Translating 18 months of research into the simple reality of being by each other’s side.
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Part 1: The Research | The Process of Elimination, One Too Many Quizzes, and the Algorithm that Recommended a Pot Plant
Choosing the right dog breed wasn’t a snap decision; it was a 12-month deep dive into research, logic, and a refusal to settle for a “pot plant” algorithm. They say life is what happens while you are making other plans. In my case, life was what happened while I was…
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Part 2: The Search | Vetting the Breeder and the Puppy Who Chose Me
Finding the right human behind the dogs was the next challenge Once I settled on the Miniature American Shepherd (MAS), the real work began. Choosing a breed on paper is one thing. However, finding reputable dog breeders in Australia who prioritise the care of the mother and the early socialisation…
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Part 3: The Arrival | The 18-Month Wait Ends: Theory Meets Practice
Months of rationalising, vetting, and planning led to this moment. Now, the research was over. It was time to see if my meticulous preparation would survive the reality. Cutting Through the Noise By the time we pulled into the driveway, the research phase had well and truly finished. As a…
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Part 4: The Foundation | Living the Plan: Navigating Work and Routines
With the ‘little brown bear’ officially named Monte, the focus shifted from theoretical research to the practical reality of daily life. The immediate challenge was the logistics of balancing a puppy’s needs with a work schedule that required me in the office three days a week. Managing the Space Living…
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Part 5: First Puppy Essentials | Research vs. The Real World: My Master List
Discover the essentials that survived the reality of a teething puppy, the savvy second-hand finds that saved the budget. Plus, see the one ‘must-have’ item Monte couldn’t have cared less about… As someone who isn’t a fan of household clutter, I was very intentional about what crossed the threshold. While…
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Part 6: Our food journey | The Kibble Wormhole | Sourcing the Wholesome Bowl
If you thought my research into dog breeds was exhaustive, wait until you hear about the “pet food wormhole.” Coming into this, I knew I wanted clean, wholesome food. I have never been a fan of tinned food, not for humans, and certainly not for dogs. I loved the idea…
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Part 7: Monte’s Desexing Twist | The Hidden Complexity of the “Wait”
What I wish I knew about delayed recovery for a mature dog is now a permanent chapter in the MonteCaro chronicles, and I hope it serves as a roadmap for anyone else choosing the same path for their companion. Why We Waited I was determined to give him the best…

