The Joys of Puppy Ownership

The decision to get a dog was swift but considered. I have always had dogs growing up and always imagined my little ones having the same opportunity. My partner and I rented a lot but we always said that we’d get a dog once we had kids. Kids came but we still rented. Then we bought a house but it didn’t have an enclosed border. So, then we said, 'Once we put in a fence, we’ll do it.'

Months passed and a fence was the last thing on our minds. Not to mention the three tiny humans we were raising. But then our neighbours asked us to go in halves in a new fence. I jumped at it.

Before we even got a quote, I started looking up puppies. I wanted a Chocolate Labrador and my partner wanted a Kelpie. One morning, I found her face. I spoke to my partner in the morning and said, “Would it be crazy if we got this dog?”

And that was it. The next day we drove to South West Sydney and picked up our Brandy. An eight-week-old Chocolate Labrador (I obviously won the breed battle!).

One year on and she has been the best sidekick.

Having a dog has helped us be more active and taught the kids compassion and responsibility. She’s also our own built-in clean-up crew with three messy kids. She’s great company for the bedtime story at night. Plus, she is always an agreeable colleague as I work from home.

Brandy is an extra member of the family who comes on outings to the beach, bush walks and trips here and there. She has enriched our lives beyond belief, whether it's being a great field person in our backyard cricket sessions, not reacting to having her ears and tail pulled by my two-year-old or being sung to by my daughter.

So, to all parents contemplating the joyful chaos of adding a dog to your clan, I say take the plunge!

Embrace the paws, because with a dog by your side, parenthood becomes an even more delightful adventure. Our dog isn't just a pet – she's a cherished member of our family, the one who reminds us daily that life is meant to be enjoyed, messes are meant to be cleaned up (eventually) and that love is boundless, just like the joy of having a dog with kids.

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