Marco and Howie came into our lives prior to kids. Adam always wanted a dog, so as soon as we left our condo in the city of Chicago for a house with a yard, Marco (our ornery mini cockapoo) came right after.
Both of us worked at the time, so we felt bad leaving poor Marco alone all day. That is how Howie (our ferocious mini dachshund) came into our lives. To give Marco a friend.
Howie’s moms were moving out of the country and needed to find him a good home. Of all the families they visited, Howie got along best with Marco. The two have been best buddies ever since.
Adam used to act like the dogs were his children. We couldn’t leave the house for more than a couple hours without him mandating that we head home to let them out and show them some love.
Then we had actual children and the dogs unfortunately took a back seat. Any new parent knows that a baby takes over your life like a tornado, leaving the rest of the areas of your life disaster in the wake.
We still gave the pups as much love as possible, but their schedule and needs got moved down the priority list. Especially when you have two children close in age. Griff and Owen are less than two years apart, so life was crazy for at least the next six years.
Fast forward ten years later, and the kids are older and more self sufficient, and the dogs act like two old men. They have trouble jumping up on the couch and have a bunch of grays in their hair, but they are still making the Hopkins Household a happier place.
I wouldn’t trade having a dog for anything, and let me tell you why.
First, even if everyone in your family is having a rough day and acting like a total jerk, the dogs will still love you and worship the ground you walk on.
Marco and Howie wait by the door for me anytime I leave the house. They follow me from room to room just to check in. Although this used to be super frustrating when it was a kid asking for something, it is only endearing when it’s puppy dog eyes staring back with no expectations.
If I’m on the couch or bed they want to come snuggle with me. After a couple pets they are content just laying next to me and falling asleep. And that is number two. It’s impossible to not feel happy when you are petting a dog. It must signal an endorphin release!
Third, it teaches the kids some responsibility of caring for another living thing. Griff and Owen are tasked with helping to let the dogs out and filling their water bowl. They also enjoy taking the pups on walks.
Although those three things make having a dog worth it, it’s also important to talk about the chaos they bring. The Hopkins Household now has two more living things to worry and care about.
Were the dogs fed yet? Who is going to watch the pups while we go on vacation? How many hours can we be gone from the house before we have to head home to check on the dogs? These are all questions that need to be answered when having dogs.
In the fall, our dogs track inside every single leaf that has fallen off the trees and leave them as little presents on our carpets, couches and beds. You can vacuum every hour of the day and the house will never fully be rid of them.
Dogs also like to puke up little treasures for what seems like no reason at all. It’s always a gross yellow and ends up on carpet every single time. I think they aim for carpet so you don’t have an easy clean up.
So are dogs a lot of work? Yes. But are they worth the work? Absolutely.
Life is chaotic. And dogs definitely add to the chaos. But they also bring happiness. And I would choose an extra dose of happiness every time.
