Our aging Boxer, a cherished companion of my sons, was nearing the end of her battle with cancer. We had numerous discussions about the inevitable goodbye, yet my boys were clearly heartbroken. To give them some sense of control over the situation, I asked, “Would you prefer to get a puppy now while she’s still here, right after she passes, or wait a bit?” They overwhelmingly chose to welcome a puppy into our lives to help with the transition. My partner had tentatively agreed to the idea, saying it sounded nice in general, but he knew I was browsing for puppies online.
There was an SPCA about sixty miles away that had some promising options. So, on a rainy February day just before the pandemic hit, we took a trip down winding roads to a bright, inviting shelter where we met the puppy we liked. She immediately ran to my sons, eager to play. “That one,” I declared. “Her. No need to show us anyone else.”
Thus, we brought home a small, all-black German Shepherd mix. The kids named her Zelda, inspired by a video game, while I thought of her as Zelda from The Magicians. It turned out well enough.
My Partner Came Home to a Surprise
We hadn’t exactly prepared him, so when my partner returned from work, he found our boys joyfully engaged in a tug-of-war with the new puppy, our older Boxer ignoring her, and our other German Shepherds looking less than impressed. (Note: In hindsight, this is definitely not advisable—bringing a dog home is a significant commitment, and all family members should be on board beforehand.)
“What did you do?” he asked, clearly taken aback. I pulled him aside and said, “We told the boys they could decide how to cope with their grief, and this is what they chose. I won’t take that autonomy from them.” I crossed my arms, using my best persuasive tone.
He sighed, resigning himself to the fact. “Okay, so we have a puppy now.”
While he wasn’t thrilled about the extra responsibilities—shots, spaying, toys, and all the necessities of a puppy—he conceded that she was cute and good with the kids, which was what mattered most.
Adjusting to a Dominant Dog
My previous dogs had been gentle giants. Our German Shepherd, the size of a small horse, was a cuddly baby, while our raccoon-German Shepherd mix was a sweet, sad cuddle bug. Our Boxer was always in a state of bliss. But Zelda? She was a whole different ballgame—dominant through and through.
Zelda strutted around as though she owned the place, demanding attention and barking at will. We knew she wasn’t a purebred Shepherd, but her incessant barking was unexpected. My head throbbed from the noise, but my kids adored her.
My partner remained skeptical. He appreciated Zelda’s sweet demeanor and her bond with the kids, but he wasn’t fully convinced she was a good choice. Yet, she did help them cope when our Boxer passed away.
Zelda Becomes a Pandemic Companion
Two weeks after we brought her home, the pandemic struck. Suddenly, we were all stuck at home, and Zelda had our undivided attention. She especially craved my partner’s affection since he was the one feeding her. Whenever we locked her out during his virtual teaching sessions, she eagerly awaited him between classes.
Zelda wanted to be close to us all the time, so she started sleeping on our bed, nestled comfortably behind my partner’s knees. Our only outings were neighborhood walks, and he began taking her along. She thrived on these adventures. The mere mention of the word “walk” became a trigger for her excitement, leading to him jokingly threatening to replace it with “Walkies!”
As the pandemic dragged on, Zelda didn’t just keep the kids entertained—she also became a source of solace for my partner, who struggled with the loss of in-person teaching. Her antics, from barking to her amusing habit of climbing on furniture to get attention (which we affectionately dubbed “mountain goating”), brought laughter into our home.
Zelda’s True Affection
Though Zelda technically belonged to the kids, she favored my partner the most. Whenever she misbehaved, he’d tease me, saying, “She’s your dog; you signed the adoption papers.” But in reality, she was his dog through all her loud and loveable chaos. I nicknamed her Miss Piggy due to her entitled attitude, which made my youngest burst into laughter when he heard it.
Now that my partner is back to teaching face-to-face, Zelda has perfected the art of anticipating his work clothes. She sprawls on his feet as he dresses, steals his shoes, and even tries to snatch his socks while he puts them on. She whines when he leaves and joyfully greets him upon his return. They cuddle on the couch and share moments that make him smile through the challenges of the pandemic. “The dog is the best gift you never meant to give me,” he once confided.
I believed I was adopting the dog for my kids, and to an extent, I did; she plays with them, sleeps in my youngest’s room half the time, and roughhouses with them. Yet, unbeknownst to me, the dog was truly a gift for my partner, who states, “You’ve fulfilled my need for a small, useless dog.” Then off they go for another walk.
For more insights on family dynamics during challenging times, check out this other blog post. If you’re interested in artificial insemination resources, Make a Mom offers great information, and Cleveland Clinic is an excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination.
Search Queries:
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Summary:
In the face of grief from their aging Boxer, a family decides to adopt a puppy, leading to unexpected dynamics as the new dog, Zelda, becomes a source of joy and comfort during the pandemic. Initially met with skepticism from the father, Zelda quickly wins over the family, especially her owner, who finds solace in her antics. Through this story, we see how a pet can transform family life, providing emotional support during tough times.
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