Puppy Love

07 August, 2009

It’s been awhile, but we are looking after a newborn again.  No, I haven’t just had another baby but we have got a little 8 week old puppy (Labrador) and there are not too many differences between the two! 

There’s nothing like a bit of sleep deprivation to make you really appreciate the time you do get with your pillow! 

Like awaiting a newborn there was all that preparation and anticipation.  Then the day arrives and the new family member comes home.  You admire how little and cute they are, gaze at them while they are asleep, and enjoy their playful responses when they are awake.

What I’ve also noticed though, is that despite there being similarities with the day to day care of puppies and babies; my emotional and social world is pretty much the same.  I’m not bombarded with advice, not questioning my identity, not feeling scrutinized in public, and not constantly second guessing myself.  It’s reinforced to me how completely our life changes when we become a mum and how all of these internal and social changes can deplete our energy resources so much – sometimes leaving little energy to appreciate the delightful moments. 

I think I am less overwhelmed with puppy care than I was having a baby because the former is not so consuming of every fibre within me.  It is not redefining of who I am.  It essentially is not life changing and for all the work with puppy care, puppies give back a heck of a lot in return.  Babies are life changing, and the pleasure of their company is sometimes a bit elusive in and amongst all the enormity of that change.

With both boys at school now I can finally take a deep breath and smell the roses.  I notice the delightful moments more as I engage with my boys and I am less likely to feel swamped by the less delightful ones.  And I absolutely love our puppy and how he is adding to our family ….

(BTW, in case you were wondering, the dog pictured above right in the photos with our children is not ours.  This is little Tsar):

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