A little over two years ago, a bouncing baby boy rushed into my life and stole my heart. He was always the little one I pictured I would have one day. Of course, there were many sleepless nights while he cried himself back to sleep, “potty” training days, and times where I chased him down the hall to retrieve whatever it was he had in his mouth that he wasn’t supposed to. Motherhood is a tough challenge, but well worth the reward. I wouldn’t trade Sir Henrik Von Shillito for any other hound in the pound!
The cover picture is my two year old Rottweiler and, yes indeed, that is his real name on his puppy papers! My husband, Cory, thought he would name him after his favorite hockey player Henrik Zetterberg. We call him Hank for short – and by short I mean the name that is easiest to yell when he is chewing on his baby swimming pool in the backyard (true story). Hank sure has done his due diligence in destroying parts of our home, but we couldn’t be where we are today without him. Many of the lessons we learned in the last few years were all because of our pup!
1. Compromise. From the first day Hank arrived, we knew things were about to change. Cory and I realized that our alone time was no more and keeping up with Hank was a full time job. We were no longer living for ourselves, we had someone else’s needs to attend to. Who was going to feed Hank when he woke up? Who would take him out in the middle of the night if he had to go to the bathroom? Who will let him out during the day while we are at work? Cory and I had to learn how to compromise our selfish needs for Hank’s happiness and wellbeing. We learned each other’s discipline style and how we react to different stressors which gave us great insight to what each other may be like as a parent to our children.
2. Social Studies (Not the junior high kind). Socialization skills are a must for a puppy, especially for a bully breed. Many people think Rottweilers, Pit Bulls, and German Shepherds are aggressive dogs by nature alone. However, when these types of dogs receive the right training and socialization skills, they can blossom into wonderful and loving pooches. Hank was enrolled in a socialization class where he enjoyed playing with other pups and the free doggie ice cream. This particular class also taught us how to be good parents as well. Cory and I learned the art of body language – not only between Hank and us but with each other, too. Our relationship grew so much by learning each other’s mannerisms and gestures. We never realized how these simple things affected how we handled situations.
3. Unconditional love. No matter what happened at work or what Cory and I were going through, Hank is always there to receive and give love. Dogs don’t care what happened yesterday when you scolded them for jumping on the couch. They live for the moment and love their owners in the here and now. This lesson is the most important take away from owning and raising a dog. No matter what people say or do, it is your actions and love that will endure. I have learned to make the most out of all of my relationships and love others without judgement.
Any couple that wants to take a leap, grow together and stronger should consider getting a puppy. As you instruct your puppy on how to become a dog, you will be amazed at how the teacher-student relationship changes. I know Cory and I are better people because of Hank!
Janae Shillito started with Aureus Medical Group in June 2015 as a recruiter for the Advanced Practice Division where she recruited Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants. She now works with students, guiding them on their transitional journey from school to the workplace as a Student Outreach Coordinator for the Rehab Therapy division. When Janae isn’t traveling and visiting college campuses all over the country, she is usually found reading a good book, kickboxing, or hanging out with friends and family, especially her husband, Cory, and favorite Rottweiler, Hank.