Getting a puppy: Part II 2/3 - Timing

Haste makes waste

Sometimes good things take their time. It took me around five attempts to really get into Breaking Bad. The other way round, The Office US actually starts with its second season. Gilmore Girls had weird music in their first episode. Well, Mayim Bialik, Harrison Ford, Gerard Butler and Ken Jeong (among many others) had a completely different career before becoming famous. And it took me almost exactly a year to muster up the courage to get a dog. It was Bea’s day of birth when I called Monika, the woman who is responsible for giving us this crazy, stubborn bundle of love. On April 21st 2021 I had the first talk on the phone with her. And one thing I haven’t told you yet: Maddy had no idea! 

Puppy Bea (not visible) sleeping underneath by her siblings. Pic by Monika.

Surprises galore

I really wanted to surprise Maddy, since we had been talking and simulating and all that, so I thought it would be perfect to surprise her with dog news. So, at the first chance and with Maddy gone for the morning, I took a deep breath (or seven hundred) and dialed Monika’s number. From her first line I knew this would be special. Monika was very kind, understanding and answered all of my questions (several times). And then she started telling me about her Beagles and the newborn puppies. The litter consisted of nine dogs, while they were expecting only six. Unfortunately two puppies died during birth. And then there was Bea. The seventh puppy, born with a cleft palate, cleft lip and actually available. Post-covid was a wild time for getting family-friendly dogs, so I was beyond surprised and excited. I thought we might have to wait for a year or longer. Monika, however, was a little worried because she thought I might neither want a she-dog nor one with a cleft lip. But to be honest, despite all the thoughts we had put into getting a puppy, the dog’s sex had never even crossed our minds. So I surprised Monika when I just said what I was thinking and feeling: I wanna meet Bea. 

Puppy Bea (visible) still napping like a boss girl!

One final surprise

Monika agreed and invited us to come visit her basically ASAP. We talked a little more and I hung up with the biggest smile on my lips. I knew Maddy would come home soon and I wanted to prepare the surprise with a message from Monika or a picture of Bea. The more I thought about the fuzz I wanted to make, the less it seemed like a good idea. Maybe actually getting a real dog was big enough. Bigger than enough. I just tried to find the right moment to tell her. And when she finally got home, I just told her. Her reaction was unique and we shared this huge smile. When we were able to talk again, I called Monika a second time that day and we set a date for a visit. The surprise was a spectacular success! We were floating on air the rest of the week until we would finally drive to Styria and meet Bea for the very first time. 

Sweaty palms and feeling strong

The feeling I had, when finally admitting to myself that I want a dog, that I am ready for a dog and that I am actually following up on that realization, is one that I will never forget. It still gives me sweaty palms and a racing heart. Also the smile in Maddy’s eyes has fused with my own happiness. Her expression not just gave me goosebumps but also let me know that no matter what, I had made the right decision to take this step. Only few things in my life made me feel stronger and safer. 

One of the first pictures we got. Our hearts exploded!

Turns out: When getting a puppy timing is essential! So how about you? Tell me about the day you decided to actually go for it and get a dog? Was it a good feeling? Or did you feel intimidated by the choice?