleep every few hours, but while they are awake they are extremely active. It is not uncommon to be awake at 2:30 a.m. because your new fur baby needs to burn off some energy.
3. The puppy will grow like crazy
Sooner rather than later, you will start to struggle to pick him or her up.
4. Training can last a lot longer (or shorter) than you think
Puppies all learn at their own pace, and while yours may learn to give paws the first day you try, getting him or her to lie down may be an entirely different story.
5. Puppies tend to end up places they aren't supposed to
Any method of restraining them will not last long, especially if they are good at climbing.
6. You will forget everything
When you're home with a new puppy and on a schedule, every day starts to feel the same and you will probably forget what day of the week it is.
7. You will be exhausted
Between the lack of sleep and the crazy amounts of puppy energy, you will be exhausted.
8. They are so god damn cute, you don't even care
Puppyhood is fleeting, enjoy it while it lasts.
