The clueless housewife tackles (fur)mom life

Being a new wife is great and all, but there just comes a time when that “newlywed bliss” fades and life with your spouse can get a bit repetitive. I mean there’s only so many times you can accidentally nearly kill your husband by just carrying out everyday chores. Enter our handsome, smart, rambunctious 1-year-old Pitbull, who sure keeps us on our toes.

I’ve been surrounded by dogs all my life, but I never really had one that I solely had to care for until my sweet boy, Tiago, came along. We got Tiago about two years into our marriage and let me tell you, one year in and I never knew I could love a dog so much (and be so irritated at one that I want to pull all my hair out sometimes).

The fur mom journey, for me, has been a rollercoaster so far. From the pee/ poo-stained floors from the frustrating potty-training phase, to the razor-sharp puppy teeth digging into your skin every few minutes, to the insane adolescent zoomies where I’m knocked over by a 60-lb behemoth running 30 mph, and the mostly unheeded “no’s,” “stop’s,” and “bad’s” as he tests your limits when he tears your house to shreds. All that yet I wouldn’t change a thing. Caring for Tiago has been one of the most stressful yet fulfilling experiences I’ve ever had.

For starters, over the past year, I can’t even tell you how much money we’ve put into trying to curb his allergy episodes. Like most Pitbulls living on tropical islands, Tiago has battled severe allergies to heat, grass, certain proteins, and even detergents.

Over the years, we’ve had to switch his food about three times before settling on making homecooked meals mixed with a bit of high-quality dog food just so he doesn’t bust out in hives.

Meanwhile, we’ve had to change our laundry detergents about twice so he wouldn’t itch too much.

Like that wasn’t enough, we’ve had to invest so much money on medicated shampoos, hypoallergenic baby wipes, and a whole skin care routine for this dog just so he doesn’t obsessively lick his fur off from his dry skin. I don’t even have the money and time to invest in a skin care routine for myself and this dog has one?!

Did I mention this dog must be under the air conditioner, nothing colder or warmer than 23 degrees Celsius, all day or he experiences inflamed skin? Yeah, it’s wild.

Like his allergies weren’t enough, Tiago has tested my patience so much throughout the year that I’m almost sure I’ve lost a patch of hair on the top of my head due to the stress.

He absolutely will not eat his food unless it is prepared a certain way and, if that weren’t enough, a person has to watch him eat until he finishes or he won’t eat for the rest of the day. This is especially bad for him as he suffers from hyperacidity and has to have food in his belly at all times.

In addition, sharing pillows with him is non-negotiable. If you’re on the pillow he has deemed his for the night, best believe he will bother you to no end because if he can’t sleep comfortably, neither can you.

Did I tell you that he is incredibly smart and determined that, once he has set his sights on something, he will not stop until he’s gotten it? Yes, that’s exactly why we’ve had to replace our TV remotes and Play Station controllers more than once.

However, despite Tiago’s antics, he’s an amazing dog.

He’s sweet, silly, friendly, and loyal to a fault.

Aside from being the absolute best cuddler, Tiago literally makes all of us laugh daily like when he joins in on TikTok videos and comes running when he hears a Chip bag crinkle. He’s just a joy when he wants to be.

As much as Tiago has made me rethink my life choices a few times, he definitely keeps life exciting for me and my husband and I look forward to a long journey ahead with my soul mate and soul dog.