Top
See All My Books

On new responsibilities and getting back into the routine

I’m watching his every move, looking for signs. Does he need the toilet? A nap? Has he slept too long?

I worry about leaving him. Will he be ok if I go out of the room for a moment? Will he sleep through the night?

Getting ready to go out anywhere seems to take an age. Have we got everything? wipes, waste bags? Will he be warm enough?

I feel like a first time mum, anxious, unsure and wanting to get everything right. Except that my youngest is eight years old now, so what is wrong with me?

We got a puppy, that’s what.

Need I say more?

It might as well be a fourth child.

nikkiyoungwrites.com

He’s a baby, he already looks to me for comfort and reassurance, follows me around everywhere and takes every time I sit down as an opportunity to jump on my lap and snuggle up for a snooze. It’s very cute, but it doesn’t get a lot done.

This amount of affection and neediness comes with a huge amount of responsibility.

We thought long and hard about this move, researching breeds until we found the right one for us. Boston Terriers are known for their intelligence and make great family dogs. They are sensitive breeds, eager to please and (hopefully) easy to train. My husband wanted a Boxer, but I wasn’t ready for that sort of commitment. Bostons are (sort of) similar to Boxers in appearance, but with bigger ears. They are also a lot smaller, calmer and definitely not as dribbly! Equally as important (from my perspective) is that theyΒ don’t shed much and aren’t that smelly.

When we went to see the puppy, it was love at first sight I’m afraid and there was no going back from that.

nikkiyoungwrites.com

Decision made.

So we think we ticked all the right boxes in terms of what we all needed from our family pet. Poor thing has a lot to live up to!

What does that mean for me and getting back in to some sort of routine?

The children are back at school tomorrow and that means I will be on my own with Barnie for the first time. It’s like when your husband goes back to work after paternity leave: a slightly terrifying thought that fills you with doubt and dread.

I’m ok though. This is my fourth baby, so I’m sure I will cope.

 

In terms of getting much work done, I’m not so sure. I was writing most of this post one handed on my iPad, with the puppy curled up on my knees. I have lots I need to do though including blogging and as I’m working at home this week, the little man and I are going to have to come to some sort of arrangement. How am I going to refuse that face though?

nikkiyoungwrites.com

It’s a big commitment, but I can already tell that this little man is going to bring a lot of joy into our lives.

Sharing this for What I’m Writing.

Writing Bubble

Also linking up with mumturnedmom, using this weeks word from the prompt: New.

Comments

  1. maddy@writingbubble says

    Oh, Barnie looks adorable! Sounds like a very good choice of dog. We’re thinking of getting one in the future so I will definitely bear the Boston Terrier in mind. Hope you manage to get at least a bit of writing (and other things) done despite the distraction! Thanks for linking to #whatImWriting.

    • Nicola Young says

      He’s been very patient this morning whilst I’ve been doing some paperwork. I’ve just sat down with a coffee to give him a bit of attention and he dived straight on my lap for a snuggle and has fallen asleep already!

  2. Teika Bellamy says

    Definitely a very cute doggy! We were thinking of getting a cat this year, but I’m a bit wary of the extra responsibility (particularly when I’m just getting used to having a little more time to myself since my youngest started school). So I think we may have to wait for a little bit longer before we take the plunge! Wishing you all the best for 2016!

  3. Louisa says

    He’s gorgeous! Our new puppy is now 8 months old and still follows me everywhere, you’re right that it is like having another child. Enjoy your new arrival πŸ™‚

  4. Rachael says

    Aw he’s adorable! My son wanted a puppy for Christmas but my husband isn’t keen on pets so he has a robofish and a robot puppy. So not the same! I bet the kids love him.

    • Nicola Young says

      It will do for now. We have had everything from sea monkeys to fish, budgie and gerbils in our attempt to avoid this. Only other option left was a cat and I got over ruled on that one.

  5. Alice @ The Filling Glass says

    He’s lovely! I completely understand the not getting enough done, still having a 2 year old at home most of the time. it must be a shock to the system if you’ve been used to a bit more time alone during the day. I’m sure soon enough you’ll develop a nice little routine between you both, at least its nice company for the coffee breaks πŸ˜‰ xx

    • Nicola Young says

      It has to be the right dog for your family otherwise it can be a bad experience all round. I wasn’t keen on getting anything too big, too lively, too smelly… Obviously I will have to compromise on some of those!

  6. sophieblovett says

    Aw he is such a cutie! I think you’re very brave for taking on a dog – we spent Christmas in the States with two of my brothers and their puppies, and even though they’re both a bit older now they added a whole new dimension to every day. I’m not sure if I could do it, but I can totally see how you fell for that little face πŸ™‚

  7. BloggerMummyLauren says

    Oh he is gorgeous, I’m not sure I would manage to get anything done while he was around! Hope you do manage some time to write while he’s resting though.
    We have two cats who like to mess with my work by walking over the laptop or stealing my pencil to play with. I would love to get a dog in the future too!

    • Nicola Young says

      Cats are funny. They are so curious and like to be involved with what you’re doing. We had a budgie like that. He was always right in the middle of what you were doing. Funny little thing he was.

  8. Sara (@mumturnedmom) says

    Oh, I don’t think I could refuse that face, he is gorgeous!! My kids would love for us to get a dog, but I’m just not ready for the commitment… Definitely a new dynamic for you to get used to! Good luck with getting some work done πŸ˜‰ Thank you so much for sharing with #ThePrompt x

  9. Emily Organ says

    Oh my goodness, how cute?!! He’s gorgeous and it must be impossible to get much else done. Our dog was my fourth baby too, he’s two years old now and the time goes so fast (just the same as with children!). I’m sure once he’s settled into the routine he’ll be a great writing companion. And dog walking time is invaluable time for reflecting on plot ideas, quite often I’ve had a lightbulb moment while wandering around the woods with the dog! x

    • Nicola Young says

      Yes I’m looking forward to longer walks. At the moment, round the block is enough. He doesn’t like the rain bless him. It is nice not to be at home on your own and he doesn’t give me any cheek like the kids do!

  10. Louise says

    Oh your new puppy is just adorable. That little face! I think I would struggle to resist it too and can imagine it’s quite hard to get any blogging done with your new baby wanting to snuggle up in your lap. Good luck with adjusting to all the new routines that your new puppy brings πŸ™‚

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

What Others Are Saying

"You're an amazing author. My daughter has read all your books 3 times. Thank you for inspriring her!!
Nikki Young
2020-02-28T13:14:40+00:00
"You're an amazing author. My daughter has read all your books 3 times. Thank you for inspriring her!!

"Nicola listened to and understood our wish to evolve our message along with our brand. Her copy was always succinct,...
Nikki Young
2020-02-28T13:13:38+00:00
"Nicola listened to and understood our wish to evolve our message along with our brand. Her copy was always succinct, accurate and grammatically correct and we were able to upload it to the new site without significant revision."

"Nicola is responsive and intuitive while delivering projects in a timely manner."
Nikki Young
2020-02-28T13:13:54+00:00
"Nicola is responsive and intuitive while delivering projects in a timely manner."

"You have really inspired her to write and create stories. She was very taken with your book the Time School."
Nikki Young
2020-02-28T13:14:06+00:00
"You have really inspired her to write and create stories. She was very taken with your book the Time School."

"Nicola encourages the children to think about things in different ways and to be more creative and descriptive in their...
Nikki Young
2020-02-28T13:14:19+00:00
"Nicola encourages the children to think about things in different ways and to be more creative and descriptive in their writing style."
0
Nikki Young