I’m in love and I don’t care who knows it

I don’t have a profound lesson to share—I just love having a dog.

I grew up in a time when dogs mostly lived outside. Fifteen years ago, when I got my previous puppy, I didn’t want a go-anywhere companion. I simply wanted a friend for my other dog.

Now, after saying goodbye to both of my past pups, I find myself raising a puppy again.

Mo is a German Shepherd and my first AKC-registered purebred. (All of my past dogs and cats were rescues.) We brought her home at nine weeks old, and now, just six weeks later, I am in puppy heaven.

This time, I’m looking for a daily companion who can accompany me everywhere. We’ve spent nearly 24/7 together since she arrived, and we’re absolutely delighted with each other. Mo is a confident, eager pup who (most of the time) listens well and is highly motivated by treats. I’m at a much calmer stage in life compared to the last time I raised a puppy, so I can relax and embrace both the joys and challenges.

Not to sound overly reflective, but for someone without kids, raising a puppy offers some powerful reminders.

• It’s impossible not to live in the moment when you’re with a 10-week-old puppy exploring their world and still figuring out house training.

• I now touch grass multiple times a day, and interestingly, my blood pressure has dropped.

• Raising Mo reminds me how valuable it is to try new things. Exposure therapy works for people too!

• I’m learning through trial and error with a furry partner whose attention span is about as short as it gets. There’s no judgment here.

• The effort I’m putting in now is an investment that will pay off tenfold over the next 15 years.

She’s not even four months old, and already I feel like I’ve learned so much. Just imagine what the next year will bring!