My daughter Ady has always loved animals. When she was younger it seemed with all the challenges and wanting to give her and her siblings all of my time that a puppy would be a lot.

This past Summer I decided we were at a point in time that  it worked for us. Being a teacher and having off in the summer seemed like the best time. I was able to have more time to work on the training and sleep routine. This was a huge decision for us. She wouldn’t just be a new member of the family,  but also a companion for Ady.

We brought Winnie home in June. She was a puppy and able to grow and learn about Ady. She seems to be aware and very patient with my children. Ady has verbalized “dog” or sometimes just an approximation. She will put her hand out and pet Winnie. This seems very calming to her as long as she is the one that initiates.

We have been working on gentle hands and how to appropriately interact with the puppy. In the past, Ady seemed concerned with large dogs and seemed to be a little timid, so we decided to go with a small breed. Winnie is s mini golden doodle. She seems to be the perfect match for our family. Playful and sweet with just the most loving disposition. She rarely barks and approaches Ady cautiously at all times.

One activity that Ady enjoy is regardless of the weather is trail walks. We take Winnie to trails close to where we live and Ady really seems to have a great time. My children have enjoyed bonding with Winnie and getting their energy out on our walks. It seems to be a calming activity for Ady. This helps particularly in the evening when the days are shorter, and there isn’t as much to do outdoors. A good walk at the end of the day has proven to help with our sleep.

At a time where it is difficult for Ady  to build new friendships, you can’t underestimate the love from a dog. I’m sure that having companionship from Winnie makes her feel loved and content. I feel that knowing it was the right time for us was key in the decision. If I would’ve gotten them a dog when my kids were younger, even though the dog would’ve grown with Ady, it just wasn’t the right time. She understands better how to care for and treat her dog.

Winnie is 8 months old now. Some of the jobs we will add to help Ady care for her puppy are brushing, filling food dishes, and washing Winnie. Slowly incorporating these chores into her routine help to give her opportunities to care for her pet and build responsibility. I hope that Winnie will be a close buddy to Ady and show her unconditional love.