Meet Bella, the newest pup in our family.
I can’t even. Her face looking up at me—why so cute?
Bella is an eight-week-old Australian Labradoodle who will soon be living with our daughter Kylee. For now she’s our beloved little visitor—our “grand-pup,” if you will. Three members of our household are allergic to pet hair, so we’ve learned to choose breeds that work for us. Bella is the same breed as Lily. Jack is a Goldendoodle; you may recognize him from his social pages. We’re thrilled to have another doodle in the family.
Over the weekend we introduced Bella to Jack and Lily as their new cousin. They took to her instantly—tail wags, sniffs and instant affection.
The other day my daughters and I were working in the family room and brought Bella in to hang out. Productivity dropped immediately. She was busy being adorable while we tried to keep her away from important papers.
That’s life around here: lively, loud, messy and full of joy—almost like having a house full of toddlers, just with fur. Our home is filled with the things and people we love. It’s never perfectly tidy, but it’s full of meaning and laughter.
We don’t let the pups turn the house into a smelly, hairy mess. We keep the home clean, bathe and groom the dogs regularly, and choose breeds that are low-shedding and low-odor. That balance keeps our allergies in check and our sanity intact.
To keep the puppy safe and contained, we usually block the main opening of the family room with chairs and cans so she stays in the kitchen area. It’s not glamorous, but it works while we socialize her and teach boundaries.
Can you see Jack trying to make a break for it over the barricade behind my son’s head? Nobody puts Jack in the corner—except when he hides in the powder room to calm down. He’s anxious about people or dogs passing by, which makes him both amusing and sometimes exasperating. Still, they bring so much love into our home.
Just look at that face.
Do you live with pets? Tell me about your sweet furry animals!
Bella came from Mt. Park Labradoodles. If you can adopt a rescued pet and provide the right home, please consider that option—there are many wonderful animals in need of loving families.