Let’s talk about getting a puppy — it’s the best form of birth control

A neighbor recently told me that getting a puppy is the best form of birth control. 

A puppy is a lot of work. I mean I knew it would be, but it’s the amount of work you don’t understand until you’re in the thick of it. 

It’s a dance of one step forward, five steps back, three steps forward, one step back, and on and on. 

Every day is different; what she loved yesterday she probably won’t like two days from now. One day she’ll walk like an angel, then the next she doesn’t walk at all, and on the third day she’ll pull you like you’re the sled she was born to drive.

She used to love her crate, then she gained the ability to jump on the couch and suddenly she works herself into a panic any time she’s crated. Except at bedtime, then she’ll go in easily and fall right asleep. 

Sometimes she brings back the frisbee, sometimes she brings herself back. Most of the time she ‘sits’ but sometimes she lunges. Half the time it takes her twenty minutes to go through a chew that should keep her entertained for at least forty. The pool is mostly scary to her, but she’s a great swimmer. She enjoys grass almost as much as her kibble. 

The only thing that is unwavering is her love. Her wiggly butt will sprint to you after you’ve been gone for less than five minutes and your heart bursts. Or she’ll readjust in the middle of a nap just to get a bit closer to you. Or something will jolt her awake and she’ll immediately settle once she sees you’re there. Or she’ll be so ecstatic to bring you a stick. It goes on and on, but it makes your day. Every. Time.

She is jet black, with just a little white on her chest. Most people comment on her stunning appearance and her Doby ears (once you see it, you can’t unsee it – especially if you’re a Harry Potter fan). Her chocolate eyes appear black in some light, but even then you can see the love in her heart.

She was abandoned and transported from a kill shelter in West Virginia to New Jersey because black dogs are more likely to be abandoned and less likely to be adopted in the South. 

Let that sink in. There is a thing called Black Dog Syndrome. There are rescues entirely dedicated to saving and finding homes for black dogs. I’ll repeat, let that sink in.

Pinot and I have been together for seven weeks now. She’s gained at least 8lbs and grown at least 3 inches taller. I’ve learned how to take naps and that I am entirely not ready for children. I didn’t think I was before, but still.