Growing up, we were a pet family. Starting with a series of “Toby” dogs, we had several mutts that my mother mostly cared for while “letting the dog out” to roam the neighborhood was an acceptable practice. We added cats too, over the years and we almost always had a mix of cats and dogs in the family.
Add Pets to A Growing Family - No Thanks
As I started my own family, I was never comfortable adding a dog to our crazy schedule as we were out of our house 10-12 hours a day with work, commuting, sports, and activities. I also became severely allergic to cats so those were out as well.
My 3 kids loved animals though, and none more than my son who started a pet-sitting gig when he was in 4th grade. He was remarkable with any animal and took such great care that one neighbor included him in their 15-year-old, ailing dog care routine as they traveled for 6 weeks in China. Although he had several indoor pets (hermit crabs, fish) he longed for a dog. It was our family joke to find creative ways to give him all sorts of “dogs” as gifts for any occasion.
Many Years Later A Dog Enters
So I should not have been shocked when my son brought home a rescue in the middle of COVID. I was not only shocked but livid. He and his (then) girlfriend came home with a Weimaraner-Pit mix rescue that they were planning to co-parent. At the time he was living at home, looking for a job (so, like no income) and she was planning to move into an apartment in Philadelphia… so not well thought out!
Our family was in the midst of our own issues and adding a dog was the last thing we needed (in my opinion!). He was completely unprepared for the time and money needed to be a dog owner.
Dogs Take Work and Resources
This recent college grad with an engineering degree told me it was fine, food was not that much money and he was planning to get a part-time job while looking for a career position. No calculation of costs beyond food. And who was looking after the new puppy while he worked to pay for the “food”? Yikes.
Fast forward a few years and the beautiful puppy, Lila, who turned out to be an American Pit Bull Terrier & American Staffordshire Terrier (basically all Pit!), has become a 100% part of our family as our beloved family pet.
Although my son has recently flown the coop, (sans co-parenting girlfriend) we “puppy-sit” often and are happy to take the grandparent support role. I did not want to be a dog owner and certainly not a Pit parent, but this adorable, loyal, high-maintenance ball of energy has wormed her way into our hearts. We miss seeing her every day, and truly enjoy caretaking when needed.
My son has also come to appreciate the commitment of a dog… and especially one that needs a lot of attention and exercise (yes – different breeds have different needs!). So we have come to a mutual understanding about my (over) reaction the day he brought her home and the challenges of being a single parent!
Lila's Pet Product Recommendations
For after-sunlight walks, Lila disappears into the darkness and this rechargeable light-up collar is a godsend! Especially when she has a tendency to take off at bullet speed after some creature of the night – it makes it much easier to get her back.
For chewing pups, this ball is remarkably durable. The tabs come off first, and fairly quickly, but provides hours of surgical, quiet, gnawing to remove them. Then the ball, just small enough to fit into her jaw, is a fun chase and fetch toy. The first one lasted 11 months – just in time for a Christmas replacement!
Totally fave toy. It is not indestructible, but provides hours of pull-play, fetch and precision-chew destruction with a loud squeaker that seems to be part of the fun, these brightly colored octopus-like creatures are worth it.
For after-sunlight walks, Lila disappears into the darkness and this rechargeable light-up collar is a godsend! Especially when she has a tendency to take off at bullet speed after some creature of the night – it makes it much easier to get her back.
For chewing pups, this ball is remarkably durable. The tabs come off first, and fairly quickly, but provides hours of surgical, quiet, gnawing to remove them. Then the ball, just small enough to fit into her jaw, is a fun chase and fetch toy. The first one lasted 11 months – just in time for a Christmas replacement!
Totally fave toy. It is not indestructible, but provides hours of pull-play, fetch and precision-chew destruction with a loud squeaker that seems to be part of the fun, these brightly colored octopus-like creatures are worth it.
Read more about The Power of Pets: How Our Lives Better
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I love this story – the sweet doggie, your love for her, your son’s adulting story. Thank you for sharing. Lila is a beauty.
Thanks Lindsay! Glad you liked it. Love the “adulting” concept. Definitely a process!
Betsy