Whole Lotta Rosie

Since September 2024, my world has been filled with joy, thanks to a sweet little bundle of love -- meet Rosie! 🐾💕

Rosie and I hiking

Our German Shepherd, Jasmine, recently celebrated her 13th birthday. 🎉 Barry and I have been talking about adding another dog for a while, but we didn’t want it to feel like a replacement for Jasmine after she passes. We wanted a dog that would be a part of our family while Jasmine is still with us, and we even read that having a puppy around can sometimes help extend the life of a senior dog. 🐾

Enjoying the sun, sitting on our front porch

When Jasmine's mobility started to decline, we decided it was time to get serious about a second dog. We spent a lot of time discussing what breed of dog would fit into our family -- considering size, personality, activity levels, maintenance, and potential health risks. 📝 After much thought, we narrowed it down to either a Chow Chow or a Rottweiler.

Loving life at the dog park

When we finally gave the green light to either a Chow Chow or a Rottweiler, I made a prayerful request -- that the Lord would lead us to the dog meant to be with us. 🙏 I didn’t want to force anything; I wanted it to feel like it was part of His plan. I prayed that He would bring us the right dog at the right time, trusting that the perfect match would happen. Just two days later, Rosie came into our lives! ✨

Rosie and her Dad at Sandy Creek Nature Center

From the moment we brought her home, training her has been my top priority. I’ve read countless articles, watched tons of videos, and researched everything I could about dog training, puppy development, tricks, Rottweilers, socialization, and more. 📚 In contrast, I didn’t train Jasmine properly because I was just 19 years old when I got her, and I didn’t know any better. As a result, Jasmine grew up to be reactive and aggressive, and I am determined not to repeat that mistake with Rosie. 💪

Yes, she is named after "Whole Lotta Rosie" by AC/DC

In the process of training Rosie, I’ve learned so much about myself. I’ve become more decisive, direct, and confident. 🏆 I’ve become better at setting boundaries with others, being social, and even making eye contact. I had no idea how much I’d grow alongside Rosie, and it’s been such a pleasant surprise. 😊

Rosie getting a back rub from her Dad

Rosie is growing into a well-adjusted angel. 😇 We take her to parks, hiking trails, and neighborhood walks regularly. 🏞️ She’s a total sweetie who will definitely steal your heart with her love and affection.🥰 At the same time, she has strong protective instincts and looks out for us when something seems off. 💪 Now, at 7 months old, there’s still plenty of training and growth to come, but I’m so happy with the progress we’ve made so far.

Rosie and Pluto

Rosie isn’t just a dog -- she’s a vessel of love, and she’s already making our lives better in ways we never expected. ❤️🐾

Zoomies in the living room