Getting Cody: The Beginning of Life With a Doodle

How bringing Cody home changed my routines, my mindset, and more than I expected.

Moving into a new home and deciding to get a dog

We had just moved into our house when we started seriously talking about getting a dog. It wasn’t impulsive and it didn’t feel rushed. We talked about it for about two months, with the same conversation coming up again and again, which is usually how I know something is already decided.

I’ve always been a dog person. I had a dog for sixteen years, so this wasn’t unfamiliar territory for me. My boyfriend wanted to get a dog for our family in this new house, and I already knew I wanted one too. A poodle mix was always the preference, so that part was easy.

Why we chose a poodle mix and how Cody stood out

I first saw Cody in a video with his litter.

He was flying across the room, full of energy, clearly the one that was always moving. I remember watching it and thinking he was going to be a lot, but in a way that felt exciting. It was obvious he wasn’t going to be calm or low-energy, and that was exactly what I wanted.

What surprised me after bringing a puppy home

Before Cody came home, I pictured life with a dog being fun and busy, and I assumed it would keep things from ever feeling boring. That part turned out to be true. What surprised me was how quickly he learned commands. He picked things up faster than I expected and always seemed focused on what we were asking.

What I wasn’t prepared for was how fast he grew. One day he was small enough to carry easily, and then suddenly he wasn’t. That shift happened quickly and caught me off guard.

The mental and emotional side of caring for a dog

After he arrived, I became extremely protective in ways I didn’t anticipate. Not just in the obvious ways like feeding him or keeping him safe, but in having to constantly pay attention. I had to learn how to anticipate what he might do, what his different sounds meant, and how he communicates. That adjustment took time and more mental energy than I expected.

I also didn’t realize how emotional I would feel about his wellbeing. His comfort, his feelings, and his state of mind became things I thought about often. That responsibility settled in quickly.

A small moment that captured everything

One afternoon, I was working in my home office when Cody came over and pressed his head into my legs. I later learned that this is his way of hugging. In that moment, I felt happy and proud, mostly because it felt like a quiet confirmation that he felt safe and comfortable with me.

Looking back at the beginning of life with Cody

When I look back now, I don’t think I was a different person then than I am now. I’ve always liked taking care of things and helping where I can. What I appreciate more now is the opportunity to care for something in this way. I tend to focus heavily on efficiency and doing things well, sometimes at the expense of myself.

If I could remind myself of anything, it would be to extend more grace. You won’t always get it right and it won’t always be perfect. But if you approach things with effort and consideration, that still counts as doing your job.