A few weeks ago, Allen called me with the bright idea to get another dog. Our house was different, no doubt. But I couldn’t imagine another dog, not because I don’t love dogs, but because I selfishly just wanted my dog.
It took a little while for me to come around, but Judson and Braylen continually asking about his dog, was one of the things that helped seal the deal. The kids love animals and I want them to grow up with a dog. In the end, I left it up to Allen and one day I got this picture. He thought he had found the perfect breed for us and he found a puppy who was almost ready for a new home.
We talked it over and worked out all the details and decided to go a completely different route with this dog. While I loved Coco and her breed, I worried that if we went that route again, I would end up having expectations for her to be like Coco, and that was just unfair all around.
We went with a Goldendoodle (F1B) and named him Tucker. He’ll get pretty big, even though he’s considered a medium size. Our best estimates are around 50 pounds, but there’s no way of ever really knowing. We hear he’ll likely be the color of his ears, but again, no way of really knowing that either.
We surprised the kids two Sundays ago and they were both instantly smitten with him. Y’all! He is just the sweetest little thing. Of course, we’re deep in the trenches of puppy training so there are tons of trips outside and plenty of redirection, but he’s learning quickly and I think he likes it here just fine.
I know it takes people different amounts of time to decide to get a new puppy, I don’t think there’s a right time. I knew I loved having a dog at our house, so much so that it was quiet here without him. I think we could all agree that it felt like our house was missing something.
Obviously, he’ll never be a replacement for our sweet Coco, but I think he’ll make his own place in our lives and hearts for years to come.
Love little Tucker. My brother has a golden doodle and they are great with kids!
Do you have any idea what kind of sofa you have? I’m in the market and I love the fabric you have on it! Looks perfect for family life!
He’s such a beautiful dog. My parents are toying with idea of getting one.
I’d commented on your post about Coco – about losing our Great Dane Steel. And yes, its totally different isn’t it? Rebel, our new great dane, looks so much like Steel (and yes, he’ll be XXL – He’s 17 weeks and 62 lbs hahaha). Some of their traits are similar – but they are definitely different dogs. Steel will probably always be ‘that’ dog for us – one that no dog will ever compare to. But Rebel is amazing in his own ways and makes our house feel whole again. He’s also veryyyy much a Mama’s boy lol which Steel loved us both but Jack was always his first owner (till I started coming around and then moved in within 6 months haha oops). I still have very bad “Steel days”, where I cry and miss him so much it hurts – but those usually happen when I’m at work and I go home to Rebel and he helps heal my pain.
It is so different! And you’re right about them being a good avenue for healing. He is so sweet and he’ll never replace her, but he sure helped our hearts heal a little more!