Many of you know that there are two things that I have avoided with strength and will power for a long time: Pinterest and getting a dog.
They’re completely unrelated but I’ve been putting off both of those things in my life for good reason. Both would entail more attention and time than I’m able to give. I know I would love it, but I can see how Pinterest would simply become addicting and a major time trap.
As for a dog? Come on, seriously. I do not have time. There is no way I can devote the energy that is required to take care of a furry thing. This isn’t the right phase of life. I already have a load of responsibility on my shoulders. I’m not ready. I have strongly resisted every time there was a heartfelt plea. Some of you are in my camp: “Stay strong, Becky. Don’t do it. It’s so much more work than you realize.” And others have said, “Do it, Becky. You’ll never regret it. Having a pet is the best thing you can do for your family.”
But here’s the thing. All things considered, this isn’t about me. And so … we pulled off a little Christmas Miracle for our kids. It really is a miracle for our kids because they knew I wasn’t ready for this yet. To wrap up the 12 Videos of Christmas series, I wanted to share the experience with you.
Thank you for joining me this Christmas as I shared 12 random videos throughout the season. Here’s a recap:
1. A Christmas song performed from Marvin Goldstein & Vanessa Joy by me
2. Get Crafty with Cleetus: Project Life edition by Cleetus McDuffy
3. One of Those Days by Kris
4. Holiday Cookies by me
5. White Chocolate Holiday Popcorn by Jenalee
6. Jordan by Eric
7. Digital Project Life: How to add Text to a Journaling Card by Kevin
8. How to Tie a Bow by Ada
9. Jenny Goes to Washington by Jeff + Jenny
10. Christmas in New Zealand by Mandy and other Kiwi Scrapbookers
11. Connections Through Photographs (featuring Zachary Baird’s original music) by me
12. Our Christmas Miracle by me
Tags: christmas miracle, dog, family pet, oreo
OK, that video brought tears to my eyes, and I’m not a pet person!
What shame that you had a great opportunity to save a life and adopt and instead you bought a puppy from a breeder. =(
Marie,
What an unkind comment to make after watching such a touching and heartwarming video.
Those sweet dogs could very well be rescue dogs – we once adopted from a litter that was rescued. But even if they are not, not all breeders are “bad”.
I am still constantly amazed at the things people with “write/say” online that they would never say to someone face to face. I would think had you said that outloud to Becky you would have at minimum added/rephrased your comment.
You took the words out of my mouth Cyndee. Thanks for writing that, I agree with you 100%
I have to say I agree 100% that the comment is unkind. While we adopted our cat from a shelter, everyone has the right to choose how and from where they choose their pet. Let’s all just bask in the happiness of a little girl’s dream coming true instead of being negative.
Buying from a breeder is in fact the most responsible thing she could have done for her family. She is able to see the pups health and parents, as well as how they are being raised. She is also ensuring that the pup’s temperament will be a good match for her family and in the long run it won’t be a dog that will end up in a shelter because it grew up to not be compatible with her lifestyle. I applaud Becky for making an educated thought out decision.
AND the gift of love comes in so many different ways, shame on you for writing that comment when its the time of joy and love!!
A few other people beat me to it, but yep really was that comment necessary. Joy of the season & all. Plus it was such a lovely video. And they Becky & David have the right to choose how their new family member comes into THEIR home. Maybe you should get back in your box and keep such unkind comments to yourself.
You did it! Congratulations! You will NEVER regret having a furry beast come to live in your heart.
Hau’oli Makahiki Hou from Hawaii. Aloha & Hugs.
Oh yeah.. I’m crying.. TOTALLY… lol.. I so wish I could give my little girl a doggie BUT sadly our landlord doesn’t allow dogs
BUT Hubby is planning on getting her a guinea pig for her birthday next week not a doggie but close? ha..
Beautiful! I cried!!!
Me too!!!
oh my gosh!!! Totally brought tears to my eyes!! Such a sweet puppy for such an awesome family!
HOLY CRAP Becky… You just made me cry!
Congratulations! Oreo is so adorable, he is a lucky dog to have been picked by such a great family. We surprised our kids Christmas 2010 and our puppy makes us smile everyday.
So adorable, what kind of dog is Oreo? Your kids are so in love with him/her already it is obvious! Congrats!!
You will never regret it! Never!
Congratulations on the new puppy – there will be times you’ll regret your decision, but it will be overshadowed by the amazing love that a puppy/dog can bring into your family.
We have two of our own – a beautiful chocolate lab (100 lbs) and a new rescue we’ve had for about 5 months (15 lbs of fluffy snuggliness). The two dogs are best of friends and our son just loves them (we do too).
All the best in 2012!
Great choice on dog! So super cute and I love the name. Wish I could have one just like it but I live in a place right now with no yard so that wouldnt work out too well. Maybe when I move back to AZ. Congrats on the addition to your family!
I, too, just bawled my eyes out!
I am so excited for you and your family! I pray that little Oreo will be a source of great joy for all of you.
Thank you for sharing such an incredible LIFE moment with all of us!
Blessings,
Cyndee
Beautiful, well done mummy! What an adventure alrite!!!!
OK…that just made me not just teary-eyed but I am full on bawling!! Time to go reapply the make up! Such a GREAT video and to see a little girl so happy….priceless! Way to go mom!
Awwwww . I love how little Claire slept by the puppy.
Our kids wanted a dog for a long time and finally I too gave in and three years later the dog is absolutely the perfect addition to our family and I think I might just love him most! Enjoy!!!! P.S. I do wish our dog was smaller-looks like you picked the perfect size and breed!
So happy for your family and for Oreo! Congratulations! Dogs bring such joy. What a beautiful video as well, such a great documentation for your children.
And P.S. Shame on Marie for posting a negative comment on your joyous occasion. ALL puppies need homes whether they’re from breeders or not.
Oh my gosh, I cried. How fantastic for the kids. My son really wants one & I am not ready yet. Maybe in a year or 2 we will get one. Animals always bring much joy & love to your famiily.
We got a puppy for our kiddos this year too. I swore it wouldn’t happen for awhile in our house either, but she has been a welcome addition. I watched your video, crying, while my 2 year old kept saying “puppy, puppy!”
I know your family will love Oreo forever! Congratulations!
Oh my gosh.. this is so sweet.. and it brought tears to my eyes.. how darn adorable!!!!
I am just bawling-this is so beautiful. The shot of Claire sleeping with Oreo just about did me in. One of the sweetest things I have seen in a long time . Thank you so much for sharing. I know you are cautious about sharing your family’s personal stories, but this one has made my day, if not my week.
Oh my goodness. I am not at all a dog person, but that is seriously adorable! Claire sleeping with Oreo – precious!
Becky, this is soooo sweet, love love it!! You made me cry and me thankful that a last November I finally caved too and we got a puppy. My kids begged me for 5 years and one day we came upon one that I just couldn’t say no too. He is sitting right beside me now and is always beside me. I can’t imagine life with Lucky and neither can my kids. Just like you said it’s not about ME it was about making a dream come true for THEM!!
LOVE the way you surprised them and how sweet to see Claire take right to him. I thought Porter was the one who really wanted one.
Congrats Higgins family on your newest addition.
OK- I’m crying. That was SO sweet! I love that your daughter is sleeping in with the new puppy. Welcome to the wonderful world of dog ownership – you will love it! Our puppy is 9 years old, and is one of my children – I still refer to him as my first born, and love him dearly. I’m sure Oreo will become a wonderful addition to your family and you’ll be so glad you got him (as soon as he learns NOT to pee on the couch)
Oreo is so cute! I must say I got a little teary eyed myself. Claire sleeping with Oreo is just too sweet! Thanks for sharing such a special moment with us!
Woohoo! I am such an animal lover, love to see such love for animals! Puppyhood is hard, I resisted after our last dog died, now 3 years later our lab is such a huge (literally) part of our family. Now pinterest I have to set a timer or I do get sucked in, but love all the ideas I have found for work (school) and home! Loved the video, thanks for sharing!
Clearly, I am part of the “sappy” crowd…wiping the tears from my eyes as I type this. What a wonderful gift for your kids, especially Claire. This is a gift they will NEVER forget! Good job, Momma!
Oh Becky, seriously, made me cry and smile at the same time! I am a dog owner myself…and they are definately are part of the family..and my little spoiled fur babies. My mom was the same way a few years ago and finally caved in when my brother and sister kept asking for a dog. To this day, it’s hilarious that I see my mom cooing and cuddling their dog like a little baby. Now that my siblings have left the nest for college…mom has the dog to keep her and my step dad company
Have fun with your new addition!
The video was amazing and had me crying. What a great moment for any family. Congrats. Oreo is so cute!! My sister and her family have a Havanese puppy named Max and he is a great family dog. BTW the picture of Claire sleeping with Oreo was AMAZING! I remember those moments when I was little with my cat Midget.
I am so excited for you all!!!
Okay, this is overflowing with cuteness from the kids, to the pup, to the video, to you! Thanks for the share. :>
Now, about Pinterest…. ;> It’s a magical place, I tell ya! :>
Thank you for sharing – the joy I saw you kids feel brought tears to my eyes and a smile to my lips. And I just love how they still didn’t get it
As a mommy who is not “ready” for a puppy yet either – The tears came quickly. Maybe this mommy should just give in already also
Congrats to you and your family and to little Oreo! SO CUTE!
Becky, this video brought me to tears and I am a cat person! Congratulations on your new family member!
Ok, that made me cry! Enjoy your new family member!
Sooooo cute!!! I havent had a dog in a few years but it is a great feeling.
PS Please PROMISE you’ll stay AWAY from Pinterest ahahahahhaahahahahhaahahahha
I cried, but looks like I wasn’t alone! I was strong for a couple years in saying no more pets (we have two kitties) and then summer of 2009 I just caved. I’ve always grown up with large dogs. Somehow we ended up with a shih tzu puppy whose mom was given to a rescue shelter from a breeder that no longer needed her… she was pregnant w/our soon to be baby. We got him home and then 5 days later my daughter wore me down and we went back and adopted his brother, too. Tons of work but we’re oh so happy and I have to admit—I might just love them the most (and I am definitely their favorite:)! Have fun!
Okay – now that I have dried my eyes – CONGRATULATIONS!! You will NOT regret it. I was just like you and our three children wanted a dog so bad. It was before Christmas and they were given a choice of a Nintendo (this was a few years back) or a puppy (Shih-tzu). Guess what they picked? The best choice ever. The video is priceless and a forever keepsake. Thanks so much for sharing your joy! God bless and Happy New Year!
Wow, this was beautuiful!!!! It brought tears to my eyes! We got a puppy for Christmas this year after the kids finally wearing us down as well. My husband has allergies and we were looking for a “hypoallergenic” breed as well and looked at Havanese puppies as well. We decided on a Bolegnese puppy and are all in love. The kids said it was the best Christmas ever and I’m sure that yours feel the same!
What an awesome video! It brought tears to my eyes! I am NOT a pet person at ALL either….yet we have a dog & a guinea pig. You are spot on that this isn’t about you/me….it’s about our children growing up and learning to love, care for, nurture and experience having a furry family member. It will teach them many things about life.
Congrats Higgins family & welcome to the family Oreo!
Well, that was the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen…
You saved the best for last! There goes those tears again! So happy for you and your family, you will not regret it. You will all have so many great memories with Oreo. Just try to remember, after all the trips outside in the middle of the night for potty, all the cleaning up of accidents, all the chewed up toys and shoes, that this too shall pass. Oreo will soon be able to hold it all night, let you know he’s got to go potty, and will lose his urge to chew everything. Congrats, looking forward to blog updates of your new addition.
congratulations becky and family! wonderful video! have fun making wonderful memories with your new addition.
oh my goodness….i totally got teary-eyed, how sweet this is. I have one, and love her so much. They are so smart and such great family pets
I got a puppy 3 1/2 years ago – wanted an older dog, but this girl just grabbed my heart, and she was “free to a good home,” so home she came with me. Haven’t regretted it yet. Lucy has brought so much joy to my life and yes, she’s a lot of work, but she’s such a sweetheart that I always have people volunteering to keep her for me when I need help or to travel for work. Oreo has found his “forever home” – yay! much love to Oreo from my Lucy <3
Aw, what a sweet way to surprise the kids! Yep, tears shed here. What a momento!
I too, am crying and wishing I could give this gift to my children. My oldest is allergic so it doesn’t seem responsible (even though she wants a dog so bad). That Oreo is going to be hard to discipline he’s sooooo cute.
I personally know how happy Claire must be (the tears rolling down my face is proof). At 51 years old, I got my own Christmas puppy on Christmas Eve 2010. She’s now 1-year old and we love her dearly.
You are such a good mommy! Your lives have just changed for the better and your beautiful family is now complete. Someday you will wonder why you waited so long…
You definitely saved the best for last!
The total adorableness of this made me cry!!! What a wonderful Christmas. And have fun and be patient with Oreo. He will bring more love to your family than you can imagine! Merry Christmas Becky!
Thank you for that heartwarming, beautiful video. Myself and my husband finally gave in and got a dog for our kids..we always said we would *NEVER* be dog owners. Fast forward 9 years and this dog is the best thing that ever happened to us…other than our 3 marvelous kiddos.
One book suggestion for you that helped TREMENDOUSLY…After You Get Your Puppy by Dr. Ian Dunbar. VERY important information to know to get your dog properly socialized.
Congrats!! and good luck on your new lovely addition
And, we too, bought our dog from a reputable breeder. We went back and forth between a breeder and a rescue, but ultimately chose a puppy from a breeder. With 3 small children, we wanted to make sure our dog was properly socialized during the very critical 8-16 week age.
I have to preface this by first disclosing that I am a huge animal lover . . . but seeing for kids see their Christmas miracle for the first time brought tears to my eyes. May Oreo bring your family much love.
congrats! this is so sweet!
Yep, 5 years ago I wasn’t ready either. I grew up with dogs and understood the time commitment and responsibility. But my hubby and kiddos so wanted to have the experience of having a dog…so I caved. Yes, I have had moments of regret…but they are just that moments. So glad to have our dog and all that we’ve learned through this experience. He is part of our home and family and we’re happy to have our furry one with us
You are a good mom Becky.
Oh my goodness. Loved the video! Brought tears to my eyes. I can so relate. I was the same way. I knew all the work would fall to me. I didn’t consider myself a dog person. Then one Christmas I just felt ready and we got a puppy for our son (about the same age as Claire). I don’t regret it one bit! For all the work and little annoyances, your dog will reward you with unconditional love and sweet puppy kisses. I am the biggest dog softy now and even buy our dog Christmas presents. We are even fostering another dog and may keep him also. Who would have thought it?!
Hey Porter, Claire, and Crew you have the wayyyy coolest parents, you are going to love having Oreo as your partner in crime, He is adorable. Becky and David you are not going to regret this decision at all ok so maybe once or twice at the sacrifice of say mayb a shoe or brief case or something insignificant like that but OH the joy and fullness a pet brings to a home. I grew up with a chihauah/terrier and she was my absolute best friend. I am glad to hear you have finally chosen a fur baby but beware once the bug has bitten its really easy to fall in love with more. Sorta like Lays potatoe chips you cant have just one. Enjoy!!!! Loved the video and yes I cried my eyes out especially with Claire sleeping with Oreo. Donna
Oh man! I’m so glad my husband is busy with something else right now and can’t see the tears running down my face
This is so special! Thank you for letting us share in the joy!
Oh Becky! Our 10 yo dtr has been wanting a dog FOREVER. We started looking into dogs last summer and decided if we got one, it would be a Havanese (preferably black and white!) We have stalled it off and stalled it off, because don’t want to got thru it all. My cat of 17 years had to go to sleep in October and it ripped my heart out. At that point I said absolutely not to another animal. But have now come to realize better to have loved a pet and have all the wonderful memories. Living in PA we would never get a dog in the winter, so am looking into getting one for the spring. My dtr keeps telling me “Mom, you would love a dog!” I keep telling her that is not the problem, it is all the work! I know your family, including yourself is loving Oreo. He (is it a boy?) is so very cute! Just wondering how did you decide what sex you wanted the dog to be? Enjoy your puppy. Love the video and how they just didn’t get it- oh and Claire was too funny practicing her moves after the video!
Thanks for sharing- love how you made a video about adopting a dog- neat idea! Molly
BTW got my Cobalt PL kit for Christmas- LOVE IT!
I’m in tears. This is such a beautiful video.
As the proud owner of two dogs… there are days I’m tired of walking them, frustrated with the messes they leave, and annoyed that they barked at someone. However every moment is worth it. I can come home from a long day at work and my dogs happily greet me with hugs and kisses, cuddle up to me when I’m feeling sad, and push me to be a better person.
This is one of the best gifts you can give your family… including yourself
Have a wonderful holiday season!
OREO – - what a cute name!
What a moving video and a great way to capture the memory (would we expect any less from you).
Pets ARE a lot of work (and money) but they truly become part of the family – I have been “sucked in” a few times. we have 2 dogs and most recently, a kitten – which I swore we would NEVER have.
Enjoy the puppy!
So sweet- bawling like a baby. Your a good mamma!!
PS we had an Oreo too.
Oh my, that was sooooo sweet. And to see Claire asleep with the puppy at the end brought tears to my eyes.
Ack! Now you have me wanting to get a dog….and I have NEVER wanted one or been ready for one…!!
Wonderful and very touching! I cried and cried! You will love having a doggie to take care of. Happy New Year, Becky!
We have guinea pigs. We are not ready for a dog at this time, this mama has said everyone needs to be potty trained in the house first!!! Once everyone is potty trained, and we put it into our budget then we will get a dog. We had a dog for 10 years and he passed away almost 6 years ago…we miss Symba. Your special new friend Oreo reminds me of our Symba.
Enjoy your new friend Oreo!!! Congratulations!!!
Becky how awesome that you are doing something so special for your children, and they will always remember how you sacrificed for them to have a special pet even when you weren’t quite ready. Bless you for putting your kids first.
Oh Becky! I’m avoiding the same two things but your video almost breaks my resolve about the dog…and that is even with baby #5 on the way. So sweet. And Claire with Oreo just melts my heart! What a beautiful Christmas Day for your family. XO
Congratulations, Becky! I absolutely loved the video, and I’m sure it’s something you and your family will treasure forever. I commend you for putting so much thought and effort into bringing a dog into your family. As an animal rescuer for over 10 years, I can tell you that there’s nothing quite like the unconditional love that a dog gives to its family. I have three dogs right now (two Great Danes and one maltichon, much like Oreo), and they are a constant source of love, joy, silliness, loyalty and companionship. If everyone put as much thought into bringing an animal into their life as you and David did, then perhaps we wouldn’t have so many unwanted critters in shelters and on the streets. I find it somewhat comical that I am actually asking myself the same questions about having a baby as you were asking yourself about getting a dog. Perhaps I’ll find the answers I seek soon, or maybe my husband I should just take the plunge! In any event, I am very happy for your family and hope that Oreo brings you as much joy as my crittres have broght to me. Many blessings in the New Year!
Oh Becky!! How sweet!! This video gave me tears in my eyes! My 9 yr old wants a dog so bad. Maybe one of these days I might have to cave in too!
Enjoy your little addition to your family!
You are very brave. I told my husband 16 years ago when he married me that he would never have any pets if he married me, and he still married me, so that is my excuse
You married me, you know the rules, and my 4 kids do too 
Hope you enjoy and survive!!!
I just cried.
that was so awesome, I made my lab Hailey watch it with me. =) Pets are a lot of work, but they add so much. Congrats on Oreo.
Becky and family: 6 years ago we wrestled with the same decision and I resisted – HARD. But a 6 year old little girl batted her black eyelashes to her daddy, and a Havanese puppy named Lucy became a part of our family. Now I can’t imagine life without this 9 lb. furball who keeps my feet warm, waits patiently for just one piece of popcorn from my bowl, and dances on her hind legs to the pleasure of anyone who will watch. She is simply amazing. I had never heard of the Havanese before we got Lucy, and I will never have a different breed. You will not regret this. Enjoy!
Those who say they will never have pets don’t know what they are missing out on. They are great friends when you’re down. They make you happy when you’re having a bad day and really don’t want to talk about it. They don’t judge they rock. Sometimes it is a pain..but really kids are too at times!
You will love it more than you know. I love how Clare is sleeping with Oreo as I remember my cousin did that when she got a puppy one year for Christmas and she is now a Vet Tech and has a whole family of animals. When she had Cancer a few years ago she said her pets were great in days she felt like crap and didn’t want to talk with anyone. Last year when I had surgery and was home alone when my husband was at work while I was still recovering it was great knowing my pet was there and would check up on me or me on my pet. It helped knowing I was not home alone =-)
They warm your heart. Loved the video. Loved how it didn’t really get it when they watched it and saw themselves. How fun!!
Becky, as I have always had a dog in my life, you will nor regret it. Happy New Years to you and your family. BTW I cried and cried.
Most precious video and I know you’ll never be sorry Oreo came to live with your family. Children and dogs make one another complete … it’s like God’s love just comes pouring out of the puppy for everyone within licking distance.
Thanks for sharing. I’m almost 65 and have always had a dog. I just can’t imagine ever living without one.
Awwwww! Congrats on the newest member of your family. Yes, they are a lot of work, especially that first month getting them trained on where to do their business, but they are so much fun!
Enjoy your new puppy! 
Chills!
haha love it!!! welcome to the higgins family Oreo!!!
My favorite video and I love the name Oreo!
I wouldn’t know what to do without our dog; he was our first “baby” 8 years ago. He would do anything for anyone in our family, he thinks he’s a kid with fur and loves to be in the middle of everything. Wse love him dearly.
Dogs are wonderful~ enjoy yours and enjoy watching your children fall in love!
Happy New Year!
So cute! But I have to ask, did you join Pinterst too?
Congratulations! Oreo is so adorable. The unconditional love that your dog gives to you is priceless. Loved the video, thank you for sharing. Pinterest is great too by the way. It’s just a place to keep a visual bookmark of your favorites. You can invest a little bit of time up front, but after that, it’s just a matter of bookmarking interesting bits from the internet as you go. It’s one of those things that you can decide how much time you can invest. I love it for recipes. I have a couple of yours bookmarked….or “pinned”. Happy New Year!
Congratulations to all of you and welcome to the Higgins Family, Oreo!
What a wonderful video! I know you were on the fence about getting a dog for a very long time and I hope you’re happy you have changed your mind. 
Not many people are familiar with the Havanese breed, and I commend you on your choice of a Havanese puppy for your family. We have a 4-year-old Havanese, Toby, and he is an important part of our family. Because we were trying to start a family when we decided to get a dog, it was important for us to choose a breed of which we knew the temperament and we wanted to raise him/her from the puppy stage to ensure training that worked for us. My husband and I researched dog breeds for a long time before deciding on adopting a Havanese puppy from a breeder. Not every dog is suitable for a family with children, but Havaneses are known as family dogs for a number of reasons. We picked Toby because the breed is intelligent (easy to train), loving (without being clingy), happy, great with kids, non-shedding (and great for those with allergies), good with other dogs (large and small, old and young) and small (we travel with Toby in the car and on the plane). We have never regretted our decision.
Two days after we brought Toby home we found out we were pregnant with our first child!
Now we have two girls (three-year-old and a five-month-old) and Toby has been absolutely wonderful with both of them from day one. He is truly a member of our family. 
I hope Oreo brings as much joy to your family as our Havanese has brought to us.
Congrats again!
Oh, Becky, good for you! You’ll never regret it! Oreo will become such a special part of your family and having him will be such a great experience for your kids in so many ways! I can’t imagine our family without our dog ~ I love him dearly! ~ and I wish those same strong bonds for you and your family! Dogs are so wonderfully full of unconditional love! Enjoy!!
Congratulations on your new addition!!! I am definitely a dog person and I can tell you that it has been such a joy to watch all of our kids (3 ages 5 and under and one more on the way) grow up with a dog. It’s a great way to teach them another way to show love and respect and gentleness and kindness and how to care for and love all of God’s wonderful creation. One of my favorite poems ever is by Edgar Guest called “A Boy and His Dog” and on of the lines says “A boy and his dog make a marvelous pair, no better friendship is found anywhere” but from the looks of your sweet girl sleeping with Oreo you’ll need to change that line to “a girl and her dog”
I was the same with our dog growing up when I was little. Congrats! Enjoy this new adventure!!!
Hi Becky! I’m crying because A) we had a cat called Oreo who has disappeared just recently and B) I am just like you and have not wanted a dog, my husband lost his Dad in August this year and a week before Christmas came home with a Blue Cattle dog pup (he has always had working dogs until we had a family) I was so angry in the beginning because I am just exhausted at the moment with so much that is happening in our life……..but I can see already the healing that is taking place within my husband, he seems so much more at peace since ‘Patch’ came into his life and so, like you, I am willing to make this journey! I look forward to reading about your experiences with Oreo in future posts. Best wishes for the New Year x
This was the cutest video and a wonderfully creative way to share and save your family’s want and joy. But, the thing that I most respect about the process is that you gave in to something that your kids obviously really wanted. Not a want in a “I’m going to throw a fit” kind of way, but a true heart’s desire. As a parent, sometimes it is easy to draw a line in the sand over a certain something and it is not always easy to step back and realize that maybe that line doesn’t have to be so strong. Welcome to your new family member!
Your video gave me goose-bumps; touching! Just over two years ago, we adopted a pitbull/mix puppy from a rescue shelter. (My husband’s idea.) Our infant son started crawling on a Saturday and we got the puppy 2 days later. My husband works A LOT (42-60 hours/wk) of hours and I knew that since I am the SAHM that I would be the one spending the most time with the puppy so, I was VERY hesitant. My JOB is to raise our kids to the best of my ability and having a puppy was interfering with that role. I broke my husband’s heart when I suggested that we take the puppy back to the shelter less than a month later. I had never owned a dog before and the only ones I had ever been exposed to were already trained and well-behaved. Plus, getting a puppy in the winter in the midwest was hard for potty training. Now that we’ve got 2 kids, I’ve agreed that we can get a dog once our kids are older and when we have a house large enough to accommodate for it. Someday, I’m sure our little boys will BEG for a puppy and I will have a hard time turning down their request. AWESOME FOR YOU GUYS! Congratulations!!!
Brought tears to my eyes. We have 4 dogs, 2 Bassett Hounds (11 and 9 years old) and 2 Chihuahuas (10 and 4 years old) and they are each in their own way a blessing to our family. Work – yes but they make up for it with the love and joy they bring to our lives.
Congrats on your new family member. XO
how cute is your new dog! Just wait –my husband says I can wallpaper the house with all the photos of our dog.
Two words….SPOT BOT. puppies puddle persistently……
You made me cry. In a good way.
I am so pleased for you, for Claire, and for the fun times ahead. You’re braver than me – still no dog here despite many years of pestering and pleading, though for a moment during your video I thought I might crack!
Hi Becky! I loved the OREO video– thanks for sharing.. You gained a wonderful added BLESSING in hving Oreo in your family.. and.. hey.. a very very cute Picture / Scrapping subject! HA HA HA..
Loved the video…brought tears to my eye! I have enjoyed reading the other comments. We too have had thought of adding a dog to our home…not quite sure I want to do that though. Our son has been talking about it quite a bit lately. Wanting a golden retriever…
Gorgeous! And you wait, we got my eldest son, for his 10th birthday at the beginning of last year, a black & white Cavoodle and named him Rocky. However you wait and see, it will happen to you too, as much as the children will love and adore him, somehow you will find, that since you spend the most time caring for him while he is young, and training him, the next thing you know, you have fallen in love with said puppy, and he has fallen in love with you, and before you know it, you will not know what you would do if you didn’t have him bundled up beside you on the couch at night and following you around the house during the day!! You just can’t help yourself!
)
Hi Becky
This is so gorgeous. Like most others the tears welled up too. LOVED that Claire stayed with him. Hubby asked me if I knew the music you used at the start of your Christmas miracle movie but I don’t. If you read this we would lovet o know what it is. Thanks so very much for sharing a wonderful family memory.
Take care Karen
Congrats Becky and your family! Tears of joy for your daughter! My daughter is 7.5, wrote a letter to Santa wanting a dog for at least the last 2 years and this year had her friend request a dog for her from Santa as well. She would totally sleep next to the dog the first night too! I just can’t do it yet but am starting to warm up to the idea. What a wonderful gift!
AAAACCCKKK!!! He’s sooooo Cute!!!
I’m sitting here with tears in my eyes…so excited for you and your family!
Having dogs is like having kids….they end up occupying a part of your heart you never knew existed before they were in your life.
We are traveling in the morning and mine are at the boarding kennel and I miss them like I miss my child when we are apart.
Be firm and consistent and patient. All they need is love.
I was also NOT ready, that was 12 yrs ago and 2 fur-daughters later. During the lean years and being much younger ,I was working 3 part time jobs and going to school. Raising my daughter after a divorce was all consuming.
All she ever wanted was a dog. There were 100 reasons why this could not & would not happen. So, in the meantime we had every small pet you could imagine, hamsters, guinea pigs, a bird, 2 cats, a cockatiel and even an iguana. NOT all at once, good Lord ! They were fine and we grew to love them in our own way.
But they were not a dog.
Fast forward to May 1999 , my daugher is now a teen and she and her girlfriend rescue a box of abandoned puppies , left in the cemetary during a blinding downpour. Well, thank the lord they were all adopted and she convinced me to keep the runt. We named her Daisy.
I love this dog more than my heart can hold some days and am dreading the day when she is no longer my shadow. My daughter also rescued another itty bitty black puppy, in the spring of 2002 and I fought tooth and nail not to keep her or love her.
Her name is Marli, and she is now 87 lbs of big and dumb love. My daughter is now on her own, living in her own adult? apartment but her “but Mom their FREE” dogs are going no where. They are my constant shadows and I cant remember what life was like before they came into our home. These dogs have added so much to our lives and I really have become a dog lover in every sense of the word.
However, I have determined NOT to get another dog when they are gone, only because I love them so much my heart will be broken in pieces when they have to go to heaven.
I had tears in my eyes watching your children, you have given them the best gift of all. The ability to love beyond measure. And the mess, the muddy paw prints on the kitchen floor, the hair, the expense, the yard duty and the midnight potty run in a snowstorm is ALL worth it when they love you as only a dog can.
I became a better person in May of 1999
This is absolutely precious!!!
You saved the best video for last!!! So adorable; this will definitely be a Christmas your children will remember for the rest of their lives. This video brought me to tears, so sweet. You are ready; you already know what a huge time commitment this will be — so true, but so worth it! What you may not be prepared for is all the unconditional love you will be the recipient of and all the joy and laughter this puppy will bring. Yes, you will be the main care giver, but your children are at a great age to take on some “doggie responsibilities”. Welcome to pet ownership!
Awesome video! It brought tears to my eyes! What a creative way to inform your kids of their “gift”! We do not have a dog yet, I say yet, because I know that the day is coming that I can no longer say no. My husband and boys (ages 6 & 4) have been asking for over a year now and all I keep saying is no and thinking of every excuse I can come up with. But, I know that one day I will give in and get a dog.
Hope you and your family had a Merry Christmas, it sure looks like it from the video. (I would love to have that many family members in my house and to stay for an extended period of time!)
Give in. Maybe find an older dog so you don’t have to train him/her. But GIVE IN.
This video made me cry – because *I* never gave in. My middle child put “girl dog” as #1 on his list every single year until he was 16. Not getting a dog is the single largest mistake I think I’ve made in raising my children.
Becky – so happy for your family! Oreo is so cute and will bless your family in so many ways. We have a Golden Retriever who is such a wonderful loving pet. Have fun with all the great adventures to come!!!
Oh Becky, you have brought tears to my eyes, you wont be sorry, Oreo will bring so much joy to your family, animals have so much love to give , even when they are chewing up your shoes , cushions, l can see Claire has a natural talent for caring for pets and lm sure she will help train him , he will just be like another child to your family and Oreo looks so CUTE, lm sure he will make it into many Project life pages……..kate
The best video for last!! love your kids pure joy, surprise, excitement!! The cutest movie! Enjoy 2012 with Oreo and your kids learning unconditional love to the fullest!
Oreo!!! LOL. Love it. What a cute puppy. We have two dogs. Yes, very much hard work, especially when they are puppies, but as you have discovered, so worth it. And what a lovely video. Have loved all 12 and this is one of my favourites. TFS. Jude.x
OMG…for some reason this video made me cry *g* It’s so cute…and I love the name!
We have a Havanese & he is the best dog EVER! Our 4 kids and my husband and I are all so very much in love with him we can hardly stand it. We got him as a puppy & it did take almost a full year before he didn’t have any more accidents, although he did poop in Home Depot yesterday:). We all went to puppy classes with him & I highly recommend that. We also have to have him groomed every 3-6 months or they get too matted. I often trim his face myself in between groomings. He goes to work with my husband every day that he’s in town & all of his 50 employees love him as well. My husband’s HR person’s mom gave her a dog frame so she can keep a picture of our dog, Ollie on her desk at work. We love that they don’t shed or yap & are hypoallergenic. Ollie is 3.5 years old & we hope he lives to a ripe old age!
Oh my goodness Becky, this literally brought tears to my eyes. Oreo will surely be a blessing to the Higgins family. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you all!
I already left a comment earlier and was so excited and surprised that I forgot to mention a couple things.
The best thing you can do is puppy class, it’s good for the whole family. We took private lessons so we’d get more one/one with the teacher. Every time she taught us something each of our kids did the lesson with him, that way they’d each learn and if they needed extra help she could help them more. It also taught our kids the right way to play with our dog and helped show Lucky that even though the kids are small he has to listen to them. We learned a great deal and some things I’d never would have thought of. This will be great for little Crew too so it helps him learn how not to be afraid of Oreo and teaches Oreo to be calm around Crew.
Another tip is that all of you have to do the same motions for what command you need. Kinda like having the same rules for the kids. Do it all the same or the dog gets confused and may not listen to commands.
Our dog gets sad after the kids go to school on Monday and when they all go to sleepovers, so be prepared after xmas break and Oreo might be sad when yours go back to school. Even after a year Lucky still gets sad at these times. I give him extra attention on Mondays’ and longer walks.
Hope this helps a little and just have fun with him and enjoy every minute.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…a little good cry this morning is A good thing!!! Absolutely precious!!! Those puppies have me at hello. The shedding, the potty training is not so fun. BUT the love and joy this puppy will bring to you and your children AND yes DAD too is priceless. Enjoy your new little bundle of joy. We have TWO now:)
Good for you!!!!!! Puppies are a pain but so. much. FUN!!!! Claire saying it was the best day ever was priceless-so glad you jumped off your comfort zone and got a dog.
So sweet. Definitely brought tears to my eyes! There is nothing more sweet than seeing excitement through a child’s eyes. Your Oreo looks like our Zoey and my 21 month old daughter was yelling mommy Zoey the whole time we watched! Us mamas we always cave at some poInt don’t we? Looks like ya’ll had a blessed Christmas:)
okay… so Oreo is DARLING!!!! you are such a softie!!!! lol…. just goes to show the things we do to sacrifice our comfort for our children’s delight. Great video….these have been a hightlight of our holiday season!
You won’t regret bringing Oreo into your family. Like children, animals are a gift from God.
You won’t be able to imagine life without him.
Becky that is awesome! This video brought a tear to my eye, what wonderful memories! I had to laugh at the name Oreo because recently we have been discussing names of a future pet and I have been trying to convince everyone that Oreo would be great for a Boston Terrier!
Thanks for sharing!
I’m one of the criers! This video is so precious. I can’t even put into words what having dogs in our family has meant to me throughout my whole life. My first memory is of playing with our family dog. The dogs we have now are 2 of my best friends. For all the challenges they bring to our lives, pets are so worth the effort!
Welcome home, Oreo!
I have been an avid “dog avoider” also. But this summer we adopted a rescue dog. We have never regretted it ever. And if you told me that one year ago I would have scoffed. We love our dog and can’t imagine our life without him. Congrats!
Okay, that totally brought tears to my eyes. I felt the excitement and the joy that Oreo has already brought to your family. We bought our oldest son a puppy for Christmas three years ago and he is still my son’s favorite present ever… even more so than the electronic gifts he loves so much. Sweet little Oreo will have so much fun with your family. The fun times will definitely outweigh the trying times… I promise you. The unconditional love from a dog is indescribable. Congrats on the newest addition to the Higgins family!!!
That was awesome!! There is something in the love you get from a dog that cannot be duplicated. You will not regret your decision Becky!
I cried too. That was so much fun to watch! Oreo looks so much like our very first dog, Boo. You’ll never regret this decision!
Oh Becky! You will love him and he will love you!! I begged my husband for a dog. Since he worked from home at the time, guess who she bonded with? He spent many hours working at the computer with Valentina snuggled up on his lap or near by…
COngratulations on the newest member of your family. I am sure you are already amazed at how much that little ball of fur can dig into your heart. Have fun documenting how Oreo melts your heart over the next year. You will be shocked how many PL pictures she is in!
Congratulations on your new pet! What a touching video!!!
Well, you have done it again. Your family is so creative and what a precious way to tell the kids about their
Christmas “gift” The look on their little faces and I must say even Mom and Dad’s faces is precious too. Oreo is the cutest little bundle and he will steal your heart for sure. Pets give complete unconditional love to you and they just want to be fed, walked, petted etc…I am sure the list is really longer than that!! LOL Congratulations on your precious new family member. God Bless and Happy New Year to you all.
You SO did the right thing! And what a clever way of telling the kids. Oreo is precious and watching Claire with him brought tears to my eyes too.
What an adorable video. We are a “dog family” and 2 of our furry kids are Havanese. We love them like crazy. Wishing your family a puppy-kisses filled 2012! Thanks for sharing.
So happy for you guys! What a lucky pup!
I can’t get this video to play. I’ve tried all morning. Any suggestions? I have an imac, tried from my iphone. It’s just black. Ugh!
What a fabulous video and my favorite thus far. Claire is so adroable laying with the dog. Our daughter (8) is also very much like Claire and so in love with our pekingese. There will be moments that you think, “Why did we do this?” Mostly though you and your family will have a lot of joyous moments with your new furry companion. Congrats!
So happy for your family. We decided to get a dog this year too, after waiting 3-4 years. We have not regretted that decision one second! They bring so much to your life. We’ve read lots of books – Cesar Milan is the best. Watch his program The Dog Whisperer. You can learn so much and avoid so many problems just by doing simple things. Wishing you and your family a wonderful 2012. Oreo is a very lucky dog. P.S. Thank you for bringing Project Life to our lives!
I’m an animal lover…guess that’s why this video brought tears to my eyes! Oreo is adorable & so is your family
Enjoy the newest member of the family!!!
Congratulations on your new addition!!! Oreo will bring much joy into your home.
PS To potty train, tie a bell to the door knob (we used a Christmas ornament). Low enough Oreo can reach it and hopefully he/she will eventually learn to let you know when it’s time to go out.
We just trained our puppy this way. Every time you take him out, you touch his paw to the bell and our puppy was ringing the bell within the week to go out.
That seriously brought tears to my eyes. I’ve been firm about not wanting a pet since I for the same reasons don’t want the added responsibility. You’ve got me reconsidering that thought once my kids start begging for one when they are a little older. Such a sweet moment! Thanks for sharing with us.
This made me cry! I became a dog mom 3 years ago (against my wishes, too). Now Bon Jovi (yes, that’s really his name) and I are best buds. Yes, he does take up most of my time. Yes, he’s made some big messes. But, oh how I love, love, love that dog. He’s my best buddy for sure! He’s a Chinese Crested Powder-Puff. But we want our next dog to be a Havanese. It will be fun to watch Oreo grow and see if a Havanese is the best choice for dog #2. Love the name by the way.
Oh, how sweet!! I’ve got tears watching it!! What a lovely Christmas surprise. Thanks for sharing it!
xoxo, Christine
Such a sweet video! Thank you for sharing it, and thank you for giving your children the BEST present ever!! Every child should have the experience of loving and being loved by a puppy– there’s nothing like it… They’ll be friends forever– and Oreo is a lucky boy to have found your family…
Merry Christmas and the BEST in 2012!
I have never commented on your blog but your post and video about Oreo was amazing!!! Congrats on being mom to a fur baby. Your lives will be so enriched and never be the same. Please check out this video and have a tissue handy.
http://godanddog.org/
Happy New Year!!!!
Sooooo cute! Love how you did it- so creativeI was also reluctant to get a dog- we got a baby golden a year ago- I’m still a bit not ready, he gets into everything and now is just a 130 pound “puppy!” Your dog looks a lot more manageable than ours, smaller is better I’ve decided! Congratulations!!
Amazing beautiful video. We are dog lovers and they truely bring joy to your life….you will make it through the puppy stage!
Okay no fair I am crying SO HARD right now! Seeing your Precious baby girl sleeping in there with Oreo and dating “this is the Perfect day!” Oreo is going to being SO MUCH HAPPINESS to your sweet family!!! Congratulations!!!!!
That was awesome Becky. You will love having a dog for your family.
Sorry to hear about all the sad events you have been experiencing. My prayers are going out to you and your friends.
Have a happy, healthy new year.
Hugs,
Leslie
Yea for all of you!! Pets are such a wonderful thing and they are absolutely wonderful for kids (and their parents). Enjoy!
Prayers for you and your friends — life is so precious and fragile. Good message — thanks for the reminder.
That was adorable…brought tears to my eyes!
But I’m where you were last month. SO not ready for a dog and SO NOT READY to welcome Pinterest into my life.
Our personalities are so similar, it makes me laugh. My friends beg me to do Pinterest b/c they want to stalk my ideas. I just don’t have it in me to waste any more time on the computer than I already do!!!
Merry Christmas!
***LOVE!!!***
Wow! yes the tissues were out here too, well done and yes her smile said it all! Thanks for sharing.
I watched the video with my Bichon, Sassy on my lap. Her favorite place to be. (I’m typing one-handed) Oreo is adorable! A lot of work? Yes. But so worth it. I had a peke-a-poo growing up and even 30 years after she was gone my whole family could get teary talking about her. They are family. I know Oreo is already a part of yours. Thanks for sharing.
Congratulations on your new puppy, he is so adorable. Yes, puppies are a lot of work but as everyone tells me it is worth it – I am hoping that everyone is right because would you believe that I went through the same thing myself! My 10 year old son has been asking for a dog for 5 years and like you I was putting it off and I finally gave in. We got our beautiful little black spoodle Monty two days before christmas and we are smitten. I love the video – it bought tears to my eyes as I remembered our wonderful first few moments with our little Monty. Have fun with your new puppy.
That is adorable – and SO funny because I was in exactly the same place as you. And on 28th Dec we adopted a Bolognese (relation to a Havanese)….. My DS has never ever been so excited and Christmas was totally overshadowed by the wait to get him – he’s only been here 3 days but we are all completely smitten. Oreo is gorgeous.
Here’s the thing. You know when you’re thinking about having a baby and you can’t afford it and you’re sure you don’t have time? Then, you’re pregnant and you’re actually SCARED about how this baby, whether first or second or fifth, will fit into your life? Then the baby arrives and, well, of COURSE the child fits into your life and within days you can’t imagine or even remember life without him?
Babies are, of course, a zillion times more important than dogs. But…it’s essentially the same feeling. You sigh when he chews the corner of your couch a bit. You want to pull your hair out with all the housebreaking. You cringe inside when he wakes you up a half hour earlier than you want to get up. But it doesn’t take long until you can’t imagine your life without him. Family is family. Glad to see Oreo will have such a bundle of love from your children. What a wonderful video.
I couldn’t have said it better myself. <3
My family is going to thank you for this perspective….
)
You will LOVE OREO. We have one of Oreo’s half sisters from the last litter. I was NOT a dog person either but can’t imagine life without Zoe. Ours is black with white. She is the best dog ever. So loyal and good. Congratulations. Hope Suzanne has another Puppy Reunion so they can all meet.
That totally made me cry! so cute!!
Oh, Becky! That was just the sweetest thing!
Thanks for sharing a glimpse of your families joy!
Becky, thanks for sharing such a precious family moment. Oreo I’m sure has already wiggled into your heart. As time passes there will be moments you will ask yourself why did we do this but there will be more times that you will say that you are so glad you did it.
Oh my gracious gravy…Claire asleep with Oreo?! Too precious for words!!!!!!!!! It made me cry!!
You will never regret your choice to add a dog to the family. They bring so much joy and laughter to our lives. And yes, chaos and frustration. But the unconditional love they give will outweigh all that. Congratulations on your new addition!! He’s adorable! And I just loved the video. Made me smile and tear up
For 34 years I never had a pet, nor did I ever want one. After getting married and inheriting two stepkids, I was asked about getting a dog every day. No thank you. I would be the one taking care of it since I am home, and there is already too much to do. But one day we went and looked and puppies, and there I saw the cutest little dog. Somehow he came home with us and although it was a challenge for awhile, I can’t imagine life without him. He is a year old now and people tell me he is so cute he should have his own Facebook page. I never knew I could love something so much. I hope Oreo brings lots of love, laughter and joy to your home. Happy New Year!
Thank you for this. It brought tears to my eyes. And I HAVE a dog and two kids who love him.
Sincerely,
Beth
Soooo, have you joined Pinterest yet?
That was so precious! I loved the whole thing! He’ll grow on you, little dogs are wonderful!
I’m all choked up and my eyes are leaking!! lol What a wonderful video & what a gorgeous puppy Oreo is! I love his name! Looks like he’s going to be getting lots of love from his beautiful new family.
Finally just got around to watching this……Tissues please. I’ve got a feeling that you’re the one who will be totally hooked with Oreo along side Claire. Grab a pillow cause I’m sure you’ll both be pitching in with him for the night.
Becky – I GET IT. I have had the same response to my family in regards to a dog. And I have stood strong on this theory…til about 3 minutes ago. It isnt all about me….and that is the MOST important thing to remember in this decision. And Rebecca’s post hit it right on the head. Geesh….guess what I might be doing this spring…..but it will give me plenty for my PL 2012 project I am guessing! Thanks for sharing!
[...] What kind of dog is Oreo? [...]
Dear Becky,
I don’t know if you’ll even get this email, I’m very late in posting this, but I just had to write you. Your video literally brought me to tears. My very first dog was named Oreo and he strongly resembles your own little dog. My Oreo was a mutt (part poodle, part daschaund). I was about 10 years old when my parents finally said ‘yes’ to a dog. He was my best friend. Fast forward many years…..I’m now 45, but the love I had for Oreo still lives in my heart. I’ve had several dogs since then, all of them very special in their own way, but none more special than my first pup, Oreo. I know how much work a dog can be, but please know you have given your children an amazing gift!
God bless,
Renée
I randomly came upon your blog post because a friend of mine said you’d used Shelf Reliance for your food storage so I was looking for a picture, then I came to this post, I can’t believe how darling your video is!!
UGHH!!! I’m in the SAME situation. I’m sure like many others who’ve posted before me. Now that you’re almost 4 weeks into it how are you doing? I have 4 daughters #3, who’s 7, is my version of Claire. I worry about what happens after the fun wears off. I hear about other people’s pets who get sick (and what’s involved in the clean up of that) and bladder infections that apparently some breeds are susceptible to. I’ve told my family when the whole house is made up of wood floors and I can prevent the dog from going upstairs it will be more of a consideration. Even then, I worry about the furniture getting chewed on.
I hope things are still going well for you and your family.
[...] presentations, random tips, etc.). You can also see a review of all 12 videos from last year in THIS post, which by the way – that Christmas Miracle home video still makes me get weepy, darn [...]