Future Fatherhood

This photo was taken this past weekend a day before I was forced into a situation I never thought I’d never find myself in. Due to a series of unfortunate events, for 24 hours I had to bottle feed five 3-week-old puppies every 3 or so hours while dealing with an anxious mom and dad who didn’t understand why.

The chaos that occupied my life was something that could have been in a movie. Every time I turned around something had happened that needed my attention. Either the momma dog had thrown up on the bed or the dad had chewed up the bushes outside or the puppies were crying for more attention; it was a surreal experience and the most responsibility I’ve dealt with alone before.

It was actually good though because it made me realize I can handle it. Sure, there were times I was running around the house screaming like a maniac because I was baffled at how these dogs could cause so much trouble- my favorite part was realizing that they could open doors so I had to keep a key in my pocket and lock every door in the house so they couldn’t go in there and tear things up.

At the end of the day, it felt nice though. If it wasn’t for me the puppies could have fallen ill and I was the one that was there to protect them and ensure their safety. I mean, I take care of Lulubelle everyday but she’s not as needy. Give her some food and water and her rope toy and she’s good by herself. In fact, she gets annoyed if I mess with her too much.

Now don’t get me wrong, I was more than stoked to return to my 9-year-old, low maintenance dog but it’s great to know what I can deal with when I have the call to action.

Honestly, it made me think a lot about being a father someday. That’s always seemed like something I have wanted, but this really solidified that. I’m so excited for the day my future husband and I decide that we are ready to take that leap. If I had my choice in the matter, I’d be the working dad and support my husband to stay at home with the kids. However, I could stay home if it made more economical sense without ruining our kids' lives and that’s a really inspiring feeling.

I’ve always viewed myself as a kid at heart and I have a really hard time with accepting the adulthood that has been thrusted on me at times, but I can do it. Especially when I have 5 little faces staring up at me, waiting for me to take care of them. It really is a warm and fuzzy feeling I’ve never quite felt before.

I’m in no rush for marriage and children at the moment, but to realize I’m fully capable of raising the family I’ve always wanted is a wonderful and indescribable feeling. It may have only been 24 hours, but it was a 24 hours that will really never forget. Especially when it’s 3am and I’m feeding my own child, laughing (probably from being delirious) at the time in my life when I thought taking care of puppies for a weekend was hard.