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The Dog My Partner Didn’t Want
by Amanda Richards
Updated: Feb. 1, 2021
Originally Published: Dec. 18, 2020
Our aging Boxer, my children’s cherished companion, was nearing the end of her battle with cancer. We had numerous conversations about loss and saying goodbye, but my kids were clearly heartbroken. To help them feel a sense of control during this tough time, I asked: “Would you like to get a puppy now, while she’s still with us, to help with the transition? Or would you prefer to wait until later?” They overwhelmingly chose to welcome a puppy right away to ease the heartache. My partner had given a tentative nod to the idea. In principle, he was on board: “Sure, that sounds good.” He knew I was browsing for puppies online.
An SPCA about sixty miles away had some promising options. On a rainy February day, just before the pandemic took hold, we navigated winding country roads to a bright, welcoming facility where we met the puppy we liked. She bounded over to my children, eager to play. “That’s the one,” I declared. “We don’t need to see any other dogs.”
We brought home a small, all-black German Shepherd mix. The kids named her Luna, inspired by their favorite video game, while I opted for the name Luna after the character from my favorite book series. It worked out just fine.
My Partner’s Surprise Arrival
We hadn’t really prepared him, and I hadn’t reached out to him beforehand, so when my partner walked in from work, he was met with the sight of our kids happily playing tug-of-war with the new puppy, the Boxer looking on disinterestedly, and our other German Shepherds looking bewildered. (Note: in retrospect, this is definitely not a recommended approach — adopting a dog is a significant commitment, and all involved should ideally agree beforehand. But I digress.)
“What did you do?” he exclaimed.
I pulled him into another room. “We agreed to let the kids decide how to cope with their grief, and this is their choice. I’m not taking that autonomy away from them.” I crossed my arms, using my most assertive tone.
He sighed. “Alright. So now we have a puppy.”
He wasn’t thrilled about the new addition, especially considering all the vaccinations, spaying, toys, and other essentials a puppy requires. However, he admitted she was cute and seemed great with the kids, which was all that really mattered.
A New Challenge
My older German Shepherd, who weighs as much as I do, is a gentle giant. Our raccoon-German Shepherd mix, who joined us after a tough past, is the sweet cuddle buddy (the kids, for reasons I can’t fathom, won’t snuggle with him). Our Boxer, like most of the breed, was always cheerful.
Then came the puppy: 100% dominant.
Luna strutted around as if she owned the place. She barked for attention, barked for food, and frankly, barked whenever she felt like it. We knew she wasn’t a purebred Shepherd, but we hadn’t anticipated this level of noise. I had never owned such a vocal dog before, and the constant barking gave me a headache. Yet, my kids adored her.
My partner remained cautious. While he liked the dog’s sweet nature and how she interacted with the kids, he still doubted whether getting her had been a wise decision. She did help ease the kids’ grief after our Boxer passed away, but he was still uncertain.
The Pandemic Changes Everything
Just two weeks after we adopted Luna, the pandemic struck. Suddenly, we were confined at home, and the dog had our undivided attention. Since my partner was feeding her, she especially craved his company. Whenever we kept her out while he conducted virtual classes, she greeted him with joy when he emerged between sessions.
Luna wanted to be by our side all the time, including at night. Not wanting to crate her, we allowed her to curl up on our bed — a warm puppy nestled behind my partner’s knees.
Our only excursions became walks around the neighborhood. My partner began taking Luna along on his walks, and she thrived on it. The word “walk” became taboo in our house; he even joked about replacing it with “Walkies!” I threatened to leave him over the silliness.
As the pandemic wore on, not only did Luna lift the kids’ spirits, but she became a source of comfort for my partner, who was struggling with the shift from in-person teaching. Her antics — barking, digging holes, and her unique “mountain-goating” behavior — provided him with lighthearted moments during a challenging time.
Luna was a handful, but she was amusing. She also gave my partner a reason to get outside. “The dog needs a walk,” he would say, disappearing for a while. Soon, Luna needed a run as well. She grew frantic whenever she saw him in workout gear, spinning and barking with excitement. During their walks, he’d chat with her about squirrels, trees, and everything else. “I feel like that crazy old man talking to himself,” he’d laugh. “But it’s fun.”
A Bond Formed
While Luna was technically the kids’ dog, she often found herself in my partner’s lap. When she misbehaved, he would teasingly remind me, “She’s your dog — you signed the adoption papers.” In reality, Luna was all his — with her playful barking and spoiled antics. I even nicknamed her “Miss Piggy,” which had my youngest in stitches.
Now that my partner is back to face-to-face teaching, Luna has learned what that means. She mopes at his feet while he gets ready, swipes his shoes, and even tries to grab his socks as he puts them on. She whimpers when he leaves and rushes to him when he returns. They cuddle on the couch, she sleeps with us, and she brings laughter to our home during these trying times. “This dog is the best gift you never intended to give me,” he once told me, though he will deny ever saying it.
I thought I was bringing Luna into our lives for my kids, and while she does enjoy playtime with them, I realized I adopted her for my partner. “You’ve filled my need for a small, useless dog,” he tells me, grinning as they head out for their “walkies.”
This article was originally published on Dec. 18, 2020.
For more insights, check out this post on pregnancy and home insemination resources available on our other blog posts, including excellent information from Hopkins Medicine.
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Summary:
In this heartfelt story, Amanda explores the unexpected journey of adopting a puppy, Luna, with her family. Initially met with skepticism from her partner, Luna quickly became a beloved member of the household, offering comfort and joy during the pandemic. Throughout the challenges of integrating a new dog, Amanda discovers that Luna’s companionship ultimately enriched her partner’s life more than anyone could have anticipated.