As Michael and I embarked on a new chapter together, our story took an interesting turn.  Let’s go back to the beginning. Moving in together was a significant milestone, and it’s where the adventure of blending our lives truly began. Now, here’s where things get interesting – while I’m not exactly the tidiest person in the world, Michael happens to be an OCD clean freak. Talk about a match made in chaos! You see, I’m an artist at heart, and creativity has always been my driving force. Naturally, my artistic tendencies have made me a bit of a cluttered person by nature. Art supplies strewn about, half-finished projects taking up space, and an ever-evolving gallery of creations all contribute to the organized chaos of my creative process. For me, this is where inspiration flows.

On the flip side, Michael is the embodiment of meticulousness and order. Every item in its designated place, every surface polished to perfection – you get the picture. It’s safe to say that his definition of “clean” is on a whole other level. Living together has been a delightful clash of personalities and lifestyles. While I’ve tried my best to meet him halfway on the cleanliness front, I’ve also come to appreciate the beauty of a pristine, organized living space. It’s a balancing act, to say the least, and we continue to seek harmony in our differences.

In our quest to strike a balance between my artistic clutter and Michael’s clean freak tendencies, we had made some headway in getting our home in order. Just as we were finally getting our place organized and unpacked, life had a little surprise in store for us – two rambunctious dogs! All our neat and orderly plans were promptly put on hold, and it’s starting to feel like “indefinitely” might be the new order of the day.

With Maverick and Ace came a whole new level of chaos. To contain their endless energy and antics, we decided to set up a playpen downstairs. Now, when I say “playpen,” I really mean it takes up the entire downstairs. You see, these two pups are constantly in motion. Wrestling, chasing, and what we’ve affectionately dubbed “WWE for puppies” is a regular occurrence. The living room has essentially turned into their wrestling ring, complete with acrobatic feats of “puppy parkour.” To ensure their safety during these epic bouts of puppy athleticism, we’ve had to set some boundaries. The term “jumping off the walls” has taken on a whole new meaning, as we’ve had to make sure they don’t leap from too great a height. It’s a fine line between encouraging their playful spirits and preventing them from attempting death-defying stunts.

My online shopping carts were soon filled with an array of toys, from chew toys to puzzle toys, as I sought to satisfy their insatiable curiosity and boundless energy. It was a quest to find all the toys they could possibly want or need. I realized that keeping them engaged mentally and physically was key to maintaining our sanity and protecting our belongings.

So, as we venture into the next chapter of this puppy parenting adventure, I’m excited to share our experiences and the knowledge I’ve gained along the way. It’s been a rollercoaster ride of fur, fun, and the occasional chewed-up shoe, but the journey is just beginning, and I can’t wait to see what lies ahead with our two energetic companions, Maverick and Ace.