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Puppy Chronicles

I have brushed on this fact in the past. But a year ago, had you asked me "Abby, do you want to get a dog?" I would have laughed hysterically in your face.

And now we have a 6 1/2 month puppy who has permanently "staked his claim" in the Nastase household. So crazy!

And what's even weirder, is that he's become my little buddy who I worry about, have to put him to bed, won't let my husband clean his ears because "he likes it better when I do it", and has made quite the showing on my Instragram page.

Miles the Golden Retriever has kind of stolen my heart.

He's gone from this:

Miles at 5 weeks when we picked him out and got to hold him for the 1st time.

Miles at 6 weeks when we brought him home. My goodness he was cute....
 
 
To this: 

Miles sleeping in our living room at 6 months. He is now 45 pounds, and he thinks he's "kind of a big deal".

Here is how Miles has changed things around the house:

  • Suddenly it's not "all about me". I never had younger siblings. I don't have children. Life up until this point has kind of been at my pace. This is probably a good thing ;)
  • I've said goodbye to double-workouts. I still work out hard 6 days a week, and that is completely healthy. But that 2nd gym trip on the way home from work I did "pre-puppy", is a thing of the past. It's not nice to leave him alone or crated that many hours/day. Plus now my "2nd workout" is taking him for a walk, or running around with him at the park. It's made me realize that working out 2 times/day is really not necessary!!!
  • Does above make Miles a "therapy dog"? ;)
  • I clean the house more! I refuse to be a house that looks and smells like we own a dog. And Golden's SHED. So I have integrated a serious "floor sweeping/scrubbing" schedule to my life! Thank GOD we have no carpet!
  • We have met more neighbors in the past 3 months than we have in the past 3.5 years we've live in this house! Several nights/week, a group of us commune with our dogs and let them play fetch. Being the Midwest girl I am at heart, it is really comforting to finally know some faces in my neighborhood....
I'm going to be honest and say that these past 6 months have had their challenges. Sleepless nights. "Puddles" on the floor. Lots of putting puppy in "time out". Threats of sending puppy to humane society. (only joking...kind of )

But there have also been moments of joy:
  • Long peaceful walks. 
  • Being SO CRAZY EXCITED to see me after a crappy day at work.
  •  Being SO CRAZY EXCITED to greet you at 4:30am while you're groggily getting ready to head out for a run.
  • Plopping his 45 pound body in your lap to be petted.
  • Teaching him how to swim.
  • Teaching him fun tricks.
He has brought us so much happiness, and as he gets older and more obedient, I am sure he will only bring more.

I think we'll keep him.....


Comments

Amber said…
Just wait a couple of years until he's fully trained!! At 4 Chloe is the BEST age! She is fully trained and super obedient but also still really playful and fun and always, always so so excited to see you when you arrive home. I grew up with pets so having pets in the house makes it feel more like home to me. So glad you've adapted so well to having a dog, they do have a funny way of worming their way into your heart don't they!
I am glad that getting Miles has been such a great change for your life. I definitely was SHOCKED when I found out you were getting a dog as you were so verbal about not liking dogs(as have I - I often express how much I don't like dogs... but they make me super uncomfortable. I know that they can be a person's best friend). But I am glad that you've embraced being a puppy mommy and have come to love him! I can see how it would really help you meet other people in the neighborhood so that is definitely a great side effect.
Marlys said…
I, too, was shocked when you said you had bought a dog but he truly has become part of your family! He was a very cut puppy and is growing into a fine looking dog now.

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