Our Golden Doodle Benny! 6 months of owning a puppy
Spring 2025
I still cannot believe we have our own puppy! I just let him out to the bathroom and gave him a treat, getting him ready for bed, talking to him, petting him as I finished up vacuuming for the night; and it truly feels surreal. I never really thought of myself as a “dog lover,” but I grew up with a dog and always envisioned our kids growing up with one! Through the early years of motherhood having a dog just wasn’t on my radar ;) but as my oldest grew, it became more of a reality. Plus, our second born, Dominic, started BEGGING for a dog and drawing pictures of dogs, I think around his 6th or 7th birthday he put puppy on his Christmas wishlist! I would mention that yes, “one day we will get a dog!” and (maybe not the best parenting advice to do unless you are really certain and ready ;) promised the boys that by the time our oldest turned 10 we would get a dog! Well, life happens ;) and that year he turned 10, I had our 5th son, Blaise. With a baby, there was no way I was adding in a puppy (especially as our first time!) and so although I that that unfortunately had to go back on my word (I guess don’t keep the promises you can’t make ;) I did take it as an opportunity to teach the boys that a baby is more important than a dog! I told them that Blaise was our priority this year, and it will happen when Blaise isn’t a newborn anymore. AND… amazingly enough, the Christmas before Blaise turned 2 (12/19) we got our puppy! Literally a few days before Blaise turned 2, so I ended up sticking to that promise! :)
After 6 months with Benny, he truly feels like part of the family! I’m now so used to having him home, if he’s not here for some reason, the house feels more empty! Yes, having a pet is work…but isn’t anything worthwhile work? And compared to having kids it’s like 99% less lol. Honestly, it’s not a human being! One of the hardest or most hectic moments was definitely the first few days…I remember having Benny home on the first night and we were so happy he slept through the night with no accidents we didn’t anticipate the morning craziness…Benny woke up barking about the same time Blaise woke up needing us and it was CRAZY, I remember thinking how are we going to do this!? But just like anything in the beginning - you figure it out. Now Benny usually stays in his crate until around 7am when we are ready to let him out.
Some of my favorite memories with having a puppy at home:
Bringing him home as a surprise! Seeing the look on the boys faces was absolutely PRICELESS! they were SO happy and excited, I’m so happy we have that moment saved on film.
The boys coming home from school and playing with him! I love seeing how excited Benny is to see them.
The boys and Nick taking him for walks.
Nick driving him in the car and taking him for walks and playing outside with him.
Andrew & Blaise entertained by him and playing fetch with him in the yard.
Taking him outside for the bathroom. I love how the dog slows me down…a mom friend of many who also had dogs told me that at first she was also worried about the work of the dog and then realized it was actually therapeutic how it kept her home! I love having to be out in nature and watch him.
Taking him to the boys baseball games! I was SO surprised how good he was and I LOVED seeing Nick holding Benny’s leesh walking around with him.
Petting him. I love seeing the boys pet him at night or after school to just relax.
The bond of Benny and the boys. The ways the boys need to help and take responsibility and love of the pet.
Taking him on adventures! Our first family hike with him was so much fun. I love seeing how many families have dogs and the beauty of caring for this beautiful, intelligent animal!
I’m so happy we have this dog! I love slowing down to take him on a leash and the need to look at the yard outside…I’m grateful we hired a trainer (Nick has been taking him once a week and that is something I would highly recommend!) I’m grateful we got the fence in the backyard so he can run around freely (and makes it easier for me watching the little boys too!) I’m grateful to think about my Grandma Pipa’s dog loving spirit when I look at him…I’m proud of my husband taking on the role of the dog owner and for my little boys to grow up with a MANS BEST FRIEND!
God bless our Benny boy and all the parents of pets out there! I can’t wait to take him to the dog park this summer right across from our street, lay down in the yard together, go on more hikes, teach him tricks, make AirBud videos and all of the many good times to come :)
Love, Alex
The boys & Benny! They LOVE him so much!
Mama’s puppy!
Daddy’s best friend. Loves riding in the car with him!
Benedict Clark DeRose aka “Benny” 6 months old