I'll be completely honest, getting a puppy is definitely a result of my desire to have children, which can't be fulfilled yet for practical reasons. My loyal Instagram followers already know that I've won the debate about whether to get a puppy, and my sweetest fur baby (Boukje) has been with us since April.

But back to that moment... I suggested getting a puppy together, but that's obviously a big responsibility. If you both work 40 hours a week, how do you handle that? Everyone who enthusiastically tells you about getting a puppy—which makes you completely happy—has something to say about it. Ultimately, it's your decision whether you can handle that responsibility. My boyfriend and I discussed this at length, looked at what it would take to do it right, and decided we could do it together.

To prepare ourselves properly, we made a list of everything we needed: a leash, collar, crate, toys, food and water bowls, etc. We also read the book "Through the Eyes of the Dog"—on the breeder's recommendation—which provided great insight into how dogs think and communicate with each other. It also revealed common mistakes and how to address them effectively. Of course, we also attended puppy classes, and I can now say that they went very well. I was thrilled and overjoyed when we finally picked her up, and to this day, I can say I love her dearly. She learns quickly and listens well. We felt this was crucial because it meant we could take her everywhere, as everyone finds her so sweet. And she truly is!