Our dog, Porthos, who we had since we got married died at the start of this year. My wife and I decided when the time was right we would get another dog, as our lives seemed that little bit emptier without a fur baby. On paper, it sounded like a sensible life decision. Work full time as a solicitor, juggle deadlines, remember to eat lunch occasionally… and throw a puppy into the mix. I mean, I work from home two days a week—how hard could it be? (Answer: harder than finding a free parking space outside court.)
The Highs
- Zoom clients: Forget virtual backgrounds. Nothing impresses clients like a Dalmatian pup crashing your Zoom/Teams call, chewing your bundle of deeds, and sealing them with dirty paw prints and looking smug about it.
- Mandatory breaks: Puppies don’t care about exchange deadlines, deadlines, meeting times or anything else work related —they want walkies. Suddenly, I’m the weird solicitor power-walking round the block in my suit trousers and trainers, clutching a lead like it’s an exhibit.
- Comic timing: Drafting a will is dull until you hear the unmistakable rip of toilet paper echoing through the house. Nothing quite focuses the mind like sprinting mid-clause.
- Unlimited affection: Some days, the only person happy to see me is the dog. And let’s be honest—she gives better feedback than most clients.
The Lows
- Carpet casualties: Try explaining to your firm’s director why your voice cracked on a client call. No, it wasn’t emotion. It was stepping in something warm and unpleasant mid-sentence.
- The guilt trip: Two days a week I’m the Best Human Ever. The other three, I get the kind of betrayed stare that could crumble even the strongest cross-examination.
- Energy mismatch: After a ten-hour day, I want Netflix and silence. My puppy wants to re-enact the Battle of Hastings in the living room. Guess who wins?
- Background noise: Nothing says “professional” like speaking to serious clients (with no sense of humour) while a squeaky toy shrieks in the background like a deranged rubber chicken.
The Verdict
Getting a puppy while working full time is like trying to complete on Friday at 4:59pm: technically possible, but only with luck, prayer, and a sense of humour.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely. You’ll lose sleep, shoes, and maybe a section of carpet. But you’ll gain a loyal, chaotic sidekick who thinks you’re a superhero—even when you’re just crying into your fourth coffee because the Land Registry portal shows you have waiting Land Registry query letters about an ongoing application (for the 10th time).
At the end of the day, clients come and go. Case files close. Deadlines pass. But when a puppy greets you at the door like you’ve just won the best ever settlement for a client, it makes the madness worth it.
⚖️ Solicitor by day | 🚢 Cruising the seas and navigating the law | Sharing legal tips & travel tales | 📲 Follow my journey on Instagram | Threads | TikTok | BlueSky |
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