Raising Rowyn, Our New Puppy
I wasn’t ready.
No one ever is. Not really.
But somehow, four months ago, we found ourselves staring down at a wiggly, amber-eyed, furball the size of a baked potato from Sizzler. That was Rowyn. A Chesapeake Bay Retriever puppy. Our new beginning.
We’d lost Ava—our beloved Chesapeake—just months earlier. She was a gentle soul, Jennifer’s shadow, and the heartbeat of our home. Her absence left an aching silence. But Rowyn? Rowyn brought the energy. Oh boy, did she.
From Spud to Supersized Pup
She starts out half the size of Rosebud, our fluffball Bichon Frisé–poodle mix, who rules the roost with mom-attitude. Now, Rowyn is triple her size and thinks they’re still evenly matched. Spoiler alert: they are not.
Scarlett, our dignified spaniel, is utterly unimpressed. She’s 12 years old, acts like the fun police, and has zero tolerance for Rowyn’s bouncy energy. Scarlett has mastered the art of the side-eye and the strategic corrective BARK, that Rowyn always ignores.
SHARK ATTACK: Life with a Puppy That Bites Everything
We’ve affectionately nicknamed Rowyn “Shark.” Not because she swims like one (though she wants to), but because she bites everything. Toes. Furniture. Hoses. Rosebud’s ears. My kneecaps. The vacuum cleaner cord. The corners of the coffee table. The corners of my soul.
We’ve purchased every chew toy on Amazon (I’ll list our favorites below), but Rowyn’s motto is clear: If I can chew it, I will.
Her favorite chew toy? The baseboards. Not a toy. But apparently delicious.
Splash Zone: Rowyn’s Accidental Poolside Adventures
Rowyn isn’t exactly swimming yet—but she’s conveniently “fallen” into the pool twice. Each time, she emerges with a blissful, soggy expression like, “Oh… did I do that?” She’ll stare at the water, then at us, then back at the pool like it’s calling her name in whale song. You can see her little puppy brain working it out: What if I just… jump? Honestly, it’s only a matter of time before she stops pretending and cannonballs herself in like a fluffy otter with no regrets.
First Walk Fiasco: Rowyn vs. The Wind
We thought it was time for her first on-leash walk. She disagreed.
It starts off with a dramatic pancake flop at the edge of the driveway. Then come the existential questions: Why is the sidewalk so hard? Why are cars so noisy? And most importantly: WHAT IS WIND AND WHY IS IT ATTACKING MY FACE?
Rowyn hates the wind. She stares at it like it personally insulted her mother. She tries to bite it. Growls at invisible enemies. The walk ends with her riding home in my arms like a disgruntled potato.
The Lap is Mine. And the Head. And the Foot.
Rowyn doesn’t believe in personal space.
If she fits, she sits. And if she doesn’t fit, she wedges herself on top of your lap, your feet, or your head until she does. She’s basically a weighted blanket with zoomies.
Watching TV? She’s in your lap. Working on the computer? Expect a Rowyn hat. Sleeping? Her nose is in your armpit. Every. Single. Night.
Ding-Dong! The Bell is Ringing
At four months, she’s a kennel champ and rings the bell to go outside. We celebrated like she just got into Harvard. So far, she only uses the bell for actual potty breaks. Not for “Oops, I just want to run outside and attack a leaf.”
Progress. Real progress.
Puppy vs. Toddler: Who Wins?
We raised toddlers. This is harder.
There’s no diaper, just hope and a very alert bladder. There’s no “nap time,” it’s chew o’clock. All day.
Raising Rowyn is a full-time job that requires patience, humor, and paper towels. Lots of paper towels. And coffee. So much coffee.
Will We Survive the Terrible Twos?
The keyword here is “Chesapeake Bay Retriever.” They’re known for being intelligent, independent, and… intense.
Rowyn is already all three. She’s also loyal, cuddly, hilarious, and 100% part of the family. Losing Ava was devastating. Loving Rowyn doesn’t erase that grief—but it gives it somewhere to go.
We’ll survive the chaos. The chewed shoes. The pool splashes. The wind panic. Somehow, we’ll make it to her second birthday. I think.
And if not… well, at least she’s cute.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. When you click on links in this post and make a purchase on Amazon, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
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Recommended Items:
- 🦴 KONG Puppy Teething Stick – A must-have for “Shark” puppies. #ad https://amzn.to/3GfC09P
- 🛏️ MidWest Homes iCrate Dog Crate – Where Rowyn goes to nap (or plot). #ad https://amzn.to/3GfSjDM
- 🛎️ Mighty Paw Smart Bell 2.0 – Our bathroom buzzer for dogs. #ad https://amzn.to/3ExL4qb
- 🐕 Ruffwear Front Range Dog Harness – For dramatic sidewalk flops. #ad https://amzn.to/3RmUqYL
- 🌊 Chuckit! Amphibious Bumper Toy – For pool fetch and splashes galore. #ad https://amzn.to/4jEBVuM
