The Not-So-Glamorous Side of Dog Ownership

Moms, if training a puppy is anything like bringing up baby, I owe you a major apology for thinking it couldn’t be as hard as some make it seem. Hunter has brought so much joy to our household, but he’s also been a major pain in the ass at times.  

As someone who was used to waking up and watching the morning news while I enjoyed my breakfast and checked my e-mail, I’ve become used to someone else depending on me as soon as they wake up.  My work schedule, that I just started to get used to myself, was shaken up the day we brought Hunter home.  I soon had to adapt to his schedule, including middle of the night whimpers to relieve himself.  When my husband comes home from work, we change shifts.  Of course, by then, I’m often too tired to catch up on anything. Getting a dog has definitely cured my insomnia! 

I’ve cleaned up my fair share of soiled carpets.  Thankfully, Hunter seems to have gotten the hint about going outside and now runs to the back door when he has to go out (if we could only get him to bark). I’ve quickly gotten used to all of this poop stuff. There have been a couple times that I’ve had to wipe his butt. It’s gross, but that’s puppy parenthood.

The amount of times I say “no” during the day now exceeds any other word I speak.  I don’t brush my teeth, my hair, or get dressed until about 9:30 in the morning because Hunter wakes up at 7 and demands all of my attention until his morning nap.  He’s starting to enjoy his daytime napping and independent playtime a little more, so I can actually eat a quick breakfast and not look like such a wild beast most of the morning.

I had great plans for my blog to soar through September, but hardly have time to keep ahead with new content, let alone promote my posts.  I’ve fallen really behind on my work, but I’m learning to catch up during his naps.  Hopefully within the next couple of weeks, I’ll be back to routine scheduling and photoshoots that aren’t rushed.

The first few days of having Hunter home were tough.  I even second guessed our decision to bring him home at times.  Those questions were often followed with my husband’s response of, “He’s a puppy.  He doesn’t know any better yet.”  

At the end of the first week, my husband said to me, “You’re so patient with him.” Shocking, I know. Patience was not one of my best traits. But Hunter and I are both learning together, teaching each other new things.  Most of all, he’s brought an incredible amount of love into our home. He’s now a big part of our family.