Not too long ago, I did something that felt a little crazy. I spontaneously got a puppy. I had spent a beautiful spring morning visiting my daughter at college. We walked around a local lake, and dogs were everywhere. Having lost my beloved dog last summer, my heart felt ready for a new puppy. Yet my logical brain had been working to quell the desire. I told myself that the logistics of a dog were too much. Life without a puppy was simpler.
The conflict came to a head that day because I knew I’d be passing by the dog breeder I trusted on the way home from the college visit. After dropping my daughter off at her apartment, I pointed my car north for the four-hour drive home. My mind was still churning on the idea of a puppy. I called my husband, Patrick, and shared what I was thinking. He quickly said, “Go get a puppy. It’s time. I’m fully on board.” The more he encouraged the idea, the more reasons I shared as to why it wasn’t the best time to make a decade-plus commitment to a dog. We wrapped up the call with him suggesting that I give the breeder a call to see when the next litter of puppies would be available. I drove on for another hour and then finally called the breeder. He shared that he had four puppies ready to go to new homes and that he’d love to have me come by and meet them. I chuckled as I let him know I’d be there in about 45 minutes.
The puppies were amazing, and I quickly chose a spunky little girl whom we named Sadie. She’s a delight. Sure, she’s created a bunch of work for Patrick and me. She’s also brought much joy. I’ve been reminded that easier isn’t the same as better. It’s easy for us as leaders to confuse the absence of responsibility with well-being. The lightness Sadie brings has refreshed my patience, generated many smiles, and brought back the routines and rhythms of early morning walks and weekends at the park.
I had been thinking about getting a dog for months. Discernment is valuable, but its full worth is only realized through action. When contemplating a big choice, the obstacles we imagine are almost always more formidable in imagination than in reality. There’s a reason for that. From a distance, we can only see the problem, not the ecosystem of solutions available. Once we had Sadie, we connected with a neighbor who had a dog-walking service. He linked us to a network of retirees who take care of pets when owners are away. Now, if I’m traveling and Patrick’s at work, we secure care for Sadie with just one text whenever we need support. When you make a commitment to something, pathways emerge.
One of the biggest takeaways from my spontaneous puppy pickup is recognizing how much I distrusted my longing for a dog. Obligations rank high for me. Wanting a puppy because it would bring me joy and happiness somehow felt frivolous and not important. But it was important to seek something out purely for joy. You can spend years being extraordinarily generous with your energy toward things that demand it, while quietly rationing it toward things that simply replenish it.
I’m grateful that Patrick’s encouragement allowed my heart to win out on that beautiful March day. He knew Sadie was just what I needed. I realize it now, too.
Founded in 2004, Lead Star is the company behind the best-selling books SPARK, Leading from the Front, and Bet on You. Lead Star helps professionals reach new levels of success through its innovative leadership development programs.
