Tatyana Fortune

This is Pumpkin!

Do you ever see a picture of a new puppy, and think… I NEED ONE? That was me. I saw a Mini Bernedoodle while out and about Boston, and started looking them up for fun. Soon, ads of Doodles were everywhere! I became smitten with Mini Goldendoodles. Spontaneously, I just did it. I mean, I did my research and everything – I looked at their qualities and was just sold on everything. I wanted a small dog because I live in a 1-bedroom apartment, and I wanted him or her to be friendly and love cuddling.

I can honestly say that I underestimated the responsibility, but, eventually, I got the hang of it. As a first-time pet owner, I wasn’t completely prepared, but in the end, the work was worth it. I expected that I would just come home on my lunch breaks to walk her, but sometimes, it has to wait until after 5 or I have to use Rover. Thankfully, I do live with my fiance, so there is someone at home with her most of the time. I was blown away by the vet costs, but I wanted her to have the best care (plus, I got pet insurance). Expect high costs for the flea and heart-worm medications (every month) and regular vaccines. I splurged on treats and toys (I still do). I also didn’t know which pet food to get – there are so many brands! Grain-free or not? She also needs maintenance and upkeep – including bathing, nail trimming, brushing her teeth, cleaning her ears, and regular brushing.

BUT, there are some pretty awesome perks involved, too.

1. Every day I get to come home to an ecstatic puppy, who exalts enough love and pure happiness that any bad thing that happened at school instantly fades away. Dropped my temp crown? Here are 50 kisses! She cracks me and my fiance up with her strange behavior (look up puppy zoomies) and she’s surprisingly good at hide-and-seek. We catch her just sitting and looking out the window sometimes, and she likes to army crawl under the furniture.

2. Pumpkin helps me stay on schedule (no more all-nighters!) No matter what, she needs to be taken out and fed on schedule, and she LOVES going outside. It’s funny how having the extra responsibility will make you use your time wiser – because someone depends on you aside from yourself. I started putting breaks in my study schedule so we can get outside and enjoy the fresh air. I also have an excuse to walk around my neighborhood, or visit places in Boston if I don’t have anyone to go with. She’s a big hit with everyone she meets, so I end up socializing with strangers a lot more.

3. Overall, the best part is unconditional love – both ways. I can never truly be mad at her (I thought those shoes were ugly anyway). I know I still make mistakes, but she doesn’t hold a grudge against me. The first time I accidentally stepped on her paw scared me so much, that now I freak out when I step on a squeak toy. Pumpkin is so attached and is happiest in my presence. She prefers to lay next to me on the couch or by my feet whenever I study, and sometimes I break the rules and let her sleep with me in bed. We’re also both big fans of napping, so like mother, like daughter, I guess. She’s weird and quirky and entertaining and has most definitely changed my life. ❤️