Celebrating a magnificent year

We adopted our sweet dog, Magnus, last October. I can’t believe it’s been a year already. I first wrote about our pet adoption experience here. Initially, I wasn’t a dog person. To be honest, I actually love cats. However, I was definitely persuaded once we visited our local adoption facility, Paws. All those cute faces. I was surprised at how quickly I converted to being a dog person. HAHA! 

This little guy has changed our lives so much and I can happily report it’s definitely been for the better. We’ve grown past the ups and downs and have entered a consistent stride. We absolutely adore him. My daughter is over the moon playing and caring for him. It’s also given her a strong sense of responsibility. It’s amazing to see the tenderness and care she shows for Magnus. It’s a team effort taking care of him. It’s amazing to see how he reciprocates his love and acceptance with all of us. 

I am amazed by how much I have learned from having a dog. Below are a few things that come to my mind.

The first three months were the hardest. Having a schedule made all the difference.

A training class is a must. It helped us learn how to work together in caring for our dog.

The happiness in our household has increased with his presence. 

Seeing the joy on my daughter’s face having a dog in our home.

The gift of unconditional love every time he looks at us.

Visiting the local dog park is a great stress reliever.

Getting outside multiple times a day, despite the weather, is a great reset for the heart and mind.

There is always time to slow down.

How much we miss him when we travel.

All the new people we’ve met in our neighborhood just by having a dog.

There is always time to stop and smell the flowers during a walk.

With that, I can honestly say we have no regrets. We have adjusted well to our new normal, shifted schedule and all. 

Happy Birthday, Magnus The Great!