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Taking the leap of moving in with your partner is a great step. But the time has come when you’re ready for little adventures – it’s time to add a dog to your mesquite’s happy state. Speaking at this happy, life-changing stage, author Christina Peden will chronicle and challenge her weekly friend with her growing furry family as they adapt to their roles as pet parents.
You and your other team are considering adopting a dog. Well, that’s what my friend, Ryan, and I did a few months ago. We are now proud parents to Matilda, a five-month-old Border Collie-Lab mix. we love it; She is the best now, we can’t imagine life without her. But adopting a dog is huge A lifestyle change (I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that) and it can definitely affect your relationship in ways you might not expect.
First, I don’t claim to be an expert. I’m not Cesar Milan, but I am Can Share with you what it’s like to be a dog parent for the first time with your partner and some of the things you’ll experience when adopting a dog together (trust me, it’s a lot different than having a cat; we’ve had kittens). And that’s exactly what I’ll be writing about in the recurring column here on PetGuide.com.
Here’s just a small slur of topics I’ll be covering in the coming weeks:
- How we found the right dog for us, after a lot of searching and some haggling on both our parts.
- The Similarities Between Puppy vs. Baby: Are They Much Different for a Couple?
- How does a puppy experience the bonds of a relationship – will true love survive the test?
- Who gets the dog if she gets separated? Great presence (and embarrassing speech).
- Puppy Play Dates: Does your life revolve around other couples with dogs?
- Parenting styles: I’m settled, I’m a hypochondriac, my dog is going to need therapy.
- Do we annoy other non-Indian couples with blanket talk about puppy problems and funny stories?
- What is it Is that true Like those first days and weeks of puppy parenthood (Spoiler alert: be prepared for a little sleep and sharp teeth)
- How you will begin your life literally revolves around the bubble and the piss. seriously.
- Learn patience – with yourself, puppy And your partner. And trust me. You will need it
- How it will feel to (hopefully) be more connected to each other when you get over the initial hump of the huge lifestyle change a dog brings
- How to adapt your lifestyle (especially if you like us and live in a big city) to make room for a dog
Now, this list is by no means exhaustive, like I said: Mama there is no dog whisperer! I’m simply here to share my perspective on this whole parenting thing as well as some tips and tricks we picked up along the way. Hopefully, if you’re thinking of adopting a dog with a significant other, this series will give you an idea of what it’s like when you dive headfirst into it.
If there’s anything you’d like to see in a future column, let me know at [email protected] Are you an experienced dog owner with some sage advice on how to deal with common puppy problems? Leave a comment below; I’m all ears (and teeth, and fur).
Christina Peden is a lifelong animal lover and avid wordsmith. She lives in Toronto with her boyfriend Ryan where they are proud parents to two pets, Matilda and cat, Oscar. In her spare time, she can be found enjoying Toronto, which is a very short yard season in Canada, taking advantage of the city’s many parks or curling up with a good book.
