Tomorrow I Become a Pet Owner – and I’m a Little Scared

Tomorrow marks the beginning of a whole new chapter in my life.

Tomorrow, I will bring home Nero, a tiny 7-week-old dachshund puppy. Honestly, I don’t think Nero has any clue yet about how much he is about to change my entire world — my days, my nights, my routines, and even my heart.

I am incredibly excited — the kind of excitement you’d feel as a child on Christmas morning, waiting to unwrap that one perfect gift. But at the same time, I am scared. Not the fun, adventurous kind of scared, but the real, honest fear that creeps in when you’re about to take on something completely new and unknown.

You see, I have never had a dog of my own before. Not a single one. And now, I’m about to become a dog parent. The responsibility feels huge. I’ve gone full-on “puppy prep mode” — I’ve bought all the things he could possibly need: puppy food, chew toys, a leash, a water bowl, treats, a cozy bed — you name it. If there were a holiday just for puppies, Nero would be the first to get spoiled rotten.

Still, there’s this question that won’t leave my mind:

What if I mess this up?

A Tiny Life Moving In

Since I found out I was getting Nero, my apartment has slowly transformed. What used to be a peaceful and orderly space is now a puppy-proofed chaos zone. Every sharp corner is covered with soft padding, wires are tucked away, and all shoes have mysteriously vanished from sight. It’s almost like the apartment itself is bracing for the arrival of this little whirlwind.

His little bed is already in place, soft and fluffy — no doubt it will be torn apart or chewed up within the first ten minutes. His toys are carefully arranged, from squeaky ones to tug-of-war ropes. And me? I’m sitting here at 1 a.m., scrolling through what must be the 17th version of “How to potty train your puppy.” The reality of it all is sinking in — this is really happening.

Let’s Talk About the Fear

Everyone seems to talk about the joy and happiness that comes with bringing a puppy home. But not nearly enough people talk about the fear — the deep, underlying fear that you’re going to make mistakes.

The fear that you might not notice when something is wrong, or that you might not teach your puppy the right things. The fear that Nero might be scared of me, or worse, that he might start ignoring me altogether. These fears aren’t just irrational worries; they come from a place of genuine care and the desire to do this perfectly. And honestly, I think that’s okay.

This fear doesn’t mean I’m not ready. It means I care deeply — and that I’m aware of the responsibility I’m taking on.

Learning Together

One thing I am absolutely sure of: Nero is going to teach me a lot. Not just about responsibility and patience, but also about joy — the kind of joy that can be found in the smallest moments, like when he discovers a new toy, when he rolls over for a belly rub, or when he finally manages to pee on the puppy pad instead of the carpet.

He is just a baby. And I am just starting out as a dog mom. Together, we’re going to learn. We’ll make mistakes, we’ll laugh, and we’ll grow.

I Need Your Tips!

If you’ve ever had a puppy, or if you have one now, please share your wisdom with me in the comments! I want to hear:

What was the best advice you ever received when you brought your first puppy home?

What do you wish someone had told you sooner?

What little tricks actually worked for you and your puppy?

I need all the help I can get — and I say that in the most grateful, not desperate way possible. Any advice is welcome, whether it’s about training, toys, feeding, or simply surviving those sleepless nights.

This Is Just the Beginning

This post is the first in a series I plan to write here on Vocal. Think of it as a personal puppy journal that I’m excited to share with all of you.

I’ll be posting updates a few times a week — sharing Nero’s milestones, training fails (and believe me, there will be plenty of those), silly moments, and the inevitable growing pains.

My hope is that you’ll follow along, not just to see how Nero grows, but to smile at the chaos, and maybe even learn something from our journey.

Because let’s be honest — at some point, he’s going to chew up my favorite shoes. And when that happens, well… that’s definitely going to be a story worth telling.

By this time tomorrow, Nero will be here. A tiny, warm, wiggly, snuggly — and completely unpredictable — little life.

And honestly? I can’t wait.