It’s been just over a month since we brought home our Golden Retriever puppy, Grace, and life has changed in ways I didn’t expect. She’s now potty trained, walking longer on the leash, but also testing boundaries—biting more, jumping on counters, and keeping us busy. Raising a puppy has its challenges, but Grace has brought joy, laughter, and something even more meaningful: connection.
Before Grace, I often struggled to feel connected. I don’t have children, which can make it hard to relate to other women in our neighborhood or social circles. When my brother moved here long after me, he met people almost instantly because of his kids. There’s a built-in way to connect when you have children, and without that, I sometimes felt on the outside.
The dog community works in much the same way. Long before Grace, I knew the dogs in my neighborhood—sometimes better than I knew their owners. Walking past people with dogs, I saw how naturally it invited conversation and connection. Dogs create a community, and I understood that even before I had one of my own.
Now, with Grace, I get to experience it firsthand. She’s helped me meet new neighbors, engage with familiar ones, and even introduced me to people I wouldn’t have approached before—like the couple with two full-grown Golden Retrievers. I stopped to introduce myself on a walk without Grace, something I never would have done before. Interestingly, our breeder told us Grace would need to build confidence—but she has given me confidence instead.
Owning Grace has reminded me how social connection contributes to health. Studies show that meaningful interactions—whether with family, friends, neighbors, or through pets—can reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance overall well-being. Being part of a community, even through something as simple as dog walking, has a real impact on mental and physical health.
As Thanksgiving approaches, I’m especially grateful for Grace—for the laughter, the confidence, and the sense of community she’s brought into my life. This season, she’s a reminder that connection is not just enjoyable, it’s essential to our health and happiness.
