The Puppy Project: Introducing Millie

For the past five years, one of our kids (mainly Addison) has requested a dog for Christmas. Tim and I have always had an easy out: Dad's allergic. Now, let me clarify.

Tim grew up with dogs and I have never heard stories of him sneezing or complaints of him having allergic reactions to the multiple childhood pets that passed through the home. I have indeed seen him become irritated by dogs with allergy symptoms but again, haven't determined the extent of the dog allergy. I believe it was real for a purpose over the past five years to distract from the strong desire our kids have all had for pets.

Beginning in November, Addison increased her efforts of owning a dog to the extreme. Tim challenged her to write a paper detailing the ownership responsibilities of having a pet. Sure, we've had a bunny and bird prior to today, but that's honestly nothing compared to the daily tasks of owning a dog.

Addison took her challenge seriously emailing us a four page research/persuasive paper that had plagiarism at its finest. This girl explained types of dogs for children and those strongly discouraged, what type of ingredients to look for in food, discipline training options, benefits of owning a dog, potential dog sitters, name choices for both boy or girl puppies and so much more. Here's a taste of the opening lines...

"Today, we will be talking about why Horky J. Broersma needs a puppy. There are many, many reasons why she would need a dog, but today we are just going to talk about the main points.

So rumors have been going around that Ms. Horky’s father doesn’t think that she will take care of a dog and be responsible enough to take care of a dog. Well, Ms. Horky’s father, you better be listening to this right now because its about to get real. I have heard that Horky had a rabbit when she was younger, and that her father keeps bringing that up. Well, first of all, you can’t play with a rabbit. You can play with a dog though. Another reason that the rabbit did not work out was because it was an outside pet. Outside pets are always a bit less fun to take care of. "

Addison continued on with her rant as Tim and I read her hilarious display of desperation to own a dog. By the time we read The Puppy Project, Tim had already began the search for breeders of cavapoos which was clearly defined as the desired breed best suited for our family's needs. On our way down to Portland earlier this month, we called a local breeder and had Auntie Becky be our eyes on the then, five week old puppies. There were three girls to choose from and Auntie did a great job determining which was the most playful, adorable and engaged. That was the beginning of December...We now had the almost impossible task of not telling anyone, deleting any and all text threads or photos, and changing all passwords on all devices in order to cover our top secret puppy tracks in order to keep the surprise quiet.

"So after all that we have gone over the basics of having a dog. The benefits of having a dog. More physical activity, less stress, reduce depression, improve heart health, improve social skills, and detect cancer sooner. We have also gone over the negatives of having a dog. Hiring pet sitters when you are away, costs, and cleaning. We have considered the best types of dogs for your family and the worst. We went over what having a dog will teach you. Patience, responsibility, socializing, loyalty, stay active, gratitude, and love unconditionally. We also went over the needs of a dog, and the best foods and toys.

Studies have shown that people are happier when they have a dog by their side( not just at someone else's house ). From my experience, everyone that I know with a dog, is so much happier and alive then anyone else. Dogs pick you up when you are down. They are there when you are need help. And they love you forever. Mr. Broersma, I hope that you take this into consideration, for the sake of your own amazing, precious ( at times ), beautiful children. Just think of how happy they will be."

Thank You

P.S. Dog spelled backwards is God, just going to point that out :)

As for the research paper, well, the first draft wasn't good enough for Tim so he pointed out holes in the paper that needed to be covered. Two hours later, Addison added another couple pages that turned up again, with more holes in the research. Now Addison is getting mad and the secret keepers are experiencing guilt for the clearly visible frustrations of stopping the puppy project dead in its tracks.

The worst came when Baylee was opening a present from my parents which happened to be a stuffed puppy, food dish and all, that Papa and Nana agreed to pet sit. This caused Addi to leave the room angry and in tears. Her poor childhood heart crushed that her parental's are never going to let her have a dog...

Until Christmas Day. Being eight weeks old on the 29th, allowed us to place this Cavapoo fur ball into a small, carefully placed white box on the doorstep while Tim and I both covered the reaction on film.

Best kept Christmas surprise ever.

Puppy Project complete...well, sort of. Tim created an official puppy contract that Addison later negotiated and made minor changes so that the dog was referred to as an equal in the family. Well played.

* One of the top two suggested girl names was Beasley from The Office. The Name has since changed being she looks more like a Millie :)