There is no better way to start the day than with puppies! At least, that’s what we hear.
I, for one, have actually never had a puppy. Never had a dog at all, actually. I know. Generally when I say this people look at me like I have a major character flaw.
But my husband always had dogs. Big, yellow labs for hunting–that, incidentally, also lived in the house and slept in the bed. And, now that we have an almost five year old, (Hubby has done copious amounts of research and, evidently, five or six is the “ideal” age for a child to get a dog. I will be stunting his emotional mental growth if I deny him that.) we are considering the idea that maybe this should be the Christmas.
You know. The puppy Christmas. Essentially, the best ever Christmas, the Christmas that no other Christmas will ever be able to compete with again.
Even without ever having a puppy, I’m pretty clear that the puppy Christmas is the best of all possible Christmases.
But, as all mothers know, I am positive that I will be the one getting up in the middle of the night with the puppy. I will be the one potty training the puppy and taking it to the groomer and arranging dog sitters when we are away–which, with my book tour schedule, is quite often.
I’ve seen my friends with their dogs. It is another child. No doubt about it.
But when I weigh all of the new responsibilities I will have for, you know, the next fourteen years or so, vs. the thrill of my son coming down the stairs on Christmas morning and seeing his own little furry friend…
Well, there are some moments that are really worth all that. I’m told this is one of them.
So that leads me to my question: What kind of dog do we get? What dog are you absolutely in love with? (I am going to need to be in love to wake up in the middle of the night.)
In fact, we were strongly considering getting a dog that was a little older, already potty trained, all that. But I think I’m going to need that sweet, fluffy puppy stage to really fall in love.
It was, on the other hand, love at first glance when we saw Collins Interiors‘ amazing work.
The art… The patterns… The gorgeous colors.
And, of course, the vision that pulls it all together so seamlessly, as though it was always meant to be this way.
In fact, we’re pretty sure a sweet puppy would be the perfect addition for any of these rooms.
And I guess it would be worth all of the extra vacuuming if it meant having a Christmas morning like this one…
Wishing you a day today that’s filled with jumping-on-the-bed joy!
We are so thrilled by the number of beautiful homes we are going to have as a part of the Slightly South of Simple book tour for next April and May. If you might be interested in having the Slightly South of Simple tour come to your house (or town!), or would like more information, don’t hesitate to email me at kristy@kristywoodsonharvey.com.
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Absolutely a golden retriever. It will satisfy your hubby as well. They have the sweetest personalities, easy to train, and love people. only negative, they shed.
Totally agree, Jamie!
Agreed! We love our golden 🙂
I grew up with Golden Retrievers, and remember the absolute devotion and love they have for their families. So when we decided to get a dog for our family, we researched and went with the Golden Doodle, non shedding Golden Retriever Poodle mix. Our dog has the same personality as a Golden.
A Goldendoodle is the puppy to get! A mix between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. These dogs are so loyal, great with kids, loving like people, and smart! So easy to train! And they do not shed! We got one 3 years ago, and she is my 3rd child, part of the family, sleeps in bed with us, an absolute LOVE! Good luck, do your research, it will be your best Christmas ever!
Such wonderful inspiration in these beautiful pictures! I have bad allergies, so twelve years ago my husband surprised me with a poodle named Rusty. He doesn’t shed which is great. I do remember that first few months having to get up in the middle of the night to take him to the bathroom, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I have watched my kids grow up with him. He has allowed my daughter to put rollers in his hair, princess dresses on him, and participated in many tea parties. He has tattled on the boys when they were doing something they were not supposed to do-lol! When my kids are sick, he is always there on the the foot of their bed. For my youngest, he keeps the monsters away at night.(We are trying to get our youngest to sleep in his own bed.) So, to sum up my thoughts, I know it can be trying sometimes to care for a pet, but in the end all the positives that come from it make it worth it. I hope that you have a very happy and blessed day!!!!
Good Morning Girls
WOW. A PUPPYlll
We had two Miniature Puddles.over the years Good medium size but best feature ..they don’t ahead!!!
Have fun!!!!!
Love Patty
I do think you need a puppy over an adult dog, especially if you are on the fence about whether you will want the puppy, which Will will think is the best thing ever. A big ol’ yellow lab or golden retriever are wonderful dogs but smaller dogs have their merits as well. The intense care is temporary, and as with children, the sweet face of a puppy will convince you its all worth it!
xo,
Karen
Your hubby won’t agree, but a smaller dog that won’t shed in the house is the way to go. One that is so precious that you will fall in love & actually not mind the potty run in the middle of the night! I’ve had 3 Shih-Tsu pups. They live about 15 years, are adorable, good with kids, hypoallergenic in spite of a lot of hair & monthly grooms! Your son will simply adore this pup, as well as you & your husband. (As soon as he agrees a smaller dog is best!) lol I’ll be glad to email some pics if you like. Oh, & one more thing. Get a male…they are less fussy, laid back, & will worship the ground their mama ( you) walk on!
Beautiful rooms but I must admit I got caught up in all this puppy talk! As you probably know, we have a golden retriever – otherwise known as – the love of my life..lol. Yes, I was the one who was hesitant for many years. I knew I would be the one to train her and take care of her but let me tell you, it was all SO worth it! We brought her home as a puppy almost 5 years ago when my boys were 8 and 6. She has been the most loving, loyal, playful, wonderful dog that we could imagine. I couldn’t imagine our family without her now. My boys adore her and they do help out a lot. I am still the one vacuuming (a lot) but I have zero regrets. I have always felt that it was important to grow up with pets and I am happy when I think of all the wonderful memories my kids will look back on. I documented her first year with us on my blog in a weekly diary called the Weekend Pupdates. If you stop over, click the “Pupdates” tab at the top of my blog. You will see my progression from hesitant dog owner to full blown dog person! Good luck deciding! Such an exciting time for your family!
xo Shelley
I completely agree! We have a 12-year old golden who is absolutely the love of our lives 🙂
Puppies are definitely like having another child. That’s why I denied my 2 oldest sons a dog, believing I couldn’t be a working mother and do kids & dogs at the same time. That changed when I had my 3rd child and got talked into a dog. Now my kids are all moved out but we are still parents to the dog. Not quite the empty nest we had envisioned. Maybe one day we will finally be fancy free.
First off, I do love these pictures–all the blue and white is just dreamy. Second and most important, yes, yes, yes to a puppy. Our 12 year old Golden Retriever is absolutely the best dog ever. Yes, he sheds, but all the good things about him totally outweigh the hair. He’s super sweet and obedient and just wants to be with us all the time. I don’t let him on the furniture or in the bed- I’m much too Type A for that. But he has his own doggie bed in our bedroom and was our very first baby. You won’t regret it!
Love, love, LOVE this post! And I love puppies.
We have a golden retriever. #bestdogever #thisistheChristmas
Happy day rock star!
karianne
Kristy, like you, I was not immediately on the “puppies and dogs are a necessity of life” track. But after much discussion, when our children were a little older, I gave in and we got the most adorable, darling puppy, a Labrador. I agree with those above me, a golden retriever or labrador is an ideal dog for a household with children. They are kind, loyal, and oh so gentle!
Our lab instinctively knows when a child is petting them, he is the sweetest things and never, ever behaves badly around children or older people. {or ever, really!} The big surprise about getting a dog? I LOVE him. LOVE. I never thought I would, but we are on our second Lab and really, since I work mostly from home, I love that I have an assistant who wants to be near me 100% of the time.
would definitely suggest a puppy over older – the bond formed is well worth the work.
we are a hunting family and had always had labs – great in the field and great in the home. However when our third child at age 6 wanted a dog all his own we looked for something smaller so that he could walk it and bath it himself. We chose a boykin spaniel and 8 years later we have 2 and have been thrilled with them. Little to no shedding especially compared to the daily bucket amounts of a lab; incredible temperament like labs and goldens, adult weight of 35lbs, great hunters and truly adorable.
Please get a rescue or shelter dog… there are millions of them. We adopted a cocker spaniel – she truly has changed our lives and is my furry child.
I think getting a pup will be so nice! I love dogs so much ♥
summerdaisycottage.blogspot.com
Get a rescue.There are so many that need homes and they are very grateful.
Visit your local shelter…you will immediately know which dog is the one for you! Too much research and worry takes all the fun away from it..imagine if we could pick ourkids that way. Take the one that instantly steals your heart and he/she will fit right in with your family. Have fun and cant wait to see the Christmas pics this year!
You may regret getting a pup but only when it has been naughty or got you up in the night for the zillionth time. However, those times are few and far between. It will be the best decision you have ever made. I grew up with dogs, big ones. I love them. We have had Golden Retrievers, Pointers, English Springer Spaniels and Cocker Spaniels (can you tell I live in a hunting family?). I agree with those who recommend Golden Retrievers or Labs. They do require some work, like brushing and cleaning up fur that has been shed. Get a Roomba for the floors and enjoy whatever dog you choose. Our son and his young family recently got a rescue dog which is a pup and is tiny and they are so happy with it. The point is, dogs bring so much love and we all have our favorite breeds which fit our life style. I love sporting dogs because they are more easy going and so I think they are best with children but there are examples of all types of breeds doing well with kids. Just make sure you research to find breeds that are not good with children. Enjoy and be prepared for unconditional love coming to you and lots of fun.
What a pretty home, every room so fresh and creative! I really love the art choices too – like the art was chosen first and the room created around it:) Definitely go for the puppy, they’re so worth all the trouble!!
xo
Holly
I grew up with labrador retrievers, and I do believe they and goldens are just straight out of heaven. BUT, we rescued a bichon-poodle mix about 5 years ago, and Dave has changed our lives! IF you are opposed to sweeping dustpans FULL of dog hair DAILY, get the best of both worlds – a labradoodle, or goldendoodle!! OR, rescue some prescious fur baby and get ready to fall in love.
I vote for a Welsh Corgi. I was 57 before I got my first dog and loved him from the moment I brought him home. Max is a Pembroke and was one of the cutest puppies you’ve ever seen. He’s eight now, but I can’t remember having any training issues and cleanup has never been a problem because he’s so worth it. Funny, we had cats for all the years our children were growing up and I always resented the amount of work they required, which was nowhere close to what a dog needs! Corgis have great personalities, are wonderful with kids – all people really – though not so fond of other dogs.
I would absolutely get an older dog. And I would absolutely get a rescue dog. A poodle mix is wonderful as they don’t shed and are very smart, affectionate dogs.
Cheers,
Courtney
Check out Wheaton Terriors. The cutest ever, loveable, and they don’t shed. Medium size.
Thanks for all the eye candy you share with us. Love it!
Golden retriever is the way to go! We were blessed to have her for 15 years. Our two sons grew up with her, and have wonderful memories. Now that I am about to retire, I am ready for another Golden (maybe not a puppy….I am not sure I want to potty train again….been there, done that! But I am certain whatever breed you choose, you will have wonderful times together.