November 30th marked Pepper’s “gotcha” day and the first anniversary of me becoming a puppy mom. This past year has taught me a lot to say the least. I had grown up with dogs, so I thought I was 100% equipped and prepared to be a puppy mom. Turns out, having dogs your whole life doesn’t actually qualify you. I know what some of you might be thinking (especially those reading that have, you know, real human children): C’mon, it’s only a dog. How hard can it be? Quit your bitchin’.
Well, as a single gal, childless, in her 20s, it was pretty freaking hard. It’s been a year of ups and downs, laughs, and lots and lots of tears, but looking back, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Here are some of the things I learned in my first year of puppy motherhood:
- Puppy blues are real, they’re normal, and it’s all going to be okay.
When I first got Pepper, I did not feel overjoyed by having a puppy. It was more of a feeling like, “what the hell have I just done?” The realization that I would have to consider her in all the decisions I made felt like a weight on my chest and I grieved my “old life.”
Turns out, a lot of new puppy parents go through this and it’s totally normal. And, come to find out, it does get better and it’s all going to be okay.
- Routine is everything.
Similar to humans, routine is super important to puppies and dogs and provides them with a sense of safety. Unfortunately, 2020 threw all sense of a routine out the window, but doing little things here and there to establish somewhat of a routine will only benefit you and your fur baby.
- Puppies are expensive.
Hindsight being 20/20, I would definitely recommend pet insurance lol. It’s safe to say I spent at least $1,500 on Pepper this first year.
- Celebrate the small wins.
When I first got Pepper, she was used to having a backyard, so needless to say when I brought her into my apartment for the first time, she was all thrown off. I would walk her for over an hour outside and she would do nothing, but as soon as we came back upstairs she would go potty in the living room. I’ll never forget the first time she went potty outside, I cried happy tears. That moment taught me to celebrate the small wins, no matter how small they are.
- Patience is key.
- Most of the time, it’s us who need the training.
Having a puppy revealed to me a lot about what I needed to work on for and within myself. Every time I would get mad at her for something, it would prompt me to introspect and figure out exactly where the anger was actually coming from.
- Despite all the challenges the first year can bring, like most things in life, it’s 100% worth it.
Seriously, I wouldn’t change a thing and would do it all over again.
