Let me start with a confession: I was terrified of dogs until I was about 15 years old. And I’m not exaggerating. Growing up, I would hyperventilate at the mere sight of a dog, scramble onto counters and tables, and refuse to enter any room that had a dog in it. Yes, I know it sounds dramatic—but that fear was real.
Fast forward to my daughter, Zoe, who has been completely obsessed with dogs for as long as I can remember. No exaggeration here either—her very first word was “dog.” From a young age, she’s been relentless with her “I want a dog, can we get a dog?” campaign. Over the past six months, that campaign has hit an all-time high. For years, if you had asked either of my kids when the Washeckas would get a dog, the answer was always, “When we get back from Disney”—which, of course, was code for “never.” As much as I love being the best mom ever, my fear of dogs, combined with the fact that I didn’t grow up with them and had no idea how to care for one, made the idea seem impossible. Plus, Adam wasn’t exactly on board either.
But then came the summer of 2024. Ryan spent two weeks with Adam’s family in Colorado, where one of his main responsibilities was taking care of their dog—and he absolutely loved it. In fact, when he got home, he confessed that he missed the dog more than he missed us. If that’s not love, I don’t know what is. That’s when things started to shift. Zoe doubled down on her efforts to convince us, and I, against all odds, found myself poking around at the possibility of bringing a puppy into our lives. Eventually, even Adam started to warm up to the idea.
Now, let's be real—life is already a circus. Between managing my own work, Zoe’s two soccer teams, workouts, grocery shopping, cooking, and just trying to breathe, I wasn’t sure how much more we could handle. Adding a puppy to the mix might sound like pure insanity. But hear me out—because, as wild as it may seem, bringing a puppy into our world might just be the best kind of crazy
The Why Behind the Madness
First, let’s address the obvious question: Why on earth would I voluntarily add more responsibility to an already packed schedule? In a world where it feels like every moment is scheduled down to the minute, the idea of chasing a dog around the house might sound like self-sabotage. But in reality, a puppy represents something more than just another task on the to-do list. Almost all of my clients own one or two dogs and only have amazing things to say about being pet parents, my brother, brother in law and my sister in law all have dogs!
All of those people have told me there’s something incredibly grounding about a pet’s unconditional love. No matter how stressful the day has been, coming home to a wagging tail and a face that’s thrilled just to see you can melt even the worst mood. For my family, who is always on the go, a puppy offers a reason to pause, to play, and to bond over something pure.
Enhancing the Family Unit
Teaching Responsibility to the Kids
There’s only so much you can teach kids about responsibility through chore charts and school assignments. But give them a puppy that depends on them for everything—food, walks, playtime—and suddenly those lessons stick. Yes, I know that most kids are not really open to that responsibility and I will be honest, as Zoe gets older and busier, she might not be, but I feel very confident that Ryan will take this responsibility very seriously. This dog is going to be his greatest pal.
Forcing More Outdoor Time
Between work and school, we’re all guilty of spending a little too much time indoors. A puppy is the perfect excuse to get outside for a walk, a game of fetch, or even just some fresh air. Those regular outings aren't just good for the dog—they’re good for all of us. Movement, sunlight, and nature can do wonders for stress levels and energy. Plus, it’s hard to scroll through emails when you’re keeping a puppy from chewing on a stick twice its size.
Strengthening Family Bonds
There’s a unique kind of unity that comes from sharing responsibility and experiences—especially the funny and chaotic ones that come with raising a puppy. Even voting on a name (Poppy Amber Washecka) was a family affair. Then the morning after we got her, I came home Thursday morning to both kids on the floor just watching her. It was one of those simple joys that remind me why I wanted this kind of crazy in our lives.
Lessons in Unconditional Love and Mindfulness
If you’ve ever seen a puppy’s sheer joy at the simplest things—a squeaky toy, a belly rub, a new stick—you know they have a lot to teach us about living in the moment. Amidst the hustle of everyday life, having a furry reminder to slow down and appreciate the little things feels like a gift. Puppies don’t care if the house is spotless or if you skipped a workout—they just want to be with you, right now.
Accepting the Chaos (and Loving It)
Yes, there will be chewed shoes, midnight wake-up calls, and days when I wonder why I thought this was a good idea. But every time I see my kids curled
up with a sleepy puppy, or when that little furball greets me at the door like I’m the best part of its day, I know it’s worth every bit of the madness.
So, yes, life is a little more chaotic now—but it’s also a lot more joyful. And in the end, isn’t that what makes the craziness worthwhile?
Comments