THE NEXT JEN

Several years ago, I made a promise to my husband (my then-fiancé) that one day… I would agree to welcoming a dog into our lives. Every year went by, and he would remind me of my tentative agreement. And every year I would find another reason that “it wasn’t the right time”.

Well, oddly enough, it was at an airport in Croatia over the summer that he finally convinced me to take the plunge.

Let me explain… Don’t get me wrong! I love animals. The thing is, I never grew up with pets. The closest thing I ever had to a pet was a beta fish named Ruby when I was about 7 years old (a fish that we ended up giving to a friend after my family moved 1,000 miles away shortly afterwards). Additionally, after I moved out of my parents house in my early twenties, my parents then welcomed a mini golden doodle named Joansie to do, as I like to joke, “take my place”.

Bottom line? My pet-experience was little-to-none. The idea of having a little fluffy responsibility at home… terrified me.

It was in a crowded airport in Split, Croatia where I was finally cornered, ahem, convinced. Let me set the scene: it was hot, muggy, absolutely packed… and I was ravenous. I was sitting on the edge of my suitcase, throwing back a coffee with one hand while scarfing down a muffin with the other when his phone was put in my face.

Looking back at me on the screen was the sweetest little puppy I had ever seen. Bright blue eyes, black and grey fur, a cute little nose. But the cherry on top was that his name was “Murphy”. This part was most important…

You see, before boarding a plane to cross the Atlantic, we had sat down to rewatch “Interstellar.” “Interstellar” is a visually stunning and thought-provoking science fiction film that explores themes of space exploration, time dilation, and the survival of humanity. And also… the main character’s daughter is named “Murphy”. We had just loved that name.

It was fate. I was easily convinced that it was meant to be, and as soon as we got home we were going to bring Murphy home with us.

The day we arrived back state-side, we urgently prepared our house with all the things you need for a new furry-friend. Toys, treats, a comfortable bed, grooming supplies, puppy pen, and basically the most boujee crate you had ever seen. And then he was here…

And while he was utterly adorable… he was a little terror!

Well, let me clarify. He was a puppy. A baby. But my initial reaction was that of disbelief. Why on earth did I agree to bring this little stinker home? Did he ever sleep when he was supposed to? Could I ever trust him not to destroy everything in our home?! But on top of my dislike for his whirlwind injection into our lives, I registered the weight of immense guilt for feeling this way in the first place.

Luckily, Murphy immediately was sunshine and rainbows in the eyes of my husband. Seeing how calm and gentle he was with the puppy was eye-opening… and taught me very quickly about patience.

Still, I furiously combed the internet for an explanation of why I was so disjointed when it came to how I was feeling. Quickly I stumbled across the “puppy blues”. Most people online insisted it would pass… and I’m here to happily say, it really did.

“You have a unicorn puppy,” was what the owner of the doggy day care told us after his first visit.

“See, I told you he’s a good boy!” My husband is convinced Murphy is an angel from heaven above. I must admit… he might be. Turns out, Murphy just needed a little instruction, direction, socialization, and love from his new mama and daddy. He’s becoming more behaved as every day passes, all while keeping the lively puppy spirit.

A new puppy is no easy venture. Cute, cuddly, and sweet – they can also be disobedient, rowdy, and full of mischief. To any new dog-owners out there or soon-to-be dog owners who have had minimal experience… you got this.

If I can turn my attitude around, I guarantee that you can too.

xo Jenni