“I’ve wanted a puppy for two years, but my nursing schedule on nights wouldn’t allow me to properly care for a pet. Fast forward to today, my cousin who now lives with me so graciously agreed to help me care for a dog on the nights I’m working. And so, the hunt began. After weeks of looking, I finally found the one I had been searching for.
I knew the exact date I’d be able to pick him up — May 12th. It was 7 weeks after he had been born and the exact date my best friend had her expected due date for her new baby boy.
Months prior I had joked with her that I was sad we weren’t pregnant together, so when we found out her due date and the day I would become a dog mom matched up, we instantly knew we had to do something! Everyone my age is getting married or having kids and doing photoshoots to celebrate it. I knew I wanted to show off my new puppy like people do with their newborns and marriages because it was where I’m at in life, and I was so excited after years of waiting to accept the responsibility.
Finn meant so much to me before I even brought him home. The very first day I got Finn, I took him to the vet and they were worried he was sick, and thought it would be best to keep him overnight. In that instant, not even having him for 3 hours at that point, I broke down and started crying. I already loved him and I wanted him to be okay. If you look closely enough in some of the photos, you can see his little shaved arm.
Two days later, I was able to pick him up and he’s been perfectly healthy since. I can’t imagine having these moments when I’m a mother to a human child but I’m not quite near marriage or having kids. At this moment in my life, Finn is perfect for me. I get the responsibility of taking care of someone other than myself. He’s rambunctious and full of energy. He acts like a toddler and is ready to get into whatever he can find. He’s silly and lovable. I always look forward to going home knowing I have someone so excited to see me at the door. He’s been a great companion, makes me laugh more than when I was alone, and he gives free cuddles!
One of our friends, Lauren, was happy to do the puppy newborn shoot so we could have photos of us with our little newborns. Leyton, Jessica’s baby boy, ended up making his grand entrance earlier than expected in late April, and a few weeks later I got my own little bundle of joy.
Days after bringing Finn into his new home, we did the newborn photo shoot at my house. Some people may think it’s excessive or silly, but I’m now that crazy obsessive dog mom and I wouldn’t have it any other way. The results were absolutely heartwarming. We got to showcase our love for our new boys and our friendship. I’ll forever be grateful for my new puppy and for friends like these.
Seeing the comparison of how fast he’s growing up versus baby Leyton is incredible. I’m so excited to see them grow and play together as they get older. I consider Jessica and her sons like family, so I know they will be growing up alongside each other for years to come.
This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Ashley Marie, 27, of Fort Worth, Texas. Submit your own story here, and subscribe to our best stories in our free newsletter here.
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