Bringing home Rusty was one of the most joyful, chaotic, and eye-opening experiences of my life. As a first-time puppy parent, I thought I was prepared—I’ve had dogs my whole life, research done, supplies stocked, heart wide open. But nothing quite compares to living it day by day.
So here it is: the good, the bad, and the downright ugly of our first couple of months together.
The Good
Let’s start with the magic.
Rusty is a snuggle champion. Whether it’s curling up beside me during quiet moments or flopping into my lap like a weighted blanket with fur, he brings comfort in the purest form.
He’s also incredibly smart—classic Golden Retriever brilliance. He picked up basic commands like sit, lay, shake, and come faster than I could refill the treat pouch. Watching him learn and grow has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.
And then there’s the goofy joy:
Full-speed zoomies that turn our house into a racetrack
Using the coffee table as a tunnel
That face—equal parts mischief and innocence—that makes every moment feel like a photo op
The Bad
Of course, it hasn’t all been golden.
Rusty’s favorite chew toys? Us. And Josie, his sweet older sister. Those puppy teeth are no joke—tiny daggers with zero remorse.
Potty training has been a rollercoaster. Accidents happened, sometimes right after a successful outdoor trip. Early on, Rusty struggled with gut issues that led to bouts of diarrhea and constant cleanup. It was exhausting, messy, and emotionally draining.
And then there was the sleep—or lack of it. For the first month, Rusty woke us up throughout the night and was up like clockwork at 5 a.m., ready to start his day (whether we were or not). We ran on caffeine and adrenaline, trying to keep up with his puppy energy while barely functioning ourselves.
He was also a VERY vocal and needy little guy. Using his playpen? Nearly impossible. He wanted to be by my side at all times, and if I dared shower or step out of sight, he’d scream-cry like the world was ending. Getting anything done—chores, work, even brushing my teeth—was a stressful mission.
The Ugly
Then came the moments that stopped us cold.
On one outing, Rusty found a cigarette butt. I thought I pulled it out of his mouth fast enough, but within minutes he was foaming at the mouth and shaking his head. We rushed to the emergency vet for nicotine poisoning—a terrifying experience that reminded me how quickly things can go wrong.
And just when I thought we were in the clear on him being a destructive puppy, Rusty decided our baseboards were his personal chew buffet. He didn’t nibble—he renovated. Our walls may never recover, but our hearts are still full.
💛 Would I Do It Again?
Absolutely.
Rusty has taught me patience, resilience, and how to laugh through the mess. He’s challenged me in ways I didn’t expect and loved me in a way that confirmed I found my soul dog.
But here’s the honest truth: Make sure you have the time and energy to take a puppy on. For the first couple of months, it’s like living with a two-year-old toddler—with shark teeth. They need constant supervision, emotional support, and a whole lot of grace. You’ll lose sleep, showers, and question your sanity more than once.
Still, the bond you build? It’s worth every scratch, stain, and scream-cry moment.
