Pets Corner: A New Pug, More Chaos—And Absolutely No Regrets (Probably)

Jacqui Grant
Mar 4
2 min read

Updated: Mar 7

Connect & Grow Magazine: Issue 18 February - March 2025

Losing my heart dog, Kali, at the start of January was devastating. Losing Harvey just three months before that? Let’s just say grief has been hitting us like a freight train on repeat. But amidst all the heartbreak, one thing became very clear—our remaining dog, Doug, was really missing having a buddy.

So… what’s a grieving, slightly unhinged dog lover to do? Get a puppy, of course!

Yep, come mid-March, we’ll be welcoming a brand-new, snorty, squishy-faced bundle of Puggy joy into our home.

Wait… We’re Doing This Again?!

Now, it’s been eight years since we’ve had a puppy in this house. Back then, we were sprightly, well-rested (ish), and significantly less achy. Raising a puppy when you’re closer to 40 is one thing. Raising a puppy when you’re closer to 50? That’s a new adventure that requires coffee, patience, and possibly a chiropractor on speed dial.

To make things even more fun, I’m currently in the full-throttle joyride of perimenopause—the kind with zero sleep, unpredictable mood swings, and the patience of a wet cat. So, while I technically know what I’m in for (being a Canine Behaviour Specialist and all), let’s be real:

Puppies will make you question your life choices.

They will turn your house into a crime scene of shredded shoes, chewed furniture, and suspicious puddles. You’ll remove approximately 3,497 objects from their mouths daily. And let’s not forget the sheer chaos of potty training—because what’s more fun than stepping in something squishy at 2 AM?

So Why Not Just Get an Older Dog?

Good question. A rescue would absolutely be a wonderful option—one we’ve considered before and may consider again. But here’s the thing about puppies:

Yes, they’re absolute gremlins. Yes, they’ll rob us of sleep, sanity, and at least one pair of good shoes.

But they also bring joy—ridiculous, heart-bursting, pure joy.

Their wide-eyed wonder, their love of Everything and Everyone, their goofy, tail-wagging, unapologetic enthusiasm for life—it’s contagious. Puppies remind us that life is meant to be lived, that joy is in the little things, and that every moment (even the ones spent cleaning up pee) is precious.

And maybe… just maybe… they’ll help fill the massive, aching hole that Kali and Harvey left behind.

Are We Ready?

Honestly? Probably not.

But are we looking forward to it?

You betcha.